Durga Puja 2024: The grand festival of Sharadiya Navratri, dedicated to the worship of Maa Durga, is approaching. This festival takes place in the autumn season, hence it is known as Sharadiya Navratri. The celebration begins with the installation of the idol (Ghatsthapana), which is a significant ritual. Additionally, during Navratri, an unbroken flame is lit, and barley seeds are sown.


While Sharadiya Navratri is celebrated with great enthusiasm across India, it holds a unique charm in Gujarat and Bengal. In Bengal, the Durga Puja festival is celebrated in full swing.


Know when Durga Puja 2024 will commence and what traditions are associated with it:


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When Will Durga Puja 2024 Start?


This year, Durga Puja will start on October 9, 2024, and will conclude on October 12 with Vijayadashami. Durga Puja is the biggest and most important festival for the Bengali community. Each day of the festival, including Shashthi, Mahasaptami, Mahaashtami, Mahanavami, and Vijayadashami, holds special significance. Durga Puja lasts for five days, from the Shashthi (sixth day) to Dashami (tenth day) of Sharadiya Navratri.


Significance Of Each Day Of Durga Puja


Kalparambh (October 9, 2024):
According to scriptures, on the day of Kalparambh, Goddess Durga, along with Maa Saraswati and Goddess Lakshmi, descends to Earth alongside Kartikeya and Ganesh Ji. The Kalparambh puja is performed at an auspicious morning time. In Bengal, the curtain is drawn from the idol of Maa Durga on this day. The rituals of Kalparambh are similar to the Bilva Nimantran observed in other states.


Bilva Nimantran (October 8, 2024):


Bilva Nimantran Timing: 3:39 PM - 5:59 PM
On this day, Goddess Durga is invited to reside in the Bilva tree or kalash (pitcher). This ritual of inviting Goddess Durga is known as the Nimantran. The evening time and the conjunction of Shashthi are considered the most suitable for Bilva puja.


Navapatrika Puja (October 10, 2024):


Navapatrika Day: 5:05 AM
The day of Navapatrika Puja is also known as Mahasaptami. On this day, Goddess Durga is invited to a group of nine plants known as Navapatrika. The Goddess is also given a grand bath on this day.


Sindoor Khela (October 12, 2024):


This day marks the last day of Durga Puja. On this day, married women offer red vermilion (sindoor) to the Mother and apply it to one another. It is believed that this ritual grants the blessing of everlasting marital bliss.