In North India: Marked by Kanya Pujan, honoring young girls as manifestations of Durga. It also aligns with the finale of Ram Leela, leading into Dussehra.

Durga Puja Holiday

Durga Puja, also known as Sharadiya Pujo, brings not just spiritual fervor but also a much-anticipated festive break, especially in eastern India. In 2025, the Durga Puja holiday will span from Sunday, September 28 (Maha Shasthi), to Thursday, October 2 (Vijaya Dashami).

• West Bengal, Tripura, Odisha, Assam, Bihar, and Jharkhand typically declare a public and government holiday for the key puja dates:

  ⇒ Maha Saptami (Sept 29)
  ⇒ Maha Ashtami (Sept 30)
  ⇒ Maha Navami (Oct 1)
  ⇒ Vijaya Dashami (Oct 2)

• In these states, Durga Puja is a bank holiday as per the Reserve Bank of India’s official calendar. Schools, colleges, and government offices shut down completely during this period, making it one of the longest and most culturally significant holidays in the region.
• While the rest of India may not observe all four days as official holidays, West Bengal treats this as its grand annual pause, with many people taking extended leaves starting from Mahalaya (Sept 21). 
• In most States of India, Maha Navami and Vijayadashami (Dussehra) are government holidays, and also banks remain closed.
• It’s not just a celebration; it’s an all-encompassing festival season, marked by pandal-hopping, shopping, travel, and community bonding.

Regions with Official Holidays for Durga Puja:

Other Indian States: Navami & Dashami would be a Public & Bank holiday.

Types of Holidays Observed:

Impact on Banking Operations during Durga Pooja

Banks remain closed from September 29 to October 2, 2025, in West Bengal, and for other regions, it would be Oct 1st & 2nd. Plan your banking and financial tasks accordingly.

Suggested Read: Ayudh Pooja

Celebrations Across India

Durga Pooja celebrations are seen all across the nation in different traditional variations. Let’s go through the key details from below:

• West Bengal (Kolkata)
  The epicenter of Durga Puja is with extravagant pandals, cultural events, and idol immersions. UNESCO has recognized Kolkata’s Durga Puja as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
• Odisha
  Cuttack is famous for its silver filigree (Tarakasi) idols. Rituals blend with Odissi music and dance.
• Delhi & Uttar Pradesh
  Durga Puja merges with Navratri fasting and Ram Leela. Noida, Varanasi, and Lucknow are major hubs.
• Tamil Nadu
  The highlight is Navaratri Golu, artistic doll displays in homes and temples. Women exchange gifts like sundal (chickpeas), kumkum, and betel leaves.
• Karnataka (Mysuru)
  Mysuru Dasara is a royal festival with grand processions. On Navami, the Maharaja performs Ayudha Puja in the palace.

History of Durga Puja

• Ancient origins: Mentions of Goddess Durga appear in early texts like the Devi Mahatmya (circa 400–600 CE).
  
• Mythological base: Celebrates Durga’s creation by Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva to slay Mahishasura.
  
• Medieval evolution: Royal families and zamindars in Bengal popularized community celebrations from the 16th century.
  
• Religious text references: Cited in the Ramayana and Mahabharata, including Lord Rama worshipping Durga.
  
• First organized Puja: Some records trace early community pujas to the late 1500s in West Bengal.
  
• Colonial period impact: Became a symbol of cultural unity and resistance during British rule.
  

The modern form evolved into a grand public festival with art, music, dance, and social themes.

• Global recognition: Kolkata’s celebration is listed in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (2021).

A Folk Story: The Silent Puja of Raktabeej

In an Odisha village, Maha Navami is observed in silence. According to legend, the demon Raktabeej multiplied with every drop of his blood. Goddess Kali defeated him by drinking the blood before it touched the ground. To honor this, the temple observes Navami in silence — only a lamp is lit, symbolizing the stillness after chaos.

Importance of Durga Puja

Rooted in the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, the festival symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance.

Public Life Transformation: Streets, homes, and neighborhoods are decorated with themed pandals, lights, folk art, and devotional music.

Spiritual Significance: It’s a time for prayer, reflection, and reconnecting with one’s faith.

Family & Community Bonding: Families reunite, old friends reconnect, and entire communities participate in collective celebration.

Massive Economic Impact:
Seasonal employment for idol-makers, artisans, drummers, decorators, caterers, and local vendors.
According to the British Council (2019), Durga Puja contributes over ₹32,000 crores to West Bengal’s economy—about 2.6% of its GDP.

Cultural Identity & Pride: For Bengalis, it’s a deeply emotional and cultural experience—celebrated as a homecoming.

Emotional Connection: The phrase “Maa ashche” (Mother is coming) captures the anticipation and devotion leading up to the festival.

Different Types of Durga Puja

• Sharadiya Durga Puja: The most popular and widely celebrated form, observed in autumn (Ashwin month), especially in West Bengal.
  
