A religious festival Durga Puja 2023, everything you want to know

Durga Puja, a festival of great religious importance among Hindus, is fast approaching.
This venerable occasion commemorates the victory of goodness over the demon Mahishasura and is celebrated with great pomp in many states including West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Odisha and Bihar.
The festival spans five consecutive days, beginning on the Shashti tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashwina and ending with Dussehra and Durga Vasarjan on the Dashmi tithi of Shukla Paksha in the same Ashwina month.
In 2023, Durga Puja will begin on October 20 and end on October 24.

Durga Puja 2023: Date and Timings

• Maha Panchami (Preparation Day)
  • Panchami Tithi Starts: October 19, 2023, at 01:12 AM
  • Panchami Tithi Ends: October 20, 2023, at 12:31 AM
• Maha Shashti (Bondhon)
  • Shashti Tithi Starts: October 20, 2023, at 12:31 AM
  • Shashti Tithi Ends: October 20, 2023, at 11:24 PM
  • Maha Saptami (Anjali)
    • Saptami Tithi Starts: October 20, 2023, at 11:24 PM
    • Saptami Tithi Ends: October 21, 2023, at 09:53 PM
  • Maha Ashtami (Kumari Puja)
    • Ashtami Tithi Starts: October 21, 2023, at 09:53 PM
    • Ashtami Tithi Ends: October 22, 2023, at 07:58 PM
  • Maha Navami (Dhunuchi Dance and Sandhi Puja)
    • Navami Tithi Starts: October 22, 2023, at 07:58 PM
    • Navami Tithi Ends: October 23, 2023, at 05: 44 PM

      Vijaya Dashami (Sindur Khela, Visarjan, and Bijoya)

      • Dashami Tithi Starts: October 23, 2023, at 05:44 PM
      • Dashami Tithi Ends: October 24, 2023, at 03:14 PM

      Durga Puja 2023: Rituals and Significance of Puja

Durga Puja stands as one of the most important Hindu festivals, celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm. Devotees welcome the idol of Goddess Durga into their homes on the sixth day of Navratri and worship her for five consecutive days, culminating with Durga Vasarjan on Vijaya Dashmi.
During this period, people decorate their houses, invite relatives, friends and neighbors, and rejoice in festivals.
In Bengali tradition, the festival includes the worship of the Mahishasura Mardini form of Goddess Durga, which is marked by various rituals and pujas. Women prepare different types of dishes and offer Bhog Prasad to Maa Durga.
Along with Goddess Durga, idols of Lakshmi, Saraswati and Lord Ganesha are also installed.
The grand finale of the Durga Vasarjan is marked by the vibrant Sindoor Khela, where married women offer vermilion to Goddess Durga and then apply it to each other, bringing blessings of prosperous and auspicious life.
Durga Mata Mantra
“Jayanti Mangala Kaali Bhadrakaali Kapalini, Durga Kshama Shivadhatri Swaha Swadha Namostute..!!”
“Sarva Mangal Maangalyaye Shive Sarvartha Sadhike, Sharanyaye Triyabike Gauri Narayani Namostute..!!”

As Durga Puja approaches, devotees eagerly prepare to celebrate the triumph of good over evil and seek the blessings of Goddess Durga for a prosperous and joyful life.