শ্রীশ্রী শারদীয়া দুর্গাপূজা · ১৪৩৩ বঙ্গাব্দ · কলকাতা
দুর্গোৎসবের পঞ্জিকাThe Durgotsav panjika, 2026
What a Bengali family looks up in its panjika before the puja: how the Goddess arrives and leaves, the minute of the Sandhi Puja, and each day's tithi, nakshatra and rites, from Mahalaya to Dashami.
দেবীর আগমন ও গমনThe Goddess's arrival and departure
Each year the panjika names the vahana the Goddess rides to her father's house and home again to Kailash. It is a weekday rule: the day of Saptami decides her arrival, the day of Dashami her departure, and each ride carries a line of phal, what the year is said to hold.
আগমনArrival
ঘোটকে আগমনArrives on a horse“ছত্রভঙ্গস্তুরঙ্গমে”
The royal parasol breaks: unrest, upheaval and instability in the seat of power.
Gupta Press and Beni Madhab Seal keep Saptami on Saturday, 17 October.
বিশুদ্ধ সিদ্ধান্ত মতে গজে আগমনArrives on an elephant
Bisuddha Siddhanta, which Belur Math follows, keeps Saptami on Sunday, 18 October; by the same rule that is gaja.
গমনDeparture
নৌকায় গমনLeaves by boat“শস্যবৃদ্ধিস্তথা জলম্”
A rich harvest, and high water with it: plenty, with a risk of flood.
Dashami falls on Wednesday, 21 October, in every panjika.
রবৌ চন্দ্রে গজারূঢ়া, ঘোটকে শনিভৌময়োঃ, গুরৌ শুক্রে চ দোলায়াং, নৌকায়াং বুধবাসরেSunday or Monday, the elephant; Saturday or Tuesday, the horse; Thursday or Friday, the palanquin; Wednesday, the boat.
গজ২০২৬
Gaja, the elephant
Sunday or Monday
Rain in good measure and a full harvest. The most auspicious of the four.
ঘোটক২০২৬
Ghotak, the horse
Tuesday or Saturday
The royal parasol breaks: unrest, upheaval and instability in the seat of power.
নৌকা২০২৬
Nouka, the boat
Wednesday
A rich harvest, and high water with it: plenty, with a risk of flood.
দোলা
Dola, the palanquin
Thursday or Friday
Epidemic and loss of life. The ride the almanac dreads.
The phal is the almanac's traditional reading, printed every year. It is folklore, not a forecast.
The most looked-up time of the puja
সন্ধিপুজোSandhi Puja
সোমবার, ১৯ অক্টোবর · ১ কার্তিক · Monday, 19 October
10:2811:16AM
অষ্টমীর শেষ ২৪ মিনিটLast 24 min of Ashtami
সন্ধিক্ষণ10:52:08
নবমীর প্রথম ২৪ মিনিটFirst 24 min of Nabami
At the meeting of Ashtami and Nabami the Goddess is worshipped as Chamunda, who slew Chanda and Munda at this very moment: 108 lamps, 108 lotuses, and the loudest dhak of the four days.
- বিশুদ্ধ সিদ্ধান্ত (বেলুড় মঠ)Bisuddha Siddhanta (Belur Math)
- 10:28 AM to 11:16 AMsame as ours
- গুপ্তপ্রেসGupta Press
- 7:25:15 AM to 8:13:15 AM
Computed for Kolkata by DharmKriya's ephemeris (drik). Each pandal follows its own printed panjika, so a Gupta Press committee holds Sandhi Puja soon after dawn. Ask your pandal.
দিনপঞ্জিDay by day, Mahalaya to Dashami
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.
মহালয়াMahalaya · Devi Paksha begins
মহালয়াMahalaya · Devi Paksha begins
১০ অক্টোবর, শনিবার · ২২ আশ্বিন ১৪৩৩ · 10 October, Saturday
Devi Paksha opens at dawn with the Mahishasura Mardini recital. On the ghats, tarpan is offered to the ancestors; in Kumartuli, the artisans paint the eyes of the idols.
পঞ্জিকাAlmanac, for Kolkata
- Tithi
- অমাবস্যাAmavasya
- Begins
- 9 Oct, 9:36 PM
- Ends
- 10 Oct, 9:19 PM
- Nakshatra
- Hasta until 9:42 PM, then Chitra
- Sunrise
- 5:30 AM
- Sunset
- 5:16 PM
- Amavasya holds from the night of the 9th until 9:19 PM on the 10th, so tarpan is offered on the ghats from dawn on Saturday.
দিনের বিধিRites of the day
Mahishasura Mardiniমহিষাসুরমর্দিনী
4:00 AM
The dawn chandipath and songs that announce the Goddess.
Pitri Tarpanপিতৃতর্পণ
Morning
Water offered to the ancestors on the Hooghly ghats.
Chokkhu Daanচক্ষুদান
Morning
The idols' eyes are painted; the pratima is said to come alive.
