It's true that everyone in India eagerly waits for Durga Puja to come. Isn't it? Durga Puja is one of the most popular Hindu festivals celebrated in almost every part of India, especially West Bengal. Even outside India, some countries celebrate it with extreme joy. It is celebrated in the month of Ashwin.
Now, the only question people are coming up with is, "How many days are left for Durga Puja 2023?". It starts from the day of Mahalaya. It is mainly a five-day festival starting from October 20 this year. If you, too, are the one who wants to know the dates and all, you are on the right page.
Actual dates of Durga Puja 2023 - Here is a complete list of days with the dates in 2023:
It is a festival 10 days after the day of Mahalaya for those who want to know how many days are left for Durga Puja. The most critical day, starting from the 6th day is Shashti. From the 1st day, people started worshipping Maa Durga at their houses, also called Navratri. Let us know about the significance of each Durga puja day.
Mahalaya is the first day of the Durga Puja festival. It is a holy day when devotees believe the goddess Durga descended to Earth. On Saturday, i.e., October 14, the Mahalaya enters. It's a day to invoke Durga Mata and goddess and remember ancestors. Hindus pay homage to their ancestors through various holy rituals as a token of reverence.
From this day, the actual Durga puja starts. In puja mandaps, the face of Goddess Durga is revealed to all. Maha Shashti starts with the Kalprarambha, which begins the puja. After that, the face is revealed, also known as Bodhon. Also, the puja mandaps on this day are purified, called Odhibash.
October 21, 2023, will be celebrated as Maha Saptami by Hindu devotees. Saptami is day seven of the Durga Pooja. Saptami means 'seven' in Sanskrit. The Maha Puja begins on Maha Saptami.
On this day, devotees worship goddess Durga as "Kumari." "Kumari" symbolizes the innocent and divine form of a young girl. "Kumari Puja" is the ritual where devotees worship young girls as manifestations of the goddess.
This is the 8th day of Durga Pooja, which will be celebrated on October 22, 2023, worshipping Mahagauri. The day starts with a special puja called "Astra Puja," where weapons are ceremonially worshipped.
"Sandhi Puja" – the transition from Ashtami to Navami is an essential ritual of this day. If there is any mistake in the puja of Maha Astami, the rest of the pujas or worship is of no value. So, it's considered an extremely auspicious moment for Durga Maa's admirers.
October 23 is the ninth day of the Navratri Festival. It's the final day of worship and puja before the Vijaya Dashmi. The day is associated with the "Ayudha Puja." During Shardiya Navratri, the puja is performed where machines and equipment are worshipped.
Navami is the day when Goddess Durga destroyed Mahishasura. On the morning of the Navami day, people worship the goddess Durga along with Sarvasati, Laxmi, and Parvati. Kanya Puja is an important ritual of Maha Navami. Nine girls are invited and served a holy meal. These girls are believed to be the manifestation of the nine faces of Goddess Durga.
It’s the final day of Durga Puja when devotees bid farewell to Durga Mata. Devotees perform the ritual called "Vijaya Dashami". The day marks Goddess Durga's and Lord Rama's Victory over evil. The idols of the goddess are immersed in water bodies, and people seek her blessings.
Fifty-two days are still left for Durga Puja 2023. The pooja begins on October 14, 2023 – Mahalaya, and ends on October 24, 2023 (Bijaya Dashami).
Durga Puja is celebrated to preserve the victory of the goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. The 10-day celebration is a symbol of the triumph of good over evil. The festival is also significant culturally. It reflects the Bengali culture when people perform vibrant cultural events using elaborate decorations and traditional rituals.
The Hindus celebrate Durga Puja as a harvest festival where we regard the goddess as the motherly power behind all life and creation. Also, Durga puja marks the Feminine Power, where Durga Maa is admired as an embodiment of strength, courage, and protection.
Originating from the Indian subcontinent, Durga Puja holds deep spiritual and cultural significance for Hindus worldwide. This celebration allows Hindus to renew their spiritual faith in the divine. In the ten days, people worship nine different avatars of Goddess Durga.
According to Hindu mythology, Mahishasura – a demon with immense power and arrogance – had the boon of invincibility from Lord Brahma. So, the demon was immortal. But he used his powers to threaten both heaven and earth. Unable to defeat him, the gods combined their energies and created the goddess Durga.
Mahishasura finally got defeated by a woman. Goddess Durga is a symbol of strength, courage, and wisdom. Thus, Durga Puja celebrates how good always possesses the power to defeat evil.
On the last day, people bid farewell happily to Durga maa with heavy hearts. Starting from the next day, they wish for the next year to come soon. Finally, the idols are immersed in the Ganga. Durga puja is celebrated with joy and every year with the same craze. Less than two months are left for the Durga puja to come this year. Read the above article where we have described the most common question "How many days are left for Durga Puja 2023?" to know the year's dates, and start your countdown today.
About Doris C. Rivers
Myself Doris C. Rivers from Virginia, I loved to write various topics on Sports such as Football, Cricket, Tennis, Hockey Hope we are able to help you. If you love to read our articles on Sports dont forget to hit the share button.
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