1. Home
  2. Festival
  3. Durga puja
Durga

Durga Puja

bell iconShare

Durga Puja is an important festival of the Hindus that is celebrated for ten days in the Ashvina month, which is the seventh month in the Hindu Panchang. According to the Gregorian calendar, however, this festival occurs in the months of September or October, and this year, it will occur on the 1st of October.

Durga Puja 2022 Date and Muhurat

bell icon Durga Ashtami Muhuratbell icon
bell icon Durga Ashtami Muhuratbell icon

All About the Durga Puja Festival

This festival is celebrated to commemorate the victory of Goddess Durga over the ruthless demon named Mahishasura. It is particularly celebrated with great fervor in the states of Bengal, Assam, and the other Northeastern states of the country. The festival is celebrated on the same days as Navratri, the festival celebrating the nine forms of Goddess Durga over a period of nine days. This festival is more commonly celebrated in the states of Northern and Western India, and it pays homage to the manifestation of Shakti or the divine feminine entity.

Puja Vidhi of Durga Puja

The festivities of these ten days begin with the Kalash Sthapana. Let us look at the puja vidhi for the Kalash Sthapana in a little more detail-

  • Wake up early and wear new clothes after taking a bath.
  • Clean the puja place carefully.
  • Take a pot made out of clay and put soil inside it. Following this, spread some rice on top of it. Add another layer of soil and put some water on it to set the soil.
  • Tie a kalava on the neck of the pot and fill it with Ganga Jal.
  • Add akshat, supari, durva, and some coins in the water.
  • Put five mango leaves on top of the Kalash and cover the pot with a lid.
  • Take a coconut and wrap it in a red cloth. Tie a kalava around it and put the coconut on top of the Kalash.
  • Invoke Goddess Durga to accept the offerings and reside inside the Kalash for the nine days of the puja.
  • Light a dhoop and Diya infront of the Kalash.
  • Offer fruits, flowers, fragrances, and sweets to the Kalash.
  • Perform the Durga aarti to conclude the Kalash Sthapana.

Astrological Significance of Durga Puja

The festival of Goddess Durga is said to bring courage to the devotees as Durga Mata blesses her followers on these auspicious days. The emboldened spirit of the devotees is thus able to fight off any evil during these days, just like Goddess Durga fought Mahishasura. The Goddess is also called Shakti, which means power, and it is this power that fills the heart of her devotees in these ten days. Furthermore, performing the puja of Goddess Durga is said to bring Saubhagya, which is fortune, and Samriddhi, which is prosperity, to an individual. Astrologically, this is due to Venus getting strengthened by performing Durga Mata’s puja. When Venus gets strengthened, marital bliss is also showered upon the individual. 

Apart from this, these days of the Mata are believed to be extremely auspicious, and any project undertaken during this time is bound to reach the heights of success.

Significance of Durga Puja

The celebrations of this day are a reminder that good prevails over all things evil as Goddess Durga vanquished the demon Mahishasura on this festival. This is the time when, as per the belief of Hindu mythology, the Goddess visits the earthly realm to bless her devotees each year.

This festival holds a special importance for the people of Bengal, but it is celebrated with equal splendor in the states of Assam, Odisha, Bihar, Tripura as well as Jharkhand. People start the preparations of welcoming the Goddess on the day of Mahalaya. The 10-day festival comes to an end with the celebrations of Dusshera, also known as Vijay Dashmi. The name Vijay Dashmi is fitting because Durga mata gained victory over Mahishasura on this particular day, bringing the festivities to a close after nine days.

Rituals Performed on Durga Puja Festival

This festival is extremely important to the Bengali community, and they celebrate it with a lot of zeal and enthusiasm. Now, let us look at the special puja rituals for each of the ten days of this festival-

