Durga Puja 2023: Everything you should know about the festival

Durga Puja, a festival of immense religious significance among Hindus, is fast approaching. This revered occasion commemorates the victory of good over the demon king Mahishasur and is celebrated with grandeur in several states, including West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Odisha, and Bihar. The festival spans five consecutive days, commencing on the Shashti Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashwina and culminating with Dussehra and Durga Visarjan on Dashami Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the same Ashwina month. In 2023, Durga Puja will start on October 20 and conclude on October 24.

Durga Puja 2023: Date and Timings

• Maha Panchami (Preparation Day)
  
  
  • Panchami Tithi Starts: October 19, 2023, at 01:12 AM
  • Panchami Tithi Ends: October 20, 2023, at 12:31 AM
• Maha Shashti (Bondhon)
  
  
  • Shashti Tithi Starts: October 20, 2023, at 12:31 AM
  • Shashti Tithi Ends: October 20, 2023, at 11:24 PM
• Maha Saptami (Anjali)
  
  
  • Saptami Tithi Starts: October 20, 2023, at 11:24 PM
  • Saptami Tithi Ends: October 21, 2023, at 09:53 PM
• Maha Ashtami (Kumari Puja)
  
  
  • Ashtami Tithi Starts: October 21, 2023, at 09:53 PM
  • Ashtami Tithi Ends: October 22, 2023, at 07:58 PM
• Maha Navami (Dhunuchi Dance and Sandhi Puja)
  
  
  • Navami Tithi Starts: October 22, 2023, at 07:58 PM
  • Navami Tithi Ends: October 23, 2023, at 05:44 PM
• Vijaya Dashami (Sindur Khela, Visarjan, and Bijoya)
  
  
  • Dashami Tithi Starts: October 23, 2023, at 05:44 PM
  • Dashami Tithi Ends: October 24, 2023, at 03:14 PM

Durga Visarjan Shubh Muhurat: October 24, 2023, from 05:44 AM to 08:03 AM


Durga Puja 2023: Puja Rituals and Significance

Durga Puja stands as one of the main Hindu festivals, celebrated with fervor and enthusiasm. Devotees welcome the idol of Goddess Durga into their homes on the sixth day of Navratri and worship her for five consecutive days, concluding with Durga Visarjan on Vijayadashami. During this period, people decorate their homes, extend invitations to relatives, friends, and neighbors, and revel in the festivities.

In the Bengali tradition, the festival involves worshiping the Mahishasur Mardini form of Goddess Durga, marked by various rituals and pujas. Women prepare a variety of delicacies and offer bhog prasad to Maa Durga. Alongside Goddess Durga, idols of Goddess Laxmi, Saraswati, and Lord Ganesha are also installed. The grand finale of Durga Visarjan is marked by the vibrant Sindoor Khela, where married women offer vermillion to Goddess Durga and then apply it to one another, bestowing blessings of a prosperous and fortunate life.

Durga Mata Mantra

1. "Jayanti Mangala Kaali Bhadrakaali Kapalini, Durga Kshama Shivadhatri Swaha Swadha Namostute..!!"
2. "Sarva Mangal Maangalyaye Shive Sarvartha Sadhike, Sharanyaye Triyabike Gauri Narayani Namostute..!!"

As Durga Puja approaches, devotees eagerly prepare to celebrate the triumph of good over evil and seek the blessings of Goddess Durga for a prosperous and joyful life.