Durga Puja 2025 Calendar, Rituals, Colors & Stories

As the monsoon retreats and autumn whispers its arrival, India prepares for one of its most powerful and beloved festivals, Durga Puja 2025. With the sounds of dhak (drums) rising in the air and artisans sculpting divine forms of Maa Durga, every home, street, and heart begins to awaken to her presence.

Durga Puja 2025 will be celebrated from Sunday, September 28 to Thursday, October 2, with preceding rituals and festivities beginning a week earlier, starting with Mahalaya on Sunday, September 21. The five key days of worship, Shashthi to Vijaya Dashami, bring the goddess’s divine journey to life in a celebration that blends mythology, art, and community.

Durga Puja 2025: Key Dates & Early Celebrations

Here’s a quick summary of important dates for Durga Puja 2025:

In Kolkata, artisans at Kumartuli prepare idols with sacred rituals months in advance. In Mysuru, the royal Dasara festivities begin around the same time, especially highlighting Ayudha Puja on Maha Navami. Meanwhile, in Tamil Nadu, families begin their Navaratri golu arrangements and invite guests into beautifully adorned homes.

Durga Puja 2025: Day-wise Calendar with Deities, Colors & Rituals

The Nine Days of Durga Puja 2025: Legends & Symbolism

Each form of the goddess represents a spiritual lesson and a cosmic battle between light and darkness.

1. Shailaputri (Grey) – Sept 28

Daughter of the mountains, the goddess begins her divine descent. In Bengal, Bodhon marks the awakening of Durga. In North India, kalash sthapana is performed.

2. Brahmacharini (Orange) – Sept 29

The goddess of penance and devotion. Her determination inspires devotees to seek discipline and spiritual focus.

3. Chandraghanta (White) – Sept 30

Warrior goddess with a crescent moon. Worshipped for inner peace and strength. Kumari Puja is central on this day.

4. Kushmanda (Red) (spiritually honored through Prasad & chants, not marked in the core Durga Puja days)

Creator of the universe with her divine smile. Golu displays in Tamil Nadu often begin here, representing creation itself.

5. Skandamata (Royal Blue) (symbolically worshipped)

The nurturing mother of Kartikeya. Associated with protection of children.

6. Katyayani (Yellow)

Born to defeat Mahishasura, she represents fierce feminine strength.

7. Kalaratri (Green)

The destroyer of ignorance. Her dark form represents protection through transformation.

8. Mahagauri (Peacock Green) – Oct 1

Graceful, forgiving, and purifying. She removes sins and grants peace.

9. Siddhidatri (Purple or Red) – Oct 2

On Maha Navami, Durga becomes the slayer of Mahishasura. Worshipped as the bestower of wisdom and spiritual power.

Why is Maha Navami Important in Durga Puja?

Maha Navami (October 1, 2025) is the climactic moment of Durga Puja.

• In Bengal: Sandhi Puja is performed at the cusp of Ashtami and Navami. It commemorates the goddess’s slaying of Chanda and Munda, when she transformed into Chamunda.
  
• In Tamil Nadu and Karnataka: It’s Ayudha Puja, when tools, weapons, and even modern instruments like laptops are worshipped.
  
• In North India: It marks Kanya Pujan—worship of young girls representing the goddess—and is the final highlight of Ram Leela before Dussehra.
  

How is Durga Puja Celebrated Across India?

West Bengal (Kolkata)

Extravagant pandals, cultural performances, and idol immersions mark the city’s heartbeat.

Odisha

Cuttack’s unique silver filigree (Tarakasi) Durga idols stand out. Rituals blend with Odissi dance and local chants.

Delhi & Uttar Pradesh

Durga Puja blends with Navratri fasting and Ram Leela performances in places like Noida, Varanasi, and Lucknow.

Tamil Nadu

Navaratri Golu displays are centerpieces of social and spiritual life. Women exchange sundal (chickpea dish), kumkum, and betel leaves.

Karnataka (Mysuru)

The Mysuru Dasara is royal and historic. On Maha Navami, the king worships weapons in the royal court before grand processions begin.

A Folk Story: The Silent Puja of Raktabeej

In a remote village in Odisha, a temple observes Maha Navami in absolute silence.
Legend says Raktabeej, a demon who multiplied with every blood drop, was defeated only when Kali drank his blood before it touched the ground. Since then, the temple has honored her victory in silence—only one priest lights a diya, offering stillness to the slayer of chaos.

What to Wear During Durga Puja 2025 (By Day)

In Bengal, laal paar sarees (white with red borders) dominate Maha Navami and Dashami. In South India, women wear colors according to the day when visiting golu displays and temples.

Final Thoughts: Durga Puja Is India’s Sacred Celebration of Power & Devotion

Durga Puja 2025, from September 21 (Mahalaya) to October 2 (Dashami), is not just a festival, it’s a living epic of courage, art, unity, and spiritual awakening.

Whether you’re lighting a diya in silence or dancing in a pandal with thousands, this Puja is your time to reconnect, with tradition, with your roots, and with your inner power.