A two-day celebration of Mahalaya and Sharadiya Durga Puja is set to begin at New York’s iconic Times Square, one of the world’s most recognisable tourist destinations. The festival, themed “Mahamilan 2026,” will commence on Saturday, October 10, and continue through Sunday, October 11.
Organised for the second time by the Times Square Durga Puja Association, the festival aims to showcase Bengali religious heritage, literature, music, dance and the enduring message of communal harmony to an international audience. The event will take place at Father Duffy Square in the heart of Manhattan, drawing considerable enthusiasm among members of the Bengali diaspora.
According to the organisers’ schedule, the festival will open on Saturday with special Mahalaya programmes featuring Chandi Path, the traditional Mahishasuramardini recitation, hymns in praise of Goddess Durga and a series of colourful cultural performances. On Sunday morning, the celebrations will continue with Maha Ashtami Puja, Vijayadashami festivities and the traditional Sindoor Khela ceremony.
One of the major highlights this year will be special recognition for six established Bengali organisations across the United States for their contributions to Durga Puja celebrations and the preservation of Bengali culture. The organisations being honoured are Bay Area Probasi Inc. of California, Bengali Association of Greater Chicago of Illinois, Bengali Cultural Society of Ohio, East Coast Durga Puja Association of New York, Kallol of New Jersey and Pragati of Pennsylvania.
Local elected representatives from New York, diplomatic officials and prominent figures from the social and cultural communities are expected to attend the festival.
The organising committee said the event is being coordinated under the leadership of president Shashadhar Howlader and general secretary Nirupama Saha.
To mark the occasion, a special commemorative publication titled Times Square Sharadiya 2026 has been released, edited by Bishwajit Saha. The publication includes congratulatory messages from Bangladesh’s President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, West Bengal’s Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Purnima Chakraborty, and the New York City Mayor’s Office.
