Get ready to celebrate Durga Puja 2026! The much-awaited festival will commence on October 17th and conclude on October 21st. Know the exact dates for Mahalaya and Durga Puja 2026.
Durga Puja 2026: Celebration Beyond Borders
Durga Puja is more than just a religious festival; it is a grand cultural celebration filled with art, music, dance, food, and togetherness. With UNESCO recognizing it as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, global interest has increased, attracting people to Kolkata to witness its unique splendor and festive spirit. Preparations for 2026 will begin right after the 2025 celebrations conclude, with artisans wholeheartedly creating idols and decorations.
In 2026, Pitru Paksha will start on September 26th and end on Mahalaya, which falls on Saturday, October 10th. On this day, people wake up early to listen to the Chandi Path on the radio and perform Tarpan to pay respects to their ancestors. The next day marks the beginning of Devi Paksha, when Goddess Durga is believed to arrive on Earth, ushering in Durga Puja—a time of excitement, devotion, and endless celebrations.
Arrival of Goddess Durga on 'Gaj' or Elephant
Departure of Goddess Durga on 'Charanayudha'
Durga Puja 2026 Dates and Events :
- October 10, 2026 (Saturday): Mahalaya
- October 16, 2026 (Friday): Maha Panchami
- October 17, 2026 (Saturday): Maha Shashthi
- October 18, 2026 (Sunday): Maha Saptami
- October 19, 2026 (Monday): Maha Ashtami
- October 20, 2026 (Tuesday): Maha Navami
- October 21, 2026 (Wednesday): Vijaya Dashami/Dussehra
How to Celebrate :
- Visit Pandals: Experience beautifully decorated pandals and traditional idols.
- Start Early: Visit popular pandals early morning or late night to avoid crowds and take the Kolkata Metro to bypass traffic.
- Take Kolkata Metro: Use Kolkata Metro to avoid traffic jams.
- Enjoy Cultural Programs: Participate in local performances, music, and dance events.
- Engage in Rituals: Attend the morning and evening aarti sessions.
- Sandhi Puja: Witness the Sandhi puja in the late evening on the Ashtami-Navami juncture.
- Capture the Moments: Take photos and videos of the beautiful decorations, idols, and shows with your camera or phone.
- Feast on Festive Foods: Relish traditional Bengali dishes such as Bhog Khichuri, Shorshe Ilish, Rosogolla, and Mishti Doi.
- Try Street Food: Explore food stalls near pandals to try street food like Puchka, Kathi rolls etc.
- Sindoor Khela: Join the vibrant Sindoor Khela on Dashami, where married women playfully apply sindoor to each other.
- Dashami Processions: Join the Visarjan procession on Dashami, chanting "Asche Bochor Abar Hobe."
Conclusion:
Durga Puja 2026 is a special time to celebrate the victory of good over evil. You can visit beautiful pandals, enjoy delicious food, and watch cultural performances. It’s a great time to connect with family and friends and experience the vibrant culture of Bengal. Visit our website for a detailed Kolkata Metro Guideline to easily navigate and explore the famous Durga Puja pandals.