The inaugural Durga Puja marked an important milestone in the cultural history of the Indian community in Poland. It received warm support from Bengalis in Kraków and from members of the community across Poland, making it a truly collective celebration. The following year, the Bengali community in Kraków began its own Durga Puja, carrying the tradition forward.
The celebrations were inaugurated by His Excellency Mr. Ajay Bisaria, Ambassador of India to Poland. A particularly memorable moment came during the cultural evening, which was graced by both the Ambassador of India and the Ambassador of Bangladesh, standing side by side — a wonderful symbol of the shared Bengali cultural heritage that transcends national borders.
The occasion also witnessed another historic first: the publication of Agomoni, the first Bengali community magazine in Poland, created as a platform for literature, culture, memories, and voices from the growing Bengali community.
The response exceeded all expectations. More than 400–500 people attended the inaugural Puja, including Bengalis, members of other Indian communities, and Polish friends. What began as an ambitious community initiative became a remarkable success — far beyond the expectations of its organisers and the beginning of a Durga Puja tradition in Poland that continues to grow today.
The first Durga Puja in Poland was held in 2017. After that 2018 and 2019, the Puja was held consecutively, each year attracting more visitors — not only from Poland, but also from abroad. It became a festival where Bengalis and non-Bengalis, Indians and Poles came together in celebration.
In 2020, the Puja could not be organised due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Maa Durga could not visit us that year — but in 2021, the Puja returned with renewed spirit.
The following year, 2022, was doubly historic. That year marked the 5th anniversary of Warsaw Durga Puja, and it coincided with a proud global recognition: UNESCO inscribed Durga Puja of Kolkata on its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This honor for Bengal’s greatest festival resonated deeply in Warsaw, where the community celebrated its own milestone edition with renewed pride and cultural conviction.
After the Pujas of 2023 and 2024, the festival has now entered a new chapter: Durga Puja 2025 marks the eighth edition of Warsaw’s Durga Puja. With a new idol crafted in Kumartuli and the participation of a younger generation, the tradition continues with freshness and energy.
Like every great journey, this one too has seen its share of challenges. In 2024, some members chose a different path, forming a new Puja in Warsaw. Yet the Traditional Warsaw Durga Puja, established in 2017, remains the oldest and first Durga Puja in Poland — carrying forward its rich tradition of openness, inclusiveness, and welcoming everyone with open arms.
What began as a casual conversation in 2014 has grown into a cultural landmark in Eastern Europe. The Durga Puja of Warsaw is not just a festival, but a symbol of devotion, unity, and resilience. It continues to bind communities together, inspire pride in Indian heritage, and resonate with the universal message of Maa Durga — the triumph of good over evil.
Organised jointly by The Association of Bengalis in Poland, Bihar Jharkhand Manch of Poland, Assamese Association in Poland, Odiya Foundation of Poland and the Durga Puja Committee in Warsaw, this year’s Puja spans four glorious days.
