Durga Puja 2023: Know muhurat and rituals to seek blessings of Goddess Shakti

According to another legend, Vijaya Dashami is the day when Lord Rama got victory over the demon King Ravana.

The Durga Puja 2023 Muhurat date and timings include:

Maha Shashti Tithi: Begins on October 20 at 12:31 pm and ends at 11:24 pm on October 20. This is the day when the Durga Puja begins with the initiation of Maa Durga. On this day rituals like Bilva Nimantran, Kalparambha, Akal Bodhon, Amantran and Adhivas are performed. On this Durga Puja festivities begin with the invocation of Goddess Durga.

Maha Saptami Tithi: Commences on October 20 at 11:24 pm and ends at 09:53 pm on October 21. Navpatrika Puja is performed at many places on this day.

Maha Ashtami or Durga Ashtami Tithi: Begins on October 21 at 09:53 pm and ends on October 22 at 07:58 pm. This is the most important day during Durga Puja. Kumari Puja and Sandhi Puja rituals are performed on this day at many places. In many states, devotees also keep fast on Durga Ashtami.

Maha Navami Tithi: Starts on October 22 at 07:58 pm and ends on October 23 at 05:44 pm. Navami Homa is performed on this day and also Navami Balidaan rituals are performed at many temples and puja pandals.

Vijaya Dashami Tithi: Muhurat commences on October 23 at 05:44 am and will end on October 24 at 03:14 pm. Dashami Puja and Sindoor Khela rituals are performed on this day.

Durga Puja festivities come to an end with the visarjan or immersion of the idols in water bodies. This year visarjan shubh muhurat will prevail from 05:44 am to 08:03 am on October 24, according to Panchang.

There are nine days of Navratri, with the sixth day known as Shashthi, which marks the day when people worship Goddess Durga's idols along with Lord Kartikeya and Lord Ganesh, and Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Lakshmi. These idols are worshipped for five days until Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami. Devotees pray to the Goddess and recite Vedic mantras during this period.

In addition, a special puja ritual called ‘Kumari Puja’ is organised on the Ashtami or Navami Tithi as per regional traditions, which also marks the culmination of the Navratri fast. Young girls are worshipped as they are considered to represent the purity and piousness of Goddess Durga. The girls are honoured by offering prayers and food. Thereafter, on the tenth day, Dashami, aarti is performed by devotees to bid farewell to Maa Durga. Colourful processions, vibrant dance and music mark the visarjan or immersion of idols.