When is Durga Puja 2023? Know date, timing, history and important dates here

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Durga Puja has grown synonymous with pandal hopping, spending time with friends & family and making merry. Durga Puja celebrations--observed in Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Tripura and Jharkhand--coincide with that of Shardiya Navratri. First significant day of Puja is Mahalya. Following Mahalya, the next important days begin from Shashti - the sixth day and concludes on the 10th day often referred to as Vijaya Dashami. Colloquially called Pujo, the festivities conclude with dhanuchi naach, sindoor khela on Vijaya Dashami before the idols are immersed.

Pujo is observed to pay homage to Goddess Durga after her win over demon king Mahishasura. After nine days of fierce battle, Goddess Durga managed to kill the shape-shifting demon. The festival, thus, epitomises the victory of good over evil.

In the year 2023, Durga Puja will commence from October 15 (Sunday) and will be observed till October 24 (Tuesday).

Durga Puja History

The timeline of how people began to observe Durga Puja are ambiguous. Some suggest that Puja was being observed from as early as the 11th and 12th Century. Meanwhile, it is suggested that Vedic literature too have references to Goddess Durga. Allegedly, sections of Rigveda and Atharveda have mentions of Durgi.

Some scholars, however, say that celebration of Puja gained traction during the medieval times amid the Islamic armies' conquest in the subcontinent. The festivities were seen as a reassertion of their religious identity. The public celebration became a socio-cultural event which has continued until the present time.

Also Read: Durga Puja 2023: How to wear a saree? Here are easy tips and tricks for saree draping

Important Dates

The first important day is Mahalya which falls on October 15, 2023 (Sunday) and after that next important day is Shashti or the sixth day which falls on October 20 (Friday). Following that is Saptami on October 21, 2023 (Saturday), Ashtami on October 22, 2023 (Sunday). Nabami falls on october 23, 2023 (Monday) and Pujo concludes on October 24, 2023 (Tuesday) with Vijaya Dashami.

Durga Puja Timing

The Puja time has not yet been ascertained. The rituals are usually performed two times in a day - once in morning and once in the evening.