Five days of faith, culture, food and community spirit coming to Swindon this October
Following the success of last year’s celebrations, Swindon Bengali Cultural Society is preparing to bring Durga Puja back to the heart of Swindon this October, with organisers promising an even more colourful, vibrant and inclusive celebration for the local community.
The society’s Durga Puja 2026 will take place fromFriday 16 October to Tuesday 20 October at Venue 3, 55–61 Regent Street, Swindon, next to the Iceland car park.
The five-day celebration will bring together Bengali families, Hindu devotees and people from many different cultural and religious backgrounds to enjoy one of the most important festivals in Bengali culture.
Durga Puja is not only a religious celebration but also a celebration of culture, art, music, food, friendship and community togetherness. Swindon Bengali Cultural Society is once again inviting everyone across Swindon and surrounding areas to come along and experience the festival.
The programme will feature traditional religious ceremonies, cultural performances, free food, Dhunuchi dance and live entertainment, with a special DJ programme featuring ,lots of Community artists,DJ Sanj Dhamaka.
One of the highlights will be the society’s traditional Dhunuchi dance, a spectacular Bengali devotional performance involving incense burners, music and dance.
Mahalaya launches the celebrations
The festivities will begin before the main Puja, with a special Mahalaya celebration on Saturday 10 Octoberat Swindon Hindu Temple.
Mahalaya holds a very special place in Bengali culture as it marks the beginning of Devipaksha and symbolically heralds the arrival of Goddess Durga. In 2026, Mahalaya falls on Saturday 10 October.
Swindon Bengali Cultural Society is planning a special evening of prayer, devotion, music and community gathering to mark the occasion, with local families and devotees invited to take part.
A celebration for the whole of Swindon
The organisers are keen to stress that the event is not just for the Bengali or Hindu community.
People of all faiths, cultures and backgrounds are warmly invited to attend, meet the community and enjoy the food, music, dancing and atmosphere of Durga Puja.
The society’s message is simple:
“Our Puja may be ours, but the celebration belongs to all.”
Following the warm response to last year’s event, organisers are expecting this year’s celebration to attract even more visitors from Swindon and surrounding towns.
There will be free varieties of food, cultural programmes and activities throughout the celebrations, providing an opportunity for families and friends to come together and experience Bengali heritage and hospitality.
The society is also appealing to local businesses, organisations, community groups and residents who would like to support the event through donations and sponsorship.
A spokesperson for Swindon Bengali Cultural Society said:
“Last year’s Durga Puja was a wonderful experience for our community, and we were delighted to welcome so many people from different backgrounds. This year we want to make it even more colourful, vibrant and inclusive. Durga Puja is about faith, but it is also about friendship, culture, food, music and bringing people together. We warmly invite everyone in Swindon and the surrounding areas to join us.”
The Swindon Bengali Cultural Society is also formally established as a Swindon-based community organisation, having been incorporated in 2025.
Everyone is welcome
With its combination of religious tradition, Bengali culture, entertainment, food and community spirit, organisers hope the 2026 celebration will become another memorable event in Swindon’s increasingly diverse cultural calendar.
Durga Puja 2026
?? 16–20 October 2026
?? Venue 3, 55–61 Regent Street, Swindon, SN1 1JS
?? (Next to Iceland car park)
Mahalaya Celebration
?? Saturday 10 October 2026
?? Swindon Hindu Temple
Free food • Cultural programmes • Dhunuchi Dance • Family entertainment •Lots local Artists,DJ Sanj Dhamaka
Everyone is welcome.
For further information, contact Swindon Bengali Cultural Society on 07870537562/07809 839029 / 07946 641114 / 07912 032166
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