Durga Puja 2024 Dates: Also known as Durgotsava, Durga Puja is a significant Hindu festival celebrated each year by the Bengali community across West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha, Jharkhand, Tripura, and among their diaspora.
This four-day festival, which falls during the last five days of the nine-day Navratri celebration, honors the goddess Durga. She is celebrated for her victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. The festival commemorates Durga’s return to her maternal home with her children. Discover more about Durga Puja 2024.
Durga Puja 2024: Dates and Timings
Durga Puja is typically observed in September or October, spanning the sixth to the tenth day of the bright lunar fortnight in the Hindu lunar calendar month of Ashvin.
Aligned with the Navratri festival, Durga Puja lasts for five days, with the key celebrations occurring on Shashthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, and Dashami.
Durga Puja 2024: Dates and Timings
Navratri begins with Ghatasthapana, marking the start of the nine auspicious days. In 2024, Durga Puja officially commences on the sixth day (Shashti), October 9th, and continues with various rituals and celebrations, concluding with Durga Visarjan (idol immersion) on the tenth day, October 12th, as per Drik Panchang.
Here’s a detailed schedule of Durga Puja 2024:
| Day | Date | Tithi | Rituals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | October 3, 2024 (Thursday) | Pratipada | Ghatasthapana, Shailputri Puja. Ghatasthapana Muhurat: 05:28 AM to 06:31 AM. |
| 2nd | October 4, 2024 (Friday) | Dwitiya | Chandra Darshana, Brahmacharini Puja. |
| 3rd | October 5, 2024 (Saturday) | Dwitiya | Dwitiya. |
| 4th | October 6, 2024 (Sunday) | Tritiya | Sindoor Tritiya, Chandraghanta Puja, Vinayaka Chaturthi. |
| 5th | October 7, 2024 (Monday) | Chaturthi | Kushmanda Puja, Upang Lalita Vrat. |
| 6th | October 8, 2024 (Tuesday) | Panchami | Saraswati Avahan. |
| 7th | October 9, 2024 (Wednesday) | Shashti | Saraswati Avahan, Katyayani Puja. Mula Nakshatra Avahan Muhurat: 10:25 AM to 04:42 PM. |
| 8th | October 10, 2024 (Thursday) | Saptami | Saraswati Puja, Kalaratri Puja. |
| 9th | October 11, 2024 (Friday) | Ashtami | Durga Ashtami, Mahagauri Puja, Sandhi Puja, Maha Navami. |
| 10th | October 12, 2024 (Saturday) | Navami, Dashami | Ayudha Puja, Navami Homa, Navratri Parana, Durga Visarjan, Vijayadashami. |
Why Durga Puja is Celebrated: Origin, Significance, and Traditions
Durga Puja’s origins are rooted in ancient Indian scriptures. According to mythology, the demon Mahishasura, who had been granted a boon by Lord Brahma making him invincible to gods and men, terrorized the heavens. To combat this menace, the gods—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva—created Goddess Durga, endowing her with their combined powers.
A fierce battle ensued between Durga and Mahishasura, who transformed into a buffalo to gain an advantage. After ten days of intense combat, Durga defeated Mahishasura by slaying him in his original form.
The festival commemorates this victory of good over evil, culminating in Vijayadashami, which celebrates Durga’s triumph. Durga Puja also marks the goddess’s visit to her parental home with her children. The festivities begin with Mahalaya, heralding Durga’s arrival on Earth, and officially start on Maha Shashthi, the sixth day, with the grand unveiling of Durga’s idol amid the traditional beats of the dhak drum, a cherished aspect of the celebration and Bengali culture.
The next day, Maha Saptami, starts with the ritual of immersing a banana tree in water. This tree is symbolically transformed into the “Kola Bou” (Banana Bride), dressed in a red-bordered saree and placed beside Lord Ganesha. Some interpret the Kola Bou as Ganesha’s bride, while others see it as a representation of Goddess Durga or a sacred assembly of nine plants embodying the goddess’s plant form.
Maha Ashtami, the eighth day, is significant for commemorating Durga’s victory over Mahishasura. Devotees engage in prayers with “Anjali” and enjoy festive meals such as khichdi. The following day, Maha Navami, begins after the “Sandhi Puja” and culminates in the grand “Maha Aarti,” which attracts large crowds.
The festival concludes on Maha Dashami, the tenth day, with the immersion of Durga and other deities’ idols in the Ganges River, known as “Visarjan.” Before the immersion, married women participate in “Sindoor Khela,” applying vermilion to each other’s faces. The day wraps up with vibrant processions and the tradition of visiting relatives to exchange “Bijoya Dashami” greetings, marking the end of Durga Puja.
