Festivals in West Bengal in September 2025
West Bengal, a state deeply rooted in spiritual traditions and cultural expressions, celebrates a variety of festivals throughout the year. September is a particularly auspicious month for festivals in Bengal, with events that attract millions of devotees and revelers. Among the major festivals that dominate the month of September 2025 are Durga Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi, and Mahalaya. These festivals are a blend of devotion, mythology, and art, reflecting the deep cultural heritage of the region.
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1. Durga Puja – The Triumph of Good Over Evil
Date: September 30, 2025
Durga Puja, the most significant festival in West Bengal, is the grandest celebration that the region witnesses. It is celebrated in honor of Goddess Durga, who symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Durga Puja, or Sharadotsav, is not only a religious occasion but also a cultural phenomenon that brings together people of all ages and backgrounds.
Rituals and Celebrations:
- Preparations and Installations: The festival preparations begin months in advance, with artisans crafting elaborate Durga idols and decorations for temporary pandals (pandals are makeshift temples or structures). These pandals are adorned with intricate artworks, reflecting both traditional and contemporary themes.
- Mahashashthi and Puja Rituals: The festival officially begins on Mahashashthi, the sixth day of the festival. On this day, the idol of Durga is placed in the pandal, and arti (ritual prayers) are offered to her. The entire period is marked by chandipath (recitation of hymns) and dhunuchi naach (traditional dance with incense), which energize the atmosphere with a spiritual aura.
- Ashtami and Navami: The eighth day, Ashtami, is considered the most significant. On this day, kumari puja is performed, where a young girl (representing Goddess Durga) is worshipped. On Navami, the final day of the festival, devotees offer prayers of thanksgiving and perform sandhi puja, a special ritual observed during the conjunction of Ashtami and Navami.
- Sindoor Khela: On Vijayadashami (the tenth day), the final day of Durga Puja, married women participate in Sindoor Khela, where they smear vermilion (sindoor) on each other’s faces, signifying the joyous farewell to the Goddess. The immersion of the Durga idol in water marks the end of the festival, symbolizing her return to her heavenly abode.
Cultural Significance:
Durga Puja in West Bengal is not just a religious occasion; it is a cultural spectacle. The festival is a time for grand feasts, musical performances, dance, art exhibitions, and cultural performances. It fosters a sense of unity and community, transcending religious and social divides. It is also an expression of Bengal’s rich artistic tradition, with thousands of pandals showcasing innovative designs and themes.
2. Ganesh Chaturthi – Welcoming Lord Ganesha
Date: September 17, 2025
Ganesh Chaturthi is another significant festival celebrated in West Bengal in September. This festival marks the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity worshipped as the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom and prosperity.
Rituals and Celebrations:
- Idol Installation: On Ganesh Chaturthi, idols of Lord Ganesha are brought to homes and public spaces. These idols are often large and elaborately decorated, symbolizing the deity’s grandeur. Devotees perform a special puja (worship) with offerings such as modaks (sweet dumplings), flowers, and incense.
- Recitation and Hymns: During the festival, people sing bhajans and aartis in praise of Lord Ganesha. The Ganesh Vandana and Ganapati Stotra are recited with devotion. Temples and homes are filled with the sounds of bells and prayers.
- Visarjan: On the final day of the festival, known as Anant Chaturdashi, the idols of Ganesha are taken out in grand processions for immersion in water, symbolizing the return of Ganesha to his celestial home. The streets of Kolkata and other cities in West Bengal come alive with vibrant parades, filled with chanting, music, and dancing.
Cultural Significance:
Ganesh Chaturthi in West Bengal is celebrated with zeal, particularly in Kolkata. While the festival is more traditionally associated with Maharashtra, in West Bengal, it has taken on a local flavor. The immersion processions are marked by enthusiasm and public participation. The festival emphasizes family bonding, community involvement, and the removal of obstacles from one’s life.
3. Mahalaya – Invoking Goddess Durga’s Arrival
Date: September 29, 2025
Mahalaya marks the official beginning of the Durga Puja season in West Bengal. It is a day of deep religious significance, as it is believed that on this day, Goddess Durga begins her journey from her heavenly abode to her earthly residence. The day is marked by the Mahalaya rituals, which are primarily observed by the Brahmin community.
Rituals and Celebrations:
- Tarpan (Ancestral Rituals): On Mahalaya, devotees perform tarpan (rituals for the ancestors) to seek their blessings. The rituals include offering water, sesame seeds, and barley to appease the spirits of departed ancestors, ensuring their blessings for a prosperous life.
- Radio and Broadcasts: Mahalaya is also famous for the iconic Bengali radio program “Mahalaya” aired by All India Radio. The program features the recitation of the Chandi Path (a sacred text) and bhajans dedicated to Goddess Durga. This program has been a part of Bengali culture for decades and serves as the auditory cue for the beginning of Durga Puja.
- Bodhon and Kalash Sthapana: Devotees prepare for Durga Puja by performing Bodhon (invocation) and Kalash Sthapana (placing of the sacred water vessel) to signify the arrival of the Goddess. The pran pratishtha ceremony also marks the installation of Durga idols in temples and pandals.
Cultural Significance:
Mahalaya is a day of spiritual awakening for Bengalis. It is a reminder of the arrival of Goddess Durga, marking the beginning of the most significant religious festival in Bengal. For many, the day holds sentimental value, as it invokes memories of familial traditions, ancestral worship, and the anticipation of the grand celebrations to come.
4. The Boro Durgapuja – The Grand Procession of Durga Puja Idol Immersion
Date: September 30, 2025
The Boro Durgapuja marks the culmination of Durga Puja celebrations. It is characterized by the grand procession of Durga idols being immersed in rivers, lakes, or ponds, signaling the conclusion of the festivities.
Rituals and Celebrations:
- Immersion Procession: Devotees participate in processions, singing bhajans, dancing, and chanting mantras. The idols, adorned with flowers and offerings, are carefully carried to the water bodies for immersion, signifying the return of Goddess Durga to her celestial abode.
- Community Spirit: The immersion process is often a community event, bringing people together in a shared expression of devotion and joy. It is accompanied by festive music, street performances, and acts of celebration.
Cultural Significance:
The Boro Durgapuja marks the end of one of the biggest festivals in India and is a time of mixed emotions. While the joy of the celebration lingers, there is also a sense of longing for the goddess’s return next year. The immersion is a symbolic farewell, a cycle of spiritual devotion that repeats every year.
