Durga Puja is a vibrant celebration of the Hindu religion. It is also known as Durgotsava. Every year, devotees in India and abroad celebrate this festival enthusiastically. They honor the divine feminine energy of goddess Durga, perform various rituals, and pray for the well-being of all humans. It is much more than a religious festival. It works as a symbol of the victory of good over evil. So, let’s talk more about its significance, main rituals, and festive spirit, etc, in detail.
Why is Durga Puja Celebrated?
A large number of Hindus celebrate this festival every year to honor Maa Durga, the divine feminine energy. He symbolizes the victory of good over evil, the triumph of dharma (righteousness), and women's empowerment.
The battle between goddess Durga and Mahishasura (a buffalo demon) is the main reason behind the celebration of this festival. As the story goes, Mahishasura terrorized heaven and earth. He had a blessing from Lord Brahma that no man or god can kill him. So, he defeated the gods and won the heavens. Over time, he became cruel and oppressive. He caused mayhem in all three worlds.
The gods were unable to stop him. So, they combined their powers and created a divine female warrior—Maa Durga. She represents the embodiment of Shakti (cosmic energy). Armed with weapons from each god, she fought Mahishasura for nine days and nights. At last, she defeated him on the tenth day (Vijaya Dashami or Dussehra).
Apart from this, devotees celebrate Durga Puja to mark Maa Durga’s homecoming to her natal home. During this period, her children- Kartikeya (god of war), Ganesha (god of beginnings), Saraswati (goddess of knowledge) & Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) accompanied her. This family reunion evokes emotions of warmth and togetherness.
Get all the required paintings and statues of all these gods and goddesses from Cottage9. We have multiple products to meet your needs.
The battle between goddess Durga and Mahishasura (a buffalo demon) is the main reason behind the celebration of this festival. As the story goes, Mahishasura terrorized heaven and earth. He had a blessing from Lord Brahma that no man or god can kill him. So, he defeated the gods and won the heavens. Over time, he became cruel and oppressive. He caused mayhem in all three worlds.
The gods were unable to stop him. So, they combined their powers and created a divine female warrior—Maa Durga. She represents the embodiment of Shakti (cosmic energy). Armed with weapons from each god, she fought Mahishasura for nine days and nights. At last, she defeated him on the tenth day (Vijaya Dashami or Dussehra).
Apart from this, devotees celebrate Durga Puja to mark Maa Durga’s homecoming to her natal home. During this period, her children- Kartikeya (god of war), Ganesha (god of beginnings), Saraswati (goddess of knowledge) & Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) accompanied her. This family reunion evokes emotions of warmth and togetherness.
Get all the required paintings and statues of all these gods and goddesses from Cottage9. We have multiple products to meet your needs.
Durga Puja 2025 Dates
Durga Puja 2025 will start on September 28, 2025. It will conclude on October 2, 2025. Although Navratri Maa Durga Puja lasts for 9 days. But the main celebrations take place on Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami, and Vijayadashami.
Important Rituals of Navratri Maa Durga Puja
Remember, Navratri Maa Durga Puja is celebrated all across India and abroad. So, as per local tradition and culture, devotees perform many rituals. Here are some of them-
Kalash Sthapana- 1st Day of Navratri
It is the commencement of the celebration. Devotees fill a pious Kalash (pot) with water, mango leaves, and coconut, place it on a bed of barley seeds, and worship the first form of Durga – Shailaputri. Remember, Kalash symbolizes divine presence. Also, barley seeds are allowed to sprout as it is considered a sign of prosperity.
Daily Durga Puja & Navadurga Worship (For 9 Days)
For 9 days, devotees worship the different forms of Maa Durga. They symbolize different aspects of life as detailed below-
- Shailaputri- Strength & purity
- Brahmacharini- Devotion & Austerity
- Chandraghanta- Courage
- Kushmanda- Creativity
- Skandamata- Motherhood
- Katyayani- Fierce protector
- Kalaratri- Destroyer of darkness
- Mahagauri- Peace & purity
- Siddhidatri- Wisdom & perfection.
On each day, they perform Aarti, chant maa Durga mantras, and offer flowers, fruits, and sweets.
Fasting & Prayers
Devotees keep fasting on all 9 days, or Ashtami or Navami. They consume sattvic (pure) food and avoid onion and garlic.
Kanya Puja on Ashtami or Navami
Priests and devotees worship nine young girls as the nine forms of Durga Mata. They wash their feet and give gifts. It is regarded as honoring the divine feminine energy in its purest form.
Priests and devotees worship nine young girls as the nine forms of Durga Mata. They wash their feet and give gifts. It is regarded as honoring the divine feminine energy in its purest form.
Sandhi Puja Between Ashtami & Navami
Priests perform this important ritual between Ashtami and Navami. As per the belief, this is the exact time when Maa Durga transformed into her fierce form to kill Chanda and Munda (two demons). They light 108 lamps, perform animal sacrifice (symbolic or real in some states in India, such as West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam, or abroad), and chant special mantras
Maha Aarti
This ritual is performed on the eighth or ninth night. Priests blow conch shells and ring bells. They wave lit camphor or ghee lamps. On this occasion, people gather in large numbers to get the blessing of the goddess Durga.
