Durga Puja 2026: The Ultimate Date and Time for Bengal's Biggest Festival

Hey, your brother Byomkesh here! Listen up, folks! You know that feeling when the air gets a little crisp, the sky looks extra blue, and your stomach starts craving ilish bhaja and ashtamir bhog? Ahhhh....!

Durga Puja 2025 is almost here! But guess what? Google searches are already buzzing about the dates for Durga Puja 2026! 😅 And yeah, I couldn’t resist the temptation of visitor traffic, so I went ahead and wrote the article too! 🎉

Durga Puja 2026: Key Dates and Rituals

Day	Date	Key Rituals & Timings
Friday	October 16	Maha Shashti Bodhon (Awakening of the Goddess), Kalparambha, and Amantran & Adhivas. This is when the rituals officially begin, and Maa Durga is welcomed to the pandal.
Saturday	October 17	Maha Saptami Nabapatrika Sthapana (placing of the nine plants), which represents the nine forms of the Goddess. The main Saptami puja begins.
Sunday	October 18	Maha Saptami The full day of Saptami worship continues with elaborate rituals and prayers.
Monday	October 19	Maha Ashtami & Maha Navami Maha Ashtami Puja: This day includes the Kumari Puja (worship of a young girl as the Goddess) and the main Ashtami aarti. Sandhi Puja: The most significant ritual, marking the transition from Ashtami to Navami. It begins during the last 24 minutes of Ashtami and ends within the first 24 minutes of Navami.
Tuesday	October 20	Maha Navami & Dashami Maha Navami Puja: The final day of worship before immersion. This includes the end of the Navami rituals and the beginning of the Dashami celebrations. Vijayadashami: Idol immersion takes place on this day.
Wednesday	October 21	Vijayadashami This is the day of Visarjan (immersion) of Maa Durga's idol in the river or other water bodies. It marks the end of the festival and is celebrated with Shindur Khela among women.

Durga Puja 2026: The Bengali’s Guide to the Best Time of the Year!

​Dhak-dhol, the scent of shiuli flowers, Kolkata, Bonedi Barir Pujo, and endless adda sessions... Ah, Durga Puja! If you’re Bengali, you know this isn’t just a festival; it’s a whole vibe, bro! Forget your work deadlines, your diet plans, and your sleep schedule. For five joyful days in October 2026, we’re all about pandal-hopping, feasting on bhog, and flaunting our new clothes. It’s the time when Maa Durga arrives home, turning us all into her excited children.

In 2026! Maa is coming on October 16th, and it’s a time to get ready for her. Every pandal, with its intricate idols and dazzling lights, feels like a piece of art. But let's be honest, the best part is the food. From luchi-alur dom uffffff!!! in the morning to the street food frenzy at night, your stomach will be happier than a child with a new toy.

 

The main festivities run from Saptami (October 17th) to Dashami (October 20th), ending with the sweet-sad Vijaya Dashami on October 21st, when we bid Maa farewell with heavy hearts, already looking forward to next year. So, gear up to dive into the joyful chaos that is Durga Puja. And remember, the true magic isn’t only in the rituals but in the laughter, love, and masti shared with friends and family. Wishing everyone a happy Puja in advance!