Durga Puja 2025: Dates, Rituals & Celebration Highlights

With autumn approaching, India begins its grand countdown to Durga Puja 2025. As the sound of dhak will start to echo through the streets, the dhunuchi smoke swirls in devotion, and skilled artisans breathe life into clay, the spirit of Maa Durga begins to descend among us. It is not just a festival but a feeling that unites families, communities, and even cities in a shared devotion to art, food, and celebration.

Durga Puja is celebrated in diverse ways across India—for instance, pandal-hopping in Kolkata, Ram Leela in North India, Mysuru Dasara in Karnataka, or Navratri golu in Tamil Nadu. However, the essence remains the same—to honor the divine feminine energy of Goddess Durga by performing sacred rituals and praying for the well-being of all. The festival symbolizes the timeless triumph of good over evil.

So, if you’re curious to know when is Durga Puja 2025 and want to explore the festival’s rich rituals and traditions, this blog has everything you need to know. And as you prepare your home and neighborhood for festive season, OLX is the perfect platform to sell what you no longer need and turn unused items into cash. 

Why Do We Celebrate Durga Puja?

We celebrate Durga Puja to honor the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, who had unleashed chaos and destruction across heaven and earth. Maa Durga is revered as the embodiment of power (Shakti), courage, and righteousness. She was created from the collective energies of the gods, making her the ultimate symbol of divine strength and protection.

The utter defeat of the evil in all rituals, songs, and offerings in Durga Puja is a symbol of the all-time victory of the good over the evil. However, Durga Puja is also a time of community and family reunions—a festival where neighbors, friends, and even strangers come together, sharing in each other’s joy, traditions, and celebrations.

When Is Durga Puja 2025?

Durga Puja is not just a celebration but a spectacular blend of devotion, culture, art, and togetherness that lights up the hearts of millions. So, if you’re wondering when is Durga Puja 2025— the festival will start on September 28, 2025, and will conclude on October 2, 2025, with rituals starting earlier on Mahalaya, September 21, 2025.

While the Navratri and Durga Puja rituals span nine days, the main festivities are centered around Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami, and Vijayadashami—each filled with unique rituals and vibrant celebrations.

Here are the key Durga Puja dates for 2025:

The countdown has begun for devotees eagerly awaiting the festival, with just a few days left before Durga Puja 2025 begins. For many devotees, keeping track of how many days are left for Durga Puja 2025 is a joyful part of their daily routine.

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Durga Puja and Navratri: Two Traditions, One Divine Spirit

Although Durga Puja is best celebrated in Bengal and other eastern Indian states like Assam, Odisha, Bihar, and Tripura, the corresponding festival in other parts of India is Navratri. In the north, Navratri culminates in Dussehra and Kanya Puja, while in western India, especially Gujarat, Navratri is celebrated with vibrant Garba and Dandiya-Raas dances that bring communities together in festive spirit. 

In the south, homes are adorned with elaborate doll displays called Kolu (or Golu), and the focus shifts to the worship of Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, music, and learning.

Despite regional differences in rituals and customs, Durga Puja and Navratri both honor Maa Durga, each reflecting the rich cultural diversity of India.

North India: 9 Days of Navratri

Navratri is celebrated over a period of nine days with nine different gods (Navadurga) represented by different colors and a spiritual meaning.

Devotees across North India observe fasts, perform Ram Leela plays, and mark Dussehra with the burning of giant Ravana effigies, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.

South India: Navaratri Golu

In Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, people celebrate Navratri by setting up Golu—a display of dolls arranged on multiple tiers. These dolls depict deities, mythological characters, and symbolic artwork, reflecting themes of devotion and tradition. Women also distribute (a variety of chickpea-based dishes), kumkum, and small gifts to guests who visit their homes during the festival.

Karnataka: Mysuru Dasara

The royal events of Mysuru Dasara incorporate the processions of elephants and decorated palaces and the Ayudha Puja ceremony that praises the tools and weapons on the Maha Navami day.

The different names and regional variations of this festival reflect its shared essence—a celebration of devotion, victory of good over evil, and rich cultural heritage.

