Pot Maya: The Annual Patachitra Festival

When: Annually in mid-November (usually Nov 15-18) for 3 days. 
Note: The State's Patachitra Mela is usually in December.
Admission: Free to attend.
Translating loosely to “the enchantment of the painted scroll,” Pot Maya has blossomed from a small 2010 community craft fair into one of Bengal's most celebrated rural cultural festivals. Despite drawing international folk artists and a diverse crowd of researchers, tourists and locals, it retains its authentic soul: an intimate, artist-organized village celebration warmly opened to the world.
The Festival Experience
A transformed village: Weeks of preparation culminate in a stunning visual display. Mud walls are freshly painted, courtyards are strung with scrolls and doorways are garlanded. During the festival, the entire village functions seamlessly as a gallery, workshop and marketplace where artists welcome visitors to watch, learn and try their hand at the craft.
Evening performances: As dusk falls, the village center comes alive with vibrant folk arts, including chhau dance, putul nach (puppet theatre), traditional singing by the patuas themselves, and unique collaborations with visiting international artists.
The Best Time to Buy: Pot Maya showcases the absolute full breadth of the community's talent. Shoppers can find everything from ancient Mahabharata narrative scrolls to modern expressions like COVID-19 depictions, painted T-shirts and lamps. It is a brilliant display of how an ancient tradition has successfully evolved for modern markets without losing its roots.