Mumbai is preparing for the grand celebration of Durga Puja 2026 and Bengali communities and puja committees in the city are also preparing for several days of religious rituals, cultural programmes, traditional food and community gatherings. The main celebrations will be Maha Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami and Vijayadashami.
While dates can vary slightly in terms of Panchang calculations and puja committee schedules for different puja committees, there are several Mumbai-based organisers who have already announced their programme for the 2026 festival.
When is Maha Shashthi 2026?
Maha Shashthi will be held on Friday, October 16, 2026 according to the Mumbai-specific Durga Puja schedule. It is the beginning of the big five-day celebrations for many Bengali communities.
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Shashthi rituals include Bodhan, Amantran and Adhibas, through which goddess Durga is ceremonially invoked.
At the Sanskriti Sarbojanin Durgotsav in Borivali, Shashthi Puja is scheduled for 9 am and Amantran and Adhibas at 7 pm and evening Aarti at 7:30 pm.
Maha Saptami and Maha Ashtami
Maha Saptami is on Saturday, October 17 and Maha Ashtami on Sunday, October 18, according to the committee schedule.
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At Sanskriti Sarbojanin Durgotsav the Ashtami Puja is scheduled at 8 am, Pushpanjali at 11 am, Bhog at 1 pm and evening Aarti at 7:30 pm.
However, the devotees should note that Panchang-based calculations show overlap in the Ashtami tithi. Therefore, the exact observance may differ by individual puja committees.
Sandhi Puja 2026
Sandhi Puja is performed at the transition between Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami and is considered one of the major rituals of Durga Puja.
The Mumbai schedule for Sanskriti Club cites Sandhi Puja on October 19, from 7:26 am to 8:14 am and Balidan on 7:50 am.
When is Maha Navami?
According to the schedule of Sanskriti Sarbojanin Durgotsav, Maha Navami will be observed on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
The programme is a Navami Puja at 8 am, Pushpanjali at 10:30 am, Hawan at noon and evening Aarti at 7:30 pm.
Like Ashtami, Navami tithi timings can overlap with calendar dates, so devotees should check the schedule of the puja committee they plan to visit.
Durga Visarjan 2026 in Mumbai
Vijaya Dashami and Durga Visarjan are the end of the celebration. In the schedule of Sanskriti Sarbojanin Durgotsav, Vijaya Dashami falls on Wednesday, October 21 and Visarjan Yatra is scheduled to begin at 4:30 pm. Sindoor Khela is held at 12:45 pm.
Some Panchang calculations may place Dussehra and Visarjan on October 20 due to tithi considerations. Hence, devotees should follow the official schedule of their chosen puja committee.
Durga Puja 2026 Dates at a Glance
- Maha Shashthi: October 16, Friday
- Maha Saptami: October 17, Saturday
- Maha Ashtami: October 18, Sunday
- Sandhi Puja: October 19, morning
- Maha Navami: October 20, Tuesday
- Vijaya Dashami/Visarjan: October 21 in the Sanskriti Mumbai schedule
Durga Puja celebrations in Mumbai will intermingle traditional worship with cultural events, music, dance, food and community events. Since timings can vary according to local traditions and tithi calculations, devotees are advised to check the latest announcement from their chosen puja committee before visiting.
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