Many families live far from their hometown and still want to celebrate Durga Puja properly at home. With some planning you can do a meaningful puja, even in a small flat. This guide gives a simple timeline. Exact dates and timings come from the panchang, so confirm them with your pandit.

Decide the scale first

  • A small altar with a Durga photo or idol for daily puja.
  • A fuller puja with a kalash and puja on the key days.
  • Joining your housing society or community puja and doing a short puja at home.

The days of the festival

Durga Puja is celebrated over several days, usually counted from Shashthi to Dashami.

  • Shashthi: the Goddess is welcomed and the festival begins.
  • Saptami, Ashtami and Navami: the main days of puja. Ashtami and Navami often include special rituals, and Sandhi Puja is held at the transition between them.
  • Dashami: the festival concludes with farewell rituals. In Bengali tradition this includes sindoor khela.

Your planning timeline

  1. 4 to 6 weeks before: book your pandit and agree the days, language and price.
  2. 2 to 3 weeks before: get the samagri list and arrange the puja place.
  3. 1 week before: confirm timings, invite family and friends, plan prasad.
  4. On the day: keep the area clean, lamps ready, and the samagri laid out before the pandit arrives.

Tips for a small home

  • A corner with a clean table and a red or white cloth is enough for the altar.
  • Ask if the pandit can do a shorter version on weekdays.
  • Tell neighbours about the timings if there will be bells and conch sounds.