Md. Ali Park Durga Puja Eyes Homecoming in 2028, Hopes to Reclaim Its Place in Kolkatas Festive Landscape…

Kolkata, October 15, 2026: After years of displacement, shrinking celebrations and organisational challenges, the iconi

c Md. Ali Park Durga Puja is looking towards a possible homecoming in 2028, with the committee hopeful that ongoing infrastructure developments will pave the way for its return to its original venue. For a festival celebrated for its artistic innovation, social commentary and spirit of communal harmony, the prospect of reclaiming its historic home marks a significant milestone in its ongoing journey of resilience.Established in 1967 by four friends- Surendra Sharma, Anand Tibrewal, Jagdish Bohara and Sanwarmal Joshi- the puja began in the courtyard of 39, Tarachand Dutt Street before moving to Md. Ali Park in 1977.

Over the decades, it grew into one of Kolkatas most prominent community Durga Pujas, earning recognition among the citys top five celebrations during the late 1990s and 2000s.More than a festive gathering, Md. Ali Park became a platform for artistic experimentation and thought-provoking storytelling. Its expansive pandals, elaborate idols and socially relevant themes helped establish its distinctive identity. Sculptor Alok Sen, who joined the puja in 1980, played a pivotal role in shaping its artistic legacy. From a church inspired pandal in the 1970s to installations addressing corruption in medicine and politics, the puja consistently demonstrated how religious celebrations could also engage with contemporary social issues. In 2025, the organisers paid tribute to Sophia Qureshi and Vyomika Singh, both of whom played a key role in Operation Sindoor, while this years theme draws inspiration from the old Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.From a Landmark Celebration to an Uncertain FutureThe pujas trajectory changed dramatically in March 2019, when cracks developed in the century old, British-era underground water reservoir beneath Md. Ali Park. The facility supplies water to approximately 300,000 families, prompting safety concerns that necessitated the pujas relocation to the adjacent Central Avenue fire station area, and after two years, the committee was allowed to install the pandal on the steps of Md. Ali Park.The move was a major setback for a celebration whose identity had long been associated with the scale and spectacle of its original setting. From a sprawling pandal spread across approximately 35,000 square feet, the festival is reduced to a venue of around 1,000 square feet. Financial constraints compounded the difficulties, with the committees budget reportedly declined with time particularly during the pandemic.Despite these setbacks, the organisers have continued to sustain the festival, determined to preserve its heritage while navigating the practical challenges of operating from a temporary location.A Story of Resilience Captured in a FilmThe journey of Md. Ali Park Durga Puja, from its celebrated past to its struggle for a return, is documented in Aparajita: An Indomitable Spirit, directed by Gurgaon-based filmmaker Kapil Dev Sharma.Drawing on the memories and experiences of those who have sustained the festival, the film explores the consequences of losing its original venue and the determination to protect its cultural identity. It also highlights the secular ethos that has remained central to the pujas character, even as the organisers have confronted physical, financial and organisational challenges.In this regard, Kapil Dev Sharma, Director of Aparajita: An Indomitable Spirit, said, with Aparajita: An Indomitable Spirit, I wanted to give voice to a story that is too powerful to fade away with the park itself. The film explores what happened to this cherished place and, more importantly, how its community continues to endure the upheaval. Through the memories, devotion, and quiet determination of those who have sustained its Durga Puja, the film becomes both a record of loss and a portrait of resilience. At its heart lies the Puja’s secular spirit- a celebration shaped by people of different faiths and backgrounds, coming together in a profound expression of creativity, care, and belonging.”Communal Harmony at the Heart of Its LegacyEqually important to Md. Ali Parks story is its longstanding commitment to communal harmony. Located in a predominantly Muslim neighbourhood, the puja has enjoyed the support and participation of residents across religious communities. People of different faiths and backgrounds have contributed to its organisation, making the festival a powerful example of shared cultural ownership and neighbourhood solidarity.Longstanding committee member Shahid Bhai represents this spirit of collective participation. Their involvement reflects a tradition in which the puja extends beyond religious boundaries to become a celebration embraced by the wider community.Shahid Bhai, member of Md. Ali Park Durga Puja committee said “I joined the Puja committee as a 19 yrs old boy. The members are affectionate towards me. I have participated in this Puja for all these years and this Puja continues to be the symbol of collective participation.The committees social initiatives further reinforce this commitment. Through blood donation camps, the distribution of books to underprivileged children and food assistance for those in need, the organisers have sought to ensure that the festivals contribution extends beyond its annual celebrations.Infrastructure Developments Raise Hopes of a 2028 ReturnThe possibility of returning to Md. Ali Park has now emerged as a renewed source of hope for the committee. Government authorities have begun work on an alternative water pumping station at Marcus Square, following which restoration work on the existing facility is expected to commence.According to assurances received by the committee, the puja could return to its original venue by 2028, subject to the progress of the infrastructure and restoration work. While the proposed timeline remains contingent on these developments, the prospect has rekindled hopes of rebuilding the festival on a scale closer to its former grandeur.For the organisers, a return would mean more than reclaiming a physical location. It would represent an opportunity to restore a defining chapter of Kolkatas Durga Puja heritage, revive the artistic ambitions that once distinguished Md. Ali Park and reconnect the festival with the setting in which much of its identity was forged.Surendra Sharma, Gen. Secy of Md. Ali Park Durga Puja committee said “The first few years of not being able to hold the puja at its original site were painful for us and the devotees, and left us deeply dejected. We are delighted that work has begun on an alternate water storage tank at Marcus Square. The Government has assured us that repairs and restoration at the existing pumping station in Md. Ali Park will begin once the new facility is operational. We are confident that Md. Ali Park Durga Puja will return to its original site by 2028, in all its grandeur.Looking Ahead to a New ChapterAs Md. Ali Park Durga Puja looks towards a possible return in 2028, its story is one of perseverance, cultural memory and a communitys determination to reclaim its heritage. What began in 1967 as the initiative of four friends has evolved into a festival recognised for its artistic ambition, willingness to challenge social conventions and ability to bring people together across religious boundaries.The road back to its original home may still depend on infrastructure work and the resolution of continuing challenges. Yet, the hope of returning to Md. Ali Park has given the organisers a renewed sense of purpose.For a puja that once occupied a prominent place in Kolkatas festive landscape, a homecoming in 2028 could mark the beginning of a new chapter- one that restores not only its physical space, but also the scale, spirit and cultural significance that made Md. Ali Park Durga Puja an enduring part of the citys identity.