Bengaluru’s ICON Utsav hosted its fourth‑year Durga Puja celebration on 15‑18 September 2026 at Lodha ICON in Thanisandra.
The event opened with traditional sabeki‑style worship of Maa Durga, a ritual that traces back to early Bengali temple practices. Attendees gathered in the main hall, where incense smoke rose in slow spirals, punctuated by the rhythmic beating of drums.
A striking feature of the festival was the display of the hathpakha, the hand fan that has graced Bengali households for generations. Priyam Mandal, president of ICON Utsav Durga Puja, explained that giving the fan visual prominence transforms a familiar household symbol into an affectionate statement of Bangaliyana.
The highlight of the program was the Purulia style Chhau dance, a UNESCO‑listed art form known for its powerful movements and mythic storytelling. Audiences watched performers depict scenes from the Ramayana and local folklore, their masks and costumes adding a dramatic flair that captivated both young and old.
Other folk dances, such as Raibenshe, and the Dhunuchi Naach—where dancers hold pots of burning incense—filled the stage. Baul musicians, known for their spiritual lyrics, added a soulful soundtrack that resonated with the crowd. "When children encounter these traditions first‑hand, culture stops being something they merely hear about and becomes something they carry forward," Mandal said. The festival drew over 2,500 visitors, setting a new attendance record and providing a vibrant platform for cross‑cultural engagement across Bengaluru.
Organizers announced plans to expand the program next year, aiming to involve more children in cultural workshops and to launch an outreach initiative that will bring Bengali heritage to even more neighborhoods in the city.