Get ready to celebrate Durga Puja 2025! The much-awaited festival will commence on September 28th and conclude on October 2nd. Know the exact dates for Mahalaya and Durga Puja 2025.
Durga Puja 2025: Celebration Beyond Borders
Durga Puja is more than 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 grown, drawing people to Kolkata to experience its unmatched grandeur and joy. Preparations for 2025 begin as soon as the 2024 festivities end, with artisans crafting idols and decorations with devotion.
In 2025, Pitru Paksha runs from September 7th and ends on Mahalaya, which falls on Sunday, September 21st. On this day, people wake up early to listen to the Chandi Path on the radio and perform Tarpan to honor their ancestors. Goddess Devi Durga arrives on the Earth on the first day of Devi Paksha which starts on the next day of Mahalaya, signaling the start of Durga Puja—a time of sleepless nights filled with anticipation and joy.
Arrival of Goddess Durga on 'Gaj' or Elephant
Departure of Goddess Durga on 'Dola' or Palanquin
Durga Puja 2025 Dates and Events :
- September 21, 2025 (Sunday): Mahalaya
- September 27, 2025 (Saturday): Maha Panchami
- September 28, 2025 (Sunday): Maha Shashthi
- September 29, 2025 (Monday): Maha Saptami
- September 30, 2025 (Tuesday): Maha Ashtami
- October 1, 2025 (Wednesday): Maha Navami
- October 2, 2025 (Thursday): 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 2025 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.