April 17, 2026 03:18 am (IST)
Where masks, faith and tradition come alive: Hili’s Bikat Kali Puja on the India–Bangladesh border
Devotees gather in Hili village along the India–Bangladesh border in West Bengal on April 13, 2026, to celebrate the annual Bikat Kali Puja. Wearing intricately handcrafted wooden masks, participants perform the traditional Mukha Naach, a ritual dance that brings to life the fierce “Bikat” form of Goddess Kali. The festival draws large crowds, with thousands of devotees thronging Hili for night-long rituals, music and devotional offerings, creating a powerful atmosphere of faith and cultural heritage. Photos: Rupak DeChowdhuri/IBNS
Devotees gather in Hili village along the India–Bangladesh border in West Bengal on April 13, 2026, to celebrate the annual Bikat Kali Puja. Wearing intricately handcrafted wooden masks, participants perform the traditional Mukha Naach, a ritual dance that brings to life the fierce “Bikat” form of Goddess Kali. The festival draws large crowds, with thousands of devotees thronging Hili for night-long rituals, music and devotional offerings, creating a powerful atmosphere of faith and cultural heritage. Photos: Rupak DeChowdhuri/IBNS
Devotees gather in Hili village along the India–Bangladesh border in West Bengal on April 13, 2026, to celebrate the annual Bikat Kali Puja. Wearing intricately handcrafted wooden masks, participants perform the traditional Mukha Naach, a ritual dance that brings to life the fierce “Bikat” form of Goddess Kali. The festival draws large crowds, with thousands of devotees thronging Hili for night-long rituals, music and devotional offerings, creating a powerful atmosphere of faith and cultural heritage. Photos: Rupak DeChowdhuri/IBNS
Devotees gather in Hili village along the India–Bangladesh border in West Bengal on April 13, 2026, to celebrate the annual Bikat Kali Puja. Wearing intricately handcrafted wooden masks, participants perform the traditional Mukha Naach, a ritual dance that brings to life the fierce “Bikat” form of Goddess Kali. The festival draws large crowds, with thousands of devotees thronging Hili for night-long rituals, music and devotional offerings, creating a powerful atmosphere of faith and cultural heritage. Photos: Rupak DeChowdhuri/IBNS
Devotees gather in Hili village along the India–Bangladesh border in West Bengal on April 13, 2026, to celebrate the annual Bikat Kali Puja. Wearing intricately handcrafted wooden masks, participants perform the traditional Mukha Naach, a ritual dance that brings to life the fierce “Bikat” form of Goddess Kali. The festival draws large crowds, with thousands of devotees thronging Hili for night-long rituals, music and devotional offerings, creating a powerful atmosphere of faith and cultural heritage. Photos: Rupak DeChowdhuri/IBNS
Devotees gather in Hili village along the India–Bangladesh border in West Bengal on April 13, 2026, to celebrate the annual Bikat Kali Puja. Wearing intricately handcrafted wooden masks, participants perform the traditional Mukha Naach, a ritual dance that brings to life the fierce “Bikat” form of Goddess Kali. The festival draws large crowds, with thousands of devotees thronging Hili for night-long rituals, music and devotional offerings, creating a powerful atmosphere of faith and cultural heritage. Photos: Rupak DeChowdhuri/IBNS
Devotees gather in Hili village along the India–Bangladesh border in West Bengal on April 13, 2026, to celebrate the annual Bikat Kali Puja. Wearing intricately handcrafted wooden masks, participants perform the traditional Mukha Naach, a ritual dance that brings to life the fierce “Bikat” form of Goddess Kali. The festival draws large crowds, with thousands of devotees thronging Hili for night-long rituals, music and devotional offerings, creating a powerful atmosphere of faith and cultural heritage. Photos: Rupak DeChowdhuri/IBNS
Devotees gather in Hili village along the India–Bangladesh border in West Bengal on April 13, 2026, to celebrate the annual Bikat Kali Puja. Wearing intricately handcrafted wooden masks, participants perform the traditional Mukha Naach, a ritual dance that brings to life the fierce “Bikat” form of Goddess Kali. The festival draws large crowds, with thousands of devotees thronging Hili for night-long rituals, music and devotional offerings, creating a powerful atmosphere of faith and cultural heritage. Photos: Rupak DeChowdhuri/IBNS