Priests perform this important ritual between Ashtami and Navami. As per the belief, this is the exact time when Maa Durga transformed into her fierce form to kill Chanda and Munda (two demons). They light 108 lamps, perform animal sacrifice (symbolic or real in some states in India, such as West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam, or abroad), and chant special mantras
Maha Aarti
This ritual is performed on the eighth or ninth night. Priests blow conch shells and ring bells. They wave lit camphor or ghee lamps. On this occasion, people gather in large numbers to get the blessing of the goddess Durga.
Distribution of Bhog
On all days of Durga Puja, (special food offerings- kheer, fruits, etc.) are prepared. First, it is offered to the goddess Durga and distributed among devotees.
On all days of Durga Puja, (special food offerings- kheer, fruits, etc.) are prepared. First, it is offered to the goddess Durga and distributed among devotees.
Durga Visarjan (Immersion of the Idol)
It is performed on Vijaya Dashami-the final ritual of Durga Puja. People organize the grand processions of the idol of Maa Durga with great zeal. They immerse it in the nearby river or sea. It symbolizes her return to the divine place.
It is performed on Vijaya Dashami-the final ritual of Durga Puja. People organize the grand processions of the idol of Maa Durga with great zeal. They immerse it in the nearby river or sea. It symbolizes her return to the divine place.
Ayudha Puja (Worship of Tools/Weapons)
During Navratri, many people clean tools, books, instruments, and vehicles and worship them. It signifies respect for knowledge, skills, and livelihood. It also helps us uphold dharma (righteousness) and perform our duties..
During Navratri, many people clean tools, books, instruments, and vehicles and worship them. It signifies respect for knowledge, skills, and livelihood. It also helps us uphold dharma (righteousness) and perform our duties..
Significance of Durga Puja
A Reminder of the Triumph of Good Over Evil
Always remember that the entire festival of Navratri Maa Durga Puja commemorates her victory over Mahishasura. It evokes ethical living and moral strength. It reminds us of the fact that despite the prevalence of injustice, truth and goodness will ultimately prevail. It lets people have a more positive mindset in difficult times and control the situation successfully.
Always remember that the entire festival of Navratri Maa Durga Puja commemorates her victory over Mahishasura. It evokes ethical living and moral strength. It reminds us of the fact that despite the prevalence of injustice, truth and goodness will ultimately prevail. It lets people have a more positive mindset in difficult times and control the situation successfully.
Spiritual Empowerment & Inner Strength
Worshipping Durga puja at home or temples helps people to destroy ego and inner darkness, fight negativity, restore their courage, and get clarity in life. They feel spiritually recharged.
Worshipping Durga puja at home or temples helps people to destroy ego and inner darkness, fight negativity, restore their courage, and get clarity in life. They feel spiritually recharged.
Mental & Emotional Detox
Participating in Maa Durga Worship cleanses the body and mind and promotes your inner peace. Your worldly worries are gone, and you have a sense of balance.
Participating in Maa Durga Worship cleanses the body and mind and promotes your inner peace. Your worldly worries are gone, and you have a sense of balance.
A Celebration of Art, Culture & Tradition
Durga Puja is a celebration of art, culture, and rich Indian tradition through pandal design, idol-making, music, garba, dandiya, etc. It helps preserve traditional crafts and regional heritage. Get An Exquisite Bronze Idol of Durga from Cottage9. It is ideal for organizing Durga Puja at homes and temples.
Durga Puja is a celebration of art, culture, and rich Indian tradition through pandal design, idol-making, music, garba, dandiya, etc. It helps preserve traditional crafts and regional heritage. Get An Exquisite Bronze Idol of Durga from Cottage9. It is ideal for organizing Durga Puja at homes and temples.
Karma & Gratitude
During Navratri, people participate in different religious activities. It includes worshiping the goddess, performing charity, helping needy people, etc. All these help them build good karma and contribute to humanity.
During Navratri, people participate in different religious activities. It includes worshiping the goddess, performing charity, helping needy people, etc. All these help them build good karma and contribute to humanity.
How To Perform Durga Pooja At Home?
Always keep in mind that performing Durga Puja at home will strengthen peace, protection, and divine feminine energy in your life. Here is how you can do it-
- Clean the pooja room and your house perfectly.
- Choose a quiet corner facing East or North.
- Put a clean red or yellow cloth on the table or any platform.
- Put a Durga Puja image or Murti at the center. (Available on Cottag9)
- Set up a Kalash filled with water, mango, leaves, and coconut. Gather the Puja essentials. It includes flowers, fruits, sweets, incense, diya (oil lamp), camphor, red cloth, kumkum, turmeric, etc.
- Perform the pooja in front of the deity, light a diya and an incense stick, and take a sankalp (vow) to perform the puja with great zeal.
- Perform Aarti on all nine days.
- Recite or listen to Durga stuti mantras.
Conclusion
Durga Puja is a celebration of faith, culture, and unity in India and abroad. From Kalasthapan and Durga Visarjan, devotees engage in different rituals, spiritually supercharge themselves, and receive blessings from the goddess Durga. As Durga Puja 2025 is approaching closer to all of us faster, excitement among devotees is increasing. Gear up for the upcoming celebration. Maa Durga’s blessings will enable you to deal with challenges and embrace positivity in your life. Happy Durga Puja to all. Get the required paintings and statues from Cottage9. We have a vast product catalog for everyone. Explore our list today and place orders.