মহাপঞ্চমীMaha Panchami · The city lights up
মহাপঞ্চমীMaha Panchami · The city lights up
১৫ অক্টোবর, বৃহস্পতিবার · ২৭ আশ্বিন ১৪৩৩ · 15 October, Thursday
The eve of the puja. The big pandals are inaugurated, the illuminations come on, and Kolkata pours into the streets for the first night of thakur dekha before Bodhon opens the worship on Shashthi.
পঞ্জিকাAlmanac, for Kolkata
- Tithi
- শুক্লা পঞ্চমীShukla Panchami
- Begins
- 15 Oct, 1:13 AM
- Ends
- 16 Oct, 3:25 AM
- Nakshatra
- Jyeshtha until 16 Oct, 6:47 AM, then Mula
- Sunrise
- 5:32 AM
- Sunset
- 5:12 PM
দিনের বিধিRites of the day
Pandal Udbodhonপ্যান্ডেল উদ্বোধন
Evening
The big pujas are formally inaugurated and thrown open to the public.
Aloksojjaআলোকসজ্জা
After sunset
The lighting comes on; the paras and the Chandannagar arches glow.
Thakur Dekha beginsঠাকুর দেখা শুরু
Evening
The first night of pandal-hopping; the crowds gather across the city.
মহাষষ্ঠীMaha Shashthi · Bodhon under the bel tree
মহাষষ্ঠীMaha Shashthi · Bodhon under the bel tree
১৬ অক্টোবর, শুক্রবার · ২৮ আশ্বিন ১৪৩৩ · 16 October, Friday
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.
পঞ্জিকাAlmanac, for Kolkata
- Tithi
- শুক্লা ষষ্ঠীShukla Shashthi
- Begins
- 16 Oct, 3:25 AM
- Ends
- 17 Oct, 5:54 AM
- Nakshatra
- Jyeshtha until 6:47 AM, then Mula
- Sunrise
- 5:33 AM
- Sunset
- 5:11 PM
- Shashthi holds through the evening of the 16th, so Bodhon, Amantran and Adhibas fall on Friday evening.
দিনের বিধিRites of the day
Kalparambhaকল্পারম্ভ
Morning
The vow that opens the puja, taken at the ghat-sthapan in the morning.
Bodhon and Amantranবোধন ও আমন্ত্রণ
After sunset
The awakening and invitation of the Goddess under the bel tree.
Adhibasঅধিবাস
Evening
The sanctification of the Goddess with the mangal dravya.
মহাসপ্তমীMaha Saptami · Nabapatrika and pran pratishtha
মহাসপ্তমীMaha Saptami · Nabapatrika and pran pratishtha
১৭-১৮ অক্টোবর, শনি-রবি · ২৯-৩০ আশ্বিন ১৪৩৩ · 17 and 18 October, Sat and Sun
The nabapatrika, nine plants bound as the Goddess, is bathed in the Hooghly at dawn and installed beside Ganesha. Life is breathed into the idol with the pran pratishtha, and the first pushpanjali is offered.
পঞ্জিকাAlmanac, for Kolkata
- Tithi
- শুক্লা সপ্তমী (দুই দিন)Shukla Saptami (spans two days)
- Begins
- 17 Oct, 5:54 AM
- Ends
- 18 Oct, 8:28 AM
- Nakshatra
- 17 Oct:Mula until 9:47 AM, then Purva Ashadha18 Oct:Purva Ashadha until 12:49 PM, then Uttara Ashadha
- Sunrise
- 5:33 AM
- Sunset
- 5:10 PM
- The panjikas part here. Bisuddha Siddhanta (Belur Math) holds the Saptami puja on Sunday the 18th; Gupta Press and Beni Madhab Seal on Saturday the 17th. Ask your pandal which it keeps.
দিনের বিধিRites of the day
Nabapatrika Snanনবপত্রিকা স্নান
Dawn
The kolabou is bathed in the river at first light.
Pran Pratishthaপ্রাণপ্রতিষ্ঠা
Morning
The rite that makes the clay a living deity.
Saptami Pushpanjaliসপ্তমীর পুষ্পাঞ্জলি
Set by the committee
The community's first flower offering of the puja.
মহাষ্টমীMaha Ashtami · Sandhi puja, 108 lamps
মহাষ্টমীMaha Ashtami · Sandhi puja, 108 lamps
১৯ অক্টোবর, সোমবার · ১ কার্তিক ১৪৩৩ · 19 October, Monday
The most sacred day. Pushpanjali in the morning, Kumari Puja at many pandals, and at the junction of Ashtami and Nabami the Sandhi Puja: 108 lamps and 108 lotuses for Chamunda. Dhunuchi naach at dusk.
পঞ্জিকাAlmanac, for Kolkata
- Tithi
- শুক্লা অষ্টমীShukla Ashtami
- Begins
- 18 Oct, 8:28 AM
- Ends
- 19 Oct, 10:52 AM
- Nakshatra
- Uttara Ashadha until 3:38 PM, then Shravana
- Sunrise
- 5:34 AM
- Sunset
- 5:08 PM
- Ashtami ends at 10:52 AM, so the Ashtami anjali is offered before the Sandhi Puja begins at 10:28 AM.
