Durga Puja is a major Hindu festival celebrated with great enthusiasm in various parts of India, particularly in West Bengal, Assam, and other states. The festival typically takes place over a span of several days, usually in September or October, depending on the lunar calendar. While specific dates can vary from year to year, I can provide you with a general schedule of events during Durga Puja:
| Day | Description |
|---|---|
| Mahalaya | This marks the beginning of Durga Puja celebrations. It's a day dedicated to invoking Goddess Durga's blessings. It usually falls around a week before the actual puja starts. |
| Panchami | This is the fifth day of the Durga Puja festivities. The rituals involve the symbolic painting of the goddess known as "Kola Bou Snan," which involves immersing a banana tree in water as a representation of the goddess. |
| Shashthi | On the sixth day, the idol of Goddess Durga is unveiled. The day is marked by rituals and the start of the traditional dhak (drum) beats and cultural performances. |
| Saptami | The seventh day is marked by elaborate rituals, including the offering of the first pushpanjali (flower offering) to the goddess. Cultural events and traditional dances are a highlight of this day |
| Ashtami | The eighth day is considered the most significant day of Durga Puja. Elaborate rituals and ceremonies take place, culminating in the Sandhi Puja, which falls at the juncture of Ashtami and Navami. It is believed that Goddess Durga killed the demon Mahishasura during this auspicious time |
| Navami | On the ninth day, the festivities continue with prayers, cultural performances, and various offerings to the goddess. In some regions, children are given special attention on this day, as they are considered symbols of the divine energy |
| Dashami (Vijaya Dashami) | On the tenth day, the idols of Goddess Durga are immersed in water bodies, marking the conclusion of the festival. This process is known as "Visarjan." It's a day of mixed emotions as devotees bid farewell to the goddess and celebrate her triumph over evil. |
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