Durga Puja 2026 Dates: Know When Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami and Vijayadashami Fall

Durga Puja 2026 will be celebrated in October, with the main five-day festivities beginning with Maha Saptami and continuing through Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami and Vijayadashami. In the traditional Bengal-style observance, the festival begins with Shashthi rituals and culminates with the farewell of Goddess Durga on Vijayadashami.

In 2026, Maha Saptami falls on October 17, Maha Ashtami on October 19, Maha Navami on October 20 and Vijayadashami on October 21 in the Bengal Durga Puja calendar. Some regional Panchangs may show slightly different day-wise observances because the festival dates are determined according to lunar tithis and local traditions.

Also Read: Navratri 2026: Date, Ghatasthapana Muhurat, 9 Days of Navratri, Colours, Puja Timings and Significance

Durga Puja 2026: Important Dates

Durga Puja Day	Date	Day	Major Observance
Shashthi	October 16, 2026	Friday	Kalparambha, Akal Bodhon, Bilva Nimantran
Maha Saptami	October 17, 2026	Saturday	Navpatrika/Kolabou Puja
Maha Ashtami	October 19, 2026	Monday	Durga Ashtami, Kumari Puja, Sandhi Puja
Maha Navami	October 20, 2026	Tuesday	Navami Homa, Durga Balidan
Vijayadashami	October 21, 2026	Wednesday	Durga Visarjan, Sindoor Utsav

The five principal days of Durgotsava are traditionally associated with Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami and Vijayadashami. In Bengal, the broader observance also includes Mahalaya and the rituals associated with the arrival and invocation of the Goddess.

Also Read: October 2026 Hindu Festival Calendar: Indira Ekadashi, Navratri, Dussehra, Sharad Purnima, Karwa Chauth Dates

When Is Maha Saptami 2026?

Maha Saptami will be observed on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Maha Saptami marks one of the main days of Durga Puja and is associated with the ceremonial worship of Goddess Durga. One of the important rituals performed on this day is Navpatrika Puja, also popularly known in Bengal as Kolabou Puja.

During this ritual, nine plants or leaves representing different forms of divine energy are traditionally bundled together and worshipped. The ritual forms an important part of the traditional Durga Puja celebrations. The day also marks the beginning of the elaborate Shodashopachar Puja that continues through Navami. Devotees visit decorated pandals, offer flowers to Maa Durga and participate in prayers and cultural celebrations.

When Is Maha Ashtami 2026?

Maha Ashtami will fall on Monday, October 19, 2026. Maha Ashtami is one of the most important and spiritually significant days of Durga Puja. Devotees worship Maa Durga with special prayers, Pushpanjali and other rituals.

Kumari Puja is also associated with Maha Ashtami in several traditions. Young girls are symbolically worshipped as manifestations of the Divine Mother. Another major ritual is Sandhi Puja, which is performed during the transition between Ashtami and Navami. The Sandhi period is traditionally considered highly significant, and special offerings and lamps are used during the ritual.

Why Is Sandhi Puja Important?

According to the traditional religious narrative, Sandhi Puja commemorates the moment when Goddess Chamunda appeared to defeat the demons Chanda and Munda. The ritual is therefore performed at the junction of Ashtami and Navami. In traditional observance, 108 lamps are lit and special prayers are offered during Sandhi Puja. The exact Sandhi Puja timing depends on the local tithi and Panchang, so devotees should check their city-specific timings before performing the ritual.

When Is Maha Navami 2026?

Maha Navami will be observed on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, in the Bengal-style Durga Puja calendar. Maha Navami marks the final major day of worship before Vijayadashami. Devotees perform special prayers to Goddess Durga and participate in Navami Homa, along with other traditional rituals.

Maha Navami is also associated with the culmination of the battle between Goddess Durga and Mahishasura in popular religious tradition. The festival therefore carries the larger message of the triumph of good over evil and the victory of divine power over destructive forces.

In some Panchang systems, the Navami tithi begins during the previous day, which is why some calendars may show Maha Navami alongside Maha Ashtami on October 19. This is a result of how the tithi is calculated and how the principal observance is assigned to a civil date.

When Is Vijayadashami 2026?

Vijayadashami will be observed on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, in the Bengal Durga Puja calendar. Vijayadashami marks the conclusion of the Durga Puja celebrations. On this day, devotees bid farewell to Goddess Durga through Durga Visarjan.

In Bengal, Sindoor Utsav or Sindoor Khela is another well-known tradition associated with Vijayadashami. Married women traditionally apply sindoor to the Goddess and to one another as part of the farewell rituals. After the ceremonial farewell, the idol of Maa Durga is taken for immersion. The atmosphere combines devotion with celebration as devotees say goodbye to the Goddess and look forward to her return the following year.

Durga Puja 2026 and Shardiya Navratri

Durga Puja overlaps with Shardiya Navratri, but the two festivals are not identical in their rituals and regional traditions. Shardiya Navratri begins with Pratipada and is generally observed over nine nights and ten days, while the traditional Bengal Durga Puja celebrations focus on the later part of Devi Paksha, particularly Shashthi through Dashami.

In 2026, Shardiya Navratri begins on October 11, while the main Bengal Durga Puja celebrations begin with Shashthi-related rituals on October 16.

Also Read: Navratri 2026 vs Durga Puja 2026: What's the Difference and Why Are Both Celebrated?

Significance of Durga Puja

Durga Puja is dedicated to Goddess Durga, who represents Shakti, divine power and the triumph of righteousness over evil. According to the traditional mythology surrounding the festival, Goddess Durga defeated the buffalo demon Mahishasura after a fierce battle. Her victory is remembered during the festival as a symbol of the triumph of good over evil.

Another important tradition connects the autumn worship of Goddess Durga with Lord Rama, who is believed to have worshipped the Goddess before his battle with Ravana. This form of worship is traditionally referred to as Akal Bodhan, or the untimely invocation of the Goddess.

Durga Puja 2026: Complete Date List

For quick reference, here are the key dates:

• Shashthi: October 16, 2026
• Maha Saptami: October 17, 2026
• Maha Ashtami: October 19, 2026
• Maha Navami: October 20, 2026
• Vijayadashami: October 21, 2026

Devotees should note that city-wise Panchang calculations can affect the exact date assigned to certain rituals, particularly when a tithi spans more than one sunrise. For specific Puja, Pushpanjali, Sandhi Puja or Visarjan timings, the local Panchang should be followed.