Durga Puja 2026 dates and schedule
Mahalaya to Vijaya Dashami, day by day, with what each day means if you are planning to visit Kolkata's pandals.
Updated 22 September 2026
Durga Puja 2026 in Kolkata runs from Maha Shashthi on Saturday 17 October to Vijaya Dashami on Wednesday 21 October 2026. Mahalaya falls on Saturday 10 October. West Bengal's public holidays for Puja are Ashtami, Navami and Dashami, 19–21 October.
Durga Puja 2026 calendar
| Day | Date | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Mahalaya | Saturday, 10 October 2026 | Devi Paksha begins. Early-morning Mahishasuramardini broadcast; many pandals start drawing visitors. |
| Panchami | Friday, 16 October 2026 | Most big pandals are open. Evenings are busy but lighter than the main days. |
| Maha Shashthi | Saturday, 17 October 2026 | Bodhon at dusk officially welcomes the Goddess. Crowds build sharply from evening. |
| Maha Saptami | Sunday, 18 October 2026 | Nabapatrika Snan at dawn. One of the busiest pandal-hopping nights. |
| Maha Ashtami | Monday, 19 October 2026 | Pushpanjali in the morning, Sandhi Puja at the Ashtami–Navami juncture. Usually the most crowded night. |
| Maha Navami | Tuesday, 20 October 2026 | Last full night of pandal hopping. Very crowded. |
| Vijaya Dashami | Wednesday, 21 October 2026 | Sindoor Khela and the start of immersions. Many pandals stay open into the evening. |
Ritual timings (tithi start and end) follow the Bengali panjika and can shift by hours. Check a panjika or your local puja committee for exact muhurta times.
What each day means for visitors
Before Shashthi (15–16 October)
This is the smartest time to see the big-name pandals. Most are open and lit, the city is still working, and queues are a fraction of what they will be on Ashtami. The VIP Pass is valid from 15 October, so these two days count.
Shashthi to Navami (17–20 October)
Peak days. Roads around major pandals close to traffic, lines can stretch for hours, and the metro is packed late into the night. This is when priority entry saves the most time. Plan one area per night rather than crossing the city.
Vijaya Dashami (21 October)
The mood turns to farewell. Married women play Sindoor Khela in the pandals, and idols start leaving for immersion. It is the last day your pass is valid, so catch any pandals you missed early in the day.
Durga Puja 2026 holidays in West Bengal
The state government lists Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami and Vijaya Dashami (Monday 19 to Wednesday 21 October) as public holidays, with Mahalaya on Saturday 10 October also a holiday. Many offices and schools close for longer, so expect the city to be in festival mode for the whole week.
Arriving in Kolkata for Puja?
If you are flying or taking the train in, try to land by 15 or 16 October to get the quieter pre-Shashthi evenings. Book your stay early, since hotels near South Kolkata and Salt Lake fill up fast. You can reserve your VIP Pass now and choose a delivery date between 10 and 20 October, so it is waiting at your hotel or home when you arrive.
Frequently asked questions
When is Durga Puja 2026?
The main days of Durga Puja 2026 are Saturday 17 October (Shashthi) to Wednesday 21 October (Vijaya Dashami). Mahalaya is on Saturday 10 October 2026.
When is Maha Ashtami in 2026?
Maha Ashtami falls on Monday 19 October 2026. Sandhi Puja is performed at the juncture of Ashtami and Navami.
When is Vijaya Dashami 2026?
Vijaya Dashami, which coincides with Dussehra, falls on Wednesday 21 October 2026.
What are the Durga Puja holidays in West Bengal in 2026?
West Bengal's public holidays for Durga Puja 2026 are Ashtami, Navami and Dashami, from Monday 19 to Wednesday 21 October. Mahalaya on 10 October is also a holiday.
What is the best day to visit pandals with fewer crowds?
The quietest evenings are before Shashthi, on 15 and 16 October 2026, when most big pandals are already open. On the main days, visiting in the afternoon or after 2 AM helps.
Buy your Durga Puja VIP Pass 2026
₹1,999per pass · admits 4 people
- Priority entry at 45 Kolkata pandals
- Valid every day, 15–21 October 2026
- Free delivery in Kolkata on the date you choose (10–20 Oct)
- Book from anywhere in India or abroad
Bookings close 10 October 2026.