Durga Puja & Dussehra 2026The Grand Autumn Homecoming of Mother Durga & Vijaya Dashami

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Durga Puja 2026 Dates & Calendar

Maha ShasthiOct 17, Saturday

Maha SaptamiOct 18, Sunday

Maha AshtamiOct 19, Monday

Maha NavamiOct 20, Tuesday

Vijaya DashamiOct 21, Wednesday

Panchang Key Muhurat coordinates (Kolkata)

Ashtami Sandhi Puja Begins:Oct 19 — 10:27 AM

Ashtami Sandhi Puja Ends:Oct 19 — 11:15 AM

Vijaya Dashami Sindoor Khela & Visarjan:Oct 21 — Wednesday daytime hours

Deep Dive into Durga Puja Traditions

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Pushpanjali Mantras & Rules

Anjali Offerings & Sanskrit Pronouns

Learn how to offer flower pushpanjali on Maha Ashtami. Access the complete Ashtami anjali prayers and pronunciation guides with English translations.

Read Pushpanjali Guides

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Dhunuchi Dance & Sindoor Khela

Clay Incense Dance & Vermilion Rituals

Discover the vibrant folk elements of Dhunuchi Naach on Maha Navami and the emotional vermilion-smearing custom of Sindoor Khela on Vijaya Dashami.

Explore Folk Rituals

What is Durga Puja?

Durga Puja is the biggest socioeconomic and spiritual festival of West Bengal, celebrating the victory of Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. The festival marks the autumn homecoming of Mother Durga alongside her children Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartikeya, and Ganesha. Massive community marquees (pandals) house beautifully sculpted clay idols, turning cities into open-air art galleries. The rituals include Shasthi Bodhon, Saptami Nabapatrika bath, the highly crucial Sandhi Puja during the transition of Ashtami/Navami, and finally, immersion (Visarjan) on Vijaya Dashami.