Durga Puja 2026 Mahalaya: The Complete Guide to Dates, Rituals, and the Iconic Radio Broadcast Mahalaya 2026 falls on October 10, marking the start of Devi Paksha and Durga Puja festivities. Here's your complete guide to dates, tarpan timings, the iconic Mahishasuramardini broadcast, and what's new in Kolkata this year. Introduction For millions of Bengalis across India and the world, the arrival of Durga Puja is not announced by calendars or advertisements. It is announced by a voice. At 4 AM on Mahalaya morning, that voice—Birendra Krishna Bhadra's—comes through radio sets, YouTube streams, and car speakers, reciting the Chandipath with a resonance that has defined the season for over ninety years . Mahalaya 2026 falls on Saturday, October 10 . It marks the final day of Pitru Paksha, the fortnight dedicated to ancestors, and the first day of Devi Paksha, when Goddess Durga is believed to begin her journey toward Earth . This year brings a notable shift: Mahalaya arrives...
Rath Yatra 2025: Start Date, End Date, and Significance Rath Yatra 2025 start date is June 29, 2025 , and it ends on July 7, 2025 . Learn about this grand festival of Lord Jagannath, its rituals, and celebrations. Rath Yatra 2025: Key Dates Start Date: Sunday, June 29, 2025 (Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya) End Date: Monday, July 7, 2025 (Bahuda Yatra – Return Journey) Main Procession Day: June 29, 2025 (Chariot Pulling in Puri, Odisha) What is Rath Yatra? Rath Yatra, or the Chariot Festival , is one of India’s most famous religious celebrations. It marks the annual journey of Lord Jagannath , along with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra , from the Jagannath Temple in Puri to the Gundicha Temple . Millions of devotees gather to pull the massive, decorated chariots, chanting hymns and seeking blessings. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Odisha, Gujarat, West Bengal, an...