According to the Hindu lunar calendar, Durga Puja will be observed in the month of Ashvin. In 2024, the festival will be celebrated from October 9th to October 12th.
Durga Puja 2024: Dates and Schedule
Durga Puja is a meticulously planned event, and here are the key dates and timings for the various phases of this spiritual extravaganza:
| Day | Tithi Start | Tithi End |
|---|---|---|
| Maha Panchami (Preparation Day) | October 8, 2024 – 01:12 AM | October 9, 2024 – 12:31 AM |
| Maha Shashti (Bondhon) | October 9, 2024 – 12:31 AM | October 10, 2024 – 11:24 PM |
| Maha Saptami (Anjali) | October 10, 2024 – 11:24 PM | October 11, 2024 – 09:53 PM |
| Maha Ashtami (Kumari Puja) | October 11, 2024 – 09:53 PM | October 12, 2024 – 07:58 PM |
| Maha Navami (Dhunuchi Dance and Sandhi Puja) | October 12, 2024 – 07:58 PM | October 13, 2024 – 05:44 PM |
| Vijaya Dashami (Sindur Khela, Visarjan, and Bijoya) | October 13, 2024 – 05:44 PM | October 14, 2024 – 03:14 PM |
| Durga Visarjan Shubh Muhurat | October 14, 2024 – 05:44 AM | October 14, 2024 – 08:03 AM |
Detailed Puja Calendar 2024
| Day | Date | Tithi | Rituals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahalaya | October 3, 2024 (Thursday) | Amavasya | Chandi Path, the symbolic arrival of Goddess Durga |
| Pratipada | October 4, 2024 (Friday) | Pratipada | Ghatasthapana, Shailputri Puja. Ghatasthapana Muhurat is from 05:28 AM to 06:31 AM. |
| Dwitiya | October 5, 2024 (Saturday) | Dwitiya | Chandra Darshana, Brahmacharini Puja. |
| Tritiya | October 6, 2024 (Sunday) | Tritiya | Sindoor Tritiya, Chandraghanta Puja, Vinayaka Chaturthi. |
| Chaturthi | October 7, 2024 (Monday) | Chaturthi | Kushmanda Puja, Upang Lalita Vrat. |
| Panchami | October 8, 2024 (Tuesday) | Panchami | Saraswati Avahan, Katyayani Puja. |
| Shashti | October 9, 2024 (Wednesday) | Shashti | Saraswati Avahan, Idol installation, Bodhon or Pran Pratishtha, Adhibas. Mula Nakshatra Avahan Muhurat is from 10:25 AM to 04:42 PM. |
| Saptami | October 10, 2024 (Thursday) | Saptami | Saraswati Puja, Kalaratri Puja, Kolabou Puja, Nabapatrika Puja. |
| Ashtami | October 11, 2024 (Friday) | Ashtami | Durga Ashtami, Mahagauri Puja, Sandhi Puja, Maha Navami, Pushpanjali, Kumari Puja, Dhunuchi Naach. |
| Navami | October 12, 2024 (Saturday) | Navami | Ayudha Puja, Navami Homa, Navratri Parana, Mahasnan. |
| Dashami | October 13, 2024 (Sunday) | Dashami | Durga Visarjan, Sindoor Khela, Bijoya Dashami. |
Rituals & Significance of Durga Puja
Durga Puja is a significant Hindu festival celebrating Goddess Durga. While customs vary across regions, the following rituals are commonly observed:
1. Mahalaya (October 3, 2024 – Thursday)
Significance: Marks the arrival of Goddess Durga on Earth, starting the Puja festivities.
Rituals: Early morning hymns and prayers, and the creation of Durga’s idol begins.
2. Shashthi (Sixth Day – October 9, 2024 – Wednesday)
Significance: Official beginning of Durga Puja.
Rituals: The idol is ceremonially bathed (“Mahasnan”) and placed on a decorated platform. The “Bodhon” (invocation) ritual is performed.
3. Saptami (Seventh Day – October 10, 2024 – Thursday)
Significance: Day two of the main festival.
Rituals: The “Kola Bou” ritual, symbolizing Durga’s arrival, is performed by worshipping a banana tree.
4. Ashtami (Eighth Day – October 11, 2024 – Friday)
Significance: Focuses on the fierce form of Goddess Durga.
Rituals: “Sandhi Puja,” conducted during the Ashtami-Navami junction, involves detailed offerings and a sacred “Havan.”
