Durga Puja 2026 will be celebrated in October, with the main Bengal Durga Puja observances running through the second half of the month. For readers searching for the exact Sasthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Dashami dates, there is an important calendar distinction because Hindu festival dates are based on lunar tithis and regional rules.
In the Bengal tradition, the principal public Puja sequence is centred on Shashthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Dashami. In 2026, Durga Ashtami falls on October 19. Bengal’s Maha Navami observance is on October 20, followed by Bengal Vijayadashami and Durga Visarjan on October 21. The general Vijayadashami/Dussehra date can appear as October 20 in other calendars, so location matters.
Durga Puja 2026 Dates at a Glance
| Festival day | 2026 date | Main observance |
|---|---|---|
| Shashthi / Sasthi | Friday, October 16 | Kalparambha, Akal Bodhon and related opening rituals |
| Saptami | Saturday, October 17 | Navpatrika / Kolabou Puja and Saptami rituals |
| Ashtami | Monday, October 19 | Durga Ashtami, Pushpanjali and Sandhi Puja |
| Maha Navami | Tuesday, October 20 | Bengal Maha Navami, Navami Puja and Homa |
| Vijayadashami | Wednesday, October 21 | Bengal Vijayadashami and Durga Visarjan |
Durga Puja 2026 Calendar for Kolkata and Bengal
| Date | Day | Key event |
|---|---|---|
| October 10 | Saturday | Mahalaya / Sarva Pitru Amavasya |
| October 16 | Friday | Shashthi – Kalparambha and Akal Bodhon |
| October 17 | Saturday | Saptami – Navpatrika Puja |
| October 18 | Sunday | Saptami tithi continuation / festival activities |
| October 19 | Monday | Durga Ashtami and Sandhi Puja |
| October 20 | Tuesday | Bengal Maha Navami |
| October 21 | Wednesday | Bengal Vijayadashami and Visarjan |
When Is Durga Puja Shashthi 2026?
Durga Puja Shashthi is on Friday, October 16, 2026. Shashthi marks the beginning of the main five-day Bengal Puja sequence. Important rituals around this stage include Kalparambha, Akal Bodhon, Amantran and Adhivas. Akal Bodhon is the traditional invocation of Goddess Durga before the main worship period.
For visitors, Shashthi is also when the public festival atmosphere becomes increasingly visible. Many neighbourhood pandals and large Puja committees begin their major public celebrations around this time.
When Is Durga Puja Saptami 2026?
Durga Puja Saptami falls on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Navpatrika Puja is one of the best-known Saptami observances. It is popularly associated with Kolabou and forms an important part of the traditional Bengali Durga Puja ritual sequence.
Because the lunar tithi can extend across a civil date, some Panchang calendars show Saptami-related tithi continuing into October 18. This is why online calendars can appear to disagree even when they are calculating the same lunar cycle.
When Is Durga Ashtami 2026?
Durga Ashtami is on Monday, October 19, 2026. It is one of the most important days of Durga Puja. Devotees commonly participate in Pushpanjali, special worship and other Ashtami rituals.
Sandhi Puja, performed at the transition between Ashtami and Navami, is another major ritual. Its exact timing depends on the tithi transition and local Panchang. Anyone performing the ritual at home should therefore follow the timing given by a local priest or location-specific Panchang.
When Is Maha Navami 2026?
The 2026 calendar needs special care here. The general Navami tithi is associated with October 19 in some location-specific calculations, while Bengal Maha Navami is observed on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. This regional distinction is particularly important for readers searching for the Kolkata Durga Puja calendar.
Navami is associated with special worship, Navami Homa and other concluding Puja rituals. The exact sequence can vary between Puja committees and family traditions.
When Is Vijayadashami and Durga Visarjan 2026?
Bengal Vijayadashami is on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. It is the day associated with the final farewell to Goddess Durga and idol immersion in Bengal.
The broader Hindu Vijayadashami/Dussehra observance can appear as October 20 in calendars using the general Vijayadashami rule. Therefore, searches for “Dussehra 2026 date” and “Bengal Durga Visarjan 2026” can return different dates. For Kolkata and Bengal Durga Puja planning, October 21 is the important Bengal-specific date.
Why Do Durga Puja Dates Differ Between Calendars?
The main reason is the use of lunar tithis. A tithi does not necessarily begin at midnight and finish at midnight. It can start during one Gregorian date and continue into the next. Regional traditions also use specific rules to determine which civil day is designated for a festival observance.
This matters especially for Durga Puja. A general Navratri calendar, a Kolkata Bengali Panjika and a calendar for another Indian city may display slightly different combinations of tithi names and festival labels. Readers should therefore use a location-specific calendar when they need exact ritual timings.
Durga Puja 2026: What Happens on Each Day?
Shashthi – October 16
The main Bengal festival period opens with Shashthi. Kalparambha and Akal Bodhon-related rituals are observed, and many Puja pandals begin their major public celebrations.
Saptami – October 17
Saptami features Navpatrika and Kolabou-related rituals. The main Puja becomes fully active, with large numbers of devotees visiting pandals and offering prayers.
