Durga Puja 2026 calendar
Dates follow Bengal and Tripura practice, where each puja day is set by the tithi at sunrise. Tithi times are in IST from the Bisuddha Siddhanta panjika. Other almanacs differ by a few minutes, and the traditional panjika runs about two to three hours earlier.
| Date | Day | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 10 Oct | Mahalaya | Devi Paksha begins. Akashvani broadcasts Mahishasuramardini at 4:00 AM. Play Mahalaya Radio |
| Wed 14 & Thu 15 Oct | Chaturthi, Panchami | Many big pandals open to visitors early. Crowds are lighter, so it's a good time for the famous ones. |
| Fri 16 Oct | Shashthi | Kalparambha in the morning. Bodhon, amantran and adhivas in the evening, when the Goddess is welcomed. Shashthi tithi: 3:26 AM Fri to 5:55 AM Sat. |
| Sat 17 Oct | Maha Saptami | Nabapatrika snan (Kola Bou) at dawn, then Saptami puja. Saptami tithi: 5:55 AM Sat to 8:29 AM Sun. |
| Sun 18 Oct | Saptami into Ashtami | Saptami rites continue in some pujas until 8:29 AM, when Ashtami tithi begins. Expect a very busy evening. |
| Mon 19 Oct | Maha Ashtami | Ashtami puja and pushpanjali in the morning (Ashtami ends about 10:52 AM), Kumari Puja, and Sandhi Puja from 10:28 to 11:16 AM. |
| Tue 20 Oct | Maha Navami | Navami puja, homa and bhog. Navami tithi: 10:52 AM Mon to 12:51 PM Tue. The last full night of pandal hopping. |
| Wed 21 Oct | Vijaya Dashami | Dashami puja, darpan bisarjan, sindur khela, then immersion. Bisarjan guide |
| Fri 23 Oct | Mayer Gomon carnival | Agartala's Durga Puja carnival, ending at Dashami Ghat. Carnival guide |
| Sun 25 Oct | Kojagari Lakshmi Puja | Lakshmi Puja on the full moon after Dashami. |
| Sun 8 Nov | Kali Puja, Diwali | Dharmanagar and Agartala are known for their Kali Puja lights. |
Sandhi Puja 2026 time
Sandhi Puja is held in the 48 minutes where Ashtami ends and Navami begins, with 108 lamps and 108 lotuses. In 2026 it falls on Monday 19 October.
| Panjika | Sandhi Puja | Bali (sacrifice) |
|---|---|---|
| Bisuddha Siddhanta | 10:28 AM to 11:16 AM | Bali at 10:52 AM |
| Traditional (prachin) | 7:26 AM to 8:14 AM | Bali at 7:50 AM |
Belur Math follows the Bisuddha Siddhanta timing. Family and temple pujas in Tripura use either panjika, so ask the club you're visiting.
Tripura holidays for Durga Puja 2026
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| Sat 10 Oct | Mahalaya |
| Mon 19 Oct | Maha Ashtami |
| Tue 20 Oct | Maha Navami |
| Wed 21 Oct | Vijaya Dashami |
| Sun 25 Oct and Mon 26 Oct | Lakshmi Puja, with a compensatory holiday on Monday |
| Sun 8 Nov and Mon 9 Nov | Diwali, with a compensatory holiday on Monday |
From published 2026 holiday lists for Tripura. Check the state government's notification for your office.
Best time to go pandal hopping
- Quietest: Chaturthi to Shashthi evenings, and early mornings on any day.
- Busiest: Saptami to Navami from 8 PM to 1 AM, especially Sunday 18 and Monday 19 October.
- Traffic: Agartala Traffic Police run no-entry zones from 5 PM to 1 AM on Puja days, so walk or take a toto inside the city. Drop points and rules
Questions people ask
When is Durga Puja 2026?
Bodhon is on Shashthi, Friday 16 October 2026. Maha Ashtami is on Monday 19 October and Vijaya Dashami on Wednesday 21 October. Mahalaya is on Saturday 10 October.
What time is Sandhi Puja in 2026?
Monday 19 October 2026, from 10:28 AM to 11:16 AM IST by the Bisuddha Siddhanta panjika (the timing Belur Math follows). The traditional panjika puts it at 7:26 AM to 8:14 AM. Ask your club which one it follows.
Why is Saptami on two days in 2026?
Saptami tithi begins at 5:55 AM on Saturday 17 October and runs until 8:29 AM on Sunday 18 October. Nabapatrika snan is on Saturday morning, and some pujas continue Saptami rites on Sunday morning.
When should I give Ashtami anjali?
On Monday 19 October, before Ashtami tithi ends at about 10:52 AM by the Bisuddha Siddhanta panjika. Pujas that follow the traditional panjika finish much earlier, so check your club's schedule.
Know a puja we've missed?
Add the pandals in your para. Every listing credits the person who added it.