About Durga Puja
Durga Puja is one of the most important festivals in eastern India, especially Bengal, honouring Goddess Durga and her victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. It celebrates the triumph of good over evil and the homecoming of the divine mother, who is worshipped as a powerful protector. The festival is a vibrant blend of devotion, art and community, and is recognised by UNESCO as part of humanity's intangible cultural heritage.
Communities build elaborate temporary pandals housing beautifully crafted idols of Durga and her children. The main days, from Shashthi to Navami, feature ritual worship, the rhythmic beat of dhak drums, cultural performances and feasting. Cities like Kolkata transform into open-air galleries as crowds move from pandal to pandal. The celebration is also marked across Assam, Odisha, Tripura and Bengali communities worldwide.
Durga Puja follows the Hindu lunar calendar, usually falling in the month of Ashwin (September or October), so its Gregorian date shifts each year. It begins in earnest on Shashthi and climaxes on Vijayadashami, when idols are carried in procession for immersion. The live countdown above tracks the next date automatically. You can add this countdown to your own page to keep the days in view.
Upcoming dates
| 2026 | Friday, October 16, 2026next |
| 2027 | Tuesday, October 5, 2027 |
| 2028 | Saturday, September 23, 2028 |
FAQ
When is Durga Puja this year and what date is it?
Durga Puja follows the Hindu lunar calendar, so its date varies each year, generally falling in September or October. The live countdown above shows the exact next date.
Why is Durga Puja celebrated?
It celebrates Goddess Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasura, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. It also marks the goddess's annual homecoming to her earthly family.
How is Durga Puja celebrated?
Communities build artistic pandals with idols of Durga, perform daily rituals and enjoy cultural programmes, music and feasting. The festival ends with grand processions and idol immersion on Vijayadashami.
What is Vijayadashami in Durga Puja?
Vijayadashami is the final and most emotional day, when the idols are taken for immersion in rivers or other water bodies. Married women often take part in sindoor khela, applying vermilion to one another.