Durga Puja Calendar 2024: Date-wise Full Schedule, Vidhi, and Rituals

• Kalparambha (Shashthi): Kalparambha marks the beginning of Durga Puja festivities. It is performed on Shashthi Tithi (the sixth day) of Devi Paksha. This ritual involves invoking Goddess Durga in a Ghata (holy pot) filled with water. The pot symbolises the divine presence of the Goddess. The Kalasha is placed on a mound of rice, and a coconut with mango leaves is placed atop the pot. This is followed by the recitation of mantras, inviting the Goddess to reside in the Kalasha during the festival.
• Bodhan (Shashthi): The Bodhan ceremony is performed on the evening of Shashthi. It signifies the awakening of Goddess Durga after her long slumber. The priest ties a mirror to a Bilva tree (Bael tree), and through this mirror, the idol of Goddess Durga is reflected. Offerings of fruits, flowers, and sweets are made, and the chanting of hymns and mantras follows.
• Maha Saptami Puja (Seventh Day): Maha Saptami marks the beginning of the main puja rituals. A banana tree, known as ‘Nabapatrika,’ is bathed in the holy water of a river or pond and is dressed in a traditional saree. The Nabapatrika symbolises Goddess Durga, and it is placed next to the idol of the Goddess. The Saptami Puja involves offering prayers, flowers, fruits, and other items while chanting mantras.
• Maha Ashtami Puja (Eighth Day): Maha Ashtami is considered the most significant day of Durga Puja. It is on this day that Goddess Durga is believed to have slain the demon Mahishasura, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. The rituals include the Sandhi Puja, which is performed at the juncture of Ashtami and Navami. It is considered the most auspicious moment of Durga Puja. Offerings such as flowers, fruits, sweets, and the lighting of 108 lamps are made to the Goddess. The devotees chant the Durga Saptashati or Chandi Path, which is a collection of 700 verses dedicated to Goddess Durga.
• Maha Navami Puja (Ninth Day): Maha Navami is the concluding day of Durga Puja. It involves the Mahasnan (holy bath) of the deity and the special Navami Puja, followed by the recitation of sacred texts. Devotees offer various items, including nine types of leaves and flowers, to the Goddess. The day concludes with Maha Aarti, where lamps are lit, and devotional songs are sung in praise of Goddess Durga.
• Vijayadashami and Durga Visarjan: Vijayadashami, the final day of Durga Puja, marks the victory of good over evil and the return of Goddess Durga to her celestial abode. The immersion ceremony, or Durga Visarjan, takes place on this day. The idol of Goddess Durga is taken to a river or sea amidst grand processions and then immersed, signifying her departure from Earth. Devotees bid farewell to the Goddess with the hope that she will return again next year. The day also symbolises the beginning of new ventures, as it is considered highly auspicious.

Durga Puja 2024: Significance of Weekdays for Arrival and Departure

The day on which Goddess Durga arrives and departs is considered an omen. It is believed that if she arrives on a horse, it signifies impending war or turmoil, whereas if she arrives on an elephant, it brings prosperity and good fortune. Similarly, her departure on a boat signifies an abundance of rain and a good harvest.

Durga Puja is more than a festival; it’s a celebration of faith, unity, and the victory of good over evil. Each ritual deepens the connection between devotees and the divine, fostering a sense of community and devotion that transcends boundaries.

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