# Shashthi: the awakening of the goddess

> Shashthi, the sixth day of the bright fortnight, is when Durga Puja formally begins in Bengal. The goddess is awakened in the bodhon rite, traditionally beside a bel tree, then invited (amantran) and consecrated (adhivas), and in many pandals her face is unveiled that evening. In 2026 Shashthi falls on Saturday 17 October.

Source: https://pujoparikramaguide.in/durga-puja/rituals/shashthi/ (updated 2026-10-06)

**Shashthi**, the sixth day of Devi Paksha, is when the main Durga Puja formally begins. In the morning or by day the priest performs *Kalparambha*, the ritual start of the puja; in the evening comes the **bodhon** (awakening) of the goddess, followed by *amantran* (invitation) and *adhivas* (consecration). In 2026 Shashthi falls on **Saturday 17 October**.

As with every day of the puja, the exact sequence and timing depend on the family tradition and the panjika (almanac) the priest follows; some households perform parts of these rites on other days.

## Kalparambha: the vow to begin

*Kalparambha* means "beginning of the rite". The priest, on behalf of the household or puja committee, makes a formal resolve (*sankalpa*) to perform the worship over the coming days, often with a kalash (water pot) set up as a seat for the goddess. It is usually brief and attended mainly by the organisers.

## Bodhon: waking the goddess

The heart of Shashthi is the **bodhon**. In Hindu belief, the half of the year from the summer to the winter solstice is the gods' night, so a goddess worshipped in autumn must first be woken. Bengali retellings of the Ramayana, notably Krittibas's, say that Rama performed this *akal bodhon* (untimely awakening) before his battle with Ravana, and the autumn puja follows him.

The bodhon is traditionally performed beside a **bel tree** (wood apple, *Aegle marmelos*), sacred to Shiva and the goddess. In city pandals where no tree is at hand, a bel branch is set up in a pot. The priest invokes the goddess in the tree with mantras, conch shells and ululation (*ulu*), and the dhak drums play.

## Amantran and adhivas

After the bodhon the goddess is formally **invited** (*amantran*) to accept the worship of the coming days. Then comes **adhivas**, a consecration in which the priest touches the image and the bel branch with a series of auspicious items, such as earth, fragrance, stone, paddy, durba grass, flowers, fruit, curd, ghee, a mirror, vermilion, a conch and others. The list varies by tradition. Adhivas prepares the image and the plants that will become the Nabapatrika the next morning.

## The unveiling of faces

For visitors, the moment many remember is the **unveiling**. In a number of Kolkata pujas the face of the idol, covered since it arrived from [Kumartuli](/durga-puja/kumartuli-idol-making/), is uncovered on Shashthi evening. Others unveil earlier, especially pujas that open to the public on Panchami or before. Crowds start to build from Shashthi evening and keep growing through Navami; see [pandal hopping tips](/durga-puja/pandal-hopping-tips/) and the [dates page](/guide/dates/) for crowd forecasts.

## Shashthi fasting for children

In many Bengali families, mothers keep a fast or a restricted diet on this day for their children's wellbeing, connected with the goddess Shashthi, a guardian of children. Some eat no rice that day, some break the fast after worship with fruit and sweets. Customs differ, so follow your own family's practice.

## What you will see and hear

If you visit a pandal on Shashthi evening, look for the bel branch set up in a pot or on a small platform, often tied with red thread and surrounded by lamps, flowers and a kalash. The dhakis (drummers), who usually arrive from the districts of Bengal in the days before the puja, play for the bodhon, and the sound of the dhak becomes the soundtrack of the next five days. Read more on our [dhak and dhaki](/durga-puja/dhak-and-dhaki/) page.

In old family pujas (*bonedi bari*) the rites often take place in the *thakur dalan*, the family's worship hall, and the household gathers to watch. In big community pujas the rites are usually quieter than the crowds outside suggest, and you may need to arrive early to see them. Check the [bonedi bari pujas](/durga-puja/bonedi-bari-pujas/) page for family pujas that welcome visitors.

## Panchami, the day before

**Panchami** (Friday 16 October 2026) has no major rite of the main puja in most traditions, but in Kolkata it is the unofficial first night of the festival: many pandals are already lit and open, and those who want to avoid the heaviest crowds often go pandal hopping then.

## What comes next

At dawn the next day, the [Saptami](/durga-puja/rituals/saptami/) rites begin with the bath of the [Kola Bou](/durga-puja/rituals/kola-bou/). For the full sequence, see [Durga Puja rituals day by day](/durga-puja/rituals/). Good places to feel the start of the festival include [Bagbazar](/guide/pandals/bagbazar/), [College Square](/guide/pandals/college_square/) and [Md. Ali Park](/guide/pandals/md_ali_park/) in the [North](/guide/areas/north/) and [Central](/guide/areas/central/) parts of the city.

## Frequently asked questions

**When is Shashthi in 2026?**
Shashthi is on Saturday 17 October 2026. Panchami is the day before, Friday 16 October, and Saptami follows on Sunday 18 October.

**What is bodhon in Durga Puja?**
Bodhon means awakening. On Shashthi the priest ritually wakes the goddess, traditionally beside a bel (wood apple) tree or a bel branch, because autumn is believed to be a time when the gods rest.

**What is akal bodhon?**
Akal bodhon means untimely awakening. Bengali retellings of the Ramayana describe Rama invoking Durga in autumn, outside her usual spring worship, to win her blessing before fighting Ravana, and the autumn Durga Puja is seen as following his example.

**Why do mothers fast on Shashthi?**
In many Bengali families mothers observe a fast or a restricted diet on Durga Puja Shashthi for the wellbeing of their children, linked to the goddess Shashthi, a protector of children. Customs differ from family to family.

**Are pandals open on Shashthi?**
Yes. Most Kolkata pandals are open to visitors by Shashthi, and many open on Panchami or earlier. Shashthi evening is busy but usually lighter than Saptami to Navami.