Editorial photo #13752633 Human Interest
Solapuri Mata Pujo - Bengal 2026.
Devotees dressed as tigers, representing the ride of the Goddess, perform various dances and acts during the final day of Solapuri Mata Puja in an urban area 20 kilometers from Kolkata, India, on May 26, 2026. The Solapuri Mata Puja, also known as Muthyalamma Mata Puja, is a 5 to 10-day regional Hindu festival primarily celebrated in eastern India, especially in the Kharagpur and Kalaikunda regions of West Bengal. The festival centers around a turmeric-formed goddess worshipped as a daughter visiting her parental home. The highlight of the festival is the Visarjan (immersion) on the final day, marked by grand processions featuring devotees dressed as Kali and other deities. Brought to Bengal over a century ago by migrant workers from the Solapur region of Maharashtra, the festival has become an integral part of the local socio-cultural fabric. (Photo by Debarchan Chatterjee/NurPhoto)
