Durga Puja
Durga Puja is one of the most celebrated rituals in West Bengal, especially in Kolkata. It is out of appreciation for Goddess Durga during the time of Navaratri which is a 10-day long festival. Durga Puja begins on the 6th day and goes on till the 9th day. The Pandals with the magnificent idols of Goddess Durga are open for guests. The tenth day, also called Dashami marks the Visarjan (submersion in water) of the idol amidst a lot of parades and fanfare.
This year, Durga Puja 2020 starts on October 21 and will go on till October 26.
About Durga Pooja
As per the Hindu Mythology, Goddess Durga rose up from the aggregate vitality of all Gods as an epitome of Shakti or awesome ladylike power, to decimate evil spirit Mahishasura; who was given the boon to not be crushed by any man or god. The name Durga in Sanskrit signifies ‘the impenetrable’; she exists in a condition of independence and extreme power. This incredible form of Mother Goddess is the reason why her arrival is looked forward to with much magnificence and devotion.
Durga Pooja 2020 Calender
| Name of the Day | Day | Date |
| Mahalaya | Friday | October 16th, 2020 |
| Pratipad (First Day of Durga Puja) | Saturday | October 17th, 2020 |
| Maha Panchami | Wednesday | October 21st, 2020 |
| Maha Sasthi | Thursday | October 22nd, 2020 |
| Maha Saptami | Friday | October 23rd, 2020 |
| Maha Ashtami | Saturday | October 24th, 2020 |
| Maha Navami | Sunday | October 25th, 2020 |
| Vijaya Dashami | Monday | October 26th, 2020 |
Durga Pooja Celebrations & Mantras
– Oct 22nd, 2020 – Akal Bodhan, Kalparambha (sixth day of Devi Paksha)
स्वर्णाआज्ञा चक्र स्थितां षष्टम दुर्गा त्रिनेत्राम्। वराभीत करां षगपदधरां कात्यायनसुतां भजामि॥
– Oct 23rd, 2020 – Navpatrika Puja, Kolabou Puja (seventh day of Devi Paksha)
करालवंदना धोरां मुक्तकेशी चतुर्भुजाम्। कालरात्रिं करालिंका दिव्यां विद्युतमाला विभूषिताम॥
– Oct 24th, 2020 – Durga Ashtami, Sandhi Puja (eighth day of Devi Paksha)
पूर्णन्दु निभां गौरी सोमचक्रस्थितां अष्टमं महागौरी त्रिनेत्राम्।
वराभीतिकरां त्रिशूल डमरूधरां महागौरी भजेम्॥
– Oct 25th, 2020 – Maha Navami, Navami Homa (ninth day of Devi Paksha)
स्वर्णावर्णा निर्वाणचक्रस्थितां नवम् दुर्गा त्रिनेत्राम्।शख, चक्र, गदा, पदम, धरां सिद्धीदात्री भजेम्॥
– Oct 26th, 2020 – Vijayadashami, Durga Visarjan, Sindoor Utsav (tenth day of Devi Paksha)
Previous: Significances and Observances of Navratri 2020
