Durga Puja 2023 Date, Durga Puja Calendar 2023
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.
