Durga Puja

Durga Puja is a ten-day festival that celebrates the triumph of Goddess Durga over the evil demon Mahishasura. It will be celebrated from October 09 and continue till October 12 in 2024. Durga Puja is the time when Maa Durga visits the earth to greet and bless her devotees. 

This festival is primarily a grand celebration among the Bengali community living in West Bengal. However, Durga Puja is also celebrated with much fervor in Assam, Odisha, Tripura, Bihar, and Jharkhand. 

West Bengal observes a long holiday on Durga Puja.  

Durga Puja 2024 Schedule

Mahalaya

Every year, people celebrate Mahalaya a week before the Durga Puja festivities begin. The auspicious period of Mahalaya will begin at 09:39 PM on October 1 to 12:19 AM on October 2 in 2024. 

As per Hindu mythology, it is believed that Goddess Durga leaves her home in Mount Kailash on this day and proceeds towards the earth, her maternal home. 

A popular tradition on this day includes waking up early in the morning, and listening to ' Mahishasura Mardini '. Mahishasura Mardini is a powerful recitation in Sanskrit that narrates the tale of Maa Durga's creation of her and her victory against the evil Mahishasura.

The much-loved program is broadcast by All India Radio at 4:00 am in the morning every year. 

Maha Panchami

Maha Panchami is an important day in West Bengal as it kickstarts the beginning of the Durga Puja celebration or the five days of worship. People wish each other by saying 'Subho Panchami' (Translation: Happy Panchami). 

Panchami is the day when people worship Skandmata, the fifth avatar of Maa Durga. 

Maha Sashti

Maha Sashti marks the arrival of the great Goddess Durga along with her four children, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartika, and Ganesha, to her father's house on earth. Although Maha Sashti is technically the sixth day, it marks the formal beginning of Durga Puja.

On this day, Maa Durga's face is unveiled in a sacred ritual called Bodhan. Besides this, three other rituals are performed:  Kalprarambha, Amontron, and Odhibash. 

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Rama prayed to Goddess Durga before embarking on the fight against Ravana to rescue his wife Sita. 

Maha Saptami

Maha Saptami is the seventh day of Durga Puja. It is a significant day because it marks the start of the battle between Goddess Durga and Mahishashur, an evil Bovine or Buffalo demon. 

Maha Saptami is accompanied by many traditional rituals and customs:

• Mahasnan: Mahasnan is a simple and meaningful practice of giving a bath to Maa Durga. For this, a vessel or container with a mirror is placed in front of the idol. The mirror is placed at an angle where Maa Durga's reflection is visible. Turmeric and mustard oil are applied on the mirror after which holy water is poured on it.
• Nava Patrika: Nava and Patrika are Sanskrit words which mean nine and leaves respectively. Nine leaves from trees including Turmeric, Banana, Rice Paddy, Kacu, Pomegranate, Wood Apple, Jayanti, and Ashoka are given a ritualistic bath and installed in the place of worship. The nine trees symbolize nine forms of Maa Durga.
• Prana Pratishta: In this ritual, the priest instills life in the idol of Maa Durga by reciting hymns and mantras. 

Maha Ashtami

Maha Ashtami, also known as Maha Durgashtami, is the third day of Durga Puja and the eighth day of Navaratri. As the name indicates, this is the day when the eighth form of Maa Durga, Maa Mahagauri is worshipped. 

Maha Ashtami is considered to be the most sacred time for Pushpanjali when flowers are offered to the Goddess. Sandhi Puja is also an important ritual followed on this day. It is carried out at a specific time when Ashtami Tithi ends and Navami Tithi begins. 

Maha Navami

The word 'navam' means nine. Thus, Maha Navami is the ninth day of Navaratri. It begins right after the Sandhi Puja on Maha Ashtami. 

According to Hindu mythology, Maha Navami marks the final day of battle between Goddess Durga and Mahishahura and finally the victory of good over evil. This is why Maa Durga is also known as Mahishasuramardini which means the one who killed Mahishasura. 

On Maha Navami, 'dhunachi naach' is a popular tradition where people dance joyfully holding a dhunachi or incense burner.

Vijaya Dashami

Vijaya Dashami finally marks a sad end to the Durga Puja.

After defeating Mahishasura, Maa Durga is believed to leave for her in Law's House in Kailash Parvat where her husband Lord Shiva lives.

On Vijaya Dashami, people immerse the idol of Maa Durga in Ganga or nearby water bodies. The journey of Goddess Durga to the river or lake is accompanied by local residents who sing and dance to the beats of Dhak (traditional drums) throughout the procession route.

Sindur Khela is a popular tradition followed on this day. Traditionally, married women smear vermillion on Maa Durga and other women to mark the significance of sindur in the lives of Hindu married women. 

Upcoming Durga Puja Dates

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