Puja Days

Durga Puja is a famous Hindu festival when Goddess Durga is worshipped during September/October (Ashshin/Kartik) months of Sharad (Autumn).

Durga Puja is also known as Sharodiya Durgotsava. Durgotsava refers to all five days festivity and these five days are observed as Maha Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami and Bijoya Dashami. (According to Hindu religious texts Durga Puja, including Chandi Path, should begin from the next day of Pitra Visarjan (Mahalaya Amavasya). Mahalaya is the most important day of Pitra Paksha, when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors, is not considered for starting any auspicious work. Most states except West Bengal do Ghatasthapana on Pratipada which is the next day of Mahalaya Amavasya. Ghatasthapana is equivalent to Kalparambha during Durga Puja when Goddess Durga is invoked. Kalparambha mostly falls on Shashthi Tithi during Devi Paksha. According to regional customs and beliefs Durga Puja during Shardiya Navratri varies from nine days to one day only which is also mentioned in Dharmasindhu. The Goddess Durga arrives on the Earth on the first day of Devi Paksha which starts on the next day of Mahalaya Amavasya during Pitru Paksha. She departs on Durga Visarjan day. The weekdays when she arrives and departs are significant and considered as omen of coming time.