Goddess Durga | DD News

October 19, 2026 4:35 PM

Durga Puja across West Bengal brings together devotion, artistry and community traditions

Elaborate pandals, clay idols, the rhythm of the dhaak and gatherings of families and neighbours define Durga Puja across West Bengal, where the worship of the Goddess is also a major celebration of art and cultural identity. From neighbourhood community pujas to household observances, the festival combines religious rituals with performances, shared meals and visits to decorated pavilions. Preparations begin months in advance, bringing together idol-makers, designers and organisers. At its sp...

October 19, 2026 4:32 PM

From Garba to Ramleela, Navratri and Dussehra connect communities across the world

Temple prayers, Garba gatherings, dramatic retellings of the Ramayana and family reunions give Navratri and Dussehra a global presence, carrying religious traditions across borders while creating spaces for cultural exchange. Celebrations take different forms across countries. Navratri centres on devotion to the Goddess, while Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, celebrates the victory of good over evil, associated with Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana and Goddess Durga’s triumph over Mahishasura. I...

October 19, 2026 4:16 PM

From Mysuru’s pageantry to Kerala’s first letters, South India celebrates Navratri and Dussehra’s many traditions

Illuminated palaces, carefully arranged dolls, floral gatherings and ceremonies introducing children to learning give Navratri and Dussehra distinct expressions across South India. Across the region, worship of the Goddess brings together devotion, artistic traditions and community participation. While the celebrations share themes of divine strength and the victory of good over evil, local customs shape how families and communities observe the festival—from Karnataka’s grand Dasara process...

October 19, 2026 3:13 PM

Mahashtami marked by early morning anjali at puja pandals across Bengal

People thronged Durga Puja pandals across Kolkata and the districts of West Bengal in the early hours of Monday to offer anjali on Mahashtami, in keeping the prescribed timing of the rituals this year. From community pandals in the metropolis to traditional household celebrations and heritage shrines in the districts, devotees in new festive attire arrived in the pandals as priests led the chanting of mantras and hymns in praise of Goddess Durga. The early start saw worshippers gather at sever...

October 16, 2026 3:09 PM

Bengal’s biggest festival Durga Puja starts with Mahashashthi, pandal-hopping begins

Rituals marking the formal commencement of West Bengal's biggest festival, Durga Puja, were conducted at pandals on Friday as revellers began visiting decorated marquees and prayed to the Mother Goddess on 'Mahashashthi'. 'Kalparamba' ritual was conducted to start the festivities, while 'bodhan' or invocation of the goddess will also be held, even as mothers offered prayers for their children's well-being. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, while extending his greetings, said in a social media p...

October 15, 2026 11:43 AM

PM Modi Extends Navratri Greetings, Wishes Love and Harmony on Maa Skandamata Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday extended greetings to the people on the fifth day of Shardiya Navratri, dedicated to Goddess Skandamata, and wished that her blessings bring love, harmony and happiness to every family. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said the fifth day of Navratri is dedicated to the worship of Maa Skandamata, the fifth form of Goddess Durga. He expressed his heartfelt wish that the blessings of the goddess, who symbolises maternal affection and tenderness, would fil...

October 12, 2026 12:55 PM

Devotees throng temples on 2nd day of Navaratri dedicated to Goddess Brahmacharini

The second day of Shardiya Navaratri, dedicated to Maa Brahmacharini, began with prayers, devotion and faith across the nation, as devotees flocked to temples to offer prayers to Goddess Durga and seek blessings. On the second day of Navratri, devotees visited the renowned Jhandewalan Devi Temple in New Delhi and offered prayers to Maa Brahmacharini. Devotees waited patiently in long queues, hands joined, to catch a glimpse of the Goddess while temple workers applied ‘tika’ on their forehea...

March 25, 2026 11:36 AM

Devotees throng temples across India on seventh day of Chaitra Navratri

A large number of devotees gathered at temples across the country on Wednesday to mark the seventh day of Chaitra Navratri, offering prayers to Maa Kaalratri, the fierce form of Goddess Durga. In Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, heavy footfall was witnessed at the Darshani Deori as pilgrims began their journey to the revered Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple. Devotees expressed satisfaction with the arrangements. One pilgrim said, “I have been coming here for 20 years. The arrangements made by the admi...

March 24, 2026 10:39 AM

PM Modi seeks blessings of Maa Katyayani on sixth day of Chaitra Navratri

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended greetings to the nation on the sixth day of Chaitra Navratri, dedicated to Maa Katyayani, and prayed for strength and confidence for all devotees. In a post on X, the Prime Minister offered his obeisance to Maa Katyayani and said, “May the grace of the Goddess - the presiding deity of divinity and valour - infuse all her devotees with immense strength and self-confidence.” He added that the worship of Mother Jagadamba fills the mind with inf...

March 19, 2026 2:56 PM

Morning ‘Aarti’ performed at major temples across India on first day of Chaitra Navratri

Devotees on Thursday gathered in large numbers at prominent shrines, including the Jhandewalan and Chhatarpur temples in Delhi and Mumba Devi in Mumbai, to offer prayers on the first day of Chaitra Navratri. The air resonated with the sound of bells and hymns as the Aarti performed marked the commencement of the nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga. BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj, while talking to the reporters, said, "I wish everyone a Happy Chaitra Navaratri. May the Goddess bring prosper...