Durga Puja 2024 - Important Dates, Puja Timings and Rituals

You might have heard a lot about Kolkata's famous Durga Puja festival. However, it is essential to know about the actual Puja and its rituals to appreciate this grand festival truly. 

Durga Puja 2024 will begin on 19 October 2024 and end on 24 October 2024. It is that time of the year when the whole of Kolkata rejoices in the arrival of Devi Durga and her children Kartik, Ganesha, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. The five-day mega-festival in Kolkata is now placed on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. 

However, Durga Puja is not just about festivals and pandal hopping. The five-day celebration consists of various rituals, offerings, and worship, which hold immense importance among the devotees.

Also Read: Durga Temples in India You Must Visit This Durga Pooja

Durga Puja 2024: Date and Timings

Mahalaya- Invoking the Goddess

Devi Paksha begins from Mahalaya, which marks the beginning of the Durga puja season. On this auspicious day, Kumartuli Durga idol makers draw the eyes of the Goddess hence invoking her. 

The All India Radio broadcasts Mahishasuramardini (Goddess who killed Mahishasura) recited by Late Birendra Krishna Bhadra in the early morning on this day. The show was first broadcast in 1931 and has remained widely popular to date. For many Bengali families, it is a tradition to listen to the program to get into the feel of the Puja season.

Shashthi- Welcoming the Goddess

Shashthi, the sixth day of Navratri, marks the beginning of the Durga Puja festival. On this day, the face of the Goddess and her children is unveiled, followed by several rituals like Kalprarambha, Bodhon, Amantran, etc.

Also Read: Feel the Festive Excitement: Explore Kolkata’s Durga Puja Pandals

Maha Saptami 

Saptami begins with worshipping Kola Bou (a banana tree purified with sacred waters and then draped in Saree) and placing “her” beside Lord Ganesha. The worshipping of Kola Bou involves the sacred bath of nine leaves or Nabapatrika. The nine leaves representing nine forms of Shakti are as follows.

1. Banana- Brahmani
2. Colocasia- Kalika
3. Turmeric- Durga
4. Jayanti- Kartiki
5. Wood Apple- Shiva
6. Pomegranate- Raktadantika
7. Ashoka- Sokrahita
8. Arum- Chamunda
9. Paddy- Lakshmi 

The nine leaves are tied together with Koyala and Aparajita plants to make Nabapatrika.

Maha Ashtami

It is considered the most auspicious day of Durga Pujo. Many old pujas, like Belur Math, follow the Durga Puja tradition of worshipping young unmarried girls on Ashtami. The girls are worshipped as avatars of Goddess Durga. 

Sandhi puja is one of the important Durga Puja rituals performed to mark Ashtami's end and the Navami Tithi's beginning. Devi Durga is offered 108 lotus flowers during this ritual, just like Lord Rama did when He sought Devi's blessings before the battle against Ravana.

Ashtami also marks the day when devotees are served Bhog, the original food of Durga Pujo, which is usually a Khichdi preparation made from rice, mung dal, potato and any other vegetable.

Also Read: 5 Reasons to Visit Kolkata for Durga Pooja

Maha Navami 

Navami marks the day when Goddess Durga killed Mahishasura. The act of killing Mahishasura is depicted in the Durga idol of every Bengali Durga Pujas. Navami is also considered an auspicious time for new beginnings.

Vijayadashami- Farewell to the Goddess 

The five-day Durga Puja in Kolkata ends with joyous Vijayadashmi celebrations. The highlight of the day is the enchanting Sindoor Khela.

Women dressed in traditional white saree with red border bid farewell to the Goddess by applying Sindoor on the forehead and feet of the Goddess, followed by applying sindoor to each other's foreheads, faces, and Shakha-Pola-Noa (bangles made of conch shells, coral, and iron- the traditional symbols of Bengali married woman).

People flock to Kolkata during Durga Puja to witness the grand pandals, larger-than-life idols, and boisterous festive mood. It is also the time to taste various local delicacies. However, the elaborate puja rituals are the core of this festival, symbolising tradition and a connection to the past.