Durga Puja 2025 – Dates, Rituals, Celebrations & Travel Guide

Durga Puja is one of the biggest festivals in India. It’s to celebrate Goddess Durga and her victory over Mahishasura. It’s not just a religious festival but also a cultural and social get together. In 2025 Durga Puja will be celebrated with grandeur in India and all over the world where Indian communities live.

If you are planning to join the celebrations, this guide has everything you need to know about Durga Puja 2025 dates, rituals, traditions and travel tips.

Durga Puja 2025 Start and End Dates

Durga Puja 2025 will be celebrated from 28th September to 2nd October 2025. The festival is part of the bigger Shardiya Navratri which starts from 22nd September 2025 and ends on 2nd October 2025.

Here is the day-wise calendar for Navratri and Durga Puja 2025, along with the goddess worshipped each day:

When Does Navratri Start in 2025?

Navratri in 2025 will begin on Monday, September 22, 2025 and will end on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 (the ninth day, Navami). Devotees celebrate the festival over nine nights and worship the nine forms of Goddess Durga, also known as Navadurga.

Difference Between Durga Puja and Navratri 2025

• Navratri 2025 starts from September 22 and ends on October 2.
• People celebrate Durga Puja 2025 with special rituals during this period, mainly in West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Tripura, and among Bengali communities worldwide.
• Navratri is 9 nights of devotion and fasting while Durga Puja is a community festival with pandals, idols and cultural events.

History and Significance of Durga Puja

Durga Puja is a celebration of the narrative of Goddess Durga victory over Mahishasura, representing the victory of good over evil. In Hindu mythology, the gods came together and created Durga to destroy a demon king who was undefeated by any man or god.

The festival also represents Shakti (divine feminine energy) and reminds devotees of the strength and courage that lies in truth and righteousness.

People first celebrated Durga Puja at home a long time ago. In the 18th century, communities began celebrating it together (called barowari puja) with large gatherings, cultural programs, and decorated pandals. Today, it is one of the biggest festivals in India and around the world.

Rituals and Customs of Durga Puja

Durga Puja is celebrated for five days — from Shashthi to Vijaya Dashami. Each day has its own rituals and customs to symbolize the power and blessings of Goddess Durga.

Shashthi – September 28, 2025

• Day starts with Kalaparambho (beginning of the puja rituals).
• Bodhon in the evening marks the arrival of Goddess Durga.
• Idol of the goddess is unveiled for worship.

Saptami – September 29, 2025

• The day begins with Nabapatrika Puja, where devotees bathe nine plants (representing the nine forms of Durga) in the Ganga or another holy water body and place them beside the goddess.
• Priests then perform the Pran Pratishtha rituals, invoking the goddess into the idol.
• Devotees start offering prayers and bhog to Durga.

Ashtami – September 30, 2025

• Most sacred day of Durga Puja.
• Pushpanjali (flower offerings) in the morning.
• Kumari Puja where a young girl is worshipped as the living form of Goddess Durga.
• Sandhi Puja at the juncture of Ashtami and Navami with 108 lamps and 108 lotuses.

Navami – October 1, 2025

• Day starts with Maha Aarti and special Homa (fire offerings).
• Devotees get bhog (sacred food) after the rituals.
• Goddess Durga killed Mahishasura on this day.

Dashami – October 2, 2025

• Last day of Durga Puja, also known as Vijaya Dashami.
• Married women do Sindoor Khela where they apply vermillion to the goddess and each other.
• Devotees take the idols out in a grand procession for Visarjan (water immersion) as Durga departs for her heavenly abode.

Other Popular Customs During Durga Puja

• Dhunuchi Naach: During the evening aarti, devotees dance with incense burners filled with burning coconut husk and camphor.
• Bhog Distribution: Each pandal offers free prasad, which includes khichdi, labra, chutney, and sweets, to devotees.
• Cultural Programs: Every evening, organizers host folk music, theatrical performances, dance, and competitions for children, adults, and families near the pandals.
• Pandal Hopping: People, families, and devotees visit several different pandals, each with their own unique theme, artistry, and presentation.

Durga Puja Celebrations Across India and the World

Durga Puja is celebrated everywhere but in different ways.

• Kolkata: The hub of Durga Puja. The city is decorated with pandals and themes. Millions come to see the grandeur.
• Delhi & Mumbai: Bengali communities organize Durga Puja with traditional rituals, cultural programmes and food stalls.
• Assam, Odisha and Tripura: Celebrations are traditional, community pandals and rituals are similar to Bengal.
• Worldwide celebrations: in cities like London, New York, Toronto, and Singapore, Indian diaspora groups organize Durga Puja and bring people of all kinds together to celebrate the festival.

Food, Culture, and Traditions

Durga Puja is incomplete without the inclusion of food, cultural behaviors, and traditional programs. 

• Bhog: All devotees receive bhog at pandals. Bhog mainly consists of khichdi, mixed vegetables, fried items and sweets.
• Street Food: Stalls line the streets of Kolkata and serve puchkas, kathi rolls, momos, sweets, and of course, biryani.
• Cultural Programs: Organizers host theater plays (jatra), music performances, and dance competitions near the pandals.
• Fashion: People dress freshly each day of the celebration, making it both a cultural and a religious festival.

Travel Guide for Durga Puja 2025

Planning to experience Durga Puja in 2025? Here are some tips:

• Best Places to Visit: Kolkata, Siliguri, Cuttack, Guwahati, Delhi, Mumbai.
• Pandal-Hopping in Kolkata: Kumartuli Park, Bagbazar, College Square, Salt Lake. Evening is the best time.
• Travel Tips:
  • Book your flights and hotels in advance, demand is very high during this time.
  • Use local transport like metros and app-based cabs to move around the city.
  • Wear comfortable shoes as you may have to walk a lot while pandal-hopping.
• Safety Tips: Stay hydrated, keep your valuables safe and avoid crowded areas late at night.

If you want to have a hassle free experience many travel companies offer Durga Puja tour packages that includes accommodation, guided pandal tours and local food experience.

Why Durga Puja is More Than a Festival

Durga Puja is not only about worship but also about togetherness, culture, and art. It showcases India’s creativity, hospitality, and spirituality. UNESCO recognizes the festival as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, highlighting its cultural significance.

It is a time when families reunite, communities celebrate together, and the spirit of joy spreads beyond religion and geography.

Conclusion

Durga Puja is one of India’s most vibrant and significant festivals. In 2025 from September 29 to October 3 millions will celebrate the victory of good over evil, devotion to Goddess Durga and community get together.

Whether you are in India or abroad you can experience Durga Puja through pandals, food, rituals and cultural shows. If you want a complete experience, consider joining a Durga Puja tour package that covers tours, accommodation and guided visits.

Celebrate Durga Puja 2025 with devotion, joy and togetherness — and may the blessings of Goddess Durga fill your life with strength and happiness.

FAQs About Durga Puja 2025