5. Navami (Ninth Day – October 12, 2024 – Saturday)
Significance: Celebrates Durga’s victory over Mahishasura.
Rituals: “Kumari Puja” (worship of a young girl) and special “Bhog” (feast) are offered to the goddess.
6. Vijaya Dashami (Tenth Day – October 13, 2024 – Sunday)
Significance: Marks Durga’s return to her heavenly abode.
Rituals: A grand procession takes the Durga idol for immersion in water (“Visarjan”), symbolizing her departure.
Durga Puja Prasad Offerings by Day
Day 1 – Desi Ghee: Offered to Maa Shailputri for blessings of good health.
Day 2 – Sugar: Offered to Maa Brahmacharini for her grace.
Day 3 – Kheer: Offered to Maa Chandraghanta to honor her fierce form.
Day 4 – Malpua: Presented to Maa Kushmanda for happiness and prosperity.
Day 5 – Bananas: Offered to Maa Skandmata for good health.
Day 6 – Honey: Given to Maa Katyayani as a special prasad.
Day 7 – Jaggery: Offered to Maa Kaalratri, with additional offerings to Brahmins.
Day 8 – Coconut: Presented to Goddess Mahagauri for prosperity.
Day 9 – Sesame Seeds: Given to Maa Siddhidatri to seek her blessings.
These rituals and offerings reflect the deep devotion and significance of Durga Puja for Hindu families, bringing them closer to their heritage and ancestors.
Durga Mata Mantras to Invoke the Divine
- “Jayanti Mangala Kaali Bhadrakaali Kapalini, Durga Kshama Shivadhatri Swaha Swadha Namostute..!!”
- “Sarva Mangal Maangalyaye Shive Sarvartha Sadhike, Sharanyaye Triyabike Gauri Narayani Namostute..!!”
Durga Visarjan Muhurat, Tithi, Date And Time
The Durga Visarjan ceremony is performed on Dashami or Navami, considered the most auspicious day of the year. While the ceremony usually takes place in the early morning, the rituals of Durga Visarjan can also be performed in the evening, based on the Shubh Muhurat (auspicious timing).
Durga Visarjan 2024 dates and time are mentioned below:
| Durga Visarjan | Date and Time |
| Durga Visarjan | 12th October 2024 |
| Shubh Visarjan | 01:36 PM to 03:56 PM |
| Duration | 02 Hours 20 Mins |
| Dashami Tithi Starts | 10:58 AM on Oct 12, 2024 |
| Dashami Tithi Ends | 09:08 AM on Oct 13, 2024 |
| Sharavan Nakshatra Starts | 05:25 PM on Oct 12, 2024 |
| Sharavan Nakshatra Ends | 04:27 PM on Oct 13, 2024 |
Importance of Sindoor Khela on Durga Visarjan
As per tradition, on the day of Goddess Durga Visarjan, local women would dress up before the immersion and offer delicious sweets as part of the celebration after praying to Goddess Durga, along with Kartikeya, Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Lord Ganesha. Following this, Maa Durga and the women accompanying her would fill each other’s vermilion jars, applying vermilion as a symbol of blessing. It is believed by some that due to their virtuous deeds, the Goddess is pleased with them, granting them access to paradise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Durga Puja in India?
A: Durga Puja is an important annual festival in India, celebrated over five days to honor Goddess Durga. It originated in the Indian subcontinent and symbolizes the victory of good over evil, commemorating the day when Goddess Durga defeated the demon Mahishasura to restore peace and harmony.
Q: Why do Hindus celebrate Durga Puja?
A: Hindus celebrate Durga Puja, also known as Durgoatsava or Sharadotsava, to honor and revere Goddess Durga. The festival celebrates her victory over the demon Mahishasura, representing the triumph of good over evil.
Q: What is the history behind Durga Puja?
A: The history of Durga Puja dates back to the day when Goddess Durga defeated the demon king Mahishasura. This victory is celebrated on the tenth day, known as Vijaya Dashami, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. On the final day, the idol of Goddess Durga is immersed in the holy waters of the Ganges, a ritual known as Durga Visarjan. This is accompanied by joyous processions filled with music, drumming, singing, and dancing.
Q: How is Goddess Durga portrayed by devotees?
A: Devotees describe Goddess Durga as the “destroyer of evil.” She is depicted with ten arms, each holding a weapon, and her vehicle is a lion. She is also worshipped in various forms, including Chandika, Gauri, Bhavani, Amba, Parvati, and Mahishasuramardini.