- Belur Math holds its Kumari Puja at 9:00 AM.
দিনের বিধিRites of the day
Ashtami Pushpanjaliঅষ্টমীর পুষ্পাঞ্জলি
Morning
The great flower offering, recited together in the mandap.
Kumari Pujaকুমারী পুজো
Morning
A young girl is worshipped as the living Goddess, as at Belur Math.
Sandhi Pujaসন্ধিপুজো
The 48 minutes across the last of Ashtami and the first of Nabami; the astronomical junction falls before noon this year.
Dhunuchi Naach and Aaratiধুনুচি নাচ ও আরতি
Evening
Devotees dance with burning dhuno as the dhak peaks.
মহানবমীMaha Nabami · Homa and maha bhog
মহানবমীMaha Nabami · Homa and maha bhog
২০ অক্টোবর, মঙ্গলবার · ২ কার্তিক ১৪৩৩ · 20 October, Tuesday
The last full day of worship, closed by the Nabami homa, the fire offering. Bhog is at its most generous, and the city stays out until dawn knowing the Goddess leaves tomorrow.
পঞ্জিকাAlmanac, for Kolkata
- Tithi
- শুক্লা নবমীShukla Nabami
- Begins
- 19 Oct, 10:52 AM
- Ends
- 20 Oct, 12:50 PM
- Nakshatra
- Shravana until 6:02 PM, then Dhanishta
- Sunrise
- 5:35 AM
- Sunset
- 5:08 PM
- Nabami holds until 12:50 PM on Tuesday. At Belur Math the homa follows the bhog arati.
দিনের বিধিRites of the day
Nabami Pushpanjaliনবমীর পুষ্পাঞ্জলি
Morning
The final flower offering of the puja.
Nabami Homaনবমী হোম
Afternoon
The havan with 108 bel leaves that seals the worship.
Maha Bhogমহাভোগ
Afternoon
Khichuri and labra offered and shared; many pandals feed everyone.
বিজয়া দশমীVijaya Dashami · Sindoor khela, bisarjan
বিজয়া দশমীVijaya Dashami · Sindoor khela, bisarjan
২১ অক্টোবর, বুধবার · ৩ কার্তিক ১৪৩৩ · 21 October, Wednesday
Darpan bisarjan in the morning, then sindoor khela: married women smear the Goddess and each other with vermilion. By evening the processions move to the ghats, and Subho Bijoya is exchanged with sweets.
পঞ্জিকাAlmanac, for Kolkata
- Tithi
- শুক্লা দশমীShukla Dashami
- Begins
- 20 Oct, 12:50 PM
- Ends
- 21 Oct, 2:12 PM
- Nakshatra
- Dhanishta until 7:48 PM, then Shatabhisha
- Sunrise
- 5:35 AM
- Sunset
- 5:07 PM
- Dashami holds until 2:12 PM. The panjika sets the Dashami puja and darpan bisarjan inside that window; the immersion itself follows the committee's slot.
দিনের বিধিRites of the day
Darpan Bisarjanদর্পণ বিসর্জন
Morning
The Goddess's reflection is immersed in a bowl before the idol leaves.
Sindoor Khelaসিঁদুরখেলা
Late morning
Vermilion for the Goddess, then for each other.
Bisarjanবিসর্জন
Evening
The idols go to the Hooghly; the Red Road carnival follows on a later day.
Aparajita Pujaঅপরাজিতা পুজো
After the Dashami puja
The unconquered Goddess is worshipped with the aparajita creeper, for victory in the year ahead.
Shanti Jalশান্তিজল
After darpan bisarjan
The priest sprinkles the waters of peace over everyone once the reflection is immersed.
এক আকাশ, দুই পঞ্জিকাOne sky, two panjikas
গুপ্তপ্রেস ও বেণীমাধব শীল
Gupta Press and Beni Madhab Seal
Reckon by the Surya Siddhanta, the classical astronomical text. These are the panjikas on the shelf in a great many Bengali homes and pujo committees. In 2026 they print Sandhi Puja at 7:25 to 8:13 AM and keep Saptami on Saturday the 17th, which is why they announce the Goddess on a horse.
বিশুদ্ধ সিদ্ধান্ত
Bisuddha Siddhanta
Reckons by drik ganita, the observed positions of the sun and moon, corrected by modern astronomy. Belur Math follows it. In 2026 it prints Sandhi Puja at 10:28 to 11:16 AM and keeps Saptami on Sunday the 18th.
Both read the same sky with different mathematics, so a tithi can end minutes or hours apart, and a rite can even land on a different day. The times on this page are computed with drik ganita for Kolkata and agree with Bisuddha Siddhanta to the minute. Your pandal keeps its own panjika; for the ritual clock, its word is final.