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Durga Puja 2026 Dates, Rituals and Significance Guide
- •Durga Puja 2026 in West Bengal runs from October 16 to October 21, spanning five main days of celebration.
- •Maha Shashthi marks the beginning of the festival on October 16 with Bodhon and Bilva Nimantran rituals.
- •Maha Saptami features the Nabapatrika ritual on October 18, highlighting the connection between nature and worship.
- •Maha Ashtami on October 19 includes Pushpanjali and Kumari Puja, drawing the highest footfall at pandals.
- •The festival concludes on October 21 with Bijoya Dashami, Sindoor Khela, and the immersion of idols.
Key Questions Answered
In West Bengal, Durga Puja 2026 will be celebrated over five main days, beginning with Maha Shashthi on October 16, followed by Maha Saptami on October 18, Maha Ashtami on October 19, and Maha Navami on October 20, before concluding with Bijoya Dashami on October 21.
Maha Ashtami is one of the most important days of Durga Puja, drawing the maximum footfall at pandals and temples. Key traditions include offering flowers to the goddess during Pushpanjali and performing Kumari Puja, where young girls are worshipped as living forms of Goddess Durga.
On Bijoya Dashami, married women perform Boron by offering sweets to Goddess Durga before her visarjan, followed by the Sindoor Khela ritual where women apply sindoor to one another. The celebrations officially conclude with Visarjan, during which the idols are immersed in a river.
