Brief history of Pathuriaghata Pancher Pally Sarbojanin Durgotsav:

Establishment & Age: Pathuriaghata Pancher Pally Sarbojanin Durgotsav is a community puja in North Kolkata’s historic Pathuriaghata area. It began in 1940; in 2026, it is in its 87th year and is organised by Pathuriaghata Pancher Pally Sarbojanin Durgotsav Committee.

Pancher Pally is held near the historic Pathuriaghata–Sovabazar heritage zone.

Location:  59/1A, Pathuria Ghat Street, near Nutan Bazar, Kolkata- 700006, North Kolkata.

Notable themes

• 2025 – “Ebar Abagunthan Kholo” (“Now Remove the Veil”): The concept continued the committee’s effort to question social silence, stigma and discriminatory customs, particularly those affecting women.
• 2023 – “Ritumati” (“Menstruating Woman”): The puja made menstrual hygiene and menstruation the central subject. Through paintings, models, graphics and installations, it challenged taboos such as restricting menstruating women from kitchens, religious spaces or ordinary family life.
• The committee’s recent approach has been to use the pandal as a public-awareness platform, selecting subjects that are often uncomfortable but socially important.

Unique selling propositions

• Breaking taboos through art: Its strongest USP is the willingness to address subjects such as menstruation, menstrual hygiene and gender-based discrimination in a public festival setting.
• Socially engaged Durga Puja: The pandal functions as an awareness campaign as well as a devotional space, encouraging visitors to discuss issues that are usually hidden or misunderstood.
• Women-centred leadership: Committee organiser Ellora Saha has been publicly associated with the menstrual-hygiene initiative and related awareness activities, including sanitary-napkin distribution.
• Installation-based storytelling: The 2023 presentation used visual installations, models, paintings and educational graphics rather than relying only on ornamental decoration.
• Heritage neighbourhood setting: Its location in Pathuriaghata places it within a historic North Kolkata route containing old mansions, bonedi-bari pujas and traditional urban culture.

In Summary:

Pathuriaghata Pancher Pally Sarbojanin Durgotsav, founded in 1940 and now in its 87th year, is best known for socially conscious, women-centred themes. Its landmark “Ritumati” presentation on menstruation and menstrual hygiene established its identity as a puja that uses devotional art to challenge stigma, encourage education and bring difficult social conversations into the public sphere.