Durga Puja Nirghanta 2023

Related Topics:Festivals and EventsGoddess DurgaHindu DeitiesVrat and Puja

Durga Puja is not just a festival for the state of Bengal but a lifeline for many in the state. People look up to this time for everything from devotions, and the blessings of Maa Durga to celebrations, business, investment, splurging and coming together as a society. One of the major festivals for Sanatan Hindus worldwide, Durga Puja is a big occasion for people of Bengal and Bengalis worldwide. The five-day festival starting from Mahasashthi, Mahasaptami, Mahaashtami, Mahanavami to Bijoya Dashami is a big gala event when people from all walks of life come together to make it an occasion worth remembering for the rest of their lives. 

The preparation for Durga Puja 2023 has already begun, especially in West Bengal and every other city, state and place where Durga Puja is a big festival. Puja committees in different parts of Bengal and all other parts of the country and the world are preparing their own programme plans. The plan includes, how will Durga Puja be this time. What will be the theme? People also discuss how to decorate the mandap and lighting. Khuti Pujo one of the rituals of Durga Pujo takes place on Rath Yatra day, which has been already performed on July 20, 2023. This means ringing the bells of Bengali’s greatest festival. 

When is Mahalaya? 

This year Mahalaya falls on October 14, 2023. Mahalaya has a big significance in not only West Bengal but across the country. It is the day of Tarpan when people offer their respect to their forefathers. You will see people thronging the ghats of rivers and water bodies to perform Tarpan. Mahalaya is the last day of the Pitru Paksha. After Pitru Paksha, Devi Paksha starts and the first day (Pratipad) of Navratri begins. Navratri, dedicated to Maa Durga is widely observed across the country with much devotion. From the sixth day (Mahasashthi day) of Navratri, the five-day festival of Durga begins.  

Let us look at this year’s Durga Pujo Nirghanta. 

Durga Puja 2023 Nirghanta (schedule)

This year Goddess Durga is arriving on a horse, and even returning on horseback. 

• Mahasashthi: October 20 (2 Karttika), Friday
• Mahasaptami: October 21 (3 Kartika), Saturday
• Mahashtami: October 22 (4 Karttika), Sunday
  • Sandhi Puja: from 4:54 PM to 5:42 PM
  • Sandhi Puja started at 4:54 PM.
  • Sacrifice must be completed by 5:18 PM.
  • Sandhi puja ends by 5:42 PM.
• Mahanavami: October 23 (5 Karttika), Monday.
• Bijoya (Vijaya) Dashami: October 24 (6 Kartika), Tuesday.

(Source: Phulpanjika by Venimadhava Shila)

Durga Puja: Devotion, Celebration and Victory of Good Over Evil! 

Basically, Durga Puja is celebrated from the sixth to the tenth day of the Shukla Paksha of the Hindu Bengali Calendar month of Ashwin. It starts from Shasthi to Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and ends on Vijaya Dashami. Shukla Paksha is known as Devi Paksha. The new moon at the beginning of this aspect is called Mahalaya. 

Bengalis wait the whole year for this day. As Durga Puja approaches, the frenzy, the euphoria to welcome the most beloved mother of all increases by leaps and bounds. You can see the excitement in the air, the atmosphere and even in the surroundings. This moment arrives every year around this time of the year. You can practically see Bengalis floating elated with emotions. People come home from far places to celebrate the Pujo with their loved ones. It is believed, that when the mother comes on horseback, there is a chance of disturbances across the world. According to the scriptures, political, social and military instability may increase due to this.

It is a festival with mixed feelings and flavours, for some it is all about devotion, and for some, it is all about celebration, but the main significance behind celebrating Durga Puja is the Victory of Good over Evil!

To learn the exact timing of Durga Pujo in your city, talk to our astrologers here.