Onlykashmir.in News Desk
The five-day Sarbojanin Sri Sri Durgotsab 2026 is being celebrated with religious fervour and devotion at the Sri Sanatan Pratap Sabha Complex in Ganikhan, Srinagar, from October 17 to 21. The celebrations are being organised by the Bengali Swarna Shilpi Brinda and have drawn devotees and visitors from across the city.
On Tuesday, the festivities continued with a day-long Puja, followed by the distribution of Prasad among devotees and visitors. Worshippers gathered at the complex to offer prayers to Maa Durga and to seek blessings for peace, prosperity, happiness and well-being.
Durga Puja symbolises the victory of good over evil and honours Maa Durga as an embodiment of strength, courage and divine power. The festival is among the most important occasions in the Bengali cultural calendar, marked by prayers, rituals and community gatherings. In Srinagar, it also reflects the rich cultural and religious traditions of the Bengali community living in Kashmir, bringing together devotion, cultural heritage and a spirit of togetherness.
The observance in the Valley carries a significance that goes beyond ritual. For members of the Bengali community who live far from their home region, the annual Puja offers a chance to preserve customs, meet friends and pass on traditions to younger generations. At the same time, the open and inclusive nature of the celebration, reflected in the use of the word Sarbojanin, which denotes a festival meant for everyone, invites people of different backgrounds to take part and share in the atmosphere.
Kashmir has long been home to a mosaic of communities, and festivals celebrated in public venues have often served as a meeting point for residents of varied faiths. The celebrations at Ganikhan add to that tradition by promoting communal harmony and mutual understanding. Visitors who came to witness the Puja or receive Prasad were welcomed by the organisers, in keeping with the festival’s message of unity.
The timing of the festival, which coincides with the broader autumn festive season across the country, also lends it a special resonance in the Union Territory. With the five-day programme set to conclude on October 21, organisers and devotees are expected to continue the observances with the same devotion until the final day.
For the organisers, the success of the celebration lies in the participation it has inspired. The gathering at the Sri Sanatan Pratap Sabha Complex stands as a reminder of Kashmir’s pluralistic social fabric, where communities continue to mark their traditions with dignity and goodwill.
