Times Square To Host First-Ever Real-Time Durga Puja

For the first time in history, the heart of Manhattan will resonate with the beats of dhak and the spirit of devotion as the Times Square Durga Utsav Association (TSDUA) organizes a real-time Durga Puja at Father Duffy Square, next to the iconic Red Stairs, on October 1 and 2.

A newly crafted idol of Goddess Durga, created by renowned Kumartuli artisan Pradip Rudra Paul, has been shipped from Kolkata for the festival. Over the two days, visitors can experience traditional rituals such as Sindoor Khela and Dhunuchi Naach, alongside Navratri celebrations representing cultural traditions from Odisha, Gujarat, and Karnataka.

The festival promises to recreate the atmosphere of Kolkata’s Maddox Square and Dhaka’s Dhakeswari Temple against the dazzling backdrop of Times Square. An Off-Broadway troupe, Surati, will stage a performance of Lord Rama’s Akal Bodhan, narrating the mythological origins of the Puja to a global audience.

Adding to the grandeur, leading performers from India and Bangladesh will take the stage, while the celebrations will be broadcast worldwide via live telecast.