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Durga Puja and Navratri festival celebrations in India

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2026-10-20 05:14 UTC → 2026-10-21 15:53 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Durga Puja and Navratri celebrations continue to expand across India and Bangladesh. Devotees are observing Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami through temple prayers and pandal visits. In Bangladesh, large crowds have gathered at sites such as the Dhakeshwari National Temple for rituals and prayers during the final days of the festival before idol immersion. In India, celebrations span multiple regions. In Cuttack, Odisha, the tradition of silver filigree for Chandi Medhas remains prominent. In Guwahati, festivities have been noted at the Kamakhya Temple, while themed pandals have been established in Hyderabad and Delhi. In West Bengal, the atmosphere at the Chorbagan pandal in Kolkata remains somber following the recent fatal stampede that resulted in 19 deaths and 25 injuries. During prayers in Behala, former cricketer Sourav Ganguly urged caution regarding large crowds. The festival's evolution continues as community-led organizations face shifts toward professional management due to changing demographics and safety concerns. As the festival progresses toward Dussehra, rituals such as Pushpanjali, Dhunuchi dance, and the burning of effigies are being observed to symbolize the victory of good over evil. The six-day Sharadiya Durga Puja festivities concluded on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, marked by the ritual immersion of idols in rivers, ponds, and other water bodies. The final day, known as Bijoya Dashami, was observed with religious fervor across Bangladesh, West Bengal, and parts of India, including Bengaluru. Key rituals included Sindur Khela, a tradition where married women smear each other with vermillion, and Darpan Bisarjan, a symbolic mirror farewell to the Goddess. In Bangladesh, major sites such as the Dhakeshwari National Temple and Ramakrishna Mission observed rituals according to different traditional almanacs, resulting in varying timings for morning pujas. Following the ceremonies, colorful processions carried idols to immersion sites via bamboo structures, decorated trucks, or boats.

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