Durga Puja is not just a festival—it’s a feeling. If you have ever lived in Kolkata, you know the magic. The smell of shiuli phool in the morning, the loud beats of dhaak echoing from para pandals, the rush of shopping for new clothes, the taste of piping hot khichuri bhog, and of course, the endless adda with friends during pandal hopping.
For Bengalis, Pujo aschhe (Puja is coming!) is more than a statement—it’s an emotion that fills every street, every home, and every heart.
But Durga Puja is not only about lights, music, and food—it’s deeply rooted in rituals, spirituality, and tradition. In 2025, the festival has even more charm as Kolkata prepares to welcome Maa Durga with grandeur, creativity, and eco-friendly practices.
In this guide, let’s walk through the complete rituals, stories, and cultural significance of Durga Puja 2025—from Mahalaya to Dashami.
Why Durga Puja 2025 is Special
Every Durga Puja has its charm, but 2025 promises to be bigger, brighter, and more meaningful.
- Perfect timing: The festival falls in October, with pleasant autumn weather in Kolkata—ideal for pandal hopping.
- Global recognition: Since UNESCO declared Durga Puja as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, international travelers are flocking to Bengal in greater numbers. Expect to see more foreigners enjoying bhog and dancing to dhaak beats!
- Eco-friendly celebrations: In 2025, many committees are focusing on sustainability—clay idols, natural colors, LED lights, and artificial ponds for visarjan.
- Technology + tradition: AR/VR pandals, live-streamed rituals, and social media campaigns are adding a modern twist to age-old traditions.
So, Durga Puja 2025 is not just a celebration of faith, but also a showcase of culture, creativity, and global pride.
Day-by-Day Guide to Durga Puja Rituals (Mahalaya to Dashami)
Mahalaya – The Call of Maa Durga
Durga Puja officially begins with Mahalaya. On this day, the legendary radio program Mahishasura Mardini, voiced by Birendra Krishna Bhadra, fills Bengali homes at dawn. For generations, this has been the musical alarm clock for Bengalis—the true start of Pujo.
- Rituals: Many families also perform tarpan in rivers, offering prayers to ancestors.
- Spirit: Mahalaya marks Maa Durga’s journey from Mount Kailash to her maternal home. Kolkata streets come alive with festive billboards, idol finishing in Kumartuli, and early shopping rush.
Shashti – The Unveiling
On the sixth day, the idol’s face is unveiled in pandals. Families put on new clothes, and the city starts buzzing with excitement. This is when the “real” Pujo begins for most.
Saptami – Nabapatrika & Pran Pratishtha
On Saptami, the Nabapatrika (nine sacred plants, tied to a banana tree) is bathed in the Ganga and placed beside Maa’s idol. This symbolizes the goddess in her nature form. The pran pratishtha ritual (invoking life into the idol) is performed with mantras and dhak beats.
Ashtami – The Heart of Durga Puja
Ashtami is the grandest day. Devotees offer pushpanjali (flower offerings) in the morning. In the evening, Sandhi Puja is performed at the juncture of Ashtami and Navami—considered the most powerful moment of the festival.
- Fasting and offering flowers are common.
- Pandals serve bhog khichuri, labra, chutney, and payesh.
- Streets are packed with families and friends pandal hopping late into the night.
Navami – The Last Night of Worship
Navami marks the final full day of worship. The goddess is offered special rituals, and people enjoy one last evening of festive lights, music, and pandal hopping.
Dashami – Bidaay of Maa
The most emotional day. Married women participate in Sindoor Khela, smearing red vermilion on Maa and on each other. Then comes Visarjan, when idols are carried through streets with chants of “Asche bochor abar hobe!” (We’ll celebrate again next year) before immersion in rivers or ponds.
The Spiritual Meaning of Maa Durga’s 10 Arms
Maa Durga is the ultimate symbol of Shakti (divine power), and her 10 arms are not just weapons—they are lessons for life. Each arm holds a unique item, reminding us of virtues we should embrace. Let’s explore them, addha-style, so it’s easy to remember while sipping your morning chai during Pujo season.
- Trident (Trishul) – Represents the power to destroy evil and negativity. Just like Maa fights Mahishasura, we too must fight ignorance and fear in our lives.
- Conch (Shankh) – The conch produces the sacred sound of Om, symbolizing creation, purity, and cosmic energy. Hearing it reminds us to stay mindful and aware.
- Bow & Arrow – Symbolize energy, focus, and balance. The bow and arrow teach us to aim carefully in life while maintaining harmony between our actions and intentions.
- Lotus (Padma) – The lotus signifies purity, spiritual growth, and detachment. Even if the world is muddy and chaotic, like the lotus, we should rise above and stay untouched by negativity.
- Sword (Khadga) – Represents knowledge and wisdom. A sharp mind can cut through ignorance, just as the sword cuts through darkness.
