Durga

How to recognise Durga

1. Many armsShe most often has ten arms fanned out like a halo, each holding an object of one of the gods; eight, twelve and other counts appear in regional traditions.
2. WeaponsLook for the trident, discus, conch, bow, sword, spear, mace or shield, which the Devi Mahatmya tells us the gods placed in her hands.
3. Abhaya mudra and lotusOne hand is often raised in abhaya mudra, the gesture of protection and freedom from fear, and a lotus is also commonly held.
4. Lion mountHer lion (simhavahini, the lion-rider) fights beside her, often biting the demon's leg or haunches; a tiger is a regional alternative.
5. The buffaloMahishasura appears as a buffalo or as a figure emerging from one, and Bengal idols show him near her left foot while she stays calm.
6. Serene face, golden skinHer face is untroubled even in battle, with long almond-shaped eyes in Bengal, and her warm golden-yellow skin stands for gold and harvest in Bengal.
7. Red sari and crownShe usually wears a red sari, a golden crown, jewellery and a halo of radiance, and Bengali images add a red vermilion mark on the forehead.

Names and titles

• Mahishasuramardini'Slayer of Mahishasura', the title that names her through the deed in the Devi Mahatmya
• Rider of the LionSimhavahini, the lion-riding goddess; the lion has been part of her image since the Gupta period
• Armed by the GodsIn the Devi Mahatmya each god gives her a weapon from their own, trident, discus, conch, bow, sword and more
• Serene in the Midst of BattleSculptors show her calm and detached while the lion and demon strain around her
• Goddess of the Nine NightsNavaratri's nine nights honour her and her nine forms, ending with Vijayadashami on the tenth day

Feast days

• Maha Navami20 October 2026

  The ninth day of Durga Puja, which closes the worship of the goddess before her farewell. West Bengal and some North Indian panchangs can differ by a day on when Navami falls. The same observance appears again later in this list.

  How it's celebrated. Special prayers and bhog are offered to Durga, and a Navami homa (fire ritual) is performed; in some places a symbolic sacrifice is made. Elsewhere in India the nine-night fast is concluded with prayers, havan and distribution of prasad, and kanya pujan may be kept on this day.

  Sources: Divine Hindu: Durga Puja 2026 dates and rituals · Free Press Journal: Durga Puja 2026 guide · Rudraksha Ratna: Chaitra Navratri

• Vijayadashami (Dussehra)20 October 2026

  The tenth day, which ends Navaratri. In much of North India it marks Rama's victory over Ravana; in Bengal and among Shaktas it honours Durga's victory over Mahishasura. This is the same day as Bengali Vijaya Dashami, listed next.

  How it's celebrated. In the north, Ramlila plays end at dusk with the burning of effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad; Varanasi and Kullu are well known for it. In eastern India it is the day of Durga's immersion. Tradespeople in the south worship their tools, and Bastar keeps a long local Dussehra for the goddess Danteshwari.

  Sources: Wikipedia: Vijayadashami · Bhaktiras: Dussehra · Wikipedia: Navaratri

• Bengali Vijaya Dashami21 October 2026

  The tenth day of Durga Puja in Bengal and eastern India, when devotees bid the goddess farewell and immerse her clay image. It is the same day as Vijayadashami/Dussehra, listed just before, seen through the Bengali festival.

  How it's celebrated. Married women play sindoor khela, applying vermilion to the goddess and to one another, and offer sweets and prayers. The images are then carried in procession to rivers or ponds for immersion, with devotees saying she will return next year. This is kept in Kolkata, in Bangladesh, and in Varanasi's Bengali quarter, where idols go to the Ganga.

  Sources: Divine Hindu: Durga Puja 2026 dates and rituals · Wikipedia: Durga Puja in Bangladesh · Kashi and Kin: Dussehra in Varanasi

• Chaitra (Vasanta) Navaratri7 April 2027

  The first day of the spring Navaratri, nine nights of worship of Durga in her nine forms. It is the second most widely observed Navaratri after the autumn one, and it ends with Rama Navami.

  How it's celebrated. Households commonly begin with kalash sthapana (Ghatasthapana), installing a water pot as the goddess's seat, then keep daily puja, bhajans and fasting. It is described as mostly a household observance, notably in North India, Maharashtra and the Deccan. Some Bengali families worship Basanti Puja, a spring form of Durga worship, at this season.

  Sources: Wikipedia: Navaratri · Oneindia: Chaitra Navaratri · Divine Hindu: Chaitra Navratri

• Durga Ashtami (Chaitra Navaratri)14 April 2027

  The eighth day of the spring Navaratri, linked to Mahagauri, the radiant form of the goddess. Many who do not fast all nine days keep this one.

