Durga Puja 2026 will be celebrated in October across India, with especially large celebrations in West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Tripura, Jharkhand, and other parts of eastern and northeastern India.
For the Bengal-style Durga Puja calendar, the main public celebrations run from Maha Shashthi through Vijayadashami, with Mahalaya on October 10, 2026 marking the beginning of the Devi Paksha period. The main Puja days are observed from October 17 to October 21, 2026, depending on the regional panjika used.
When is Durga Puja 2026?
Durga Puja 2026 will be celebrated in October 2026.
The main five-day Durga Puja celebration is observed from Maha Shashthi to Vijayadashami. In the Bengal calendar, the key dates are:
- Mahalaya: October 10, 2026, Saturday
- Maha Shashthi: October 17, 2026, Saturday
- Maha Saptami: October 18, 2026, Sunday
- Maha Ashtami: October 19, 2026, Monday
- Maha Navami: October 20, 2026, Tuesday
- Vijaya Dashami: October 21, 2026, Wednesday
Different Panchang and panjika traditions can assign some observances differently because Durga Puja is determined by lunar tithis. For religious rituals, the local calendar used in the region is the best reference.
Durga Puja 2026 Calendar
| Day | Date | Day | Main Observance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahalaya | October 10, 2026 | Saturday | Beginning of Devi Paksha |
| Maha Shashthi | October 17, 2026 | Saturday | Bodhon and Kalparambha |
| Maha Saptami | October 18, 2026 | Sunday | Nabapatrika Puja |
| Maha Ashtami | October 19, 2026 | Monday | Pushpanjali and Sandhi Puja |
| Maha Navami | October 20, 2026 | Tuesday | Navami Puja and Homa |
| Vijaya Dashami | October 21, 2026 | Wednesday | Sindoor Khela and Visarjan |
The dates above follow the Bengal-style Durga Puja calendar. Some sources and regional calendars may display the early Puja observances differently because of their treatment of lunar tithis.
What is Mahalaya 2026?
Mahalaya 2026 falls on Saturday, October 10.
Mahalaya marks the end of Pitru Paksha and the beginning of Devi Paksha. It is traditionally associated with the start of the countdown to Durga Puja.
In Bengal and among Bengali communities in other parts of India, Mahalaya is particularly well known for the early-morning broadcast of devotional recitations and songs associated with the arrival of Goddess Durga.
Mahalaya itself is not one of the five main Puja days, but it has an important cultural and religious place in the Durga Puja season.
Maha Shashthi 2026
Maha Shashthi falls on Saturday, October 17, 2026, in the Bengal-style calendar.
Shashthi marks the beginning of the main public Durga Puja celebrations. Important rituals associated with this day include Bodhon, Kalparambha, Amantran, and Adhivas.
During Bodhon, Goddess Durga is ceremonially welcomed and invoked for the Puja.
Maha Saptami 2026
Maha Saptami falls on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
One of the important rituals associated with Saptami is Nabapatrika Puja. A group of plants known as Nabapatrika is traditionally prepared and worshipped as part of the day’s rituals.
Pandal celebrations, cultural programs, devotional activities, and community gatherings are also common during this period.
Maha Ashtami 2026
Maha Ashtami falls on Monday, October 19, 2026.
Ashtami is one of the most important days of Durga Puja. Devotees commonly participate in Pushpanjali, special prayers, and other religious ceremonies.
Sandhi Puja, which takes place at the transition between Ashtami and Navami, is another major ritual. Because it depends on the exact transition of the lunar tithis, its precise time should be checked using a local Panchang.
Maha Navami 2026
Maha Navami falls on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, in the Bengal-style calendar.
Navami marks the final major day of Durga Puja before Vijayadashami. Special prayers, offerings, bhog, homa, and cultural celebrations are held in many communities.
For devotees, Navami is an important opportunity to participate in the final major worship ceremonies dedicated to Goddess Durga.
Vijaya Dashami 2026
Vijaya Dashami falls on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, in the Bengal-style Durga Puja calendar.
Vijaya Dashami marks the conclusion of Durga Puja. In West Bengal and other eastern regions, the day is associated with Durga Visarjan, when idols of Goddess Durga are taken in processions and immersed in water.
Sindoor Khela is another well-known tradition observed by many married Bengali women on Dashami.
It is also important to note that Dussehra/Vijayadashami is observed on October 20, 2026, in many Indian calendars, while Bengal’s Durga Puja calendar places Bijoya Dashami on October 21. This difference comes from regional treatment of the lunar tithi and is one reason readers should check the calendar applicable to their location.
