Saptapadi Durga Puja Festival to be Held in Balewadi from October 16 to 21

Pune: Saptapadi Cultural and Sports Association, which brings together citizens from diverse communities through various Indian cultural festivals while creating a unique blend of contemporary concepts and tradition, will host the grand Sharadiya Durga Puja 2026 festival at Safa Banquets, Balewadi High Street, from October 16 to 21, 2026.This year marks the fifth year of the Association’s community Durga Puja celebrations. To commemorate this special milestone, the Association has chosen the poignant theme ‘Manusher Majhe Maa’, meaning ‘The Mother Within Us’. The five-day festival will feature daily Durga Puja rituals, cultural programmes and a traditional Bengali food festival, offering visitors an opportunity to experience community togetherness, cultural traditions and the joy of the festive season.The information was shared at a press conference by Sanjay Biswas, President, Saptapadi Cultural and Sports Association; Joydeep Chatterjee; Vice-President, General Secretaries Sneha Kundu and Soumitra Kundu; and Treasurer Raj Bhanot.

Speaking about this year’s celebrations, Sanjay Biswas, President, Saptapadi Cultural and Sports Association, said that the theme of this year’s Durga Puja is ‘Manusher Majhe Maa’ – ‘The Mother Within Us’. The concept conveys the message that the presence of the Goddess can be experienced in the people around us. The divine can be seen in the hard work, dedication and humanity of those who strive to bring happiness to others.

The theme goes beyond religious rituals and seeks to convey a message of humanity and gratitude. Through the festival, the Association will acknowledge the contribution of the many people who work tirelessly to make the celebrations possible – from idol makers and pandal artisans to dhak players, lighting technicians, flower vendors, security personnel and sanitation workers. Many of them work day and night, often staying away from their families, to ensure that others can enjoy the festivities. The celebration will recognise these unsung individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes but often remain away from the spotlight.

Sneha Kundu and Soumitra Kundu, General Secretaries, Saptapadi Cultural and Sports Association, said that a grand eco-friendly idol of Goddess Durga will be one of the major attractions of this year’s festival. The Goddess will be presented in a beautiful, simple, elegant and serene form. The idol is envisioned as a humble tribute to humanity, with the Goddess portrayed as peaceful, benevolent and resembling a loving mother.Her eyes will reflect tranquillity, while her smile will convey forgiveness and compassion. It is this human and gentle representation that will make her truly divine. This year, the idol has been adorned with exquisite jewellery handcrafted by local artisans over several months. Each bead and every thread reflects the human touch, devotion and craftsmanship that have gone into creating these unique ornaments.

Raj Bhanot, Treasurer, Saptapadi Cultural and Sports Association, said that through the fifth year of its celebrations, the Association seeks to convey a message of gratitude, respect for every individual’s contribution and the importance of collective unity. The five-day festival celebrates the preservation of cultural traditions, a spirit of togetherness, devotion and cultural pride.The five-day Durga Puja festival will feature a variety of devotional music and dance performances, captivating artistic presentations and cultural programmes showcasing India’s diverse traditions. Devotees will be served bhog and prasad every day, while the festival will also feature an exhibition with stalls selling a variety of products, a food court and several activities organised by participating institutions.

The Association warmly welcomes its members, well-wishers and devotees from across the community to participate in the celebrations. To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all visitors, the venue will offer a fully air-conditioned complex, valet parking, a free health camp, wheelchair facilities for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, and medical assistance available 24 hours a day.

Traditional Durga Puja rituals will be conducted every morning, followed by Pushpanjali and other customary rituals. In addition, Saptapadi Cultural and Sports Association has organised a special programme titled ‘Ananda Mela’.

Festival Schedule

Friday, October 16 – Maha Shashti:

The celebrations will begin at 8:00 am with the Kalparambha Puja. An Ananda Mela will be held from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, followed by Baran Vidhi and Shashti Puja at 7:30 pm, along with the commencement of cultural programmes.

Saturday, October 17 – Maha Saptami:

Nabapatrika Pravesh will take place at 9:30 am, followed by Saptami Puja at 10:00 am, Pushpanjali at 11:00 am and distribution of Mahaprasad at 12:00 noon.

Sunday, October 18 – Maha Ashtami:

Ashtami Puja will be held at 9:30 am, followed by Pushpanjali at 11:30 am and distribution of Mahaprasad at 12:00 noon. Special sattvik Mahaprasad will be served to devotees for four days, with distribution beginning at 12:00 noon each day.

Monday, October 19 – Maha Navami:

Sandhi Puja will be held at 7:20 am, followed by Balidan and Deepdan at 7:50 am. Navami Puja will take place at 10:30 am, followed by Pushpanjali at 11:30 am.

Tuesday, October 20 – Dashami Preparatory Puja:

Kumari Puja will be conducted at 8:30 am, followed by the offering of Kumari Bhog at 9:00 am.

In addition to the religious ceremonies, cultural programmes will be organised every evening throughout the festival, allowing devotees and visitors to enjoy a vibrant cultural experience alongside the traditional religious celebrations.