Durga Puja Celebration: Understanding Its Significance and Key Rituals

By Oneindia Staff

Updated: Saturday, September 27, 2025, 8:05 [IST]

Durga Puja, also known as Durga Pujo or Durgotsav, is a major Hindu festival celebrated with great enthusiasm. It honours Goddess Durga, symbolising power and purity. The festival falls on Sunday, 28th September 2025. It is a time when people come together to celebrate the victory of good over evil.

Durga Puja celebrates the triumph of good over evil. The legend tells of Goddess Durga's birth from the collective energy of gods to defeat the demon king Mahishasura. Mahishasura had a boon of immortality, making him invincible to gods and men. However, Goddess Durga fought him for nine days and nights, finally defeating him on the tenth day.

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Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsav, is a major Hindu festival celebrated in regions with large Bengali communities, that honors Goddess Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasura, and falls on September 28, 2025. The festival involves elaborate rituals, including the worship of nine forms of Durga, and celebrations with traditional attire, food, and idol immersion.

The story behind Durga Puja involves Mahishasura, a demon blessed with immortality by Lord Shiva. He began tormenting people and aimed to rule all three worlds. To protect them, Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma created Goddess Durga. Mahishasura was captivated by her beauty and proposed marriage. She agreed only if he could defeat her in battle. After nine days of fighting, she beheaded him.

Why is Durga Puja Celebrated?

During Navaratri, the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped over nine days. The Navratri in the Ashvin month is called Maha Navratri. It honours Goddess Durga's power and purity. This celebration marks her victory over Mahishasura, symbolising the triumph of good over evil.

How is Durga Puja Celebrated?

Durga Puja is celebrated with fervour in West Bengal, Tripura, and other regions with large Bengali communities. It involves both home and public celebrations with temporary stages and pandals. Colourful idols of Goddess Durga are unveiled on Shashthi (sixth day). On Maha Ashtami, all nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped.

Kumari Puja is performed by worshipping young girls as a form of the goddess. Rituals end on Navami (ninth day). On Vijaya Dashmi (tenth day), idols are taken for immersion in grand processions as the goddess returns home.

Key Rituals of Durga Puja

The rituals start with Tarpan on Mahalaya Amavasya. Devi puja begins on Mahashashti with bodhan and adhibas. On Mahasaptami, Kola Bou is bathed before dawn and placed next to Ganesha. Nine planets are also worshipped. Maha Ashtami features Kumari puja.

Mahanavami is dedicated to Sandhi puja. On Mahadashmi, devotees bid farewell to the goddess with 'thakur boron' and 'sindoor khela'. Married women apply vermilion to Maa Durga's hair parting and feed her sweets before playing with vermilion among themselves.

Traditional Attire for Durga Puja

During Durga Puja, traditional attire plays a significant role in the celebrations. Women typically wear sarees, while men opt for kurta pyjama. These outfits add to the festive spirit and cultural richness of the occasion.

Delicious Food During Durga Puja

The festival is also known for its delicious food offerings. Popular dishes include khichadi, begun bhaji, labra, payesh, roshagolla, fish cutlet, kathi rolls, ghugni, paratha, and many varieties that delight taste buds during the celebrations.