Eden Gardens Resonates With Dhak Beats as Kolkata Gears Up for Mahalaya Celebrations

Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens cricket stadium reverberated with the rhythmic beats of dhaks as the city prepared for Mahalaya celebrations on Saturday, October 10. Thousands of traditional drummers gathered at the venue for a large-scale cultural performance, bringing the festive spirit of Durga Puja to one of India’s most celebrated sporting arenas.

Videos showing hundreds of dhakis performing together at Eden Gardens circulated widely on social media, attracting attention from people across the country. The powerful rhythms of the traditional Bengali drums created a festive atmosphere, offering a glimpse of the elaborate arrangements planned for the Mahalaya event.

The performance formed part of the preparations for a major cultural programme intended to celebrate Bengal’s rich artistic traditions and mark the beginning of the Durga Puja season. Mahalaya holds special significance for Bengalis as it traditionally signals the arrival of Goddess Durga and the countdown to the annual festivities.

According to reports, around 3,000 dhakis participated in the mass performance, filling the stadium with synchronised beats. The gathering highlighted the importance of the dhak in Bengali cultural celebrations, particularly during Durga Puja, when the instrument accompanies rituals, processions and community festivities across the state.

The celebrations are also expected to feature a large gathering of performers from different artistic disciplines. Reports indicated that approximately 6,000 artists would participate in the broader programme, making it a major cultural spectacle at the historic stadium.

Organisers have planned additional attractions, including laser displays, a drone show and fireworks, to complement the traditional performances. The combination of folk music, visual effects and large-scale participation is expected to create an elaborate presentation celebrating Bengal’s cultural identity.

Eden Gardens, best known for hosting international cricket matches and major sporting events, has increasingly served as a venue for occasions that extend beyond cricket. Its use for the Mahalaya programme reflects the scale of public celebrations associated with Durga Puja in Kolkata, where cultural performances and community gatherings play a central role.

The event comes as preparations for Durga Puja gather momentum across West Bengal. From neighbourhood pandals and artistic installations to traditional music and elaborate rituals, the festival remains one of the region’s most significant annual celebrations. The mass dhak performance at Eden Gardens has added to the excitement surrounding Mahalaya, bringing together traditional Bengali music and a prominent city landmark ahead of the festive season.