SILIGURI, September 21, 2026 – A 64-year-old community Durga Puja with deep historical roots is set to become a major attraction this year, as organizers in West Bengal’s Siliguri prepare to adorn the idols of Goddess Durga and other deities with a staggering 100 kilograms of original gold ornaments. The grand celebration is being organized by the Central Colony Durga Puja Committee, a group with origins tracing back to October 1962. During that tense period, as war clouds gathered between India and China, railway employees living near the New Jalpaiguri railway station initiated the community Puja. Six decades later, the historical significance of the event continues to resonate, with the committee deciding to make this year’s festivities unprecedentedly pompous and glitzy. However, the ambitious plan has not been without its logistical hurdles, as the traditional venue—a large railway ground used for decades—had to be vacated to make way for the construction of a new cricket stadium.
Following extensive negotiations with railway authorities, the committee was offered an alternative site, which initially presented a severe challenge as it was predominantly a wetland. Undeterred, the organizers undertook massive efforts to fill and prepare the land to host the grand event. Committee President Kanchan Ray noted that the members had not anticipated the new location would ultimately draw such immense attention. The sheer volume of gold involved has necessitated an unprecedented security apparatus. Joint Secretary Partha De confirmed that following multiple meetings with the local police, rigorous security protocols have been established. The entire Puja premises will be blanketed with CCTV surveillance, while a large contingent of private security guards will be deployed alongside professional volunteers to manage the massive crowds and heavy traffic expected near the major roads connecting to the New Jalpaiguri railway station.
In a significant move, the organizers have opted not to seek any financial assistance from the state government to fund the opulent celebration. Instead, they are planning to formally invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to inaugurate the festivities. For veteran committee member Angshuman Chakraborty, who has been associated with the Puja for nearly five decades, the true essence of the event lies beyond the glittering gold. Recalling the Puja’s golden jubilee, which was honoured with the Viswa Bangla Sarad Samman for its ‘Jibon Tori’ theme, Chakraborty highlighted that this year’s artistic theme is “Bhaskaryer Rupkatha” (The Fairytale of Sculpture). For the organizers and the local community, the 64th iteration represents a proud continuation of a legacy forged by railway families during one of the most critical junctures in Indian history.
Published by True Roots Media Network