Kolkata, October 15, 2026: West Bengal Governor R N Ravi inaugurated the 84th edition of the Manicktala Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja, themed ‘Nishan — The Mark’, opening the 2026 pandal to devotees and visitors in North Kolkata.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Samik Bhattacharya, State President of BJP West Bengal; Tapas Roy, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Government of West Bengal; Vijay Ojha, MLA, Jorasanko; Locket Chatterjee, former Member of Parliament; Shishir Bajoria, President Inauguration Committee 2026, Chaltabagan Durga Puja; and industrialist Hari Mohan Bangur. The Governor was accompanied by the first lady.
Theme highlights Ramnami Samaj
The 2026 theme, conceived by artist Aditi Chakraborty, explores godna, the tattoo, as a symbol of faith, protection, and protest. The pandal focuses on the Ramnami Samaj of Chhattisgarh, a devotional community whose members have inscribed the name of Ram on their bodies since the 1890s as a peaceful response to caste exclusion. The theme is accompanied by a special composition from Grammy Award winner and Padma Bhushan recipient Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt. The committee describes the journey with the Bengali phrase ‘Akshar theke Aakar’ — from the letter to the form.
National recognition for Ramnami documentary
“Ramnami,” a documentary by Bharatbala Ganapathy, was named Best Hindi Documentary at the 72nd National Film Awards, presented by President Droupadi Murmu on September 22, 2026.
Committee leadership and history
Chaltabagan Durga Puja Committee officials Ashok Jaiswal (President), Rajesh Bihani (Vice Chairman), and Rajesh Jaiswal (Secretary) welcomed the guests at the event. Established in 1943, the Chaltabagan Durga Puja has previously received the Asian Paints Sharad Shamman and the Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman awards, and remains open to visitors throughout the Puja days.
“This puja began 84 years ago in the old iron quarter of Manicktala. This year the nation has honoured the Ramnami Samaj with a National Award, and tonight Kolkata honoured them in its own way. With the Hon’ble Governor and our guests beside us, the city walked through the pandal and carried their mark forward,” said Sundeep Bhutoria, Chairman, Chaltabagan Durga Puja.
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