Is Durga Puja a Holiday in 2026?
Yes, Durga Puja holidays are observed in several Indian states, but the exact holiday dates depend on the state and the type of institution.
States such as West Bengal and Odisha have significant Durga Puja celebrations, while several other states also provide holidays for particular Puja days.
For example, published 2026 holiday calendars list Durga Puja-related holidays across several states, but the specific dates and holiday coverage vary.
Therefore, people should check their state government holiday calendar, school calendar, bank holiday list, or employer holiday schedule before assuming that all five Puja days are holidays.
Durga Puja 2026 Holiday Calendar
A simple festival calendar is:
| Date | Day | Occasion |
|---|---|---|
| October 10 | Saturday | Mahalaya |
| October 17 | Saturday | Maha Shashthi |
| October 18 | Sunday | Maha Saptami |
| October 19 | Monday | Maha Ashtami |
| October 20 | Tuesday | Maha Navami |
| October 21 | Wednesday | Vijaya Dashami |
Note: Holiday status varies by state and organization. The festival dates and government holidays are not necessarily identical in every part of India.
Durga Puja and Navratri: Are They the Same?
Durga Puja and Sharad Navratri take place during the same general festival period but have different regional traditions.
Sharad Navratri is the nine-night festival dedicated to the different forms of Goddess Durga and begins with Pratipada.
Durga Puja, particularly in Bengal and eastern India, focuses on the worship of Goddess Durga from Shashthi through Dashami. The celebration is famous for decorated pandals, Durga idols, cultural programs, bhog, Pushpanjali, Sandhi Puja, and immersion ceremonies.
Both traditions culminate around the same festival period, but their customs and calendars can differ.
How is Durga Puja Celebrated?
Durga Puja is celebrated with a combination of religious ceremonies and cultural events.
Common traditions include:
- Installing beautifully decorated Durga idols
- Building temporary Puja pandals
- Performing daily prayers and rituals
- Offering Pushpanjali
- Distributing bhog
- Organizing cultural programs
- Visiting different Puja pandals
- Participating in Dhunuchi dance
- Observing Sandhi Puja
- Celebrating Sindoor Khela
- Taking part in Durga Visarjan
Large community celebrations can attract thousands of visitors, particularly in Kolkata and other major cities of eastern India.
Durga Puja 2026 Long Weekend
For people planning travel around Durga Puja, the calendar provides an interesting weekend period.
In the Bengal-style calendar:
Saturday, October 17 — Maha Shashthi
Sunday, October 18 — Maha Saptami
Monday, October 19 — Maha Ashtami
Tuesday, October 20 — Maha Navami
Wednesday, October 21 — Vijaya Dashami
Because several important Puja days fall consecutively, this can be an important period for travel, family gatherings, and festival celebrations.
However, whether these dates are holidays depends on the applicable state or organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Durga Puja 2026?
The main Bengal-style Durga Puja celebrations are observed from October 17 to October 21, 2026, from Maha Shashthi through Vijaya Dashami.
When is Mahalaya in 2026?
Mahalaya is on Saturday, October 10, 2026.
When is Maha Ashtami in 2026?
Maha Ashtami is observed on Monday, October 19, 2026, in the Bengal-style Durga Puja calendar.
When is Maha Navami in 2026?
Maha Navami is Tuesday, October 20, 2026, in the Bengal-style calendar.
When is Durga Visarjan in 2026?
Durga Visarjan is traditionally performed on Vijaya Dashami, which falls on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, in the Bengal-style calendar.
Is Durga Puja a government holiday?
Durga Puja-related holidays are observed in several Indian states, but the exact dates vary by state. Check the applicable state government or institutional holiday calendar.
Is Durga Puja the same as Dussehra?
They are closely connected festivals and occur during the same period, but their traditions differ by region. Durga Puja focuses particularly on Goddess Durga, while Dussehra/Vijayadashami is associated with different regional traditions, including the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana.
Final Thoughts
Durga Puja 2026 will bring five major days of worship and celebration in October, with Maha Shashthi on October 17 and Vijaya Dashami on October 21 in the Bengal-style calendar. Mahalaya, which begins the Devi Paksha period, falls on October 10.
If you are planning your October 2026 holiday calendar, travel, school schedule, or festival activities, remember that holiday dates can vary by state and institution. For specific religious rituals, local Panchang or panjika timings should be followed.