Durga Puja 2026 in Mumbai will be observed in October, with Bengali communities across the city preparing for five days of festivities, prayers, cultural programmes and celebrations.
According to Drik Panchang’s Mumbai calendar, the main Durga Puja observances begin with Shashthi on October 16 and continue through Vijayadashami and Durga Visarjan.
For Mumbai, Drik Panchang lists Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami on October 19, while Durga Visarjan and Vijayadashami are observed on October 20 according to the general Mumbai Hindu calendar. However, the Bengal-specific calendar places Bengal Vijayadashami and Bengal Durga Visarjan on October 21. Devotees following the Bengali Durga Puja tradition should therefore check the schedule of their respective puja committee or pandal.
Drik Panchang’s 2026 Durga Puja calendar describes the festival as a five-day observance comprising Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami and Vijayadashami.
Its Mumbai Panchang separately lists Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami on October 19 and Durga Visarjan and Dussehra on October 20.
Durga Puja 2026 timings in Mumbai
The tithi timings calculated specifically for Mumbai by Drik Panchang provide the astronomical basis for the observances.
Maha Ashtami – October 19
Drik Panchang lists Maha Ashtami on Monday, October 19, for Mumbai.
The Ashtami Tithi begins at 8:27 am on October 18 and ends at 10:51 am on October 19. Maha Ashtami is associated with important rituals including Mahasnan, Shodashopachar Puja and Kumari Puja.
Sandhi Puja – October 19
Sandhi Puja is performed at the junction of Ashtami and Navami. Drik Panchang explains that Sandhi Kaal comprises the last 24 minutes of Ashtami Tithi and the first 24 minutes of Navami Tithi.
Since Ashtami ends at 10:51 am in Mumbai on October 19, the Sandhi period falls approximately between 10:27 am and 11:15 am.
Sandhi Puja is traditionally associated with the worship of Goddess Chamunda and is one of the significant rituals of Durga Puja. Drik Panchang also notes the traditional practice of lighting 108 earthen lamps during Sandhi Kaal.
Maha Navami – October 19
Maha Navami falls on Monday, October 19, 2026, in Mumbai.
The Navami Tithi begins at 10:51 am on October 19 and ends at 12:50 pm on October 20. Maha Navami is the third and final major day of Durga Puja, with rituals including Navami Homa and Durga Balidan.
Vijayadashami and Durga Visarjan – October 20
For Mumbai, Drik Panchang lists Vijayadashami on Tuesday, October 20.
The Vijay Muhurat is from 2:19 pm to 3:06 pm. The Dashami Tithi begins at 12:50 pm on October 20 and ends at 2:11 pm on October 21.
However, devotees following the Bengali Durga Puja calendar should note that Drik Panchang separately lists Bengal Vijayadashami and Bengal Durga Visarjan on Wednesday, October 21.
Durga Puja 2026 puja schedule in Mumbai
October 16 – Shashthi
The first day of the five-day Durga Puja period is Shashthi. The key rituals listed by Drik Panchang include Bilva Nimantran, Kalparambha, Akal Bodhon, Amantran and Adhivas.
Akal Bodhon is the ceremonial invocation of Goddess Durga, marking the beginning of the main Durga Puja rituals.
October 17 – Maha Saptami
Maha Saptami marks the second day of the Durga Puja festivities. The major ritual is Navpatrika Puja, also known as Kolabou Puja in the Bengali tradition.
Navpatrika consists of nine plants that are ritually bundled and worshipped as a representation of the Goddess. The day also includes Mahasnan, Prana Pratishtha and Shodashopachar Puja. Drik Panchang identifies October 17 as the 2026 Navpatrika Puja date.
October 18 – Saptami
October 18 continues the Saptami observance in the 2026 calendar. Devotees may participate in morning Pushpanjali, bhog and aarti at different pandals across Mumbai.
October 19 – Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami
October 19 is particularly significant in 2026 because both Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami are observed on the same calendar date in Mumbai.
The day includes Maha Ashtami Puja, Kumari Puja and Sandhi Puja, followed by Maha Navami rituals after the Navami Tithi begins at 10:51 am.
October 20 – Maha Navami and Vijayadashami
The Navami Tithi continues until 12:50 pm on October 20. Drik Panchang lists Maha Navami, Durga Balidan, Navami Homa, Durga Visarjan and Vijayadashami for this date in its general Durga Puja calendar.
The Mumbai Vijayadashami calendar gives the Vijay Muhurat as 2:19 pm to 3:06 pm.
October 21 – Bengal Vijayadashami
For devotees following the Bengali calendar, October 21 is significant. Drik Panchang’s Durga Puja calendar lists Bengal Vijayadashami, Bengal Durga Visarjan and Sindoor Utsav on Wednesday, October 21.
When is Durga Puja 2026 in Mumbai?
Durga Puja 2026 in Mumbai will begin with the main five-day observance on October 16, 2026, and the key celebrations will continue through October 20. For Bengali-specific observances, including Bengal Vijayadashami and Bengal Durga Visarjan, October 21 is the relevant date.
Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami observed on the same day this year?
In Mumbai, Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami will be observed on the same day, Monday, October 19, 2026, according to Drik Panchang.
The Ashtami Tithi ends at 10:51 am on October 19, after which the Navami Tithi begins. Maha Navami will therefore be observed on October 19, with the Navami Tithi continuing until 12:50 pm on October 20.
When is Durga Visarjan in Mumbai in 2026?
Drik Panchang’s general Mumbai calendar lists Durga Visarjan on October 20, 2026. For devotees following the Bengali Durga Puja calendar, Bengal Durga Visarjan is listed on October 21, 2026.
