Durga Puja and Bijoya Dashami 2026 in West Bengal: Full Calendar, Sindoor Khela and Vijay Muhurat

Quick answer: In West Bengal, Durga Puja 2026 runs from Maha Shashthi on Saturday 17 October to Bijoya Dashami on Wednesday 21 October 2026, with Mahalaya on Saturday 10 October (Drik Panchang Durga Puja calendar for Kolkata). Maha Ashtami and Sandhi Puja are on Monday 19 October and Maha Navami on Tuesday 20 October, the day the rest of India observes Dussehra. Vijay Muhurat on 20 October: Kolkata 1:16 to 2:02 PM (local time, calculated by the Drik Panchang method).

District by district: for 2026 events, arrangements and traditions in every district, see our district-wise Dussehra 2026 guide.

For Bengal, the autumn festival is not Dussehra but Durga Puja, the homecoming of the Goddess Durga, or Uma, to her parents' home with her children Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartik. Kolkata turns into a city of pandals, the beat of the dhak fills the air, families dress in new clothes for each day, and on Bijoya Dashami the Goddess is bid an emotional farewell. In 2021 UNESCO inscribed Durga Puja in Kolkata on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Durga Puja 2026 calendar (Kolkata)

This calendar is from Drik Panchang's Durga Puja calendar for Kolkata. Ritual timings (for example, the exact moment of Sandhi Puja or the last time for visarjan) are given in the Bengali panjika and announced by each puja committee and household priest, so check those for exact times.

Why Bijoya Dashami is on 21 October

Across most of India, Vijayadashami (Dussehra) is on Tuesday 20 October 2026, because the Dashami tithi begins at 12:50 PM IST that day and covers the afternoon, when the Vijay Muhurat falls. The Bengal tradition reckons the puja days differently, and the Kolkata calendar places Maha Navami on Tuesday 20 October and Bijoya Dashami on Wednesday 21 October, when Dashami is current in the morning until 2:11 PM IST. Bengali families elsewhere in India and abroad generally follow the Bengal dates for Durga Puja.

Vijay Muhurat 2026 for West Bengal cities

For those who also observe the all-India Vijayadashami rituals, such as starting new work or worship of the Aparajita, here are the Vijay Muhurat timings for Tuesday 20 October 2026, in local time (IST), calculated by the Drik Panchang method:

In the Bengal calendar, 20 October is Maha Navami.

The rituals, day by day

Mahalaya

Mahalaya marks the end of Pitri Paksha and the beginning of Devi Paksha. Before dawn, many Bengali households tune in to the radio programme Mahishasuramardini, with Birendra Krishna Bhadra's recitation of the Chandi, a tradition decades old. Many people offer tarpan to their ancestors on the banks of the Ganga (Hooghly). In many pandals, the eyes of the idol are painted around this time in the ritual of chokkhu daan.

Shashthi and Saptami

On Shashthi, the Goddess is awakened (Bodhon) and invited, and the face of the idol is unveiled in many pandals. Early on Saptami, a banana plant bound with eight other plants, the Kolabou or Nabapatrika, is bathed in a river or pond, draped in a red-bordered sari and placed beside Ganesha, representing the Goddess in her nine plant forms.

Ashtami and Sandhi Puja

Maha Ashtami is the most crowded day. People fast till they offer pushpanjali (flowers to the Goddess) in the morning. Kumari Puja, the worship of a young girl as the Goddess, is held at many pujas, and the Belur Math observance is particularly well known. Sandhi Puja, at the junction of Ashtami and Navami, commemorates the moment Durga, as Chamunda, slew the demons Chanda and Munda; 108 lamps are lit and 108 lotuses offered.

Navami and Bijoya Dashami

Navami brings the Navami homa and the last full evening of pandal hopping, often with dhunuchi naach, the dance with smoking clay incense burners to the dhak. On Bijoya Dashami, married women offer sweets and sindoor to the Goddess and smear sindoor on one another in Sindoor Khela, before the idol is carried in procession for immersion. Families then exchange Bijoya greetings: younger people touch the feet of elders, friends embrace, and sweets are shared for days.

Pandal hopping in Kolkata

Kolkata's Durga Puja ranges from the traditional Bonedi Bari pujas of old family homes to large community (sarbojanin) pujas run by neighbourhood clubs, many of them with elaborate theme pandals and idols by the artisans of Kumartuli. Pandal hopping, often through the night, is the defining experience.

• Plan by area: group pandals by neighbourhood, for example north Kolkata's traditional pujas or the theme pandals of south Kolkata, rather than criss-crossing the city.
• Go early or late: weekday afternoons and very late nights are usually less crowded than prime evening hours.
• Use public transport: the Metro and walking are often easier than driving, as many roads are closed or diverted. Check official traffic advisories.
• Stay safe: keep children close, agree on a meeting point and carry water and minimal valuables.

Pandal themes, idols and timings change every year and are announced by the clubs and committees, so check local listings for 2026.

Siliguri, Durgapur and beyond

Durga Puja is celebrated across the state, from Siliguri and the towns of North Bengal to the industrial belt of Durgapur and Asansol and every district town and village, where community pujas and family pujas follow the same ritual calendar. Puja timings, cultural programmes and visarjan arrangements are announced locally.

Durga Puja is followed by Kojagari Lakshmi Puja on the full-moon night and then Kali Puja at Diwali time. Our Goddess Kali guide explains Kali's place in Bengali devotion.

For Bengali families abroad

• Most Bengali associations abroad hold Durga Puja over the nearest weekend, with fixed Bengal-calendar rituals compressed into fewer days. Check your local committee's 2026 schedule.
• Use a panjika or panchang for your own city for any muhurat. Do not convert Kolkata's timings into your local time zone.
• Offer pushpanjali online or at your local puja on Ashtami, and call elders on Bijoya Dashami for their blessings.
• Keep some Bijoya sweets at home for visitors in the days after Dashami.

