West Bengal

IIE DIGITAL DESK : The West Bengal cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has cleared the proposal to construct a dedicated temple complex named “Durga Angan”—a space where Goddess Durga will be worshipped throughout the year. This initiative is inspired by Durga Puja being officially recognized as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO, and aims to celebrate Bengal’s spiritual and artistic legacy in a permanent setting .

According to the approved proposal, the Tourism Department and the West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) will collaborate on selecting a suitable site—anticipated to be near Kolkata—and oversee the development of this complex. While the budget is yet to be finalized, the immediate next step involves securing the land required to begin construction. A trust will be established to manage the operations of Durga Angan, with details on trust membership to be announced in due course.

The concept behind Durga Angan is deliberately inspired by the Jagannath temple complex at Digha, which was also developed by HIDCO and operates under a trust arrangement. Officials envision the new complex not only as a religious site but also as a tourist attraction—akin to an open-air museum—celebrating the cultural, socioeconomic, and artistic facets of Durga Puja beyond its spiritual dimensions .

Chief Minister Banerjee had first announced the Durga Angan plan during a rally commemorating Martyrs' Day on July 21. In her remarks, she sought to anchor the project in both cultural pride and political symbolism, asserting that Durga is both a state and national asset. She referenced her previous initiative in building Jagannath Dham as a parallel effort, and presented Durga Angan as a continuation of her commitment to preserving Bengal’s heritage for public engagement year-round.

Political analysts interpret this initiative as a strategic reaffirmation of Bengali identity, countering escalating Hindutva narratives by reclaiming devotional spaces through secular cultural expression. Durga Puja’s UNESCO tag and the lack of a permanent venue have lent added resonance to the project, amplifying its symbolic and developmental appeal .

Durga Puja’s economic impact is substantial. Recent estimates show that the festival contributes significantly to West Bengal’s economy—generating revenue in the tens of thousands of crores annually, benefiting sectors such as tourism, retail, transportation, and creative industries .The establishment of Durga Angan promises to transform these annual gains into sustained year-round activity, with potential benefits for artisan communities, cultural programming, and local commerce.

Durga Angan marks a convergence of faith, culture, and economic planning. The cabinet’s approval signals a shift from temporary, seasonal rituals to institutionalizing Bengal’s devotion to Durga in a permanent, accessible form. As officials move forward with site selection, trust formation, and funding allocations, the project stands to become both a spiritual anchor and cultural landmark, embodying the essence of Durga Puja beyond the festive period.