Durga Puja, popularly known as Durga Pujo in West Bengal, is one of the biggest Hindu festivals celebrated across India, especially in Kolkata and other parts of eastern India. The festival celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura and symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.

During Durga Puja, Kolkata transforms into a vibrant celebration of art, culture and devotion. Beautifully decorated pandals, traditional dhunuchi dance, the sound of dhaak, delicious bhog and late-night pandal hopping make the festival special for millions of people.

Durga Puja 2026 will be celebrated in October. The festivities include important days such as Maha Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami and Vijaya Dashami. Mahalaya marks the beginning of Devi Paksha and signals the arrival of Goddess Durga.

If you are searching for the Durga Puja 2026 date and time, the five days of Durga Puja, Ashtami date, Dashami date or the number of days remaining until the festival, this guide covers the main dates, rituals, traditions and celebrations.

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Durga Puja 2026 Dates and Timings

Durga Puja is celebrated over five principal days in Bengal, beginning with Shashthi and concluding with Vijaya Dashami. The exact observance of certain rituals depends on the lunar tithi and the local Panjika.

Mahalaya will be observed on 10 October 2026, according to the supplied festival calendar. It marks the beginning of Devi Paksha and is associated with prayers, remembrance of ancestors and the traditional invocation of Goddess Durga.

Durga Puja 2026 Date List

Festival Day Date in 2026 Significance
Mahalaya 10 October, Saturday Beginning of Devi Paksha
Maha Shashthi 16 October, Friday Bodhon and the formal beginning of celebrations
Maha Saptami 17 October, Saturday Nabapatrika Snan and worship
Maha Ashtami 18 October, Sunday Pushpanjali and Sandhi Puja
Maha Navami 19 October, Monday Maha Puja and other special rituals
Vijaya Dashami 20 October, Tuesday Farewell to Goddess Durga and immersion rituals

What Is the Significance of Durga Puja?

Durga Puja has deep religious, cultural and social importance. According to Hindu mythology, Mahishasura received a boon that made him difficult to defeat. Goddess Durga was created through the combined divine powers of the gods to defeat the demon and restore peace.

After a fierce battle, Goddess Durga defeated Mahishasura, representing the victory of righteousness over evil.

In Bengali tradition, the festival also represents the homecoming of Uma, another name for Goddess Durga. She is welcomed to her parental home along with her children, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartikeya and Ganesha.

For Bengali families, Durga Puja is therefore more than a religious occasion. It is a time for family reunions, new clothes, cultural programmes, community celebrations and sharing food with loved ones.

The Five Days of Durga Puja

The five main days of Durga Puja have their own religious significance and traditions.

1. Maha Shashthi

Shashthi marks the formal beginning of the main Durga Puja festivities. One of the important rituals is Bodhon, through which Goddess Durga is ceremonially awakened and welcomed for worship.

Pandals become increasingly crowded as people begin visiting the beautifully decorated structures to see the idols and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

2. Maha Saptami

Saptami is associated with Nabapatrika Snan, a ritual involving nine plants that represent aspects of divine feminine power. The Nabapatrika is ceremonially bathed, dressed and worshipped.

In Bengal, it is also popularly known as Kola Bou. Devotees visit pandals, offer prayers and participate in community celebrations throughout the day.

3. Maha Ashtami

Maha Ashtami is among the most important days of Durga Puja. Devotees gather to offer Pushpanjali, or floral offerings, to Goddess Durga.

Another significant observance is Sandhi Puja, performed at the transition between Ashtami and Navami according to the prescribed tithi timings. In traditional worship, 108 lamps may be lit and 108 lotus flowers offered.

4. Maha Navami

Maha Navami is marked by special prayers, aarti and other rituals. Some communities also perform Homa and Kumari Puja, depending on their traditions.

Many people spend the day visiting pandals, enjoying bhog and attending cultural programmes before the final day of the celebrations.

5. Vijaya Dashami

Vijaya Dashami marks the conclusion of the main Durga Puja celebrations in Bengal. Married women traditionally participate in Sindoor Khela at many community pujas, applying vermilion to the Goddess and one another.

The idols are subsequently taken in processions for immersion, known as Visarjan. Families and friends exchange greetings and sweets and wish each other Shubho Bijoya.

What Are the Nine Days of Durga Puja?

The nine forms of Goddess Durga are collectively known as Navadurga. They are worshipped during the nine-day Navratri observance in many parts of India.

