Durga Puja 2026 Maha Navami and Bijoya Dashami: Dhunuchi Naach, Sindoor Khela and Visarjan
In Bengal, Maha Navami of Durga Puja 2026 is on Tuesday, 20 October and Bijoya Dashami on Wednesday, 21 October. Navami is the last full day of worship; on Dashami the Goddess is bid farewell with the Sindoor Khela and the immersion.
- Maha Navami: Tuesday, 20 October 2026
- Bijoya Dashami: Wednesday, 21 October 2026
- Navami tithi: 10:53 AM on 19 October to 12:51 PM on 20 October
- Dashami tithi: 12:51 PM on 20 October to 2:13 PM on 21 October
- Dates: as fixed by Bengal's panjikas
Maha Navami: the last full day of worship
Navami brings the Maha Navami puja and the Maha Homa, the fire offering that seals the days of worship, with oblations of ghee and bel leaves. The Navami bhog is served to the thousands who come to the pandals. In North India the same Navami is observed a day earlier, on Monday — see Maha Navami and Maa Siddhidatri.
Dhunuchi naach
At the evening arati the Dhunuchi naach begins — the dance with the dhunuchi, an earthen burner packed with coconut husk and fragrant dhuno resin, held aloft, sometimes one in each hand and one balanced in the mouth, to the quickening beat of the dhak. On Navami night, knowing the Goddess leaves the next day, it goes on long into the night.
Bijoya Dashami: Darpan Bisarjan and Debi Boron
On Dashami morning the Dashami puja is completed, and the Goddess is symbolically sent off in the Darpan Bisarjan: her reflection is seen in a mirror placed in a vessel of water. Then comes Debi Boron, when married women bid her farewell as a daughter returning to her husband's home — offering sweets and betel, touching her face and feet, and applying sindoor. In 2026 Dashami runs until 2:13 PM on Wednesday.
Sindoor Khela, visarjan and Bijoya
After Debi Boron, married women smear sindoor on one another in the Sindoor Khela, for the wellbeing of their families. The idols are then carried, with the dhak playing, to the river or a pond and immersed. After the visarjan the shanti jal, water of peace, is sprinkled, and the Bijoya greetings begin: pranam to elders, an embrace — kolakuli — between equals, and sweets, above all narkel naru. North India celebrates Dussehra a day earlier, on Tuesday — see Dussehra 2026.
Frequently asked questions
When is Bijoya Dashami in 2026?
On Wednesday, 21 October 2026 in Bengal. Dashami tithi runs until 2:13 PM that day.
When is Maha Navami of Durga Puja in 2026?
On Tuesday, 20 October 2026 in Bengal. Navami tithi runs from 10:53 AM on 19 October to 12:51 PM on 20 October.
What is Sindoor Khela?
On Bijoya Dashami, after bidding farewell to the Goddess, married women smear sindoor on one another for the wellbeing of their families.
Is Bijoya Dashami the same day as Dussehra in 2026?
No. North India celebrates Dussehra on Tuesday, 20 October, when Dashami covers the afternoon; Bengal keeps Bijoya Dashami on Wednesday, 21 October.
