Durga Puja stands as one of the most revered festivals dedicated to Goddess Durga. This five-day celebration is scheduled to occur from October 16 to October 21, 2026, following the observance of Mahalaya Amavasya on October 10 and concluding with Bijoya Dashami. While primarily celebrated in West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, and other regions in the Northeast and South of India, the festival culminates with the immersion of the goddess in water, accompanied by the ritual known as Sindoor Khela. Here’s a closer look at the Durga Visarjan rituals and the significance of Sindoor Khela.

Durga Visarjan 2026

Also referred to as Durgotsava, the final day of Durga Puja is marked on Wednesday, October 21, when devotees engage in the Durga Visarjan ritual, symbolizing the goddess’s return to her heavenly abode in Kailash. The celebration of Durgotsava spans five days, including Maha Shashti, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami, and Vijaya Dashami.

For the Bengali community, Durga Puja is a highly significant Hindu festival that celebrates the triumph of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, representing the victory of good over evil. This occasion signifies the annual return of the goddess to her parental home, featuring vibrant public festivities characterized by elaborate decorations and pandals. As noted by Drik Panchang, the timings for Vijayadashami are as follows:

• Vijayadashami on Wednesday, October 21, 2026
• Dashami Tithi Begins – 04:20 PM on October 20, 2026
• Dashami Tithi Ends – 05:41 PM on October 21, 2026

Rituals and Celebrations

The victory of Durga over Mahishasura represents a metaphorical triumph of good over evil, illumination over darkness, and justice over oppression. Durga is honored as a formidable feminine deity, embodying “Shakti” or divine feminine energy. This festival pays homage to the strength, wisdom, and protective qualities associated with women, especially the maternal figure.

Sindoor Khela 2026

Sindoor Khela is celebrated on Bijoya Dashami, marking the farewell of the goddess. Women partake in this tradition to honor feminine power, energy, and the joy of motherhood. In various regions including West Bengal, Tripura, and Jharkhand, women engage in Sindoor Khela at Durga Puja pandals on Vijaya Dashami, dressing in traditional white sarees with red borders and applying sindoor on one another. The celebrations are filled with sweets, joyful shouts, conch shell sounds, and the beats of dhak as devotees bid farewell to Goddess Durga, praying for prosperity and happiness.