When is Durga Puja 2024 – Most Awaited Bengali Festival

When is Durga Puja 2024?

Durga Puja dates for 2024 – Wed, 9 Oct, 2024 – Sun, 13 Oct, 2024

For the last one month I had been closely following the artists here in Bangalore making idols of Goddess Durga. Right from kneading the clay, molding to various shapes and features; it has been a long colorful journey. The artists will leave for Kolkata soon to attend the festival there.

Must See Bangalore Durga Puja

When is Durga Puja?

As per lunar calendar festival of Durga Puja is celebrated in bright lunar fortnight of 7th Hindu month – Ashwin, which generally is on either September or on October. This period is called Devi Paksha.

Lunar calendar is a lot different from the solar calendars that we follow. Hence every year the dates of Durga Pujo festival falls in different months – September or October.

when is Durga Puja Dates and time

Durga Puja 2023: Fri, Oct 20, 2023 – Tue, Oct 24, 2023

2022 Durga Puja Dates: 1st Oct to 5th Oct.

2021 Durga Puja Dates: 11th Oct to 15th Oct.

2020 Durga Puja dates: 17th October to 26th October Maha Sashthi date for 2020 is on 22 October.

Date for Mahalaya 2020 is on 17th September. This year it is 35 days ahead of Durga Puja due to rare occurrence of a phenomenon called mala maash, lunar month which has 2 amavasya (new moons).

As per scriptures no auspicious rites and rituals can be performed in a mala maash. For this reason instead of celebrating Durga Puja in Ashwin month it is postponed to Kartik month in lunar calendar.

2019 dates of Durga Puja Festival: 29th September to 8th October

2018 dates of Durga Puja festival: 9th October to 19th October

Durga Puja Festival Days

Durga Puja is a 10 day festival; but for the Bengalis it is the last 5 days that is filled with fun and enjoyment. This festival is about new clothes, dance, drama, fun, socializing, and majorly about food. The festival of Durga Pujo goes on for six days. Other aspects of life come to a standstill, particularly for Bengalees.

In fact each day of Durga Puja has names and specific rituals and significance.

Mahalaya – This is the first day of Pujo (that is how Bengalis pronounce it). Hindus believe the Goddess Durga descends from Heaven to rid Earth of a notorious demon Mahisasur. The 3 eyes of Maa Durga are painted on this day.

Days 2 to 5 – During these days the idols are given finishing touches. They are painted and adorned with colorful saris for the Goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati and dhoti for Lord Ganesha and Kartik. By 5th day all idols would have been transported to the respective pandals.

Panchami – Some grand pandals start celebrations on the 5th day itself with Pachami Pujo. In the evenings, before the puja begins, they have Anando Mela. This is a community organised event when women offer home-cooked Bengali delicacies. They include the popular biryani of Bengal, Kosha Mangsho, Mutton Chops, Fish fritters, sweets of Bengal. Children put up variety entertainment programs and men folk eat and of course look into the final touches for pujo pandal.

You can read more: Panchami of Durga Pujo Celebrated with Anandomela.

Dates of Durga Puja Festival

Shashti – As the name indicates is the 6th day of the pujo, the day of unveiling of Goddess Durga amidst hymns and chants. Most places pujo fervor begins on this day. Mega celebrations and pandal hopping start from this day. The crowd is less and I try to see as many as possible, especially the distant ones from home. Traffic gets crazy on these days of festivals.

Read more on Shoshti here: Maha Shashti of Durga Pujo

Saptami – 7th day of Pujo, the excitement is Bengali crowds is palpable. Pandal hopping is in full swing now, mostly to eat from food stalls of Pandals and to catch up with friends. The day’s prayers are dedicated for Maha Snan (holy bath or bathing ritual) and Pran Prathishta (infusing life).

Check this to know more: Significance of Maha Saptami of Durga Pujo

Ashtami – Durga Ashtami is the most auspicious day of this 10 day festival. On this day Goddess Chamunda appeared from the forehead of Mother Durga and annihilated Chanda, Munda, and Rakthabija (the demons who were associates of Mahishasura). Devout Hindus are on a strict vegetarian diet on this day.

Dates of Durga Puja Festival

Navami – Transition from ashtami to navami is the most crucial moment when Goddess Durga slays Mahisasur the demon, the very purpose of Her descent on earth. Non vegetarian food is relished by Bengali people on this day. People participate in Dhunuchi Naach, dance with glowing embers in an earthen pot in the evenings of this day.

Dashami – The 10th and last day of Durga Puja festival. Goddess is finally bid good bye. After boron of Goddess and sindur khela, the idols of Goddess is immersed in water. People part after exchanging greetings of Shubho Bijoya!

Know more: Significance of immersion of idols of Goddess Durga.

The last day of this Devi Paksha is celebrated as Kojagori Lokkhi (Lakshmi) Pujo. With that the festivities come to an end and the wait begins for pujo of next year!

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Happy Pujo to all!

When is Durga Puja Popular Hindu Festival of India

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