Celebrating Durga Puja with Dementia patients: Shibasram's Inclusive Kolkata Story
Celebrating 14 years of Durga Puja together — five days of food, faith, music, and togetherness with our residents from Panchami to Dashami.
Shibasram's Durga Puja Celebration 2026 — celebrating 14 years of Durga Puja together. We celebrate this special festival with our residents from Panchami to Dashami. Many of our residents live with dementia and Alzheimer's, so we make these celebrations meaningful for them. In this blog, we'll share how we celebrate Durga Puja at Shibasram, the activities we enjoy, and how our residents spend these festive days together.
At Shibasram, we begin Durga Puja on Panchami by decorating and welcoming the idols. We organise the puja with support from our own people, so everyone feels like it's a family celebration. For five days, we enjoy good food, music, cultural programs, and traditional Bengali activities. Everyone eats together, shares stories, and takes part in different things. During these days, we forget our busy lives and enjoy being together as one big family. These moments make our Durga Puja truly special and memorable.
Cultural Programme
On Saptami, we hold a small cultural programme. Some people recite poems, some sing, and some perform dance. Our residents also try to participate and share their thoughts. Family members can also come. This activity helps with communication and keeps the mind active, which is good for their mental well-being.
Prayers, Food & Care
Since Ashtami fell early in the morning, we informed everyone a day before and made mental preparations. Those who were able to walk came with help from nurses, caregivers, or wheelchairs. They offered prayers and felt a sense of joy and love. For Ashtami, we arranged traditional food like luchi, alur dom, and khichuri — kept healthy based on doctors' advice. Before and after the activities, we checked their health to make sure they felt comfortable.
Fun & Friendly Competition
The ninth day is very special for us because we organised a small competition — musical chairs, drawing, a conch blowing contest, flower design, and other activities. Many of our residents have rich experience and enjoy doing handcrafts. They take part, and we give small prizes. We love organising these events.
Farewell & Sindoor Khela
On Dashami, we welcome Maa Durga and do the farewell rituals. Many of our senior residents play Sindoor Khela after the farewell. We also arrange transport for those who can go to the immersion ghat and want to accompany Maa Durga. Our staff and vehicles follow the procession to make the journey easier for them. Residents who are unwell or cannot travel stay at Shibasram.
Dashami is always an emotional day for us. We feel sad as Maa Durga leaves for another year and we wait for her return. On this day, we also run a clothes distribution programme for the community. We believe in continuing these activities together and spreading happiness wherever we can. We hope to celebrate Durga Puja with the same joy and togetherness next year.
