Durga Puja, the grand festival of Bengal, is not just a religious observance but a cultural extravaganza that brings together devotion, art, music, food, and community celebration. It honours Goddess Durga, the embodiment of power (Shakti), who defeats the buffalo demon Mahishasura, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. In 2025, Durga Puja will be observed with the same unmatched fervour across Bengal and other parts of India and the world where Bengali communities live.
Durga Puja 2025 Dates:
From Shashthi, the sixth day of Navratri, to Vijaya Dashami, the day of immersion, Durga Puja is observed over five major days. In 2025, the dates are as follows:
Mahalaya – September 21, 2025 (Sunday)
Marks the beginning of Devi Paksha and the day Bengalis perform Tarpan (ancestral offerings).
Shashthi – September 28, 2025 Sunday)
The day on which it is said that the goddess Durga comes down to Earth together with her children.
Saptami – September 29, 2025 (Monday)
The first day of major puja rituals, beginning with Nabapatrika snan and pran pratishtha.
Ashtami – September 30, 2025 (Tuesday)
The most auspicious day with Sandhi Puja and Kumari Puja.
Navami – October 1, 2025 (Wednesday)
Dedicated to the Maha Aarti and the last devotion of the goddess in her most potent form.
Dashami (Vijaya Dashami) – October 2, 2025 (Thursday)
The day of immersion is when devotees say goodbye to Goddess Durga by participating in Sindoor Khela and sending up prayers for her return the following year.
Rituals of Durga Puja:
Durga Puja is filled with elaborate rituals, each with its deep meaning and spiritual symbolism.
Mahalaya:
This day marks the formal invitation to Goddess Durga to descend to Earth. Traditionally, Bengalis wake up early to listen to Mahishasura Mardini, a devotional radio program of chants and hymns that invokes the goddess. Rituals like Tarpan are performed by offering water and prayers to ancestors.
Shashthi:
On this day, the goddess is welcomed. Rituals such as Kalparambha (preparatory rites), Bodhon (awakening of the goddess), and Adhibas (consecration of the idol) take place. The unveiling of the idol’s face is also a key highlight of Shashthi.
Saptami:
For the first part of the day, called Nabapatrika Snan, nine different plants that represent the nine types of Goddess Durga are bathed and wrapped in a saree to look like the goddess herself. The idol is then filled with holy energy through pran pratishtha. Devotees throng pandals to offer prayers, flowers, and bhog.
Ashtami:
The most important day is Maha Ashtami. To commemorate the goddess's hard battle against Mahishasura, devotees perform Sandhi Puja and offer Anjali, a sacred flower offering, at the conclusion of Ashtami to mark the beginning of Navami. Many households and temples also observe Kumari Puja, where a young girl is worshipped as a living embodiment of Durga.
Navami:
The final day of worship, Maha Navami, is marked by Maha Aarti and devotional chanting. Devotees celebrate the goddess’s victory and pray for strength, prosperity, and protection.
Dashami (Vijaya Dashami):
The day of farewell is bittersweet. Married women apply sindoor (vermilion) to Goddess Durga and to each other in the ritual called Sindoor Khela. Processions fill the streets as idols are carried to rivers and lakes for immersion (Visarjan). The phrase “Asche bochor abar hobe” (“It will happen again next year”) echoes with hope and longing as devotees bid goodbye.
Significance of Durga Puja:
For Bengalis and Hindus around the world, Durga Puja is extremely important both spiritually and culturally.
Religious Significance:
The main idea behind Durga Puja is that good has won over evil. The fact that Goddess Durga killed Mahishasura shows that divine forces won over evil forces. Giving up one's ego and bad thoughts to accept purity, strength, and devotion are what the rituals and offerings are all about.
Cultural Significance:
Durga Puja has grown beyond a religious festival—it is the heartbeat of Bengali culture. From dhaak (traditional drums) to dhunuchi naach (ritual dance with incense), from artistic idol-making to grand pandal themes, the festival is a confluence of art, literature, theatre, and music. It reflects Bengal’s creativity and cultural richness.
Social Significance:
Durga Puja is also a time of community bonding. Families reunite, friends gather, and people across classes and communities come together in celebration. It encourages inclusivity, social harmony, and the spirit of togetherness. Pandals are often open to all, welcoming people of different religions and backgrounds.
Economic Significance:
The festival helps the economy by giving thousands of people jobs as artisans, idol makers, decorators, musicians, food vendors, and more. Durga Puja is an important source of income for many businesses in Bengal, from the textile industry to small businesses. UNESCO has even recognised Durga Puja as an “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity,” underlining its global importance.
Durga Puja Beyond Bengal:
Durga Puja is celebrated with grandeur all over the world, with Kolkata serving as the focus. Bengali associations hold community pujas in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, as well as London, New York, and Toronto. For the diaspora, it is more than just a religious practice; it is a means of reconnecting with their roots and cultural identity.
Durga Puja 2025, which begins on September 28 and ends on October 2, promises to be another exciting celebration of devotion, art, and community spirit. It is not just a religious festival, but also a cultural celebration that brings millions of people together through joy, music, rituals, and festivities. Every prayer, beat of the dhaak, and cry of "Durga Durga" repeats the unchanging truth: good will always win over evil.
As Bengalis fondly say, “Maa aschen” (“Mother is coming”), the festival is more than a ritual—it is an emotion, a homecoming, and a reminder of resilience and hope.
