Brief history of Jagat Mukherjee Park Durga Puja:

Establishment & Age: Jagat Mukherjee Park Durga Puja is a historic community Durga Puja in North Kolkata’s Sovabazar–Shyambazar area. It was first started in 1936 at Rajballav Para (in a garage) and has since grown into one of the most famous and influential pujas in the city. In 2026, it is celebrating its 90th year.

The puja is widely credited with initiating Kolkata’s first theme-based Durga Puja in 1959, when it broke from the purely traditional idol style and introduced conceptual storytelling through décor and presentation.

Location: 1, Jatindra Mohan Avenue, Near Sovabazar Sutanuti Metro, Kolkata- 700005, North Kolkata.

Themes:

• 2026 – The theme for Jagat Mukherjee Park Durga Puja 2026 is “PanduLipi” (Manuscript) or “Utterer Pandulipi”, shifting focus from previous tech-based concepts to India’s ancient history and cultural heritage.
• 2025 – “Artificial Intelligence: Boon or Bane?”: The 89th-year theme imagined a world 50 years into the future where AI and robots dominate daily life. The pandal juxtaposed technological advancement with human values, presenting Durga as the force that slays the “dark side” of AI.
• 1959 – First theme-based puja: Historically, Jagat Mukherjee Park is recognised as the first committee in Kolkata to introduce a theme-based Durga Puja, moving away from only “sabeki” (traditional) idols and inspiring the city-wide theme-pandal culture.
• Over the decades, the puja has built a reputation for daring, contemporary themes that engage with technology, society and modern anxieties while retaining devotional core.

USP:

• Pioneer of theme pujas: Its strongest USP is historical – being the originator of theme-based Durga Puja in Kolkata in 1959, a turning point in the festival’s evolution.
• Futuristic, idea-driven concepts: Recent themes like the AI-focused 2025 pandal show a consistent willingness to tackle complex, modern subjects through art and installation.
• North Kolkata heritage anchor: With 90 years of continuous celebration, it is a key stop on any North Kolkata heritage and pandal-hopping route.
• Blend of tradition and innovation: While known for bold themes, it maintains strong ritual practice and community participation, balancing experimentation with devotion.
• Accessible location: Its Sovabazar address near the metro makes it easy to combine with nearby historic pujas such as Bagbazar, Shyambazar and Sikdar Bagan.

In Summary:

Jagat Mukherjee Park Durga Puja, started in 1936 and now in its 90th year, is a Sovabazar–Shyambazar community puja in North Kolkata. Its USP lies in being Kolkata’s first theme-based Durga Puja (from 1959) and in its continued focus on bold, contemporary concepts – most recently an AI-themed “Boon or Bane?” pandal (2025) and a 90th-year concept around “PanduLipi” (Manuscript) or “Utterer Pandulipi” (2026) – making it a landmark of innovation within the city’s Durga Puja tradition.