West London Durga Puja - 2017 Dates
During Durga Puja the Divine Mother is worshipped in her various forms. Ma Durga is the deity of Shakti (strength) and Her different forms represent Her personification of love, wealth, knowledge and beauty.
The idol depicts Her victory over Mahishasur and in each of Her ten arms She holds a weapon gifted to Her by various Gods. It represents the destruction of evil.
Puja will be celebrated at the following times this year:
Sashti: Tuesday 26th September 2017
This is the 6th day of the moon when the Goddess Durga is welcomed.
Ghot sthapan timing: 7.30pm
Saptami: Wednesday 27th September 2017
Saptami is the first day of Durga Puja when the rituals commence and the pre-dawn bathing of 'Kola Bow' takes place.
Puja will begin between 10.30 - 11am
Anjali 1 - 1.30pm
Prashad bithoron 2 - 3pm
Sandhya arati 6.30 - 7pm
Anjali to follow
Prashad bithoron 8pm
Ashtami: Thursday 28th September 2017
Ashtami is the most important day of Durga Puja which celebrates Her victory over Mahishasur. Traditional rituals of animal sacrifice take place using various vegetables, and devotees offer flowers and prayers (Pushpanjali).
Sandhi Puja lasts from the last 24 minutes of Ashtami till the first 24 minutes of Nabami and commemorates the time when Ma Durga was transformed into Devi Chamunda to kill Chando and Mundo, the two generals of Mahishasur (the buffalo and demon).
Puja will begin between 10.30 - 11am
Anjali 1 - 1.30pm
Prashad bithoron 2 - 3pm
Sandhya arati 6.30 - 7pm
Anjali to follow
Prashad bithoron 8pm
Navami: Friday 29th September 2017
This is the last day of Durga Puja. Durga is offered food which is then distributed among devotees (Bhog).
Puja will begin around 10.30 - 11am
Anjali start 1.30 - 2pm
Prashad bithoron 2 - 3pm
Havan start 3 - 4pm
Sandhya arati 6.30 - 7pm
Anjali to follow
Function to start between 7.30 - 7.45pm
Prashad 8.30pm
Dashami: Saturday 30th September 2017
This is the day when Ma Durga sets off with her children to her husband's abode, Kailash. Traditionally on this day, Bengali's immerse the clay idol in the Ganges, bidding Her farewell and looking forward to welcoming Her next year...'ashche bochor abar hobe'.
Sindoor Khela also takes place, where married women put vermilion on one another and greet each other with sweets, Bengali's greet each other with Bijoya wishes and the men embrace each other (Kolakoli).
Puja start 11.30am
Bisharjan 12.30pm
Shanti jal
Thakur boron and Sindur kehla to follow
Prashad bithoron 1.30 - 2pm