Durga Puja 2024 calendar: From start date to end date to puja vidhi - Here's all you need to know

Durag Puja 2024 start & end date: Durga Puja known as Durgotsava is one of the most auspicious and significant festivals for Hindus, celebrated with immense joy and devotion. The five-day festival coincides with Shardiya Navratri, a time when devotees across India come together to worship Goddess Durga. It holds special significance in states like Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand, where the celebrations are marked by great enthusiasm and deep spirituality. Let's dive into the Durga Puja calendar for 2024, along with details on its rituals and significance.

Durga Puja 2024: Start and End Date

In 2024, Durga Puja will begin on October 8 and will conclude on October 13, culminating with the grand Durga Visarjan. The festival spans five days, starting from Shashti Tithi (sixth day of Navratri) and ending on Dashami Tithi (tenth day). Each day is filled with meaningful rituals, symbolising the victory of good over evil.

Durga Puja 2024 Calendar

Durga Puja Significance

Durga Puja holds great importance in Hindu culture, as it symbolises the triumph of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. The festival is a reminder of the power of divine feminine energy in restoring peace and order in the universe. This festival not only celebrates the victory of good over evil but also highlights the strength and resilience of women.

Devotees prepare rigorously for the festival, fasting and performing special pujas to honour the Goddess. They believe that those who worship with true devotion are blessed by Durga Mata and protected from negative forces, including evil spirits and black magic. The Durga Puja rituals remind us to stay strong against negativity and to trust in the divine energy for protection.

Also Read:?How is Durga Puja different from Navratri?

Durga Puja 2024: Puja Vidhi

The rituals of Durga Puja are performed with great attention to detail, each step having a profound spiritual meaning. Here’s a breakdown of the main ceremonies that take place during Durga Puja 2024:

1. Kalparambha (Shashthi Tithi)

Durga Puja begins with Kalparambha on Shashthi, the sixth day of Navratri. The ritual involves invoking Goddess Durga by placing a sacred pot (Kalash) filled with water, symbolising her divine presence. This marks the official start of the festival.

2. Bodhan (Shashthi Evening)

On the evening of Shashthi, the Bodhan ritual is performed, symbolising the awakening of Goddess Durga from her cosmic rest. Offerings of fruits, flowers, and sweets are made as devotees chant sacred mantras to welcome the Goddess.

3. Maha Saptami Puja (Saptami Tithi)

Maha Saptami marks the beginning of the main puja rituals. A banana tree, known as Nabapatrika, is bathed and dressed, symbolising the Goddess. This tree is placed beside the idol of Durga, and elaborate prayers are offered throughout the day.

4. Maha Ashtami Puja (Ashtami Tithi)

Maha Ashtami is one of the most important days of Durga Puja. It is believed that on this day, Goddess Durga defeated the demon Mahishasura. The highlight of Ashtami is Sandhi Puja, performed at the exact moment of transition between Ashtami and Navami, making it the most auspicious moment of the festival.

5. Maha Navami Puja (Navami Tithi)

The ninth day, Maha Navami, is the concluding day of the festival. The day includes the Mahasnan (holy bath) of the deity and ends with the Maha Aarti, where devotees offer flowers, fruits, and sweets to the Goddess, followed by singing devotional songs.

6. Vijayadashami and Durga Visarjan

The final day, Vijayadashami is a celebration of the triumph of good over evil. On this day, devotees bid farewell to Goddess Durga by performing the Durga Visarjan. Her idol is immersed in a river or sea, symbolising her return to her celestial abode. This day also marks new beginnings, as it is considered highly auspicious.

Also Read:?October 2024 festivals calendar

Durga Puja is not just a festival, but a celebration of righteousness, devotion, and the power of the divine feminine. The rituals, the devotion of the devotees, and the rich cultural significance make Durga Puja a time for spiritual reflection, joy, and festivity. As we celebrate Durga Puja 2024, may Maa Durga bless us with strength, prosperity, and protection.

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