The last stretch of Durga Puja — Vijaya Dashami through the days after — is when the city’s mood flips from festive to bittersweet, and the pandals empty out onto the streets and riverbanks for immersion. If pandal hopping is the loud, colourful half of the trip, Visarjan is the quieter, more emotional half, and it is worth planning for on purpose rather than stumbling into it.
What Is Visarjan and Why It Matters
Visarjan is the ritual immersion of the Durga idol in the Hooghly river, marking the goddess’s symbolic return to Mount Kailash after her stay on earth. In Kolkata, the biggest community pujas don’t all immerse on Dashami itself; large Sarbojanin clubs often hold their idols back for the citywide Carnival before immersing over the following days, which is why the ghats stay busy for close to a week after the main festival ends.
Key 2026 Dates to Know
Vijaya Dashami itself sees the first wave of immersions, largely from smaller neighbourhood and household pujas. The bulk of the major club idols move to the ghats over the two or three days that follow, once each club has taken its turn in the Carnival procession. If a specific pandal’s immersion date matters to your schedule, it’s worth asking a local guide or the club directly a few days beforehand, since exact slots are assigned close to the date.
Where to Watch: Best Ghats
| Ghat | What to expect |
| Babughat | The largest and most photographed immersion site, dozens of idols at once on peak days |
| Bagbazar Ghat | North Kolkata’s traditional immersion point, smaller and more local in feel |
| Ahiritola Ghat | Good vantage point with less crowding than Babughat |
| Jagannath Ghat | Close to the main city, easy to combine with a Central Kolkata evening |
The Red Road Carnival
Kolkata’s Durga Puja Carnival along Red Road is a relatively recent addition — a state-organised procession where a selection of the city’s best-known club idols are paraded on decorated trucks before the government dignitaries and the public, complete with drummers, dancers and light shows. Seating is limited and largely by invitation or early arrival at the public viewing areas, so if this is a priority, plan to arrive well before the announced start time.
Tips for Visitors
- Immersion crowds are different from pandal crowds — more emotional, often with families following “their” idol, so keep a respectful distance while photographing.
- River banks get slippery and poorly lit after dark; sturdy footwear matters more here than anywhere else on the trip.
- The Carnival route and exact ghat schedules are published only a week or two ahead each year — confirm the current year’s dates locally rather than relying on last year’s timing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all Durga Puja idols get immersed on the same day?
No. Household and smaller pujas typically immerse on Vijaya Dashami itself, while many large club idols wait until after the Carnival, spreading immersions over several days.
Is the Red Road Carnival open to the public?
Yes, there are public viewing areas along the route, though space is limited and fills up quickly, so early arrival is the practical strategy.
Which ghat is best for photography?
Babughat offers the most activity and scale, while Ahiritola Ghat tends to be less crowded if you want cleaner shots.
