Durga Puja 2021 Date, Durga Puja Calendar 2021
Durga Puja is a big Hindu festival celebrated with great enthusiasm, passion and fervour in the states of West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Odisha and Bihar. This festival tells us about the victory of good over evil, as Goddess Durga killed the demon Mahishasur. The Durga Puja festival is celebrated for ten days in the Hindu month of Ashwin. However, in the real sense, the festival begins from the sixth day. It is believed that on this day only Goddess Durga arrived on the Earth.
Durga Puja, also commonly known as Durgotsava, refers to all five days festivity when Goddess Durga is worshipped. The five days of Durga Puja when Maa Durga is revered are called as Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami and Vijayadashami with each day having its own meaning and significance.
As per Hindu spiritual scriptures, Durga Puja, including Chandi Path, should start from the next day of Mahalaya Amavasya. Mahalaya is the most important day of Pitru Paksha, when Hindus pay homage and respect to their ancestors, is not considered for starting any auspicious work.
Almost all states of India do Ghatasthapana on Pratipada which is the next day of Mahalaya Amavasya except the state of West Bengal. Ghatasthapana is equivalent to Kalparambha during Durga Puja when Goddess Durga is invoked. Kalparambha mostly falls on Shashthi Tithi during Devi Paksha. As per regional customs, beliefs and texts like Dharmasindhu, Durga Puja during Shardiya Navratri varies from nine days to one day only. Goddess Durga comes on the Earth on the first day of Devi Paksha which begins on the next day of Mahalaya Amavasya during Pitru Paksha. She leaves for her heavenly abode on Durga Visarjan day.
Durga Puja Calendar 2021, Durga Puja 2021 Start Date and End Date
Durga Puja Day 1: October 11 (Monday) Shashthi
As per Hindu religious scriptures, on the 6th day (Maha Shashti) Goddess Durga arrived on earth with her 4 children: Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Laxmi, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Kartikeya.
On the eve of Maha Shashti, the face of the idol of Goddess Durga is revealed and rituals are performed. Drums known as 'Dhaak' can be seen banged on every Durga Puja pandal.
Bilva Nimantran
Kalparambha
Akal Bodhon
Amantran and Adhivas
Durga Puja Day 2: October 12 (Tuesday) Maha Saptami
The Maha puja is performed on Maha Saptami day. A banana tree is submerged in holy water and then it is covered with a new sari just like a newlywed woman (Kola bou) before the sun rises.
Navpatrika Puja
Kolabou Puja
Durga Puja Day 3: October 13 (Wednesday) Maha Ashtami
As per Hindu religious texts, it is believed that Goddess Durga killed Mahishasura on Maha Ashtami. Devotees offer their prayers to the goddess known as 'Anjali' on this day. Girls who are less than 9 years are treated as Goddess Durga and are worshipped. This ritual is known as 'Kumari Puja'. After this, the 'Sandhi puja' is performed.
Durga Ashtami
Kumari Puja
Sandhi Puja
Durga Puja Day 4: October 14 (Thursday) Navami
After the 'Sandhi puja' ends, Maha Navami starts.'Maha arati' is performed on the eve of 'Maha Navami'.
Maha Navami
Durga Balidan
Navami Homa
Durga Puja Day 5: October 15 (Friday) Vijay Dashami
Vijaya Dashami is the last day of the Durga Puja festival. After 'ghat visarjan' (a symbolic immersion of Durga idols which means the end of the Puja rituals) women perform Sindoor Khela means 'vermillion game'.
The Goddess Durga idols are then immersed in the holy water of river Ganges on the day of Maha Dashami. Big processions are carried out by the Durga worshippers taking the idol on trucks with the beating of drums accompanied by singing and dancing.