• Vasant or Basanti Durga Puja: Celebrated in spring (Chaitra month), considered the original seasonal worship of Durga.
  
• Barowari Puja: Community-organized pujas open to the public, often hosted in large themed pandals with social participation.
  
• Bonedi Bari Puja: Traditional pujas held in old aristocratic Bengali households, marked by ritualistic precision and family heritage.
  
• Kumari Puja: Worship of a prepubescent girl as the living embodiment of the goddess, commonly performed on Ashtami.
  
• Gosani Puja (Odisha): A regional variant where massive clay idols of Mahishasura Mardini are paraded and worshipped in Puri.
  
• Durga Puja in Temples: Celebrated with elaborate rituals in major temples like Belur Math and Dakshineswar in Kolkata.

Durga Puja Rituals & Traditions

Here are the core rituals and customs followed during Durga Puja:

• Mahalaya: Marks the beginning of the festival; signifies the descent of Goddess Durga to Earth.
  
• Bodhon (Shashthi): The ritual of invoking the goddess; her idol is unveiled for worship.
• Saptami (Day 7): Navapatrika snan — symbolic bathing of nine plants representing the goddess.
• Ashtami (Day 8):
     → Pushpanjali: Offering of flowers during prayers.
     → Sandhi Puja: Conducted at the junction of Ashtami and Navami; marks the slaying of Chanda-Munda.
• Navami (Day 9):
    → Maha Aarti: Final grand prayer before immersion.
    → Homa: Fire ritual for peace and prosperity.
• Dashami (Day 10):
    → Sindoor Khela: Married women apply vermilion to each other.
    → Visarjan: Idol immersion symbolizing Goddess Durga’s return to Mount Kailash.

Ways to Celebrate Durga Puja

Here’s a straight-to-the-point breakdown of how people across India and the world celebrate Durga Puja:

⇒ Pandal Hopping: People visit elaborately themed pandals (temporary structures) to witness stunning idols and artistic displays.

⇒ Anjali and Aarti Participation: Devotees offer flowers (pushpanjali) and attend morning and evening aartis with devotion.

⇒ Traditional Dress & Attire: Both men and women dress in new, often ethnic clothes every day during the Puja.

⇒ Sindoor Khela: On Vijayadashami, married women smear each other with vermilion in a celebration of feminine power.

⇒ Cultural Performances: Dance, music, drama, and recitations take place in many pandals and auditoriums.

⇒ Food and Bhog: Special vegetarian meals (bhog) are served in community feasts. Streets are lined with food stalls offering local delicacies.

⇒ Dhak Beats & Dhunuchi Dance: Traditional drummers (dhakis) fill the air with rhythm while devotees dance with incense pots.

⇒ Family Gatherings & Gifts: Families reunite, exchange sweets, and celebrate with relatives and neighbors.

⇒ Idol Immersion Procession: On the final day, processions are held as idols are taken to rivers or water bodies for immersion (visarjan).

Famous Destinations for Durga Puja Celebration

Here are the top places where Durga Puja is celebrated with unmatched grandeur and devotion:

Kolkata, West Bengal
Known as the epicenter of Durga Puja. Home to iconic pandals like Deshapriya Park, Bagbazar, and College Square. UNESCO recognized the Kolkata Durga Puja as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2021.

Cuttack, Odisha
Famous for its Chandi Medha idols decorated with silver filigree. More than 100 pandals across the city.

Delhi
Several prominent Bengali associations celebrate the festival. Kashmere Gate Durga Puja, one of the oldest, dates back to 1910.

Mumbai, Maharashtra
Multiple community pujas are organized by Bengali groups. Powai Bengali Welfare Association hosts one of the largest events.

Tripura
Agartala’s Durgabari Temple is a major pilgrimage center. Over 2,500 community pujas are held across the state.

Assam
Celebrated widely, especially in the Barak Valley and cities like Silchar and Guwahati.

Bihar and Jharkhand
Cities like Patna and Ranchi host community pujas that attract huge crowds.

Bangladesh
Though a minority celebration, Durga Puja is observed with traditional fervor in cities like Dhaka at the Dhakeshwari Temple.

International Celebrations
Major cities like London, New York, Toronto, Tokyo, Dubai, and Sydney host Durga Puja events by diaspora communities.

Final Thoughts

Durga Puja isn’t just a festival; it’s an emotion, a celebration of culture, tradition, and unity. As the streets of Kolkata and many parts of India (and even beyond!) light up with joy, the air echoes with dhak beats, and hearts fill with devotion, this ten-day extravaganza stands as a true symbol of the victory of good over evil.

For 2025, the main celebrations of Durga Puja run from September 28 to October 2, with Mahalaya falling on September 21. These dates mark essential public and bank holidays in states like West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha, bringing life to a festive pause.

From witnessing mesmerizing pandals to offering anjali, participating in sindoor khela, and watching the final visarjan—every moment is steeped in tradition and spiritual grace.