Durga Puja is much more than a religious festival. It brings together culture, food, entertainment, shopping and community life, creating one of India’s most vibrant festive experiences. Recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021, Durga Puja has also become an important cultural and commercial occasion. A British Council study valued the creative economy...

HINJEWADI, PUNE — August 13, 2026: There is an irony in Durga Puja that many Bengali women know well. For five days, devotees worship Goddess Durga as the embodiment of Shakti—strength, courage and the power to overcome adversity. Yet, when the planning meetings begin, women are not always present in the rooms where the most important decisions are made. At Oitijhyo Sarbojonin...