Loading
Shubham Astu
May all be auspicious
Durga Puja 2026
From Mahalaya to Dashami, each day with its own tithi, its own rites and its own clock. Astronomical times are computed for Kolkata; the ritual slots are the tradition, and the pandal has the final word.
A panjika is the Bengali almanac: the reckoning of lunar days (tithis), sunrise and sunset, and the auspicious moments that decide when each rite of the puja is performed. It is what fixes Bodhon, the Sandhi Puja and Bisarjan to the minute. Below is the road to the puja, day by day, each tithi with its window and its rites.
Pujor panjika · 1433
Tap a day to open its rites, timings and the tithi window.
16 October, Friday
Bodhon under the bel tree
The Goddess is awakened beneath the bel tree at Bodhon and welcomed with Amantran and Adhibas. The idol's face is unveiled and the four days of worship formally begin.
Rites of the day
The vow that opens the puja, taken at the ghat-sthapan in the morning.
The awakening and invitation of the Goddess under the bel tree.
The sanctification of the Goddess with the mangal dravya.
Astronomical tithi and Sandhi times computed for Kolkata by DharmKriya's ephemeris (drik siddhanta). Committees follow their printed panjika; confirm the ritual clock at the pandal.
On the ekchala
Her four children stand beside her on one arched backdrop, each on their own vahana, and every vahana is a lesson.
Mahishasura Mardini, on the lion
Ten-armed, she comes home to her father's house for four days each autumn, and the whole city turns out to meet her.
rides the owl
On the Mother's right. Her owl sees in the dark: prosperity is a kind of watchfulness.
rides the mouse
The remover of obstacles rides the smallest creature there is; no door is too narrow for him.
rides the swan
On the Mother's left. The swan is said to take the milk and leave the water: learning is knowing what to leave.
rides the peacock
The general of the gods, forever young, on a bird that has tamed the serpent: valour, with vanity underfoot.
and the buffalo demon
Under her feet, pinning the buffalo demon: the strength that keeps our own arrogance on the ground.
Dashami immersions and the Red Road carnival.