  • Pratipada Tithi- The Shailputri puja and Ghatasthapana puja are performed on the first day of the festival. Desi ghee laddoos are offered to the Goddess on this day. Goddess Shailputri is an incarnation of Goddess Parvati and wields a Trishul on her hand.
  • Dwitiya Tithi-  Goddess Parvati observed great penance to obtain Lord Shiva as her husband; hence this form of the Goddess is known as Brahmacharini. Devotees appease her by serving her fruits and sugar on this day.
  • Tritya Tithi- The third avatar of the Goddess is Chandraghanta mata. She is the fiercest incarnation of Durga and is known for her anger. Devotees serve her kheer on this day.
  • Fourth Tithi- Kushmanda mata is also worshipped on this day with an offering of Malpua to appease her.
  • Panchami Tithi- Skandamata puja is performed on Panchami as she is the fifth avatar of Goddess Durga. To pray for good health on this day, devotees offer bananas as bhog to the Goddess.
  • Shasthi Tithi- Offerings of honey are made to the Katyayni mata on this day. This form of the Devi is said to bless her followers with life as sweet as honey for their devotion towards her.
  • Saptami Tithi- The seventh incarnation of the Goddess is prayed to on this day. Kalratri mata is believed to protect one and all from every evil and devotees offer her jaggery to show their devotion.
  • Ashtami Tithi- Coconut is the special bhog of this day and is offered to Goddess Mahagauri, who is a symbol of penance and perseverance, as per Hindu mythology.
  • Navami Tithi- Goddess Siddhidatri’s puja is performed on this auspicious day. She is the ninth form of Goddess Durga and is a symbol of wisdom. Til or sesame seeds are said to appease the Goddess and are thus served as bhog.
  • Dashami Tithi- Durga visarjan takes place on this day as Vijaya Dashmi marks the end of this festival. Grand processions are taken out on the streets amidst much pomp and spectacle, and the idols of Durga are immersed in water, bidding farewell to the Goddess until next year. 

Legend Associated with Durga Puja Festival

Demon Mahishasura finds a mention in a lot of Hindu scriptures as he managed to receive a boon from Lord Brahma. Observing strict penance, Mahishasure gained the blessing of immortality from Lord Brahma. Due to this, he grew arrogant, exerting his power over the innocent, torturing them, bullying the devtas, as no man or God could kill him. Seeing the havoc he wrecked, the deities prayed for his destruction. To end his tyranny, Goddess Durga was created.

Durga Mata fought with the demon for ten days, and on the tenth day, she slew him, putting an end to his wrath. Since that day, Durga Puja dates and time have been celebrated to mark the victory of good over the evil forces of nature.

The Goddess in her various forms is celebrated during these propitious days bringing luck, abundance, and strength to all those who seek her blessings with devotion in their hearts. She fills her bhakts with a renewed spirit of confidence and courage, making them take on the world with their head held high.

Want to know the auspicious Durga Puja dates and time? Connect with Astroyogi astrologers right away!

bell icon
bell icon
bell icon
Thai Pusam
Thai Pusam
Sunday, February 5, 2023
Paksha:Shukla
Tithi:Purnima
Guru Ravidas Jayanti
Guru Ravidas Jayanti
Sunday, February 5, 2023
Paksha:Shukla
Tithi:Purnima
Purnima Upavas
Purnima Upavas
Sunday, February 5, 2023
Paksha:Shukla
Tithi:Purnima
Magha Purnima
Magha Purnima
Sunday, February 5, 2023
Paksha:Shukla
Tithi:Purnima
Sankashti Chaturthi
Sankashti Chaturthi
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Paksha:Krishna
Tithi:Chaturthi
Yashoda Jayanti
Yashoda Jayanti
Sunday, February 12, 2023
Paksha:Krishna
Tithi:Saptami
View All Festivals

Other Festivals

PoojaHeading

Panchang
Delhi- Sunday, 05 February 2023
Date Sunday, 05 February 2023
Tithi Purnima
Day Sunday
Paksha Shukla-Paksha
Sunrise 7:7:40
Sunset 18:3:38
Moonrise 17:40:47
Nakshatra Ashlesha
Nakshtra Till 39 : 4 : 44
Yog Saubhgya
Yog Till 39 : 25 : 22
Karan I Bava
Surya Rashi Capricorn
Chandra Rashi Cancer
Rahu Kal 16:41:38 to 18:03:38
View More
Pooja Vidhi & Its Significance

Pooja Vidhi & Its Significance

Explore More

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE View allright arrow

Great News for Numerology Numbers 2, 5, 9! Find Out More Here!

Great News for Numerology Numbers 2, 5, 9! Find Out More Here!
Monthly Horoscope for February 2023: Will February Be Filled with Love for You?

Monthly Horoscope for February 2023: Will February Be Filled with Love for You?
February Shubh Muhurat Guide: Uncover The Most Amazing Dates!

February Shubh Muhurat Guide: Uncover The Most Amazing Dates!
Budget 2023 Expectations: An Astrological Overview

Budget 2023 Expectations: An Astrological Overview
chat Support Chat now for Support