Just like every other year, Bengalis eagerly await to celebrate Durga Puja. It is one of the most auspicious Hindu festivals, mainly celebrated in West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Tripura, and Bihar. Being the most anticipated festival of the year for Bengalis, Durga Puja is nothing less than a carnival.
From astonishing pandals and resonant echoes of Dhak to the brilliant sight of kash phool, people gloriously celebrate the festival. Although it is a long 10-day festival, the last five days are considered the most vital ones. In this festival, people celebrate Goddess Durga’s triumph over the demon Mahishasura. Along with Devi Durga, the deities of Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Ganesha, and Karthik.
Durga Puja 2024 dates
Durga Puja is mainly celebrated in the month of Karthik in the Bengali calendar or in the October month of the Gregorian calendar. However, the dates of Durga Puja 2024 are mentioned below.
| Name of the day | Day | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Mahalaya | Wednesday | 02 October, 2024 |
| Maha Panchami | Tuesday | 08 October, 2024 |
| Maha Sashti | Wednesday | 09 October, 2024 |
| Maha Saptami | Thursday | 10 October, 2024 |
| Maha Ashtami | Friday | 11 October, 2024 |
| Maha Navami | Saturday | 12 October, 2024 |
| Maha Dashami | Saturday | 12 October, 2024 |
The origin of Durga Puja
In Indian mythology, Devi Durga was brought into actuality by the united strength of all the gods in paradise. When one of the Asuras (demons) from the “Paatal”, was given a boon that no man could kill him, he began to take over heaven. Being anxious about this, the divine beings then created Devi Durga with all their strength and power.
How is Durga Puja celebrated?
Although Durga Puja is a 10-day festival, the latter days are mostly celebrated. Coupled with the scents of incense, the humming sound of chants, and the echoes of the crowds, Bengalis celebrate this puja with joyfulness.
The pandals are often decorated based on certain themes. People stand in queues for hours just to see the idols, the theme, and the artwork of the pandals. Usually, each of the pandals tells a unique story with their creative artwork. To control the crowd, additional police teams are positioned on the pandals and streets during these 5 puja days of the festival.
People indulge themselves in puja shopping just after Mahalaya, while some people start shopping a month before the puja. Various types of food stalls are organised on every corner of the streets. To uplift the puja mood, all the streets are decorated with colourful neon lights.
Durga Puja is the biggest festival for the Bengalis. Apart from the celebrations, this festival works as a charm that brings people together. During these five days, people working outside the country come home to celebrate the puja with their loving family members.
