The Delhi Durga Puja Samiti, popularly known as the Kashmere Gate Durga Puja, holds the distinction of being the oldest community-organized Durga Puja in Delhi. Its roots go back to 1910, when it was first celebrated as a public festival at the Roshanpura Kali Mandir near Nai Sarak. What began as a modest initiative by a small group of Bengali settlers has now grown into a cultural institution, held annually on the grounds of the Bengali Senior Secondary School on Alipur Road. This celebration is a symbol of heritage and unity for the Bengali community residing in the capital.

The inception of this historic puja is credited to Dr. Hemchandra Sen, a Railway doctor, whose efforts led to the festival being hosted at a rented venue in Roshanpura. Later, from 1913 to 1946, Lala Lachminarayan and his son Lala Girdhari Lal supported the Puja by providing space in their Dharamshala near the Fatehpuri Mosque. Although there were earlier Durga Pujas in Delhi—private ones in 1842, 1875, and 1904—these were not community events and eventually ceased. The Delhi Durga Puja Samiti (DDPS) thus holds a unique legacy as the first public and continuous celebration of the festival.

Initially, the puja was performed using the ‘mangal ghata’ (sacred earthen pot), but in 1912, idol worship or pratima puja was introduced. The first idol was brought from Varanasi, thanks to the efforts of Parmananda Biswas, a Christian gentleman, and several railway workers. This continued until 1925, after which idols began to be made locally. In 1961, the Puja found a permanent venue at the Bengali Senior Secondary School in Civil Lines, where it continues to this day. Notably, Subhas Chandra Bose himself visited the venue in 1935, adding to its historical significance.

The DDPS Puja is known for maintaining authentic Bengali traditions. The idol is adorned in the elaborate Daaker Saaj—a style using silver foil and sequins. Even today, during the immersion ceremony on Dashami, the idol is carried on a bullock cart to the Yamuna River, accompanied by dhakis (traditional drummers), and devotees in dhoti-kurta and red-bordered sarees, chanting “Durga Mai Ki Jai.” This adherence to tradition sets DDPS apart from many modern celebrations in the city.

In 2009, DDPS celebrated its centenary year with grand cultural events showcasing traditional Indian art and performances. Dignitaries like Delhi's then Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit participated in the festivities. Over a century later, the Kashmere Gate Durga Puja remains a proud symbol of cultural preservation, unity, and the spirit of the Bengali community in Delhi.