Dakkhinayan@GK2: Tradition, sustainability and a Puja for everyone

As the countdown to Durga Puja 2026 begins, Dakkhinayan@GK2 is getting ready to welcome Maa Durga with a celebration that brings together tradition, community, sustainability and a strong contemporary spirit.

For the Dakkhinayan@GK2 community, Puja is much more than five days of rituals. It is a time when families come together, friendships are renewed, children connect with their cultural roots and the entire neighbourhood comes alive with the unmistakable spirit of Durga Puja.

This year, the celebrations promise to be particularly special. One of the most distinctive features will once again be the presence of two women priests from Kolkata, who will conduct the five-day Puja. Their participation represents Dakkhinayan@GK2’s continuing commitment to celebrating women’s empowerment while respecting the sanctity and traditions of the rituals. The initiative had earlier attracted considerable attention when Dakkhinayan@GK2 introduced women priests to lead its Puja. “Dakkhinayan@GK2 has always believed that tradition should evolve with the times without losing its essence. Having women priests perform the Puja is a reflection of that belief. It is about faith, equality and giving women their rightful place in every sphere,” says Gopa Mukherjee, President, Dakkhinayan@GK2.

 A Puja with a sustainable soul

Another important focus this year is the décor. In an age when environmental consciousness is no longer a choice but a responsibility, Dakkhinayan@GK2 is consciously embracing sustainable decoration. The idea is to create a beautiful festive environment while minimising the ecological footprint.

Natural, reusable and environmentally responsible materials will form an important part of the décor, moving away from excessive use of plastic and materials that generate unnecessary waste. A distinctive feature of this year’s pandal will be the kulo, the traditional winnowing basket, reimagined as a key design element. This brings a touch of Bengal’s cultural heritage into the celebrations while reinforcing the importance of sustainable, resource-conscious design.

Inclusivity is equally central to the celebrations. The cultural programme will bring together children from a special school and artistes from Kolkata and Delhi, creating a shared platform where diverse talents and abilities can be celebrated.

“Our décor this year is not just about looking beautiful. We want it to communicate a message. Festivals should create memories, not mountains of waste. We are therefore making a conscious effort to use sustainable elements and create an environment that is both visually appealing and responsible,” says Debalina Dasgupta, General Secretary, Dakkhinayan@GK2.

The approach reflects a larger philosophy at Dakkhinayan@GK2: celebrating our cultural heritage, embracing inclusivity and being mindful of the world we leave for future generations.

Five days of celebration

The five days of Puja will retain the familiar rhythm and emotion of Durga Puja—beginning with Shashthi and continuing through Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Dashami.

For devotees, it will be a time for anjali, rituals, dhak, cultural celebrations and, of course, the quintessential community adda. But at its heart will be the opportunity to come together.

“Every year, we ask ourselves how we can make the Puja more meaningful for our community. The answer is not necessarily about making it bigger. It is about making it more inclusive, more participative and more memorable. And community participation is perhaps what defines Dakkhinayan@GK2 most strongly” says Shantomoy Ray, Joint Secretary, Dakkhinayan@GK2.

The Puja is powered by the collective effort of residents, volunteers, organisers and well-wishers who contribute their time and energy to make the five days special.

Bhog for more than 3,000 people

No Bengali Durga Puja is complete without bhog. This year, Dakkhinayan@GK2 is preparing to serve bhog to more than 3,000 people, making it one of the biggest expressions of community sharing during the festivities.

The bhog is more than a meal. It is an integral part of the Puja experience—a simple, traditional offering that brings everyone together around the same table.

“Food has an extraordinary ability to bring people together. Our bhog is our way of sharing the joy of Puja with the entire community. Feeding more than 3,000 people is a huge responsibility, but it is also a privilege for all of us,” says Dr. Shoma Mukherji, Treasurer, Dakkhinayan@GK2.

The scale of the preparation underlines the community nature of the celebration. From procurement and cooking to serving and managing the arrangements, hundreds of people are involved behind the scenes.

Where tradition meets togetherness

Dakkhinayan@GK2 has steadily evolved as a community that values its cultural identity while remaining open to change.

This year’s Puja brings those two ideas together particularly well: women priests leading sacred rituals, sustainable décor reflecting contemporary environmental concerns, and a community bhog that brings thousands together.

“The real strength of Dakkhinayan@GK2 is its people. Every year, I see residents come forward and contribute in their own way. That collective spirit is what transforms a Puja from an event into a celebration of community,” says Rabin Dasgupta, Joint Treasurer, Dakkhinayan@GK2.

As the final preparations gather pace, the anticipation is palpable. Soon, the venue will be transformed, the lights will come on, the dhaak will announce the arrival of Maa Durga and the familiar sounds of Puja will fill GK2.

For five days, Dakkhinayan@GK2 will become a meeting place for faith, culture, food, friendship and celebration. And perhaps that is the real beauty of Durga Puja. It is not only about welcoming the Goddess. It is about welcoming everyone.

At Dakkhinayan@GK2, Maa Durga is coming and the entire community is getting ready to celebrate together!