Devotees gather in Hili village along the India–Bangladesh border in West Bengal on April 13, 2026, to celebrate the annual Bikat Kali Puja. Wearing intricately handcrafted wooden masks, participants perform the traditional Mukha Naach, a ritual dance that brings to life the fierce “Bikat” form of Goddess Kali. The festival draws large crowds, with thousands of devotees thronging Hili for night-long rituals, music and devotional offerings, creating a powerful atmosphere of faith and cultural heritage. Photos: Rupak DeChowdhuri/IBNS
Devotees gather in Hili village along the India–Bangladesh border in West Bengal on April 13, 2026, to celebrate the annual Bikat Kali Puja. Wearing intricately handcrafted wooden masks, participants perform the traditional Mukha Naach, a ritual dance that brings to life the fierce “Bikat” form of Goddess Kali. The festival draws large crowds, with thousands of devotees thronging Hili for night-long rituals, music and devotional offerings, creating a powerful atmosphere of faith and cultural heritage. Photos: Rupak DeChowdhuri/IBNS
Devotees gather in Hili village along the India–Bangladesh border in West Bengal on April 13, 2026, to celebrate the annual Bikat Kali Puja. Wearing intricately handcrafted wooden masks, participants perform the traditional Mukha Naach, a ritual dance that brings to life the fierce “Bikat” form of Goddess Kali. The festival draws large crowds, with thousands of devotees thronging Hili for night-long rituals, music and devotional offerings, creating a powerful atmosphere of faith and cultural heritage. Photos: Rupak DeChowdhuri/IBNS
Devotees gather in Hili village along the India–Bangladesh border in West Bengal on April 13, 2026, to celebrate the annual Bikat Kali Puja. Wearing intricately handcrafted wooden masks, participants perform the traditional Mukha Naach, a ritual dance that brings to life the fierce “Bikat” form of Goddess Kali. The festival draws large crowds, with thousands of devotees thronging Hili for night-long rituals, music and devotional offerings, creating a powerful atmosphere of faith and cultural heritage. Photos: Rupak DeChowdhuri/IBNS
Devotees gather in Hili village along the India–Bangladesh border in West Bengal on April 13, 2026, to celebrate the annual Bikat Kali Puja. Wearing intricately handcrafted wooden masks, participants perform the traditional Mukha Naach, a ritual dance that brings to life the fierce “Bikat” form of Goddess Kali. The festival draws large crowds, with thousands of devotees thronging Hili for night-long rituals, music and devotional offerings, creating a powerful atmosphere of faith and cultural heritage. Photos: Rupak DeChowdhuri/IBNS
Devotees gather in Hili village along the India–Bangladesh border in West Bengal on April 13, 2026, to celebrate the annual Bikat Kali Puja. Wearing intricately handcrafted wooden masks, participants perform the traditional Mukha Naach, a ritual dance that brings to life the fierce “Bikat” form of Goddess Kali. The festival draws large crowds, with thousands of devotees thronging Hili for night-long rituals, music and devotional offerings, creating a powerful atmosphere of faith and cultural heritage. Photos: Rupak DeChowdhuri/IBNS
Devotees gather in Hili village along the India–Bangladesh border in West Bengal on April 13, 2026, to celebrate the annual Bikat Kali Puja. Wearing intricately handcrafted wooden masks, participants perform the traditional Mukha Naach, a ritual dance that brings to life the fierce “Bikat” form of Goddess Kali. The festival draws large crowds, with thousands of devotees thronging Hili for night-long rituals, music and devotional offerings, creating a powerful atmosphere of faith and cultural heritage. Photos: Rupak DeChowdhuri/IBNS
Devotees gather in Hili village along the India–Bangladesh border in West Bengal on April 13, 2026, to celebrate the annual Bikat Kali Puja. Wearing intricately handcrafted wooden masks, participants perform the traditional Mukha Naach, a ritual dance that brings to life the fierce “Bikat” form of Goddess Kali. The festival draws large crowds, with thousands of devotees thronging Hili for night-long rituals, music and devotional offerings, creating a powerful atmosphere of faith and cultural heritage. Photos: Rupak DeChowdhuri/IBNS
#Bikat Kali Puja
# Hili West Bengal
# Mukha Naach
# Kali festival India
# India Bangladesh border culture
# West Bengal rituals
# Kali worship traditions
# folk dance masks India
# Hili village festival
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