Digha : The night sky above New Digha Beach turned into a spectacular canvas of light, devotion and Bengali culture on Maha Panchami, as 3,000 synchronised drones recreated the arrival of Maa Durga in a 13-minute aerial presentation titled ‘The Spirit of the Devi’.
Organised by IIT Delhi-incubated deep-tech company BotLab Dynamics, the Digha Durga Puja Drone Show drew attention with its combination of advanced drone technology, devotional music and familiar images from Bengal’s biggest festival. From the Goddess’s homecoming to the sacred rituals of Durga Puja, the performance brought traditional festive moments to life above the coastline.
From Agomoni to Maa Durga’s Grand Appearance
The show opened with ‘Jago Tumhi Jago’, setting a devotional tone as thousands of illuminated drones rose into the night sky. Their carefully choreographed movements gradually unfolded into a visual narrative centred on the awakening and arrival of Maa Durga.
One of the evening’s highlights was the Agomoni sequence, depicting the Goddess’s return to her maternal home. A formation of drones recreated a boat carrying Maa Durga across animated waves, creating a striking visual against Digha’s coastal backdrop.
The sky then transformed into an illuminated Durga Puja pandal entrance, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of the dhak. The familiar experience of entering a pandal was recreated through aerial formations, connecting the traditional celebrations of Kolkata and Bengal with a new visual medium.
Pushpanjali, Sandhi Puja and Dhunuchi Naach in the Sky
The performance moved through several important rituals and cultural traditions associated with Durga Puja.
A drone formation recreated Pushpanjali, the offering of flowers to the Goddess, followed by 108 glowing diyas representing the sacred Sandhi Puja moment between Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami.
The aerial presentation subsequently shifted to the energetic movements of Dhunuchi Naach and the martial dance traditions of Purulia Chau. These sequences reflected the many dimensions of Durga Puja, from devotion and ritual to strength, artistic expression and collective celebration.
The grand finale featured the face of Maa Durga, formed by 3,000 synchronised drones against the coastal night sky. As the illuminated image appeared above the spectators, people looked up in wonder, with some folding their hands and chanting the Goddess’s name.
The closing sequence brought the show’s central idea into focus: using technology to recreate cultural symbols that hold deep emotional significance for audiences.
From Eden Gardens to Digha: Two Drone Shows, One Festive Story
The Digha presentation followed BotLab Dynamics’ Mahalaya drone show at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on October 10. That event also featured 3,000 drones and was witnessed by an estimated 40,000 people, according to the company’s announcement.
The Kolkata show focused on the anticipation surrounding Maa Durga’s arrival. Its aerial formations included Kaash Phool, the Mangal Ghot, the ten-armed Goddess and the battle against Mahishasura. Birendra Krishna Bhadra’s iconic Chandipath recitation and devotional music added to the presentation.
While the Eden Gardens show captured the spirit of Mahalaya and the awakening of the Goddess, the Digha performance carried the story forward to her homecoming and the rituals of Durga Puja.
The two presentations also highlighted how drone shows can be adapted to different locations and occasions. At Kolkata, the storytelling unfolded at a major urban sporting venue; at Digha, the Bay of Bengal coastline provided a distinctive backdrop for the aerial spectacle.
Technology Meets Bengal’s Cultural Heritage
For BotLab Dynamics, the Digha show was an attempt to move beyond conventional light displays and use aerial formations to tell a culturally familiar story.
“Drone shows give us the opportunity to create cultural experiences that go beyond what people see in the sky. They allow us to animate traditions, stories and emotions that audiences already connect with, making them feel part of the experience,” said Neha Verma, Marketing and Communications Lead at BotLab Dynamics.
Referring to the final formation of Maa Durga, Verma said seeing spectators respond with folded hands and chants of the Goddess’s name was particularly moving for the team.
The company develops drone-show hardware and software in-house and says its fleet comprises more than 10,000 drones. Its portfolio includes large-scale cultural celebrations, national events, sporting occasions and brand experiences, with productions at events such as Mahakumbh, Ayodhya’s Deepotsav, Somnath Swabhiman Parv and Mysuru Dasara.
With its latest presentation in Digha, the company brought large-scale aerial storytelling to Bengal’s coastal tourism destination during the festive season.
As Durga Puja celebrations continue across the state, the spectacle above New Digha Beach offered a different way to experience the festival—bringing together the imagery of Agomoni, sacred rituals and the face of Maa Durga in a display of light against the night sky.
