Durga Puja 2026 will begin on 17th October and will continue until 21st October 2026. Maha Shashthi will be celebrated on 17th Oct. Maha Saptami will be celebrated on 18th Oct. Maha Ashtami will be celebrated on 19th Oct. Maha Nabami will be celebrated on 20th Oct. And the devotees will celebrate Maha Dashami on 21st Oct. Check the full 2026 Durga Puja schedule and other details on our site.
Durga Puja Schedule 2026
| Durga Puja Maha Occasions | Date (Gregorian Calendar) |
| Maha Shashthi | 17th October 2026 |
| Maha Saptami | 18th October 2026 |
| Maha Ashtami | 19th October 2026 |
| Maha Nabami | 20th October 2026 |
| Maha Dashami | 21st October 2026 |
Here are the 2026 Durga Puja dates according to the Bengali Calendar:
| Durga Puja Maha Occasions | Date (Bengali Calendar) |
| Maha Shashthi | Ashshin 30, 1433 |
| Maha Saptami | Kartik 01, 1433 |
| Maha Ashtami | Kartik 02, 1433 |
| Maha Nabami | Kartik 03, 1433 |
| Maha Dashami | Kartik 04, 1433 |
Check Tithi here.
Durga Puja 2026 │16th and 17th October
Maha Shasthi is the beginning of Durga Puja. In 2026, it will be celebrated all over India on 16th and 17th October. On 16th October (Ashshin 29, 1433), Bilva Nimantran will take place. On this day, Goddess Durga will be invited into the Bilva tree. On 17th October (Ashshin 30, 1433), the rituals of Kalparambha, Akal Bodhon, Amantran, and Adhivas will be performed.
2026 Durga Puja │18th October
Durga Saptami will be celebrated on 18th October 2026 (Kartik 01, 1433) across India. On this day, the important ritual of Kolabou Puja will also be performed. During this ritual, a banana plant, symbolizing the Goddess, will be bathed and worshipped as part of the Durga Puja traditions.
Durga Puja 2026 │19th October
Durga Ashtami will be observed on 19th October 2026 (Kartik 02, 1433). On this day, devotees will celebrate Kumari Puja. During this ritual, young girls will be worshipped as a form of the Goddess. On this day, the Sandhi Puja will also be performed. It is a sacred puja done at the moment when Ashtami ends and the Tithi for Navami begins.
Durga Puja 2026 │20th October
Maha Navami will be celebrated on 20th October 2026 (Kartik 03, 1433). On this day, Durga Balidan will be performed. This is a ritual where offerings are made to Goddess Durga as a sign of devotion. After this, the Navami Homa will be done. In this ritual, prayers will be offered with a sacred fire to ask for peace and blessings.
2026 Durga Puja │21st October
Vijayadashami will be celebrated on 21st October (Kartik 04, 1433). On this day, Durga Visarjan will take place, when the idol of Goddess Durga will be immersed in water. Along with this, the joyful Sindoor Utsav will be held. During this, married women will apply vermilion (sindoor) to the Goddess and to each other. They will do so while praying for happiness and long life for their families.
2026 Durga Puja Important Ritual Details
| Date (2025) | Bengali Calendar (1433) | Day / Tithi | Rituals / Events |
| 16th October | Ashshin 29 | Maha Shasthi | Bilva Nimantran |
| 17th October | Ashshin 30 | Maha Shasthi | Kalparambha, Akal Bodhon, Amantran, Adhivas |
| 18th October | Kartik 01 | Maha Saptami | Durga Saptami, Kolabou Puja |
| 19th October | Kartik 02 | Maha Ashtami | Durga Ashtami, Kumari Puja, Sandhi Puja |
| 20th October | Kartik 03 | Maha Navami | Durga Balidan, Navami Homa |
| 21st October | Kartik 04 | Vijayadashami | Durga Visarjan (Bengal), Sindoor Utsav |
Here are the dates and tithi details for Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 and Ganesh Chaturthi 2027.
Durga Puja 2026 Arrival and Departure Details
According to the Hindu Panchang, during Durga Puja in 2026, Goddess Durga will arrive on Gaja (Elephant). After the celebrations, the Goddess will depart on Charanayudha.
Arrival on Gaja (Elephant) is considered very auspicious. It usually means peace, prosperity, and a good harvest for everyone. However, departure on Charanayudha usually signals challenges or struggles ahead. It reminds people to stay strong, careful, and united.
Details about arrival:
- On Sunday and Monday, Maa Durga arrives on an Elephant.
- On Saturday and Tuesday, Maa Durga arrives on a Horse.
- On Thursday and Friday, Maa Durga arrives on a Palanquin (Dola).
- On Wednesday, Maa Durga arrives on a Boat.
Details about departure:
- If Vijaya Dashami falls on a Sunday or Monday, Maa Durga departs on a Mahisha (Buffalo).
- If it falls on a Saturday or Tuesday, Maa departs on Charanayudha (feet as weapon/foot-march).
- If it falls on a Wednesday or Friday, Maa Durga departs on a Gaja (Elephant).
- If it falls on a Thursday (Brihaspati/Guruvar), Maa Durga departs on a Nara (Human)
FAQs
When will Durga Puja 2026 start?
Durga Puja 2026 will start on 17th October 2026 (Maha Shashthi).
How is Maa Durga coming in 2026?
In 2026 Maa Durga will arrive on Elephant (Gaja)
When is Maha Shasthi in 2026?
Maha Shashthi 2026 will be observed on 17th October 2026 (Saturday)
When is Durga Puja Maha Saptami in 2026?
Maha Saptami 2026 will be celebrated on 18th October 2026 (Sunday).
When is Durga Puja Maha Ashtami in 2026?
Maha Ashtami 2026 will be celebrated on 19th October 2026 (Monday).
When is Durga Puja Maha Nabami in 2026?
Maha Nabami 2026 will be observed on 20th October 2026 (Tuesday).
When is Durga Puja Maha Vijaya Dashami in 2026?
Vijaya Dashami 2026 will be celebrated on 21st October 2026 (Wednesday).
How many days for Durga Puja 2026?
The main Durga Puja festival will last 5 days (17th to 21st October 2026).
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