Durga Puja is round the corner and will formally start from Monday, 15th October which is Shasthi. So the schedule for Durga Puja, which is celebrated across the country, but is the biggest festival of Bengalis is as follows:
Durga Puja is round the corner and will formally start from Monday, 15th October which is Shasthi. So the schedule for Durga Puja, which is celebrated across the country, but is the biggest festival of Bengalis is as follows:
14th October: Maha Panchami
15th October: Maha Shasthi
16th October: Maha Saptami
17th October: Maha Ashtami
18th October: Maha Navami
19th October: Vijaya Dashami
Across Bengal, cutting across age, gender and economic barrier, people go out and enjoy pandal hopping through these days. However, what has changed in the last few years, that unofficially Durga Puja is starting from Mahalaya itself, which marks the start of Devi Paksha. Well, with so many good pandals to check out, no body is complaining. Even West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has gone pandal hopping inaugurating several puja pandals.
Here we give lowdown of all the crucial timings which Durga puja organisers and devotees need to be aware of during the five days.
1. October 14: Timings for Maha Panchami
Bilva Nimantran Muhurat:2:50 PM to 5.08 PM
Panchami tithi till 7.44 AM.
Bodhan of Devi Durga to be done on Pachami evening.
(Image-AFP)
2. October 15: Timings for Maha Shasthi
Bilva Nimantran, Kalparambha, Akal Bodhon, Amantran and Adhivas are the major activities of the day.
Shasthi tithi for Puja till 8.56AM.
Amantran and Adhivas are to be done in the evening. Other rituals have to be finished by 8.56 AM. (Image-AFP)
3. October 16: Timings for Maha Saptami
Saptami tithi till 1033 AM.
Between 8.30 AM to 9.28 AM, Nabapatrika Prabesh, Sthapon, Saptmadi Kalarambho and Saptamibihit Puja has to be done.
Aarati to be done at 7PM.
Ardharatribihit Puja between 10.59 PM-11.47 PM. (Image- AFP)
4. October 17: Timings for Maha Asthami Anjali
Maha Asthami puja starts from 7 AM in the morning. Asthami tithi is till 12.27 AM.
Asthami anjali after 9.30 AM.
Many of the Astahami rituals have to be done between 8.31 AM to 9.28 AM. (Image-AFP)
5. October 17: Sandhi Puja timing
Sandhi Puja starts at 12.03 PM. Balidan at 12.27 PM and the Sandhi Puja has to end by 12.51 PM. Anjali at 12.30 PM. (Image-PTI)
6. October 18: Timings for Maha Navami
Maha Navami till 2.32 PM.
Puja starts at 7AM. Anjali at 9.30 AM. Yajna will start from 10.30 AM. Post that, ceremonial Bali will be done from 12.30 PM. Aarati at 7PM. (Image-AFP)
7. October 19: Timings for Vijaya Dashami
Dashami tithi till 4.37 PM. Puja starts at 8AM and Pushpanjali at 10AM. Vijayakritya at 12 Noon (File Pic)