Durga Puja is one of the biggest festivals in India. In 2025, Durga Puja will be celebrated from Sunday, 28 September to Thursday, 2 October. Cities across India will be lit up with lights, decorations and devotion. If you want to see culture, spirituality and celebration all at once, these are the best places to visit during Durga Puja 2025.
Durga Puja 2025 Calendar – Dates and Significance
Durga Puja 2025 will bring five days of celebration, worship, and joy. The full calendar is laid out below, with the important dates and an explanation of each day.
Mahalaya (Amavasya) | Sunday, 21 September 2025 | Mahalaya marks the beginning of Devi Paksha. People wake up early to listen to Mahishasura Mardini and sculptors give the final touch to Durga idols. |
Bilva Nimantran | Saturday, 27 September 2025 | Devotees invite Goddess Durga with sacred Bilva leaves. Rituals start as a formal welcome to the festival. |
Shashthi | Sunday, 28 September 2025 | The main Puja starts. Priests unveil the idol’s face and devotees start offering prayers. |
Maha Saptami (Kolabou Puja) | Monday, 29 September 2025 | Devotees worship the symbolic banana plant (Kolabou) representing Goddess Durga’s energy. Cultural programs start. |
Maha Ashtami (Sandhi Puja) | Tuesday, 30 September 2025 | This day holds the greatest significance during the Durga Puja festival. People perform Sandhi Puja at sunset, which celebrates the triumph of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura. |
Maha Navami (Navami Homa) | Wednesday, 1 October 2025 | Devotees conduct Navami Homa (sacred fire rituals). This is the last day of worship before the immersion. |
Vijayadashami (Durga Visarjan) | Thursday, 2 October 2025 | Devotees celebrate Dashami by offering farewell prayers to Goddess Durga with a Sindoor Khela, processions, and immersion of the idol in rivers. This event marks the victory of good over evil. |
7 Best Places to Visit During Durga Puja 2025
1. Kolkata – The Heart of Durga Puja
Kolkata’s life is Durga Puja. It has also been recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. The city transforms into an open-air museum full of art forms and beautiful idols dedicated to Goddess Durga and showing creative themes within the pandals.
- Famous Pandals: Bagbazar, College Square, Kumartuli, Santosh Mitra Square.
- What to Expect: Pandal hopping, cultural programs, dhak beats, bhog.
- Travel Tip: Visit at night when pandals are lit up. Use local transport or walking tours to avoid traffic.
If you want the real Durga Puja, Kolkata should be number one.
2. Delhi – Traditional Meets Modern
Durga Puja is celebrated quite effortlessly in Delhi, especially in Chittaranjan Park (CR Park), called mini Bengal. Pandals in Delhi bring together the traditional and the modern, the religious and the creative. Families, visitors, and locals alike get together and enjoy the spirit of the season.
- Famous Spots: Kali Bari Mandir, CR Park, Kashmere Gate Durga Puja.
- What to Expect: Cultural evenings, dance, drama, Bengali street food.
- Travel Tip: Stay in South Delhi to enjoy pandals comfortably.
Delhi’s Durga Puja proves that traditions can survive outside Bengal.
3. Mumbai – A Blend of Glamour and Devotion
Mumbai celebrates Durga Puja with flair. The charm of glamour is added but devotion is there in the mix. Many celebrities in Bollywood go to the various pandals during the celebrations.
- Famous Pandals: Lokhandwala, Powai Sarvajanin, Tejpal Hall.
- What to Expect: Celebrity appearances, cultural shows, idol immersion.
- Travel Tip: Evenings are crowded, so visit early to get a good view.
If you want to enjoy Durga Puja with glitz and community, Mumbai is the place.
4. Bengaluru – South India’s Grand Puja
Bengaluru plays host to some of the most popular Durga Puja celebrations in South India. Many Bengali associations do pandals on a grand scale, where thousands gather in devotion.
- Famous Spots: Ulsoor, Indiranagar, Koramangala, and Whitefield.
- What to Expect: Authentic Bengali food stalls, dhunuchi dance, and cultural evenings.
- Travel Tip: Use metro or cabs to move between pandals easily.
Durga Puja in Bengaluru offers both tradition and modern vibes.
5. Guwahati – Spiritual and Cultural Hub
Durga Puja in Guwahati carries substantial religious value. The Kamakhya Temple makes the city a special one during the time of Durga Puja. Together, local citizens and visitors come together to considerable celebrate the festival.
- Famous Spots: Fancy Bazaar and Pandu.
- What to Expect: Brightly lit pandals, riverfront celebrations, and cultural performances.
- Travel Tip: Book hotels early because the city stays crowded during Puja.
If you want devotion with cultural beauty, Guwahati offers both.
6. Jaipur and Rajasthan – Tradition with a Twist
In Rajasthan, Durga Puja has become more popular, especially in the cities of Jaipur and Udaipur. Various local communities and associations of Bengalis put up pandals that exhibit not only Rajasthani but also Bengali cultures.
- Famous Spots: Jaipur’s Mansarovar and Vaishali Nagar pandals.
- What to Expect: Mix of Rajasthani hospitality with Bengali traditions.
- Travel Tip: Try local food stalls along with bhog prasads.
Rajasthan gives you a unique experience of how different traditions merge during Durga Puja.
7. Overseas Celebrations – Global Durga Puja
Durga Puja is not exclusive to India. Large Indian communities that reside abroad celebrate the festival with the same level of devotion.
- United States: New Jersey and New York host some of the largest Durga Pujas.
- United Kingdom: London’s Camden and Ealing organize traditional pandals.
- Singapore: Bengalis living abroad create vibrant celebrations.
If you live outside India, you can still enjoy the festive spirit in these cities.
Travel Tips for Durga Puja 2025
- Book early: Flights and hotels get booked fast during Puja week.
- Stay central: Choose hotels near main pandal areas.
- Use public transport: Metro, cabs or walking will help you avoid traffic.
- Try the food: Don’t miss bhog, luchi, kosha mangsho and street food.
- Dress comfortably: Light traditional clothes will keep you festive and relaxed.
Conclusion
Durga Puja 2025 is not just a festival — it’s an experience of culture, devotion and celebration. Whether you choose Kolkata for tradition, Delhi for variety, Mumbai for glamour or Bengaluru for southern charm, you will feel the magic everywhere. Book your trip early, book your stay and get ready to join one of the biggest festivals in the world.
FAQs About Durga Puja 2025
Yes, in West Bengal and some other states, the primary puja days are official holidays.
Mahalaya is on Sunday, 21 September 2025 and is the start of Durga Puja celebrations.
Kolkata is the most famous city for Durga Puja pandals.
Yes, tourists are welcome. Most pandals stay open to everyone.
Evenings and nights are the best, when pandals glow with lights and cultural events take place.
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