How to Celebrate Durga Puja in 2024
Durga Puja in 2024 is a significant festival in India, celebrated with enthusiasm in Bangladesh, West Bengal, Odisha, Tripura, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat. It commemorates the victory of goddess Durga over the Buffalo demon Mahishasura. The festival is a six-day celebration in Bangalis, known as Mahalaya, Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Nabami, and Vijayadashami. In 2024, Indians prepare for the 6-day celebration to welcome Maa Durga to their doorstep.
Durga Puja in 2024, a significant Bengali festival, is celebrated in West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Odisha, and Bihar, marking Goddess Durga’s victory over Mahishasura. The festival, lasting 10 days, includes worship of Saraswathi, Lakshmi, Ganesha, and Karthik deities.
When is Durga Puja in 2024?
Durga Puja in 2024 – This year, the festival will be celebrated from 9 October to 13 October.
The dates for Durga Puja in 2024 are listed 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 |
| Vijaya Dashami | Saturday | 12 October 2024 |
Goddess Durga was created to fight the demon Mahishasur, who was given a boon by Lord Brahma that could not be defeated by any god or man. When gods sought Lord Brahma’s help to save them from Mahishasur’s tyranny, the creator of the world agreed to help, and Devi Durga was born with the supreme powers of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva.
The Durga Puja is a 10-day battle between a demon and Goddess Durga, where the demon transformed into a buffalo for an advantage. The goddess eventually defeated Mahishasur by cutting the buffalo’s head and killing the demon. The Puja commemorates this victory, with the last day known as Vijayadashmi, marking the triumph of good over evil.
Mahalaya 2024 – It will be celebrated on 02 of October in 2023. This is also one of an important dates of Durga Puja when people invite Goddess Durga on the Earth and on her idol, eye are drawn.
IMPORTANT DATES OF DURGA PUJA
The celebration of the Durga Puja festival occurs during five consecutive days that includes “Saptami”, “Shasthi”, “Ashtami”, “Navami” and “Dashami”.
Shasthi – 9 October 2024
On this day, it is belived that Goddess Durga descends on the earth with her four children including Ganesha, Kartikeya, Lakshami and Saraswati. And, overwhelmingly on this day, the beautiful idols of Maa Dura are opened for people to look through.
Saptami – 10 October 2024
On this day, Goddess Durga idol is said to have invoked with life by the ritual of Pran Pratisthan. A Banana tree is made to get dressed in a sari and bathed in a river like a newly wedded bride and the thi process is called as “Kola Bou”. This is used to transport the energy of Goddess Durga.
Ashtami – 11 October 2024
On this day, Goddess Durga is worshipped as a young and virgin girl in a ritual called as Kumari Puja. Sandhi Puja is performed in the evening to worship the Chamunda form of Goddess Durga who is supposed to have slayed buffalo demon Mahisasur. The Puja on this day generally takes place at the time when the killing of Mahisasur took place.
Navami – 12 October 2024
This is the last day of the festival when a Maha Aarati is organized to mark the conclusion of the festival. Everyone wears new clothes and gets revelled in the festival celebration to the fullest.
Dashami – 13 October 2024
On this day the idols of Maa Durga are moved from its place for immersion into the river and she is believed to return to the abode of her husband. After the process of immersion is over, people enjoy delicious dinner and sweets.
Durga Puja Calendar
When is Durga Puja in 2024d
| DURGA PUJA 2024 | |
| DATE | FESTIVAL |
| 9 October 2024 | Durga Puja – Shashthi |
| 10 October 2024 | Durga Puja – Saptami |
| 11 October 2024 | Durga Puja – Ashtami |
| 12 October 2024 | Durga Puja – Navami |
| 13 October 2024 | Durga Puja – Dashami |
Schools, colleges, and government workplaces are closed amid the puja. Individuals enjoy in shopping for the puja fair after Mahalaya. Amid this time of the year, most shops offer rebates on dress and other items. On “Maha Ashtami” men ordinarily wear Kurta Night robe whereas ladies wrap themselves in sarees.
Cultural occasions are composed in distinctive regions whereas puja coordinators compete against each other through theme-based puja pandals. The magnificence of Durga Puja is that each pandal has a story to tell through its craftsmanship and décor. Individuals stand in lines fair to enter the pandal so that they can appreciate the wonderful craftsmanship and décor.
Food slows down are set up in each niche and corner whereas uncommon Durga Puja dishes are arranged in eateries. Boulevards are enhanced with diverse lights to capture the happy temperament. More police staff are sent than the regular to keep the activity beneath control.
Durga Puja is the greatest celebration for the Bengali community. Other than the celebrations, the celebration calls for a family get-together. It’s a time when individuals bridge their contrasts and come together to celebrate solidarity. To be exact, Durga Puja rises above the boundaries of religion and celebrates the soul of humankind.
Festive Traditions and Activities for Durga Puja
- Setting up ‘Pandals’: Places idol of Goddess Durga for rituals and prayers. Replicates architecture of famous buildings and new designs.
- Street Food Stalls: Set up alongside pandals selling various street foods.
- Shopping: In some states, people wear new dresses daily as per tradition.
History of Durga Puja
- The first Durga Puja festival was held in the late 1500s in Bengal by zamindars and landlords from Malda and Dinajpur.
- The first community celebration dates back to 1790 when 12 friends from Guptipara in Hoogly, West Bengal organized the ‘baro-yaari’ puja.
- The first ‘Baro-Yaari’ puja was celebrated in Kolkata in 1832 by Raja Harinath of Cossimbazar.
- The British performed Durga Puja in 1765 to please their Hindu subjects post the annexing of Diwani of Bengal.
- The first Durga Puja celebration took place in Delhi in 1910, and continues to be celebrated today.
- The festival includes the pratima and pandal, with the idol of Durga and her four children placed in temporary canopies.
Durga Puja Festival Details
Durga puja is a grandly celebrated festival in India, lasting over a week with each day having its own special meaning and various activities.
Maha Shashti: Maha Shashti is a mythological event commemorating the arrival of Goddess Durga and her four children, Saraswati, Laxmi, Ganesha, and Kartikeya. On the eve, the goddess’s idol is unveiled, and rituals like ‘Amontron, ‘Bodhon’, and ‘Adhibash’ are performed, with drums called ‘Dhaak’ being banged to signal her arrival.
Maha Saptami: On the eve of Maha Saptami, a ritual known as ‘Kola bou’ or ‘Nabapatrika’ involves submerging a banana tree in holy water and covering it with a new sari, symbolizing a newlywed woman. The tree is also adorned with an idol of Goddess Durga and nine plants representing the nine forms of her.
Maha Ashtami: Maha Ashtami is a mythological event where Goddess Durga kills Mahishasura, also known as the ‘Buffalo devil’. In ancient times, a buffalo was sacrificed, and Sanskrit hymns are chanted and prayers are offered. Girls under 9 are depicted as Goddess Durga, and the ritual is known as ‘Kumari puja’, followed by ‘Sandhi puja’.
Maha Navami: Maha Navami commences after the ‘Sandhi puja’, with the ‘Maha arati’ performed on the eve, followed by recreational activities and the communal serving of ‘bhog’.
Maha Dashmi: On Maha Dashami, Goddess Durga’s idol is immersed in Ganges’ holy water, followed by procession with drum beating, singing, and dancing. Married women throw vermillion on each other. In the evening, people visit each other’s houses and wish ‘Vijoy Dashmi’, while special food dishes are prepared.
Durga puja is a significant festival celebrated by the people of India, originating from Himachal in the north and Tamil Nadu in the south, with great enthusiasm.