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Durga Puja is barely over, the post-Pujo blues are setting in, and Kolkata is already lighting up again. While the rest of India celebrates Diwali as the Festival of Lights, Bengal spends the darkest night of Kartik waiting up for Maa Kali. Clay diyas line the parapets, Shyama Sangeet plays from the lanes, and the city goes pandal hopping all over again.
If you’re planning to explore the Kali Puja pandals in Kolkata in 2026, this guide is for you. Pandal hopping during Kali Puja has grown a lot over the last few years. If you don’t believe us, try walking down Amherst Street on Kali Puja night and thank us later!
We’ve updated our list for 2026. It covers the classic North and Central Kolkata pujas, South Kolkata favourites, the big theme pandals of Barasat, Naihati’s Boro Maa, and the pandals people are talking about on Instagram and YouTube this year.
Significance of Maa Kali
Goddess Kali is the fierce form of Devi Durga and stands for feminine power and courage. In one image she looks terrifying, wearing a garland of skulls and standing on Lord Shiva’s chest. To her devotees, though, she is a mother who will go to any length to protect her children. She destroys evil and clears away everything negative in the world.
Bengal worships Kali on Diwali night because most Bengali homes have already celebrated their big Lakshmi Puja on Kojagari Purnima, about two weeks earlier. The moonless Kartik night is kept for Kali instead.
Few interesting facts about Kali puja & Maa Kali
Lets talk about few very interesting facts about Kali puja:
- Maa Kali is often referred to as the most smartest and most powerful amongst all the deities worshipped in India
- It is known that the prasadam or offering made to Maa Kali in the temples in Tangra region in Kolkata are in the form of Chinese dishes of Chowmin, chop suey etc.
- The 4 hands of Kali represents certain things. two of them represents destruction and demolition of evil and negative things in the world and the other two symbolizes eternal and pure love for her devotees.
- Maa Kali is worshipped by both good and evil people as all consider her as their mother. This shows that the love and affection of a mother cannot be divided between good and bad people. The mother is for all people.
- Before 1970, the humongous 22 feet idol of Naihati’s Boro Maa Kali used to be carried on the shoulders of the strongest men in town, to the river for immersion.
- Bhoot Chaturdashi, the night before Kali Puja, is when Bengali families light 14 lamps for their ancestors and eat 14 kinds of leafy greens.
Top Kali Puja pandals in North and Central Kolkata 2026
1. Naba Yubak Sangha/ Fatakeshto Kali Puja
Krishna Chandra Dutta aka Fatakeshto started this famous Kali puja in Kolkata during the 1950’s. The design and the structure of the idol has been kept the same year after year.
This famous Kali puja has been visited by almost all famous celebrities’ in the country. Starting from Amitabh Bacchan to Asha Bhosle, everyone appeared in this Puja at least once in their lifetime.
The structure of the pandal has also been kept exactly the same as it used to be in earlier times and the decorations and lightings still now come from Chandannagore area.
When we talk about Chandannagar, you can plan a day trip this beautiful French colony, read our blog to know more.
2. Amherst Street Sadharan Kali Puja Committee / Somen Mitra Kali Puja
Right next to Fatakesto’s puja is the Amherst Street pandal, popularly called the Somen Mitra Kali Puja after the well-known Bengal politician. The pandal is built on the main road, and the idol is usually decorated with gold and silver ornaments.
3. Naba Rabin Sangha (Buchiya Da’s Kali Puja)
Held since 1959 in Patuatola Lane, off Surya Sen Street, this is another College Street classic. Most people simply call it Buchiya Da’s Kali Puja. It regularly turns up in North Kolkata pandal-hopping videos.
4. 48 Pally Jubasree Kali Puja
Walk 100–200 metres from Amherst Street towards Bowbazar and you’ll reach 48 Pally Jubasree. Its decoration and lighting are the main attraction.
5. Ekata Sangha Kali Puja
Close to 48 Pally Jubasree, Ekata Sangha is known for its colourful lighting gates that fill your camera roll.
6. Sukea Street Kali Puja
From APC Road, turn into Sukea Street and you’ll find this grand puja on Mahendra Srimani Road. From Amherst Street, take the lane opposite Ghosh Sweets.