  How it's celebrated. Kanya pujan is widely kept: young girls are invited into the home, honoured as the goddess, fed and given small gifts. Some families hold it on Navami instead, depending on family custom. Many devotees fast on this day even if they do not fast on the others.

  Sources: Divine Hindu: Chaitra Navratri · Astroriver: Durga Ashtami · Rudraksha Ratna: Chaitra Navratri

• Navami of Chaitra Navaratri (Rama Navami)15 April 2027

  The ninth and last day of Chaitra Navaratri. It is also Rama Navami, the birthday of Rama as devotees keep it, so the two observances share the day. Some call this Navaratri 'Rama Navaratri'.

  How it's celebrated. Devotees close the Devi fast with prayers, havan and prasad. Many also honour Rama with fasting, Ramayana recitation, bhajans, temple visits and processions. In some households the morning belongs to the goddess and midday to Rama. Customs vary by region.

  Sources: Wikipedia: Rama Navami · Divine Hindu: Chaitra Navratri · Rudraksha Ratna: Chaitra Navratri

• Mahalaya29 September 2027

  The new-moon day that ends Pitru Paksha, the fortnight of the ancestors, and begins Devi Paksha. In Bengal it opens the Durga Puja season; devotees believe the goddess descends to earth around this time.

  How it's celebrated. At dawn many perform tarpan, offering water and sesame to their ancestors, as on the banks of the Hooghly in Kolkata. Bengali households wake early for Mahishasuramardini, a radio programme of Chandi Path and song broadcast since the early 1930s. Artisans at Kumartuli traditionally paint the idols' eyes (chokkhudaan).

  Sources: Wikipedia: Mahisasuramardini (radio programme) · Wikipedia: Pitru Paksha · Kuntala's Travel Blog: Shubho Mahalaya

• Sharad Navaratri30 September 2027

  The first of nine nights of autumn worship of Durga, the most widely observed Navaratri. Devotees honour her nine forms, the Navadurga, until the festival ends with Vijayadashami.

  How it's celebrated. Many homes begin with Ghatasthapana, a kalash set on earth sown with barley, and light an unbroken lamp (akhand jyot). Devotees fast fully or on some days, eating sattvic food; evenings bring Garba and Dandiya, especially in Gujarat. In Bengal the main Durga Puja rites begin later, on Shashthi, and some South Indian homes display dolls (Golu).

  Sources: Wikipedia: Navaratri · Rudralife: Sharad Navratri guide · Hindutone: Sharad Navaratri guide

• Maha Shashthi5 October 2027

  The sixth day of Durga Puja, when the goddess is awakened and welcomed to her earthly home. It is the same observance as the earlier Maha Shashthi in this list, on its other occurrence.

  How it's celebrated. In pandals and homes the idol's face is unveiled and Bodhon, the awakening, is performed, followed by invitation rites. In Bangladesh the goddess is ceremonially invited in the mandaps on this day. Dhak drumming, conch shells and ululation mark the festival's start.

  Sources: Wikipedia: Durga Puja in Bangladesh · Dhaka Tribune: Maha Ashtami celebrated · Customs and Rituals of Durga Puja

• Maha Saptami6 October 2027

  The seventh day of Durga Puja, when the goddess's presence is invoked in her image and in the Nabapatrika, nine plants honoured as her forms. It is the same observance as the earlier Maha Saptami in this list.

  How it's celebrated. Before sunrise the Nabapatrika is bathed, and a sixteen-step puja follows with Prana Pratishtha, the installation of life in the image. The plants are dressed in a sari and placed beside Ganesha; they are known as Kola Bou in Bengal. Practices vary between communities and regions.

  Sources: Divine Hindu: Durga Puja 2026 dates and rituals · Customs and Rituals of Durga Puja · Wikipedia: Durga Puja

• Durga Ashtami (Maha Ashtami)7 October 2027

  The eighth day of Navaratri and a central day of Durga Puja, including Astra Puja, the worship of Durga's weapons. It is the same observance as the earlier Durga Ashtami in this list.

  How it's celebrated. In Bangladesh, temples such as Dhakeshwari National Temple hold morning rites, and Kumari Puja is held at Ramakrishna Mission Dhaka. Devotees offer anjali and receive charanamrito. Sandhi Puja is kept at the turn to Navami; at Belur Math, bananas are offered then, and the goddess is offered 108 lotuses in some places.

  Sources: Dhaka Tribune: Maha Ashtami celebrated · AstroSage: Durga Puja Ashtami · Wikipedia: Durga Ashtami