The nine forms are:

  1. Shailaputri: The daughter of the mountains, associated with strength and devotion.
  2. Brahmacharini: Represents determination, discipline and spiritual dedication.
  3. Chandraghanta: Symbolizes courage and protection.
  4. Kushmanda: Associated with creation, energy and cosmic power.
  5. Skandamata: The mother of Lord Kartikeya, representing maternal love.
  6. Katyayani: A warrior form associated with the destruction of evil.
  7. Kalaratri: Represents protection against darkness and negative forces.
  8. Mahagauri: Symbolizes peace, purity and serenity.
  9. Siddhidatri: Associated with wisdom, spiritual accomplishments and blessings.

Although Navratri and Durga Puja are connected through the worship of the Goddess, the specific customs and the main days of celebration vary by region.

How Many Days Is Durga Puja in 2026?

Durga Puja is commonly described as a five-day festival in West Bengal, beginning with Shashthi and ending with Vijaya Dashami. However, preparations and related observances start much earlier.

Mahalaya marks the beginning of Devi Paksha, while many devotees observe additional rituals during Navratri. In Kolkata, pandal visits and cultural celebrations may begin before Shashthi and continue until the immersion processions.

Therefore, the festival may be experienced over a longer period even though its five principal days are Shashthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Dashami.

Is Durga Puja 2026 for Six Days?

The main Durga Puja festival in Bengal is traditionally celebrated over five principal days, from Shashthi to Dashami. However, the dates on which rituals are observed can sometimes create confusion because lunar tithis do not always correspond exactly to midnight-to-midnight calendar days.

Mahalaya is observed before the main festival and is not generally counted as one of the five principal Durga Puja days. In addition, Navratri celebrations and local customs may extend the overall festive period.

To determine the exact number of observance days in 2026, check the local Panjika and the schedule published by the relevant puja committee.

Durga Puja Rituals and Traditions

Durga Puja is known for its distinctive ceremonies, which combine religious devotion with Bengali cultural traditions.

Bodhon

Bodhon is the ceremonial invocation of Goddess Durga, traditionally performed around Shashthi. It marks the formal beginning of the main worship.

Nabapatrika Snan

During Saptami, nine plants are ritually bathed and worshipped as Nabapatrika. This ceremony is an important part of traditional Bengali Durga Puja.

Pushpanjali

Pushpanjali involves offering flowers to Goddess Durga while reciting prayers and mantras. Maha Ashtami is particularly associated with large community Anjali ceremonies.

Sandhi Puja

Sandhi Puja takes place at the transition between Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami. It is regarded as a particularly sacred moment in the festival, and the exact timing depends on the tithi.

Kumari Puja

Kumari Puja involves worshipping a young girl as a symbolic manifestation of the divine feminine. The practice is followed by various communities, often on Ashtami.

Sindoor Khela

Sindoor Khela is a well-known Dashami tradition in Bengal. Married women offer vermilion to Goddess Durga and then exchange it with other women as part of the farewell celebrations.

Durga Visarjan

On Vijaya Dashami, idols of Goddess Durga are taken in processions for immersion. The ritual represents the Goddess’s return to her divine abode and the end of the main festival.

Famous Durga Puja Celebrations in Kolkata

Kolkata is famous for its artistic pandals, traditional family pujas and large community celebrations. Visitors from different parts of India travel to the city to experience the festival.

Some well-known areas associated with Durga Puja include:

Kumartuli: Famous for its traditional idol-making artisans and workshops.

  • Bagbazar: Known for its long-standing community puja traditions.
  • College Square: Popular for its decorative lighting and festive atmosphere.
  • Sreebhumi: Known for elaborate pandal themes.
  • Ekdalia Evergreen: Associated with elaborate idols and traditional celebrations.
  • Santosh Mitra Square: Recognised for its ambitious pandal designs and artistic displays.

Pandal themes, visitor arrangements and event schedules may change each year. Visitors should check current announcements before planning their routes.

Durga Puja in Kolkata was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021, recognising its cultural importance and community participation.

Durga Puja Food and Bhog Traditions

Food is an important part of Durga Puja. Community pandals often distribute bhog, while restaurants and street-food stalls attract visitors throughout the festival.

Popular dishes and treats include:

  • Khichuri Bhog: Rice and lentils cooked with spices, commonly served with vegetable preparations.
  • Labra: A mixed vegetable dish often served with bhog.
  • Begun Bhaja: Fried aubergine or eggplant.
  • Payesh: A traditional Bengali rice pudding.
  • Luchi and Cholar Dal: A popular festive combination.
  • Kosha Mangsho: A slow-cooked Bengali mutton preparation enjoyed by many families.
  • Kathi Rolls and Fish Fry: Popular street-food choices during pandal hopping.
  • Rosogolla and Sandesh: Traditional Bengali sweets often shared during Bijoya celebrations.

Food customs differ among households and communities. While the bhog offered to Goddess Durga is generally vegetarian, families may enjoy a variety of other dishes during the festival.

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