Shashthi 2026 is Saturday 17 October: Kalparambha, the bodhon awakening of Durga by a bel tree, amantran and adhivas, unveiling of faces and Shashthi fasts.
Bodhon, the awakening of the goddess, on the evening of Shashthi. Photo: Goutam1962, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
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.
A kalash (ghat) with a lamp, leaves and flowers, set up for worship. Photo: Ashish Suryavanshi858, CC0, Wikimedia Commons.
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.
Bodhon, the awakening of the goddess, on the evening of Shashthi. Photo: Goutam1962, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
After the bodhon the goddess is formally invited (amantran) to accept the worship of the coming days.
An illustrated leaf of the Devi Mahatmya. Photo: SpeakingArch, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
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, is uncovered on Shashthi evening.
Idols take shape in a workshop lane at Kumartuli, north Kolkata. Photo: Pinakpani, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
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.
Sabudana khichdi, a common Navratri fasting food. Photo: Mrudit161187, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
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.
Clay diyas lit for Diwali. Photo: Alokjain19883105, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
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.
Night crowds on the pandal trail in Behala. Photo: Snehangshu36, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
At dawn the next day, the Saptami rites begin with the bath of the Kola Bou.
Kola Bou, the banana plant bride, is carried to the pond for her bath on Saptami morning. Photo: Goutam1962, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Shashthi 2026 is Saturday 17 October: Kalparambha, the bodhon awakening of Durga by a bel tree, amantran and adhivas, unveiling of faces and Shashthi fasts.
Shashthi → Next story: Sindoor khela: the vermilion farewell of Bijoya Dashami All photo storiesMusic: Rhythm of Dhak a huge membranophone instrument from Bengal and Assam, used in Hindu religious festivals, especially Durga Puja, Sumita Roy Dutta, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.