This page gives you a Durga Puja essay 2026 in English — a 100-word short essay, a 200-word essay, a 500-word long essay and 10 lines on Durga Puja — for school students. In 2026, Durga Puja is celebrated in mid-October: the main days from Maha Shashthi to Vijaya Dashami fall between 16 and 21 October 2026, and Mahalaya is on 10 October. Use these essays as a guide to write your own essay on Durga Puja.
Durga Puja 2026 Dates
| Day | Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| Mahalaya | Saturday, 10 October |
| Sharad Navratri | 11 – 19 October |
| Maha Shashthi to Maha Navami | 16/17 – 19/20 October |
| Vijaya Dashami (Bijoya Dashami) | 20 / 21 October |
The exact Durga Puja dates differ slightly between the all-India Drik Panchang and the Bengali panjika, so the main days are shown as a range.
Durga Puja Essay in 100 Words (Short Essay)
Durga Puja is a major Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. It is celebrated in the month of Ashwin, usually in October, and is the biggest festival of West Bengal. It is also celebrated with great joy in Assam, Odisha, Tripura, Bihar and Jharkhand. Beautiful idols of Goddess Durga with her children Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya are placed in decorated pandals. People wear new clothes, visit pandals and enjoy cultural programmes. On Vijaya Dashami, the idols are immersed in rivers. Durga Puja teaches us that good always wins over evil.
Durga Puja Essay in 200 Words
Durga Puja is one of the most colourful festivals of India. It is celebrated to worship Goddess Durga, who killed the powerful demon Mahishasura after a fierce battle. The festival is held in the month of Ashwin, during the days of Sharad Navratri. In 2026, the main days of Durga Puja fall between 16 and 21 October.
The festival begins with Mahalaya, when people welcome the goddess with prayers. The main celebrations last for five days — Shashthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Dashami. Artists make beautiful clay idols of Goddess Durga riding a lion, with her ten arms holding different weapons. The idols are placed in pandals, which are often made on creative themes and decorated with lights.
Durga Puja is the biggest festival of West Bengal and Kolkata, and in 2021 UNESCO added “Durga Puja in Kolkata” to its list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. People visit pandals, offer prayers, enjoy music, dance and delicious food, and meet friends and relatives. On the last day, Vijaya Dashami, married women play sindoor khela and the idols are immersed in water.
Durga Puja spreads the message of the power of good, the strength of women and the joy of togetherness.
Durga Puja Essay in 500 Words (Long Essay)
Introduction
Durga Puja is a grand festival dedicated to Goddess Durga, the symbol of power and strength (Shakti). It is celebrated with great devotion in the month of Ashwin, which falls in September or October. Durga Puja is the most important festival of West Bengal and is also celebrated in Assam, Odisha, Tripura, Bihar, Jharkhand and by people all over India and abroad. In 2026, the main days of Durga Puja fall between 16 and 21 October.
Story of Goddess Durga
According to Hindu mythology, the demon Mahishasura received a boon that no man or god could kill him. Proud of his power, he attacked the heavens and defeated the gods. The gods then combined their powers to create Goddess Durga, who rode a lion and carried a weapon in each of her ten hands. She fought Mahishasura for nine days and killed him on the tenth day. This victory is celebrated as Durga Puja and Vijayadashami. It is also believed that Lord Rama worshipped Goddess Durga before his battle with Ravana.
Days of Durga Puja
The festival begins with Mahalaya, when the goddess is invited to come to earth. The main celebrations last for five days. On Shashthi, the face of the idol is unveiled; on Saptami, the Navapatrika is bathed and worshipped; Ashtami is the most important day with the Sandhi Puja and Kumari Puja; Navami has the grand aarti; and on Vijaya Dashami, women play sindoor khela and the idols are immersed in rivers and lakes with the hope that the goddess will return the next year.
How Durga Puja is Celebrated
Months before the festival, artists in places like Kumartuli in Kolkata make beautiful clay idols of Goddess Durga along with Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya. Huge pandals are built on creative themes and lit up with lights. People wear new clothes, go pandal hopping with family and friends, and enjoy music, dhunuchi dance, cultural programmes and delicious food. Schools and offices remain closed for the main days. In 2021, UNESCO inscribed “Durga Puja in Kolkata” on its list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which shows how special this festival is.
Importance of Durga Puja
Durga Puja reminds us that evil, however strong, is always defeated by good. Goddess Durga is a symbol of the power of women, and the festival encourages respect for women in society. It also brings people of all communities together and supports thousands of artists, craftsmen and small businesses. At the same time, we should celebrate responsibly by using eco-friendly idols and colours, so that our rivers are not polluted during immersion.
Conclusion
Durga Puja is a festival of devotion, art, culture and togetherness. It fills our hearts with joy and teaches us to stand up against injustice. Let us celebrate Durga Puja 2026 with devotion, kindness and care for nature.
10 Lines on Durga Puja in English
- Durga Puja is a Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Durga.
- It celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura.
- Durga Puja is celebrated in the month of Ashwin, during Sharad Navratri.
- In 2026, the main days of Durga Puja fall between 16 and 21 October.
- It is the biggest festival of West Bengal and is also popular in Assam, Odisha and Tripura.
- Beautiful idols of Goddess Durga are placed in decorated pandals.
- The main days are Shashthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Dashami.
- On Vijaya Dashami, women play sindoor khela and idols are immersed.
- UNESCO added Durga Puja in Kolkata to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2021.
- Durga Puja teaches us that good always wins over evil.
दुर्गा पूजा पर निबंध (Durga Puja Essay in Hindi)
Durga Puja Essay – FAQs
When is Durga Puja in 2026?
In 2026, the main days of Durga Puja (Maha Shashthi to Vijaya Dashami) fall between 16 and 21 October, with Mahalaya on 10 October. The exact dates differ slightly as per the Bengali panjika and other calendars.
Why is Durga Puja celebrated?
Durga Puja celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, which symbolises the victory of good over evil.
In which state is Durga Puja most famous?
Durga Puja is the biggest festival of West Bengal, especially Kolkata. It is also celebrated with great joy in Assam, Odisha, Tripura, Bihar and Jharkhand.
What is sindoor khela?
Sindoor khela is a tradition on Vijaya Dashami in which married women apply sindoor (vermilion) to Goddess Durga and to each other before the idol is immersed.
