Durga Puja 2025: Sashthi to Dashami Dates, Puja Timing & More

Celebrate Durga Puja 2025 from Sept 21–Oct 2. Check Sashthi Saptami, Ashtami, Navami & Dashami dates, puja tithis, rituals, calendar & significance.

The celebrations of Durga Puja 2025 will begin on 21st September 2025 and continue through 2nd October 2025. During this festive period, the city of joy comes alive with lights, decorations, food stalls, cultural programs, and laughter at every turn you take. Indians celebrate this festival with great devotion and enthusiasm. Multiple themed pandals can be found in every area of the city and across the state, each showcasing unique artistry and creativity.

Schools and colleges in Bengal usually give holidays during this time, allowing students, families, and communities to fully participate in the festivities. From visiting pandals and enjoying traditional Bengali sweets to attending cultural performances, everyone gets a chance to immerse themselves in the spirit of Durga Puja.

Durga Puja 2025: Nine Forms of Maa Durga, Dates Associated with Them and Their Spiritual Significance

For nine days, devotees honour the various manifestations of Maa Durga, each representing different aspects of life, as described below:

Shailaputri (Grey) – Sept 28 – Strength & Purity – The first manifestation of Goddess Durga, who rides a bull named Nandi. She is offered pure ghee to drive away diseases and illnesses.

Brahmacharini (Orange) – Sept 29 – Devotion & Austerity – The meditative form of this goddess represents Goddess Parvati, when she engaged in deep meditation to please Lord Shiva. She is offered sugar for the long lives of family members.

Chandraghanta (White) – Sept 30 – Courage – With a crescent moon on her forehead, she rides a tiger to destroy all evil. She is offered kheer to ease pain and suffering.

Kushmanda (Red) – Spiritually honoured, not marked in core Durga Puja days – Creativity – Her name means the creator of the universe. Devotees offer her malpua to enhance their decision-making abilities.

Skandamata (Royal Blue) – Symbolically worshipped – Motherhood – Also known as Panchami, she sits on a lotus, and is associated with protecting children. She is offered honey.

Katyayani (Yellow) – Fierce Protector – A form of Shakti, the most violent manifestation of Goddess Parvati, also known as the warrior goddess.

Kalaratri (Green) – Destroyer of Darkness – She embraced a dark complexion to kill demons. She is offered jaggery for relief from obstacles and pain, and to invite happiness.

Mahagauri (Peacock Green) – Oct 1 – Peace & Purity – She rides on a bull or a white elephant. She is offered coconuts.

Siddhidatri (Purple or Red) – Oct 2 – Wisdom – This form of Goddess Durga signifies perfection. She is offered sesame seeds for protection from unnatural events.

Durga Puja 2025 Calendar: Important Dates and Auspicious Timings from Mahalaya to Vijaya Dashami

Date	Day of the Puja	Day of the Week	Auspicious Timing
21st September 2025	Mahalaya	Wednesday	—
27th September 2025	Maha Panchami	Saturday	Bilva Nimantran Muhurat: 03:48 PM to 06:12 PM
28th September 2025	Maha Sashthi	Sunday	—
29th September 2025	Maha Saptami	Monday	Navapatrika Puja Muhurat: 05:49 AM
30th September 2025	Maha Ashtami	Tuesday	Mahashtami Puja: Begins 04:31 PM (Sept 29) and ends 06:06 PM (Sept 30)
1st October 2025	Maha Navami	Wednesday	Maha Navami Puja: Begins 06:06 PM (Sept 30) and concludes 07:01 PM (Oct 1)
2nd October 2025	Vijaya Dashami	Thursday	Durga Visarjan Muhurat: 06:15 AM to 08:37 AM

Significance of Durga Puja

According to Hindu Shastra, the Durga Puja festival celebrates Goddess Durga’s annual return to her birthplace with her children. Mahalaya, a special day that marks Maa Durga’s journey home, signals the start of this celebration each year.

However, the main festivities begin with Maha Sashthi, the sixth day of the ten-day celebration. On this day, devotees finally get to see the face of Goddess Durga for the first time after a long wait, while the dhakis keep the atmosphere lively by playing their dhaks, traditional drums deeply rooted in Bengali culture.

During Durga Puja, people celebrate Maha Saptami on the seventh day. After dipping a banana tree into the water for the ceremonial bath, a priest dresses the tree in a white saree with a red border. This banana tree, also known as Kola Bou, is considered another manifestation of Goddess Durga, according to many cultural scholars and historians.

The eighth day of the celebrations, known as Maha Ashtami, then arrives. This sacred day marks the victory of the Goddess over Mahishasura. Devotees honor this triumph by offering prayers at the pandals in the form of Anjali. In addition, various social groups and clubs organize communal feasts where people enjoy khichdi and other traditional delicacies.

On the ninth day of this grand festival, Maha Navami begins after Sandhi Puja. Priests perform Maha Aarti to conclude the prayers, and devotees line up in large numbers to participate and receive the puja’s blessings. This leads to Maha Dashami, the final day of the festival.

On Maha Dashami, the idols of Maa Durga and her children are submerged in the Ganga River. Before the immersion, married women perform Sindoor Khela, smearing vermillion on each other’s faces.

Lastly, the time for ‘Visarjan’ arrives, where people completely immerse themselves in the puja spirit and dance together. Following the celebrations, people follow a custom known as “Bijoya Dashami,” in which they visit their close friend’s and family members, bringing them sweets and asking for sincere blessings.

Durga Puja 2025- F.A.Q

Which year is 2025 in Bengali calendar?

Ans. 1432

How many days for Durga Puja 2025?

Ans. Durga Puja 2025 will start on September 28, 2025. It will conclude on October 2, 2025. Although Navratri Maa Durga Puja lasts for 9 days. But the main celebrations take place on Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami, and Vijayadashami.

How will Maa Durga come and go in 2025?

Ans. On an elephant.

How is the Durga Puja date decided?

Ans. The dates of Durga Puja vary each year as determined by the lunar calendar.

Also Read: Kamakhya Temple Darshan Guide (2025): Timings, Ticket Prices & 3 Types of Entry