Durga Puja Date 2024, Time, Story and Rituals – GHdays.in
Durga Puja, also referred to as Durgotsava or Sharodotsav, is an annual festival celebrated in the Indian subcontinent to honor the Hindu goddess Durga and commemorate her victory over Mahishasura. This festival holds special significance in the Eastern Indian states of Bengal, Assam, and Odisha, as well as among Hindus in Bangladesh. Taking place during the month of Ashvin in the Indian calendar, corresponding to September-October in the Gregorian calendar, Durga Puja spans a ten-day period, with the final five days being the most significant.
The festival involves both private and public celebrations, with elaborate rituals performed at homes and temporary stages known as pandals set up in public spaces. Apart from religious ceremonies, Durga Puja features scripture recitations, cultural performances, joyous gatherings, gift exchanges, family reunions, sumptuous feasting, and vibrant processions known as a melā. As a vital tradition in the Shaktism sect of Hinduism, Durga Puja’s cultural importance was further recognized when Kolkata’s celebration was added to UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list in December 2021.
Rooted in Hindu mythology, Durga Puja symbolizes the triumph of good over evil through the goddess Durga’s defeat of the shape-shifting demon Mahishasura. Furthermore, the festival doubles as a harvest celebration, acknowledging Durga as the nurturing force behind life and creation. Durga Puja aligns with the Navaratri and Dussehra festivities observed in other Hindu traditions.
While Durga remains the central deity of worship during this festival, other significant Hindu gods and goddesses like Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha, and Kartikeya are also venerated. In Bengali customs, these deities are regarded as Durga’s progeny, with Durga Puja commemorating her annual visit to her parental abode alongside her beloved children. The festival commences with Mahalaya heralding Durga’s journey home and culminates on Vijaya Dashami with devotees immersing clay idols of the deities in water bodies, symbolizing Durga’s return to the divine realm and reunion with Shiva in Kailash.
Though the exact origins of Durga Puja are shrouded in mystery, historical evidence suggests its practice dates back centuries. Manuscripts from the 14th century outline rituals for Durga Puja, indicating its early observance. During the British colonial era, Durga Puja gained prominence in Bengal, Odisha, and Assam due to royal patronage. In contemporary times, Durga Puja transcends its religious roots to become primarily a social and cultural extravaganza wherever it is celebrated.
Through the ages, Durga Puja has evolved into an integral part of Indian culture, with diverse communities embracing this festival in their unique ways while upholding traditional customs.
Durga Puja Date 2024: Wed, 9 October to Sun, 13 October 2024
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Durga Puja Date 2024 Overview
| Goddess | Durga Devi |
| Also Known as | Durgotsav, Sharodotsav |
| Status | Public holiday in Indian state of West Bengal and Assam and the country Bangladesh and Nepal |
| Type | Religious and cultural festival |
| Begins | Mahalaya |
| Ends | Vijaya Dashami |
| Main observation | Ceremonial worship of Goddess Durga |
| Related Topic | Click here |
Durga Puja Date 2024 in West Bengal
The schedule for the upcoming Durga Puja festivities is as follows:
- Day 1 – 8th October 2024, Tuesday: The celebration begins with the invocation of Goddess Durga on Panchami.
- Day 2 – 9th October 2024, Wednesday: The festivities continue with the worship of Goddess Durga on Shashthi.
- Day 3 – 10th October 2024, Thursday: The joyous occasion progresses with prayers to Goddess Durga on Saptami.
- Day 4 – 11th October 2024, Friday: The fervor heightens as devotees honor Goddess Durga on Ashtami.
- Day 5 – 12th October 2024, Saturday: The celebrations reach a crescendo with reverence to Goddess Durga on Navami.
- Day 6 – 13th October 2024, Sunday: The grand culmination of the festival concludes with the observance of Dashami in honor of Goddess Durga.
Durga Puja Date in India 2024
| Durga Puja Date 2024 | Wednesday, 9 October |
| Durga Puja Date 2025 | Sunday, 28 September |
| Durga Puja Date 2026 | Saturday, 17 October |
| Durga Puja Date 2027 | Wednesday, 6 October |
| Durga Puja Date 2028 | Sunday, 24 September |
| Durga Puja Date 2029 | Saturday, 13 October |
Durga Puja Celebration in India 2024
In West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Jharkhand, and Tripura, the celebration of Durga Puja goes by various names such as Akalbodhan (meaning “untimely awakening of Durga”), Sharadiya pujo (“autumnal worship”), Sharodotsab (“festival of autumn”), Maha pujo (“grand puja”), Maayer pujo (“worship of the Mother”), Durga pujo, or simply Puja or Pujo. In Bangladesh, the festival has traditionally been known as Bhagabati puja. Maa Durga is revered as the Goddess of Power, symbolizing the victory of Goodness over evil.
Durga Puja is also recognized by different names associated with related Shakta Hindu celebrations like Navaratri, observed concurrently in other parts of India such as Bihar, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala, and Maharashtra. Other notable observances include Kullu dussehra in Kullu Valley, Himachal Pradesh; Mysore dussehra in Mysore, Karnataka; Bommai golu in Tamil Nadu; Bommala koluvu in Andhra Pradesh; and Bathukamma in Telangana.