From Mahalaya to Vijaya Dashami: What This Year’s Durga Puja Foretells

Durga Puja, an annual Hindu festival, celebrates the divine energy known as "Shakti," embodied in Goddess Durga. This year, Mahalaya falls on 2 October, marking the start of Devi Paksha. Goddess Durga will arrive on 3 October via a palanquin, considered an inauspicious sign, and will depart on 12 October by horse. Durga Puja, also called Sharadiya Durgotsav, honors the worship of Shakti through the embodiment of Durga.

According to mythology, the battle between Goddess Durga and the demon king Mahishasura lasted for 10 days, culminating in Mahishasura's defeat on the 10th day, celebrated as Vijaya Dashami—symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.

Hindus believe Durga descended to earth in response to prayers from King Kangsa. The first recorded Durga Puja was held in Taherpur, Rajshahi, by Raja Kangshanarayan in the month of Ashwin around 1606.

Earlier, Rama, King Dasharatha's eldest son, performed the puja in autumn to seek the goddess's blessings to defeat Ravana and free the people from his tyranny. With Durga’s blessings, Rama ultimately conquered Ravana’s kingdom.

Mahalaya, which invites Goddess Durga to start her journey from Kailash to her earthly home, falls on 2 October this year. This day also marks the beginning of Devi Paksha and the end of Pitru Paksha, during which Hindus pay homage to their ancestors through Tarpan or Shraddha rituals to bring peace to their souls.

The arrival and departure days of Goddess Durga are believed to be symbolic. If she arrives or departs on a Monday or Sunday, she travels on an elephant, while on a Saturday or Tuesday, she uses a horse. A Thursday or Friday sees her coming or going by palanquin, and on Wednesday, by boat.

This year, Devi Paksha starts on 3 October, coinciding with the beginning of Navratri. Durga will arrive on a Thursday (3 October) by palanquin, and depart on Saturday (12 October) by horse.

Astrologers warn that Durga’s arrival by palanquin is considered inauspicious, suggesting potential economic challenges, trade stagnation, increased violence, global health crises, and natural disasters. Her departure by horse signals possible social unrest, political turmoil, and further natural calamities.