Durga Puja 2026: Cuttack Expects Over ₹300 Crore in Festive Business

Durga Puja 2026: Cuttack Expects Over ₹300 Crore in Festive Business

Cuttack’s Durga Puja celebrations are expected to generate business worth more than ₹300 crore this year, providing a major boost to local traders, artisans, workers and service providers. Beyond its cultural and religious significance, the festival has become an important economic event for the city, with spending spread across decorations, jewellery, clothing, food, entertainment and other services.

With more than 170 puja mandaps across Cuttack, the festivities create substantial seasonal business opportunities for a wide range of sectors.

Silver Tableaux and Gold Ornaments Add to the Grandeur

Cuttack is renowned for its elaborate silver tableaux and intricate tarakasi craftsmanship. The city reportedly has around 38 silver tableaux, with the estimated combined value of the gold and silver ornaments used in them reaching approximately ₹200 crore.

However, this amount reflects the estimated value of ornaments accumulated over several years rather than expenditure for the current festive season. Puja committees reportedly spend at least ₹2 lakh annually on cleaning and maintaining their silver tableaux.

Around 20 of the 38 committees associated with silver tableaux are said to have budgets of approximately ₹30 lakh each. The growing competition to create distinctive decorations and attract visitors further contributes to festival-related spending.

Grand Pandals and Lighting Drive Expenditure

Decorative arches and elaborate pandals account for a significant share of Durga Puja expenditure. Some committees reportedly spend between ₹10 lakh and ₹15 lakh on decorative arches alone. Khan Nagar, Tulasipur, Sikharpur and Malgodown are among the prominent locations known for their elaborate festive arrangements.

Lighting installations are another major expense. Decorations may stretch up to two kilometres from a puja mandap, with some committees spending between ₹2 lakh and ₹10 lakh on lighting. Special illuminated arches and decorative displays add to the overall cost.

Artisans and lighting decorators from different parts of Odisha and Kolkata are hired to create these displays, providing seasonal employment to skilled workers.

Cultural Programmes and Immersion Processions Add to Costs

Cultural programmes form another important part of the celebrations. Some puja committees organise musical performances featuring popular Ollywood singers from Saptami to Dashami, with a single evening’s programme reportedly costing around ₹2 lakh.

Immersion processions also involve substantial spending. Committees may spend more than ₹5 lakh on bands, traditional musical groups, illuminated gates and other arrangements. Certain popular bands and traditional performers reportedly charge over ₹1 lakh for a performance.

When daily rituals, special offerings and elaborate bhog arrangements are included, the overall budget of some major puja committees can reach approximately ₹30 lakh.

Clothing and Retail Markets See a Festive Boost

The economic impact of Durga Puja extends beyond the mandaps to Cuttack’s retail and wholesale markets. As a major textile trading hub supplying several parts of Odisha, the city experiences increased demand for clothing during the festive season.

According to estimates attributed to the city’s textile traders’ association, clothing transactions from Durga Puja through Kali Puja are expected to reach around ₹5 crore. Traders source merchandise from cities such as Raipur, Kolkata and Surat to meet the seasonal demand.

Food businesses, sweet shops and vendors selling flowers and fruits are also expected to generate more than ₹3 crore in combined business during the festive period, according to estimates cited in the report.

Temporary roadside shops, food stalls and toy sellers also benefit from the large crowds visiting the city’s puja mandaps.

Durga Puja Supports Seasonal Employment

Cuttack’s Durga Puja provides a seasonal source of income for numerous workers, including idol makers, bamboo and fabric artisans, painters, electricians, labourers, transport workers, sound operators and security personnel.

Hotels, transport services and other businesses also experience increased demand as residents and visitors take part in the celebrations.

With expenditure spread across religious rituals, decorations, jewellery, retail trade, food and entertainment, Durga Puja has become a significant seasonal economic driver for Cuttack.

The estimated business volume of more than ₹300 crore underlines the festival’s role in supporting local livelihoods while preserving the city’s rich cultural traditions.