7. Janbajar Sammilita Kali Puja
Founded in 1969 on SN Banerjee Road, a short walk from Wellington crossing. Janbazar is known for worshipping Goddess Kali in ten different forms. In 2025, its Jaipur palace-inspired pandal became a big crowd-puller.
8. Pathuriaghata Byayam Samity (Boro Kali)
This puja draws crowds for its roughly 31-foot idol, decorated with around 100 kg of ornaments. It has historical links to Bagha Jatin and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
9. Five Star Sporting Club, Girish Park
Come here for the Annakut, a mountain of food offered to Maa Kali, which makes this puja stand out from the rest
10. Youth Friends Club Kali Puja
Near Shakespeare Sarani, this pandal always belongs on a Central Kolkata pandal-hopping list.
Top Kali Puja pandals in South Kolkata 2026
11. Lake View Kali Puja – Amra Sobai Club
This Puja near Southern Avenue gained its popularity with the famous 9 kali idols couple of years back. If you are in South Kolkata, you can add this to your list located just close to Lake Kali Bari.
12. Keoratala Mahashashan Kali Puja
Held inside a working crematorium for around 150 years, this is one of the city’s most unusual and atmospheric Kali Pujas.
13. Chetla Agrani Club
The Kalighat–Chetla belt is packed with pujas. Chetla Agrani Club, Kalighat Milan Sangha and 86 Pally are popular stops on the South Kolkata trail.
14. Alipore Aradhana Samiti
This pandal worships Goddess Chamunda, a fierce form of Kali. It’s known for strict rituals and a deeply spiritual atmosphere.
15. Baghajatin Mainak Club
Baghajatin went viral in 2025 with a twin Maha Kali idol and a “ghost world” theme based on Tantric worship. Keep an eye on its 2026 reveal
Barasat Kali Puja 2026: the theme pandal capital
If Durga Puja belongs to South Kolkata, Barasat owns Kali Puja. The clubs here compete fiercely every year with huge pandals, replica temples and dazzling lights.
| Pandal | Known for |
|---|---|
| Pioneer Athletic Club (Pioneer Park) | New themes and a huge pandal every year, near Barasat station. 2025 theme: Mysore Palace |
| KNC Regiment | One of Barasat’s oldest and most famous pujas |
| Nabapally Association | Replicas of famous temples. 2025 theme: Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir |
| Nabapally Amra Sobai Club | Big themes. 2025 theme: Krishna’s Dwarka |
| Sandhani Club | 2025 theme: ISKCON Mayapur, near rail gate no. 11 |
| Balak Brinda Sporting Club | Iconic structure replicas on Taki Road |
| Bidrohi Sporting Club | Huge height and striking lights ] |
| Rising Stars / Kishore Sporting Club | Cultural themes. 2025: Indonesia |
| Satadal Sangha | Long-standing favourite on Taki Road |
How to reach: Take a Sealdah local to Barasat, then walk the pandal circuit. You can’t cover Barasat in one night, so pick 5–6 pandals.
Naihati Boro Maa Kali Puja 2026
Naihati’s Boro Maa is entering its 103rd year in 2026. The main puja starts after midnight on 8 November, with anjali at about 1:30 AM and bhog from about 2:30 AM. Immersion is on 12 November.
What’s new in 2026 (please read before you go):
- 22 barricades around the temple, with separate entry and exit routes
- No VIP entry this year
- Trains will not run on Platform 1 at Naihati station on some puja days
How to reach: Take any Naihati, Ranaghat, Shantipur or Krishnanagar local from Sealdah. The temple is walkable from the station. If you’re coming from the Hooghly side, there’s a ferry from Chinsurah or Bandel ghat
Conclusion
South Kolkata draws the biggest crowds during Durga Puja. For Kali Puja, though, the spotlight moves to North and Central Kolkata, Barasat and Naihati. This isn’t a complete list of the top Kali Puja pandals in Kolkata for 2026, but if you cover even the top five, you won’t be disappointed.
Have a happy and safe Kali Puja and Diwali!
Got a day off? Try a quick getaway near Kolkata:
- Chandannagar day trip
- Serampore day trip
- Cafe Ekante, Rajarhat day trip
- Dhanyakuria day trip
- Weekend trip to Shantiniketan from Kolkata
If you enjoy detailed travel journeys, you can explore more of our Travel Blogs here.
