Durga Puja is an annual Hindu festival that is celebrated with great pomp and fanfare across India, especially in the state of West Bengal. The Durga Puja festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga and marks her victory over Mahishasura. The festival of Durga Puja festival is observed in the month of Ashwin, which usually falls in the month of September or October in the Gregorian calendar. Durga Puja, also popularly known as Durgotsava, is a five-day festivity that is observed as Subho Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami, and Vijayadashami or Dusshera. This year, Durga Puja 2023 in Kolkata will begin on Friday, October 20, and will continue till Tuesday, October 24. Durga Puja festivities begin with Subho Sasthi, which will be celebrated on Friday, October 20, 2023.

Subho Sasthi 2023 Date

Subho Sasthi, which will be celebrated on Friday, October 20, 2023. Durga Puja begins with Subho Sasthi, which will be celebrated on October 20, 2023, and will culminate on Vijayadashami, which will be celebrated on October 24.

Subho Sasthi Puja Vidhi

  1. On the day of Subho Sasthi, several rituals, including Kalparambha and Bodhon, are performed. The Kalparambha ritual involves the symbolic beginning of the puja, where a small banana plant is placed in a water-filled vessel, representing Goddess Durga. The next important ritual is Bodhon, in which the invocation of Goddess Durga is done. When Is Maha Panchami? Know Time, Puja Vidhi & Significance of the Auspicious Day in Durgotsav.

  2. Devotees wake up early in the morning, take a bath and offer prayers, flowers, and light incense sticks, followed by the recitation of mantras in honour of Maa Durga.

  3. Devotees should light a ghee diya in front of the idol of the Goddess and seek her blessings.

  4. After the puja, the prasad is distributed among the devotees, symbolizing the blessings of the goddess.

  5. A conch shell is blown, which is believed to purify the surroundings and invite positive energy.

Subho Sasthi Significance

Subho Sasthi marks the beginning of the main festivities of Durga Puja. This day is important as it signifies the arrival of the Goddess on Earth. As per beliefs, it is said that on the day of Subho Sasthi, Goddess Durga, along with Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik, and Ganesh, arrives on Earth from her heavenly abode, marking the start of her annual visit.

Durga Puja 2023: Know Start & End Date, Rituals, Significance & When To Perform Dhunuchi Naach

The day is marked by various ceremonies, including the 'Bodhon' (unveiling of the goddess), 'Amontron' (inviting the goddess to descend), and 'Adibas' (welcoming the goddess to the ceremonial pedestal). Devotees also offer prayers, perform aarti (rituals with lighted lamps), and engage in cultural programs and festivities.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 10, 2023 06:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).