For the all-India meaning of Vijayadashami, see our Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 pillar guide.

Share the Vijayadashami 2026 blessing

Bijoya Dashami is the day we bid Maa Durga a tearful farewell, yet it is also a day of victory: as commonly told, Durga triumphed over Mahishasura and Rama over Ravana, and dharma and light overcame darkness. For Hindus across West Bengal, from Kolkata's pandals to the smallest village puja, it is the moment to touch the feet of elders, embrace friends and share sweets. Send a Bijoya blessing to your family today, wherever they may be.

Shami shloka for Vijayadashami

शमी शमयते पापं शमी शत्रुविनाशिनी। अर्जुनस्य धनुर्धारी रामस्य प्रियदर्शिनी॥

Shami shamayate papam shami shatru-vinashini, arjunasya dhanurdhari ramasya priyadarshini.

Meaning: The Shami tree takes away sin and destroys enemies; it held Arjuna's bow and is dear to Lord Rama. Many families recite this while offering Shami (Jammi) leaves on Vijayadashami.

Rama mantra to chant on Dussehra

रामाय रामभद्राय रामचन्द्राय वेधसे। रघुनाथाय नाथाय सीतायाः पतये नमः॥

Ramaya ramabhadraya ramachandraya vedhase, raghunathaya nathaya sitayah pataye namah.

Meaning: Salutations to Rama, to Ramabhadra, to Ramachandra the creator, to the lord of the Raghu clan, to the husband of Sita.

Vijayadashami 2026 messages to share

Shubho Bijoya to our whole family! 🙏 May Maa Durga's blessings fill our home with peace, love and laughter until she returns next year. Share on WhatsApp

To my dear parents and elders, I touch your feet this Bijoya Dashami. May Maa keep you healthy and happy, and may your blessings always guide us. 🪔 Share on WhatsApp

Shubho Bijoya, my friend! From all our pandal hopping in Kolkata to the sweets we share today, may Maa Durga bless your year with joy. 🌸 Share on WhatsApp

Warm Bijoya wishes from all of us here in Bengal to you and your family. May this season bring you courage, clarity and success in all you do with honesty and care. Share on WhatsApp

May Maa Durga, who triumphed over Mahishasura, give you the strength to overcome every fear and darkness in life. Jai Maa Durga! 🔱 Share on WhatsApp

On this day of victory, may Lord Rama's courage and truth guide your every step, and may dharma always light your path. Jai Shri Ram! 🙏 Share on WhatsApp

A short Vijayadashami prayer

Maa Durga, as you return to Kailash, I bow before you with a grateful heart. Forgive my mistakes and stay with us in spirit. Give me the strength to face difficulties, the courage to stand for what is right, and the wisdom to choose kindness. Keep my family free of anger, fear and negativity, and let love and peace stay in our home until you come again.

Use the share buttons on this page to send these blessings to your family and friends.

Also read: Garba & Navratri 2026 across India.

Also read: Bijoya Dashami sweets.

Also read: Sandhi Puja 2026 guide.

Frequently asked questions

When is Durga Puja 2026 in West Bengal?

Durga Puja 2026 runs from Maha Shashthi on Saturday 17 October to Bijoya Dashami on Wednesday 21 October, with Mahalaya on Saturday 10 October (Drik Panchang, Kolkata).

When is Bijoya Dashami and Sindoor Khela 2026 in Kolkata?

Bijoya Dashami, with Sindoor Khela and Durga Visarjan, falls on Wednesday 21 October 2026 in the Kolkata calendar, when Dashami is current in the morning until 2:11 PM IST.

Why is Bijoya Dashami a day after Dussehra in Bengal?

Most of India keeps Vijayadashami on Tuesday 20 October because Dashami covers that afternoon. The Bengal tradition reckons the puja days differently, so 20 October is Maha Navami and Bijoya Dashami follows on 21 October.

When are Maha Ashtami and Sandhi Puja in 2026?

In the Kolkata Durga Puja calendar, Maha Ashtami with pushpanjali, Kumari Puja and Sandhi Puja is on Monday 19 October, and Maha Navami is on Tuesday 20 October 2026. Exact Sandhi Puja timings come from the Bengali panjika.

What is the Vijay Muhurat in Kolkata, Siliguri and Durgapur?

For Tuesday 20 October 2026 (local time, Drik Panchang method): Kolkata 1:16 to 2:02 PM, Siliguri 1:15 to 2:01 PM and Durgapur 1:20 to 2:06 PM.

Where do people celebrate Durga Puja in West Bengal?

Kolkata comes alive with Bonedi Bari family pujas and sarbojanin community pandals, while Siliguri, Durgapur, Asansol and every district town hold community and family pujas. Pandal themes and timings are announced by local committees each year.

Editor's note

Editor's note (5 October 2026): This page has been restored at its original address after the earlier version was lost. The Durga Puja calendar is from Drik Panchang for Kolkata, the all-India dates are from Drik Panchang for India, and the Vijay Muhurat timings for Kolkata, Siliguri and Durgapur are calculated by the Drik Panchang method. We have not named individual pandals or listed timings, themes or visarjan schedules because these are announced by puja committees and the authorities each year; please check official sources.

Related guides

• Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026: complete guide
• Dussehra 2026 in Tripura
• Dussehra 2026 in Odisha
• Dussehra 2026 in Assam
• Dussehra 2026 in Jharkhand
• Goddess Kali: complete guide
• Navratri 2026 in Canada: Garba, Dandiya and Durga Puja

Also read: Durga Visarjan 2026: date, muhurat and Sindoor Khela · Dussehra 2026 bank holidays, state-wise