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TV9 Festival of India 2026 begins with Maa Durga Bodhon in Delhi, MD Barun Das calls it a ‘True Festival of India’

hellohimachalse@gmail.com 16 Oct 2026 1 day ago

The fourth edition of the TV9 Festival of India 2026 began in New Delhi on Friday, October 16, with the traditional Maa Durga Bodhon ceremony, marking the ceremonial awakening and invocation of Goddess Durga. The ritual marked the beginning of five days of Durga Puja celebrations at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium near India Gate. The festival will continue until October 20, featuring religious ceremonies, cultural performances, music and food from different parts of the country.

The opening ceremony saw devotees welcome Goddess Durga through traditional prayers, chants and rituals. The sound of the dhaak, a traditional Bengali drum closely associated with Durga Puja, accompanied the ceremony. Speaking about the festival, TV9 Network CEO and Managing Director Barun Das described the event as a “True Festival of India”, highlighting its focus on bringing together traditions and communities from across the country.

TV9 Festival of India 2026: Durga Bodhon ceremony opens five-day celebrations in Delhi

Maa Durga Bodhon marks the beginning of celebrations

Maa Durga Bodhon is an important ritual in Bengali Durga Puja traditions. The ceremony symbolises the awakening of Goddess Durga and her ceremonial invitation into the puja pandal.

Devotees offer prayers and chant mantras as part of the ritual, which marks the formal beginning of worship.

At the TV9 Festival of India, the ceremony opened the five-day programme, which combines Durga Puja rituals with performances and activities representing different Indian cultures.

‘Garba has now become a national festival’: Barun Das

Speaking at the event, Barun Das said the festival brings people from different parts of India together.

“This is a festival of India where people from across the country come together and enjoy themselves. Though we call it Durga Puja, we make it much more inclusive. We have Garba here, we have traditional South Indian culture, and we have stall owners coming from all over the country,” he said.

Das said the programme begins with Durga Puja and includes entertainment extending into the evening.

“Garba is no longer just a Gujarati festival or a Gujarati dance. Garba has now become national. I think Navratri, Durga Puja and Garba have all come together,” he added.

‘This is Delhi’s biggest Durga Puja pandal’: Hemant Sharma

TV9 Network Whole-Time Director Hemant Sharma described the festival as a reflection of India’s cultural diversity.

Sharma said the network’s presence across different Indian languages was reflected in the celebrations.

“This is Delhi’s biggest pandal. Here, you will experience the purity of devotion, the colours of celebration and glimpses of our diverse cultures,” he said.

He explained that visitors could experience Bengali Durga Puja traditions alongside Gujarati Garba and Dandiya performances.

Speaking about the religious significance of Durga Puja, Sharma described it as an occasion to strengthen inner energy and dedicate oneself to public welfare.

Five days of music and cultural performances

The festival’s opening day will feature a live performance by singer Hardeep Kaur at 7 pm.

Rapper Raftaar is scheduled to perform on October 17, followed by musical performances from BP Singh, Shreyas Dharmadhikari, Nizami Bandhu and other artists between October 18 and 20.

The festival will continue with religious ceremonies, traditional performances, regional food stalls and cultural activities at the National Stadium until October 20.

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