What is Maha Saptami and what happens on this day of Durga Puja?

Maha Saptami is the second official day of Durga Puja — the seventh lunar day (Saptami Tithi) of Ashwin Shukla Paksha. In 2026, it falls on Sunday, October 18. The most important ritual is the Kola Bou Snan (Navapatrika Snan) — the pre-dawn ceremonial bathing of nine plants bundled together as nine manifestations of Goddess Durga, which officially initiates the Durga Puja worship.

When is Maha Saptami 2026 and what is the Kola Bou Snan time?

Maha Saptami 2026 falls on Sunday, October 18. The Kola Bou Snan is performed before sunrise — typically between 5:00 AM and 6:30 AM — at a river or pond. The exact pre-dawn timing in the Bengali panjika should be followed for the ritual to be astrologically correct.

What is the significance of the Navapatrika (Kola Bou) on Maha Saptami?

The Navapatrika — nine plants wrapped in a white-bordered red sari — represents nine manifestations of Goddess Durga: banana (Brahmi), kachhu, turmeric (Durga), jayanti, bilva, pomegranate, ashoka, manakochu, and rice. After the river bath, the Navapatrika is brought back in a drum procession and installed beside Ganesha in the pandal.

Is Maha Saptami 2026 a public holiday in West Bengal?

Yes. Maha Saptami is a gazetted public holiday in West Bengal as part of the official Durga Puja holiday block. In 2026 it falls on Sunday, October 18.

Maha Saptami 2026 (Durga Saptami) | মহা সপ্তমী ২০২৬

Maha Saptami 2026 â€” Kola Bou Snan and Navapatrika ritual

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About Maha Saptami (Durga Saptami)(উৎসব পরিচিতি)

Maha Saptami 2026 falls on Sunday, October 18, 2026.

Maha Saptami begins before dawn with Kola Bou Snan (bathing of Navapatrika tied in a sari at the river Ganga). The priest brings Kola Bou back to the pandal to sit beside Ganesha, performs Pran Pratishtha (life-giving ritual), and leads the first full Pushpanjali offering of Durga Puja.

History: Navapatrika represents nine plants symbolizing nine forms of Goddess Durga (Navadurga) rooted in ancient agricultural heritage.

Significance: Saptami is when full day pandal-hopping and free Bhog distribution (Khichuri, Labra, Beguni) begin at major Kolkata pujas.

Rituals & How to Celebrate

Kola Bou Snan at river ghats before sunrise.

Pran Pratishtha and Saptami Puja.

Pushpanjali offering and Bhog distribution.

Traditional Foods & Bhog

Bhoger Khichuri, Labra, Beguni, and Chutney.

Festival Calendar

Oct18

Maha Saptami

২ কার্তিক • মহা সপ্তমী ২০২৬

Sun

Related Festivals

Durga Puja

দুর্গাপূজা ২০২৬

17 October

Maha Ashtami (Durga Ashtami)

মহা অষ্টমী ২০২৬

19 October

Frequently Asked Questions

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Quick Info

FestivalMaha Saptami (Durga Saptami)

Date18 October 2026

DaySunday

Tithiতৃতীয়া

Bangla Date২ কার্তিক ১৪৩৩

Pakshaশুক্লপক্ষ

Panjika Details

Sunrise5:50 AM

Sunset5:15 PM

Nakshatraআশ্লেষা

Yogaসাধ্য

Karanaবিষ্টি

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