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Durga Puja 2025: According to Drik Panchang, Durga Puja will officially start on the sixth day (Shashti) of Navratri, which is September 28, 2025.
Durga Puja 2025: The banks in West Bengal will be shut from September 27, 2025, to October 2, 2025, due to the Durga Puja celebrations. (Image: Shutterstock)
Durga Puja, also called Durgotsava, is a significant Hindu festival mostly observed by the Bengali community. The festival celebrates the victory of good over evil. In the Northern part of India, devotees observe the nine-day-long Navratri celebration. People observe fast and worship nine forms of Goddess Durga each day.
When is Durga Puja 2025? Start And End Date, Shubh Muhurats
Durga Puja is observed in September or October, during the Hindu lunar calendar month of Ashvin, from the sixth to the tenth day of the bright lunar fortnight. Together with the nine-day holiday of Navratri, it is celebrated. The most important and extensively observed days are Shashthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, and Dashami, and it lasts for five days.
Ghatasthapana, the first of the nine auspicious days of Navratri, is celebrated. According to Drik Panchang, Durga Puja will officially start on the sixth day (Shashti), which is September 28, 2025. It then proceeds with important ceremonies and festivities until ending on the tenth day with Durga Visarjan, which is the immersion of the idol, which is October 2, 2025.
The following table lists all of the Durga Puja dates and auspicious times for 2025:
- Durga Puja Day 1: Panchami – Saturday, September 27, 2025 (Bilva Nimantran Muhurat 03:48 PM to 06:12 PM).
- Durga Puja Day 2: Shashthi – Sunday, September 28, 2025.
- Durga Puja Day 3: Saptami – Monday, September 29, 2025 (Navapatrika Puja Muhurat 05:49 AM).
- Durga Puja Day 4: Ashtami – Tuesday, September 30, 2025 (Mahashtami Puja Time 04:31 PM on September 29 and ends at 06:06 PM on September 30).
- Durga Puja Day 5: Nabami – Wednesday, October 1, 2025 (Maha Navami Puja Time 06:06 PM on September 30 and concludes at 07:01 PM on October 1).
- Durga Puja Day 6: Dashami – Thursday, October 2, 2025 (Durga Visarjan Muhurat – 06:15 AM to 08:37 AM).
Durga Puja 2025: History And Significance
The origins of Durga Puja can be found in ancient Indian texts. According to folk tales, Mahishasura was a demon who was blessed by Lord Brahma, preventing him from being defeated by a human or a god. He consequently became stronger and significantly displeased the heavenly gods.
In response to the gods’ plea for help, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva created Goddess Durga and endowed her with their utmost might to battle Mahishasura.
After which Mahishasura and Goddess Durga fought each other fiercely. To gain the upper hand, the devil adopted the appearance of a buffalo. The war was won by Goddess Durga beheading the buffalo and defeating Mahishasura in his natural form after ten days of fight.
The Durga Puja festival basically honours this great battle that lasted for ten days. On this day, Goddess Durga and her kids also pay a visit to her parents’ home. The triumph of good over evil is celebrated on the final day, Vijayadashami.
On the sixth day of Navratri, devotees bring the idol of Goddess Durga home, where they worship her for five days in a row.
To commemorate these days with great joy and happiness, they adorn their home, invite friends, family, and neighbours, and go puja pandal hopping. On the day of Vijaya Dashami, devotees perform Durga Visarjan following the five-day festivities.
Durga Puja 2025: Rituals
- Various ceremonies are performed to commemorate each day of Durga Puja.
- Bengalis worship Mahishasur Mardini, a manifestation of Goddess Durga, in observance of these auspicious days.
- To Goddess Durga, priests present prayers, flowers, fruits, and sweets.
- Pushpanjali is one of the most significant ceremonies, during which followers present the goddess with flowers while reciting holy verses. Additionally, many families honour the goddess by doing aarti, which involves waving lamps in front of her.
- Another important ceremony is the Sandhi Puja, which is done precisely between Ashtami and Navami.
- It is thought that Durga eventually defeated Mahishasura at this point. The whole city appears to be praying together, and there is a strong sense of devotion in the air.
- In ceremonial and puja performances, devotees prepare a range of dishes and offer bhog prasad to several deities, including Goddess Durga, Goddess Laxmi, Saraswati, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Karthik.
- Married ladies perform Sindoor Khela on the last day of Durga Visarjan, after the festival is celebrated with great majesty and enthusiasm.
- The goddess Durga is first offered vermillion. A long and successful life is then bestowed to them by the elders after the women apply vermillion to other married women.
Durga Puja 2025: What is Sindhoor Khela?
With Vijayadashami, the auspicious Durga Puja comes to an end, and devotees celebrate a lavish farewell to the goddess. Sindur Khela is among the most important Vijayadashami rituals.
The ceremony is the final celebration before Maa Durga’s idol is submerged in water, and it has particular meaning for married ladies.
In Sindur Khela, married women smear vermillion on each other after applying it to the Goddess’ feet and forehead. They pray for their husbands’ and children’s long lives as well.
Sindhoor Khela: History and Puja Vidhi
Sindur Khela’s actual origins are unknown, however, mythology suggests that it began roughly 200 years ago during Durga pujas at zamindar households. It is thought that a woman who participates in Sindoor Khela will be protected from becoming a widow.
This ritual also represents women’s strength in protecting their families from harm, and it is supposed to aid in conflict resolution and peace promotion.
As per Drik Panchang, the Sindoor Utsav will be observed on October 2, 2025. The Dashami Tithi will begin at 07:01 PM on October 1, 2025, and end at 07:10 PM on October 2, 2025.
Sindhoor Khela: Significance and How It Is Celebrated?
The Sindoor Khela is a famous Durga Puja celebration, particularly in West Bengal. The celebration of Durga Puja comes to a close on the day of Bengal Vijayadashami, when the idols of Durga are submerged.
Vermillion, often referred to as Sindoor, is applied to one another by married ladies in the evening. Bijoya greetings and treats are then shared. Kolakuli is a welcoming gesture that even males do when they embrace one another.
Married ladies celebrate Sindoor Khela with the hopes of protecting their family and achieving prosperity. Sindoor, or vermilion, is regarded as a lucky sign of marriage. Therefore, discrediting it enhances the strength of women’s sacred marriage. It also symbolises the strength of females and promotes friendship.
Durga Puja 2025: Is It A Bank Holiday In India?
India will observe a series of bank holidays in 2025. Republic Day (January 26), Holi (March 14), Independence Day (August 15), and Gandhi Jayanti (October 2) are key holidays this year. Additionally, Good Friday, Baisakhi, Muharram, Dussehra, Durga Puja, and Diwali are also significant holidays.
However, in West Bengal, the banks will be closed for a couple of days more. As per reports, the banks in West Bengal will be shut from September 27, 2025, to October 2, 2025, due to the Durga Puja celebrations across the state.
Durga Puja 2025: FAQs
What is the primary objective of Durga Puja?
Durga Puja is a special puja (offering) event commemorating the goddess Durga’s victory over the demon ruler Mahishasura.
Which city is famous for its Durga Puja?
The ‘City of Joy’ (Kolkata) is the epicentre of Durga Puja festivities. Visitors should also visit well-known destinations like as Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Birbhum, and Bankura to witness rituals, cultural performances, and traditional cuisine.
What is the name of the unique cuisine served at Durga Puja?
Durga Puja is best celebrated with “Bhoger Khichuri,” a classic Bengali meal.
What message does Durga Puja convey to us?
It invokes Goddess Durga’s blessings, prosperity, and wisdom, encouraging people to celebrate joy while seeking heavenly strength and protection.
