Durga Puja, also popularly known as Durgotsava, is an annual Hindu festival originating in the India Subcontinent with deep admiration and pays homage to the goddess Durga!
This day marks the victory of the Goddess Durga over the demon King Mahishasura. It starts on the same day as Navratri, a nine-day festival celebrating the feminine power in its divine form.
This year, Durga Puja 2025 in India will begin on –
Sunday, 28 Sept, 2025
and ends on
Thursday, 2 Oct, 2025
Nine Forms of Maa Durga
Here is a table outlining the nine forms of Durga:
| Navadurga (Nine Forms of Durga) | Significance/Virtue |
|---|---|
| Shailaputri | The daughter of the mountain (Himavat), a form of Goddess Parvati who represents strength and leadership. |
| Brahmacharini | The female ascetic form represents devotion and discipline. |
| Chandraghanta | Worshipped for courage and bravery, she is a fierce form with a third eye ready for war. |
| Kushmanda | Associated with creativity and optimism, she is the creator of the universe. |
| Skandamata | The mother of Skanda (Lord Kartikeya) represents nurturing and compassion. |
| Katyayani | Known for determination, she is the slayer of Mahishasura. |
| Kalaratri | A fierce form representing fearlessness and the destruction of darkness. |
| Mahagauri | Represents purity, forgiveness, and brings joy. |
| Siddhidatri | The granter of all spiritual, intellectual, and material fulfillments. |
Durga Puja’s first day begins with Mahalaya, which begins the welcome of the Ma Durga.
The pompous celebrations start on Sashti, the sixth day. And in the next three days, the goddess Durga is worshipped in her various forms, which are Durga, Laxmi, and Saraswati!
It is a blissful time of the year when Ma Durga joins us, filling the City of Kolkata with lights, joy, and festivity.
The City bubbles with so much joy, so you can see people lining up on the streets to visit their favorite idols across the town.
It’s the best time of the year to visit Kolkata.
The celebrations end with Vijaya Dashmi, also known as the Tenth Day of Victory, and amid loud drum beats and chants, idols are carried over in long processions to the nearest rivers.
This is symbolic, marking the return of the goddess to her home and to her husband, Shiva, who resides in the Himalayas.
Stay tuned till the end of the post, where I will take you to Kumartuli, where you can see how the Ma is decorated and gets ready for the most anticipated festival of the Bengali community.
6 thoughts on “How Kolkata Celebrates Durga Puja – Durgotsava Through My Eyes!”
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Much appreciated! Joy Maa Durga… 🙏
Joy Maa Durga!
🙏🙏🙏