- Mace (Gada) – Symbolizes strength, courage, and resilience. Life will throw challenges, but inner power keeps us standing tall.
- Snake – A reminder of control over fear, transformation, and protection from evil. It teaches us to embrace change fearlessly.
- Thunderbolt (Vajra) – Stands for decisiveness and indestructible willpower. Sometimes, we need the firmness of a thunderbolt to overcome obstacles in life.
- Shield – Represents protection and righteousness. Just as Maa shields the universe, we are reminded to uphold truth and defend what is right.
- Bell (Ghanta) – Symbolizes alertness, consciousness, and the removal of negativity. The sound awakens devotion and clears the mind of distractions.
When you look at Maa Durga during Puja, it’s not just her beauty that mesmerizes—it’s the lessons her 10 arms teach us. Each weapon and object is a reminder to live life with courage, wisdom, focus, and purity.
During pandal hopping, while enjoying the lights, bhog, and adda, take a moment to notice these details. Maa Durga is not only the goddess of victory but also a guide for living a balanced, fearless, and meaningful life.
The Story of Mahalaya & Mahishasura Mardini
The mythology behind Durga Puja begins with Mahishasura, a demon who received a boon that no man or god could kill him. Armed with arrogance, he terrorized the heavens and earth.
To save creation, the gods combined their powers to create Maa Durga, the ultimate Shakti. For nine nights, she battled Mahishasura and finally killed him on Dashami.
Mahalaya symbolizes the beginning of this divine battle—when good prepares to triumph over evil.
Sindoor Khela: A Touch of Red and Sisterhood
On Dashami, Bengali women dressed in white sarees with red borders gather at pandals for Sindoor Khela. They apply vermilion to Maa Durga’s forehead and then smear it on each other, wishing for long married life, prosperity, and happiness.
In modern times, Sindoor Khela has also become a symbol of sisterhood and empowerment, with women of all ages joining in laughter, selfies, and emotional farewells to Maa.
Why Visarjan Symbolizes New Beginnings
Though Visarjan (immersion) feels like a heartbreaking goodbye, it carries a beautiful message: every ending is a new beginning.
The immersion represents the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Just as Maa returns every year, Visarjan teaches us that joy, hope, and blessings always come back.
The streets of Kolkata on Dashami are unforgettable—idols carried on trucks, dhak beats echoing, people dancing barefoot, and chants of “Asche bochor abar hobe!” filling the night sky.
Kolkata vs Assam Durga Puja: Two Colors of the Same Festival
While Kolkata’s Durga Puja is famous worldwide, Assam also celebrates with equal devotion but a different flavor.
- Kolkata: Extravagant themed pandals, Kumartuli idols, dhunuchi naach, bhog khichuri, and night-long adda.
- Assam: More community-driven pujas, cultural programs inspired by Bihu, and simpler, traditional decorations.
Both share the same devotion but reflect unique cultural beauty.
Dhunuchi Naach: Dancing with Fire and Faith
The dhunuchi naach is a sight to behold—devotees dance with clay bowls filled with burning coconut husk and incense, swaying to the rhythm of dhaak.
It is not just a dance, but a spiritual offering—a way of saying “I surrender my energy, joy, and soul to you, Maa.” Watching it live during Ashtami evening in Kolkata is a goosebump moment.
Eco-Friendly Rituals in 2025
With climate concerns rising, 2025 sees more pandals going green:
- Clay idols painted with natural, biodegradable colors.
- Ban on plastic decorations and use of bamboo, jute, and cloth.
- Energy-efficient lighting with LED.
- Artificial ponds for visarjan to protect rivers like Ganga.
This shift proves that traditions can stay alive while being kind to nature.
Kumari Puja: Honoring the Goddess Within
On Ashtami or Navami, families and temples perform Kumari Puja, where a young girl (usually below 10 years) is worshipped as the living embodiment of Maa Durga.
The girl is bathed, dressed in new clothes, adorned with flowers, and offered prayers. This ritual highlights purity, innocence, and the immense power of womanhood. For families, preparing for Kumari Puja is a matter of deep pride and devotion.
Conclusion: The Soul of Durga Puja
Durga Puja is not just about rituals—it’s about togetherness, culture, and hope. In 2025, as we welcome Maa Durga, we celebrate not only tradition but also progress: eco-friendly idols, inclusivity, and global recognition.
From Mahalaya’s sacred chants to Dashami’s tearful Visarjan, the festival reminds us of one eternal truth: good always triumphs over evil, and every ending leads to a new beginning.
So this year, put on your finest saree, grab your bhog plate, dance to the dhaak, and let the spirit of Pujo fill your heart.
Because as Bengalis say, with joy, hope, and a little mist in our eyes: “Asche bochor abar hobe!”