Durga Puja 2025: Rituals and Day-wise Celebration

The spiritual nature of Durga Puja comes in through its religious ceremonies that form an all-involving experience for the participants. Let’s take a closer look at the day-to-day Durga Puja rituals:

 1- Mahalaya (September 21, 2025)

• Marks the beginning of Devi Paksha, a sacred time in the Hindu calendar.
• Devotees perform Tarpan to pay homage to their ancestors.
• Chokkhudaan: Bengal sculptors paint the eyes of the Durga idol to invite the goddess’s presence

2- Maha Shashthi (September 28, 2025)

• It is the day of the Durga Maa idols’ revelation.
• Bodhon is the ceremonial invocation of the goddess, marking the official commencement of Durga Puja.

3- Maha Saptami (September 29, 2025)

• This ritual begins early in the morning with a Nabapatrika (Naba means “nine” and “Patrika” means “leaves” or “plants”) bath in sacred water.
• These nine plants, symbolizing nine forms of goddesses, are tied together and worshipped as part of the Durga Puja rituals.

4- Maha Ashtami (September 30, 2025)

• Maha Ashtami is considered the most important day of Durga Puja rituals.
• Devotees pray and perform Pushpanjali (flower offerings).
• Sacred Durga Puja Sandhi (performed between Ashtami and Navami) marks the worship of the goddess in her fierce form, Chamunda, symbolising the destruction of evil.

Sandhi Puja lasts for 48 minutes and is considered the most auspicious time of the entire Durga Puja. Devotees offer 108 lotus flowers and 108 oil lamps and perform special prayers with intense devotion.  

Here are the key details for Durga Puja Sandhi Puja 2025:

• Date: Tuesday, 30 September 2025 
• Time: Approximately 5:42 PM to 6:30 PM

5- Maha Navami (October 1, 2025)

• Worship is continued with magnificence.
• Special prayers are offered, and the day concludes with community feasting (bhog)

6-Vijaya Dashami (October 2, 2025)

• Marks the victory of good over evil, symbolising the triumph of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura.
• Sindoor Khela is a celebration done by married women in which they apply vermilion on each other.
• Durga idols are immersed in rivers across India for tier final journey to Mount Kailash.

Food and Feasting: Food Highlights of Durga Puja.

Foodies across love Durga Puja for the culinary delights at fairs and pandals. Here is a list  of must-Try Dishes

• Bhog Khichuri & Labra: Rice, lentils, and assorted vegetables.
• Doi Maach: Fish gravy in yogurt.
• Cholar Dal: Lentils made of coconuts and spices.
• Bhapa Ilish: Mustard-steamed Hilsa.
• Rasgulla and Sandesh: iconic  Bengali sweets.

From sundal in Tamil Nadu to fafda-jalebi in Gujarat, food is a vibrant expression of both devotion and festivity during the celebrations.

Another unique ritual that blends food and symbolism is the Kola Bou Snan. It is a pre-dawn ritual celebrated during the Durga Puja, in which a young banana plant is wrapped like a bride and bathed. The plant is a symbolic representation of Goddess Durga. This ritual represents the deep connection between food customs and spiritual traditions.

Regional Highlights of Durga Puja 2025

• Kolkata, West Bengal: Pandal brings in awe-inspiring designs featuring all things mythological and contemporary.
• Odisha (Cuttack): Highlight is Tarakasi, a traditional art form from Cuttack involving intricate silver filigree work. It is often used during Durga Puja decorations.
• Delhi and Uttar Pradesh: Observed with nine days of fasting, devotion, and the staging of Ram Leela
• Tamil Nadu: Celebrated with Golu displays of dolls, reflecting tradition, devotion, and art.
• Karnataka (Mysuru): Known for royal Dasara processions with decorated elephants and cultural parades.

Final Thoughts

The Durga Puja rituals and celebrations are marked by grandeur and unity. Beginning with Mahalaya on September 21 and culminating on Vijaya Dashami, October 2, 2025, these festivities will once again bring millions together in joyous devotion.

As the festivities approach, people not only gear up for celebrations but also prepare their homes, refresh essentials, and dive deep into the festive spirit. From decorating pandals to welcoming guests, families often look for new decor pieces, festive clothing, and household goods to make the occasion even more special.

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