Ashtami – October 19
Ashtami is one of the busiest and most significant days. Pushpanjali and special worship are widely observed, while Sandhi Puja marks the transition toward Navami.
Navami – October 20
Bengal Maha Navami is observed on October 20 in 2026. Navami Puja and Homa are important parts of the day’s rituals.
Dashami – October 21
Bengal Vijayadashami marks the farewell to Goddess Durga. Durga Visarjan takes place according to local arrangements, followed by the conclusion of the major public Puja celebrations.
Best Days for Durga Puja Pandal Hopping in 2026
If you want to experience the biggest public atmosphere in Kolkata, Saptami, Ashtami and Navami are the key days. Ashtami and Navami can also be the most crowded, especially around famous pandals and central Kolkata routes.
- October 16, Shashthi: Good for experiencing the festival before peak crowds.
- October 17, Saptami: Major rituals and strong festive atmosphere.
- October 19, Ashtami: One of the biggest days for Puja and Pushpanjali.
- October 20, Navami: Major celebrations and late-stage Puja rituals.
- October 21, Vijayadashami: Farewell celebrations and immersion atmosphere.
Durga Puja 2026 Travel Planning Tips
- Book accommodation early if travelling to Kolkata during Ashtami to Navami.
- Check local traffic restrictions before planning a pandal route.
- Use public transport where possible in high-footfall areas.
- Wear comfortable footwear because pandal hopping can involve long walks and queues.
- Carry water and keep valuables secure in crowded areas.
- Check individual Puja committee announcements for entry rules and timings.
- For immersion, follow the official local administration and ghat instructions.
Durga Puja 2026 and Sharad Navratri: What Is the Difference?
Durga Puja and Sharad Navratri occur during the same broad festive season, but the traditions are not identical. Sharad Navratri begins on October 11, 2026, while the main Bengal Durga Puja sequence begins with Shashthi on October 16.
CareerSphere’s related guides can help readers plan the wider festive period: Navratri 2026 Colours, Navratri 2026 Puja Samagri, and Navratri 2026 Fasting Food List.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Durga Puja 2026?
The main Bengal Durga Puja sequence begins with Shashthi on October 16, 2026 and continues through Bengal Vijayadashami on October 21.
When is Durga Ashtami in 2026?
Durga Ashtami is observed on Monday, October 19, 2026 in the Kolkata calendar.
When is Maha Navami in 2026?
Bengal Maha Navami is observed on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. Some general Navratri calendars associate the Navami tithi with October 19, so the regional rule should be checked.
When is Durga Visarjan in Bengal in 2026?
Bengal Durga Visarjan and Vijayadashami are observed on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Actual immersion slots can vary by Puja committee and local administration.
Is Dussehra on October 20 or October 21 in 2026?
The general Vijayadashami/Dussehra date is October 20 in the broader calendar, while Bengal Vijayadashami is October 21. The difference comes from regional observance rules.
When is Mahalaya 2026?
Mahalaya falls on Saturday, October 10, 2026 and precedes the main Durga Puja days.
Durga Puja 2026 Quick Planning Checklist
Use this checklist if you are planning a family visit, a Kolkata trip or home worship around the festival:
- Mark the main dates: October 16, 17, 19, 20 and 21.
- Choose your main Puja day: Ashtami and Navami are especially important for major celebrations.
- Confirm local timings: Ritual timings such as Sandhi Puja depend on the local tithi calculation.
- Plan transport: Expect traffic diversions and long queues around popular Kolkata pandals.
- Keep a local contact: Follow your Puja committee, temple or local administration for last-minute changes.
- For Visarjan: Follow the officially assigned immersion route and time rather than relying on a generic online schedule.
Which Durga Puja Dates Are Most Important for Visitors?
For someone visiting Kolkata primarily for the festival experience, there is no need to treat every date equally. Shashthi is useful for seeing the celebrations begin, Saptami brings the festival fully into public view, and Ashtami and Navami are usually the most significant days for religious observances and crowd activity. Vijayadashami is the farewell day and is especially important if you want to see the immersion atmosphere.
| If your goal is… | Best date to consider |
|---|---|
| See pandals before the biggest crowds | October 16 – Shashthi |
| Experience Navpatrika and Saptami rituals | October 17 – Saptami |
| Attend Pushpanjali / experience peak Puja | October 19 – Ashtami |
| Experience the final major Puja day | October 20 – Bengal Maha Navami |
| See farewell and immersion celebrations | October 21 – Bengal Vijayadashami |
What Should You Check Before Following a Puja Timing?
Do not use a generic national festival calendar for an exact ritual time. First identify the city, then check the local Panchang or the timing issued by the temple or Puja committee. This is particularly important for Sandhi Puja, Navami rituals and immersion because the relevant tithi and local arrangements can change the practical schedule.
Final Durga Puja 2026 Date List
For a quick reference, remember this Bengal sequence: Shashthi – October 16; Saptami – October 17; Ashtami – October 19; Maha Navami – October 20; Vijayadashami and Visarjan – October 21, 2026.
Festival dates and exact ritual timings can vary by location and tradition. For home worship, Sandhi Puja, Navami rituals or immersion planning, confirm the final timings with a local Panchang, temple or Puja committee.
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