Durga Puja 2025: This year, the nine-day Navratri festival began on September 22nd. As Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami, the central days of the Durga Puja festival, draw closer, it’s time to learn the exact dates of the festivals.
Meanwhile, the five-day Durga Puja festival will begin with great enthusiasm on September 27th and conclude with Durga Visarjan on Thursday, October 2nd. These days, filled with rituals, prayers, and cultural fervor, symbolize the victory of good over evil. On this occasion, devotees throng the pandals to commemorate the return of Goddess Durga to her maternal home.
Maha Ashtami will be celebrated on September 30th. This means that Maha Navami will fall on Wednesday, October 1st.
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Celebrated for five consecutive days in the month of Ashwin, Durga Puja begins on the Shashthi Tithi of the Shukla Paksha. It concludes with Dussehra and Durga Visarjan, which are celebrated on the tenth day of the same month. Devotees perform Sandhi Puja on the conjunction of the eighth and ninth days.
Why is Maha Ashtami celebrated?
One of the most important and auspicious days of Durga Puja is Durga Ashtami, also known as Maha Ashtami. On this day, devotees also worship Goddess Mahagauri, an incarnation of Adi Shakti. The goddess symbolizes purity, peace, and stability. According to popular belief, she defeated Chanda, Mund, and Raktabeej.
Why is Maha Navami celebrated?
On the ninth day of Navratri, Goddess Durga is worshipped as Mahishasuramardini, or “slayer of Mahishasura.” According to folklore, Goddess Durga defeated the buffalo demon Mahishasura on this occasion, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
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Why is Durga Puja celebrated?
According to Hindu mythology, the demon king Mahishasura gained immense power and began terrorizing the three worlds (earth, heaven, and underworld). The gods combined their powers to create Goddess Durga, who fought Mahishasura for nine days and nights, slaying him on the tenth day (Vijaya Dashami). Durga Puja commemorates this triumph of good over evil and celebrates the divine energy of femininity.
Durga Puja is one of the most important Hindu festivals, especially in West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Tripura, Bihar, and Bangladesh, but also celebrated throughout India. It is not only a religious event but also a massive cultural celebration.
This festival symbolizes the victory of righteousness over unrighteousness.
Devotees worship Durga as the embodiment of strength, courage, and motherly compassion, seeking her blessings for strength and protection.
In places like Kolkata, Durga Puja is also a major cultural event – art installations (pandals), traditional music, dance, drama, and community feasts bring people together.
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Why is Dussehra celebrated?
Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami or Dussehra, commemorates Lord Rama’s victory over the demon Ravana.
Navratri Day 8: Puja Timings
According to the Drik Panchang, here are the important Muhurats for Day 9:
Ashtami Tithi starts – September 29 at 4:31 pm
Ashtami Tithi ends – September 30 at 6:06 pm
Navratri Day 9: Puja Timings
According to the Drik Panchang, here are the important Muhurats for Day 9:
Navmi Tithi starts – September 30 at 6:06 pm
Navmi Tithi ends – October 1 at 7:01 pm
Dussehra/Navratri Day 10: Puja Timings