KOLKATA, October 19, 2026: Bijoya Dashami, the concluding day of Durga Puja celebrations in West Bengal, will be observed on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, according to the Bengal-specific Vijayadashami calendar published by Drik Panchang. The date differs from the October 20 observance followed in many other parts of India.

The difference arises because festival observance depends on the lunar tithi, local calendar conventions and regional traditions. The Dashami tithi begins at 12:50 PM on October 20 and ends at 2:11 PM on October 21, according to the Kolkata calendar. People planning religious ceremonies should check the timings followed by their local puja committee or family tradition.

Bijoya Dashami 2026 date in West Bengal

Bijoya Dashami will fall on Wednesday, October 21, in West Bengal in 2026. The day marks the conclusion of the principal Durga Puja celebrations and is associated with the departure of Goddess Durga from her earthly visit to her devotees.

In Bengal, Bijoya Dashami is not only a religious occasion but also an important social and cultural day. Families exchange greetings, visit relatives, seek blessings from elders and share traditional sweets after the main puja celebrations.

Why are Dussehra and Bijoya Dashami dates different?

Many parts of India will observe Vijayadashami or Dussehra on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. West Bengal follows a Bengal-specific observance that places Bijoya Dashami on Wednesday, October 21.

The difference is related to how regional traditions interpret the Dashami tithi and the appropriate period for observing the festival. A lunar tithi does not always begin and end within one civil calendar day, which can lead to different observance dates across regions.

For this reason, people should use a calendar or panjika applicable to their location rather than assuming that every state observes the festival on the same date.

Bijoya Dashami 2026 puja timings in Kolkata

Drik Panchang's Bengal-specific calendar for Kolkata lists the following timings:

  • Dashami tithi begins: 12:50 PM on October 20, 2026.
  • Dashami tithi ends: 2:11 PM on October 21, 2026.
  • Bengal Vijayadashami Aparahna period: approximately 12:30 PM to 2:48 PM on October 21.

These are calendar-based timings, not a universal schedule for every ritual, household or community puja. The time selected for a particular ceremony may vary by local custom. Check the relevant panjika or ask the priest responsible for your puja before making arrangements.

What is the significance of Bijoya Dashami?

Bijoya Dashami marks the end of the main Durga Puja period and celebrates the victory of good over evil. In Hindu traditions, Vijayadashami is associated both with Goddess Durga's victory over Mahishasura and Lord Rama's victory over Ravana.

In Bengal, the day carries a distinct emotional significance because it symbolises Goddess Durga's departure after visiting her parental home with her children. The celebrations combine religious observance, community traditions and the exchange of affection among family members and friends.

Sindoor Khela and traditional rituals

Sindoor Khela is a well-known Durga Puja tradition at many Bengali community and family pujas. Married women may apply sindoor to the Goddess and exchange it with other participants as part of the ritual, although customs differ between communities and households.

Other concluding rituals may include offering prayers, performing the customary farewell to the Goddess, seeking blessings from elders and preparing for idol immersion. Not every puja committee follows precisely the same sequence or schedule.

When will Durga idol immersion take place?

Many Durga Puja committees arrange idol immersion around Bijoya Dashami, but the exact schedule can vary depending on the organising committee, idol size, procession arrangements and local administrative instructions.

Visitors should check announcements from their local puja committee and the relevant municipal or police authorities for immersion routes, traffic restrictions and designated timings. Do not assume that every Kolkata immersion procession will take place at the same time.

How do people celebrate Bijoya Dashami in Bengal?

After the formal puja rituals, families and friends exchange Bijoya greetings, visit relatives and seek blessings from elders. Traditional sweets and snacks are often shared during these visits.

Community celebrations may include farewell rituals at pandals, photographs, cultural gatherings and the final moments of neighbourhood Durga Puja festivities. The scale and timing of these activities vary across Kolkata and other districts of West Bengal.

Bijoya Dashami 2026: Important things to remember

  • West Bengal's Bengal-specific Bijoya Dashami date is October 21, 2026.
  • Many other regions observe Vijayadashami on October 20.
  • The Dashami tithi continues into the afternoon of October 21.
  • Local ritual timings may differ by panjika and tradition.
  • Check local announcements before travelling for idol immersion or major community events.

Sources and further reading

Editorial note: Festival dates and ritual timings are based on the cited calendar sources available at the time of writing. Local customs and community schedules may differ. Verify any new official immersion or traffic advisory before adding it to this report.