Times Square Durga Puja set to get bigger this year
Times of India | 30 April 2025
Kolkata: Preparations are already underway for a grander second edition of Times Square Durga Puja on Sept 27 and 28, right in the heart of New York City. This comes after the first Times Square Durga Puja last year, which drew thousands of visitors, including Americans and global tourists alike.
The organisers were in Kolkata on Tuesday to engage with the local community and announce plans for an even larger celebration this year. They aim to bring together the Bengali diaspora from across the US and make the puja a global celebration.
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"Last year, the response was very good. We saw curious New Yorkers, tourists, and expats soaking in the atmosphere, mesmerised by the rituals, music, and artistry," said Biswajit Chakraborti, one of the organisers.
"This year, we are planning to go bigger — reaching out to Bengali communities in other cities of the US to make this a truly pan-American Durga Puja." The Unesco heritage recognition of Durga Puja in 2021 as part of the "Representative list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity" will be central to this year's campaign. The organisers plan to use the global heritage tag as a cultural calling card to generate wider interest.
"Durga Puja unites cultures. People from across all communities become a part in some way or the other," said Urmi De Baghel, another organiser. "The Unesco tag has given us an opportunity to not only represent Bengal's traditions but also to invite the world to experience it. This isn't just about nostalgia or diaspora — it's about showing how inclusive our culture can be."
With plans underway for live performances, traditional crafts stalls, cultural exhibits, and food kiosks featuring Bengali cuisine, the Times Square Durga Puja is expected to attract more people this year.