Eden Gardens Hosts Grand Mahalaya Show With 3,000 Drones

Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens transformed into a grand cultural venue on October 10 as West Bengal welcomed the beginning of the Durga Puja festivities on Mahalaya. The event brought together traditional Bengali customs and modern technology, with thousands of spectators gathering to witness the celebrations and welcome Goddess Durga.

One of the evening’s biggest attractions was the performance by 10,000 traditional drummers, known as dhakis, whose rhythmic beats filled the stadium. The programme also featured conch-shell sounds, folk dances from different parts of Bengal and musical performances celebrating the state’s rich cultural heritage.

The celebration reached another highlight when 3,000 drones illuminated the night sky, creating visual displays dedicated to Goddess Durga. Laser effects and fireworks added to the spectacle, combining traditional religious celebrations with modern visual technology. Reports said around 40,000 people attended the event at the stadium.

Mahalaya marks the transition from Pitru Paksha, a period dedicated to remembering ancestors, to Devi Paksha, which signals the arrival of Goddess Durga and the approach of Durga Puja. The large-scale celebration at Eden Gardens offered a vibrant start to the festive season, showcasing Bengal’s cultural traditions to a massive audience.