Durga Puja 2026 Dates: Mahalaya, Shashthi to Dashami From 16 to 20 October, Pushpanjali Timings and a Guide to Pandal Hopping
Durga Puja 2026 begins with Mahalaya on 10 October and reaches its main days from Maha Shashthi on Friday 16 October to Vijayadashami on Tuesday 20 October. The day-by-day schedule, what happens on each, how Kolkata's pandals are shaping up after UNESCO recognition and a practical guide to visiting.
Sarvajanik Durga Puja. Photo: joegoauk73 via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
For Bengalis everywhere, the year's calendar bends around five days in autumn. Durga Puja 2026 arrives in the second half of October, with Mahalaya on 10 October signalling the countdown and the main days from 16 to 20 October. Here is the schedule, what each day involves and how to plan a visit to Kolkata or your nearest pandal.
The dates
- Mahalaya: Saturday 10 October. The invocation of the goddess, marked by the pre-dawn radio broadcast of Mahishasura Mardini and the painting of the idol's eyes.
- Maha Panchami: Thursday 15 October. Many pandals open informally.
- Maha Shashthi: Friday 16 October. Bodhon, the formal awakening of the goddess, and the official start.
- Maha Saptami: Saturday 17 October. Nabapatrika snan at dawn, followed by the first pushpanjali.
- Maha Ashtami: Sunday 18 October. The busiest day: morning anjali, Kumari Puja in some pandals, and Sandhi Puja at the junction of Ashtami and Navami in the evening.
- Maha Navami: Monday 19 October. The final day of worship, with the maha arati at night.
- Vijayadashami: Tuesday 20 October. Sindoor Khela in the morning, then immersion processions through the evening. It coincides with Dussehra across the rest of India.
Why this year's calendar is good for crowds
Saptami and Ashtami fall on a Saturday and Sunday, and Navami on a Monday that most of West Bengal has as a holiday. Expect the heaviest pandal traffic on the nights of 17 and 18 October. If you want to see the big pandals without the crush, go on Panchami or Shashthi evening.
Kolkata after UNESCO
Durga Puja in Kolkata joined UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage in 2021, which has pushed the big community pujas towards ever more ambitious themed pandals, many of them by named artists and some displayed in galleries afterwards. The state government runs a carnival on Red Road after Dashami, where selected pujas parade their idols before immersion. The date is usually announced a week before.
Practical guide
- Transport: Kolkata Metro runs extended hours on the main days; walking between the clusters in north and south Kolkata is often faster than a car.
- Timing: pandals are open round the clock from Saptami; the quietest window is 6 to 9 in the morning.
- Clothing: comfortable footwear matters more than anything else. Many visitors wear traditional dress on Ashtami.
- Food: the bhog at community pujas is served around midday; street stalls run all night.
Outside Bengal
Delhi's CR Park, Mumbai's Shivaji Park and Bengaluru's Bengali associations all run large pujas on the same dates. Check their schedules for pushpanjali and bhog timings.
Frequently asked questions
When is Durga Puja 2026?
Maha Shashthi is Friday 16 October and Vijayadashami is Tuesday 20 October 2026, with Mahalaya on 10 October.
When is Maha Ashtami 2026?
Sunday 18 October 2026.
Is Durga Puja a holiday in West Bengal?
Yes. The state declares holidays from around Saptami through Dashami; the exact list is published in the state calendar.
When is Sindoor Khela 2026?
On Vijayadashami, Tuesday 20 October.
Why is Durga Puja on UNESCO's list?
Kolkata's Durga Puja was inscribed in 2021 as intangible cultural heritage for its scale, artistry and community participation.
