When is Durga Puja 2024? Get to know date, timings and more

Marking the goddess’s maternal homecoming with her children, the festival symbolises the goddess Durga’s victory over Mahishasura. Explore to learn more about Durga Puja 2024.

When is Durga Puja 2024: Date and Timings

Observed usually in September or October, Durga Puja is typically celebrated from the sixth to the tenth day of the bright lunar fortnight in the Hindu lunar calendar month of Ashvin.

It is celebrated along with Navratri, the nine-day festival. However, it lasts for five days, with Shashthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, and Dashami being the most significant and widely celebrated.

Navratri starts with Ghatasthapana, marking the beginning of the nine auspicious days. Durga Puja officially begins on the sixth day (Shashti), i.e., October 9th, 2024, and continues with significant rituals and celebrations, concluding on the tenth day with Durga Visarjan (immersion of the idol), that is, October 12th, 2024, as per Drik Panchang.

Check out the table below, outlining all the Durga Puja dates and auspicious timings of the Durga Puja 2024.

Why is Durga Puja Celebrated: Origin, Significance, and Traditions

The origins of Durga Puja can be traced back to ancient Indian scriptures. According to mythology, Mahishasura was a demon who had received a boon from Lord Brahma that he could not be defeated by any god or man. This made him powerful, and he caused great distress to the gods in heaven. In response to the gods’ plea for help, Lord Brahma, along with Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, created Goddess Durga, endowing her with their supreme powers to battle Mahishasura.

A fierce battle ensued between Mahishasura and Goddess Durga. To gain an advantage, the demon transformed himself into a buffalo. The conflict lasted for 10 days, at the end of which Goddess Durga emerged victorious by beheading the buffalo and defeating Mahishasura as he appeared in his original form.

In essence, the festival of Durga Puja commemorates this epic battle, spanning over 10 days, with the final day known as Vijayadashami celebrating the triumph of good over evil, in addition to celebrating Goddess Durga’s visit to her parental home with her children.

The celebrations kick off with Mahalaya, marking the beginning of Goddess Durga’s journey to Earth. The formal festivities start on “Maha Sashthi,” the sixth day, highlighted by the grand unveiling of Durga’s idol to the public amid the vibrant beats of “dhakis” playing the traditional “dhak” drum, a staple of the puja and Bengali tradition.

The next day, “Maha Saptami,” begins with the early morning ritual of immersing a banana tree in water, symbolically transforming it into the “Kola Bou” (Banana Bride), dressed in a saree with a red border and placed beside Lord Ganesha. The “Kola Bou” is interpreted by some as Ganesha’s bride, while others see it as a representation of Goddess Durga herself or a sacred assembly of nine plants embodying the goddess’s plant form.

“Maha Ashtami,” the eighth day, is crucial as it commemorates Durga’s triumph over Mahishasura. This day is filled with devotees offering prayers with “Anjali” and enjoying festive meals like khichdi. The following day, “Maha Navami,” commences after the “Sandhi Puja,” culminating in the grand “Maha Aarti,” drawing large crowds for participation.

The festivities conclude on “Maha Dashami,” the tenth day, with the immersion of Durga and other deities’ idols in the river Ganges, a ceremony known as “Visarjan.” Before this immersion, married women partake in “Sindoor Khela,” applying vermilion to each other’s faces. The day wraps up with processions and joy, and the tradition of visiting relatives to exchange “Bijoya Dashami” greetings signals the end of Durga Puja.