Bagbazar Sarbojanin Durgotsav

Bagbazar Sarbojanin Durga Puja is one of Kolkata’s oldest and most celebrated community Durga Pujas, marking a significant shift from private, aristocratic household festivities to a truly public event.

The puja began in October 1919 at 55, Baghbazar Street, at the residence of the Sarkar family. Due to financial constraints, the Sarkar family could no longer continue the puja privately, so local residents collectively organized it for the first time, making it Kolkata’s first significant “sarbojanin” (for all) or community Durga Puja.

• Age: Established in 1919, the puja has been celebrated for over 105 years as of 2025.

• Venue Evolution: After starting at the Sarkar residence, the puja shifted in 1924 to the current location at the intersection of Baghbazar Street and Pashupati Bose Lane, and in 1926 it was officially named “Baghbazar Sarbojanin Durgotsav”.

• Members & Community Involvement: From its inception, the puja involved not only upper-caste Hindus but also members of the Mikiri Patti (fishermen’s locality), Muslim coachmen, and various sections of society, emphasizing true inclusivity. Prominent figures like Subhas Chandra Bose and Chittaranjan Das have served as presidents of the committee over the years.
  
• USP:
  • First true community puja in Kolkata, breaking the tradition of private celebrations.
  • Instrumental in the Swadeshi movement: During the 1920s and 30s, the puja ground hosted the Swadeshi Mela to promote Indian-made products, supported by nationalists like Subhas Chandra Bose.
  • Strict adherence to tradition: It is famous for its reverence to classic puja rituals, traditional idol aesthetics, and minimal experimentation with thematic décors, offering an experience rooted in heritage.
  • Inclusive legacy: Consistently involved diverse communities since the beginning, upholding a true sarbojanin spirit.
  • Historic cultural landmark: The puja has been a witness to and participant in Kolkata’s cultural evolution over more than a century.

Bagbazar Sarbojanin remains a symbol of Kolkata’s communal harmony, devotion, and continuity of tradition—making it a true icon among the city’s Durga Pujas.