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Durga Puja 2028 Dates: West Bengal may witness an unusual calendar situation in 2028, with two different Bengali almanacs indicating Durga Puja celebrations approximately 15 days apart. According to reports published on October 23, 2026, the Bisuddha Siddhanta almanac points to celebrations from September 23 to September 27, while the Surya Siddhanta almanac indicates a period between October 8 and October 12. The difference has sparked discussion among devotees, astrologers and almanac publishers. However, the dates remain provisional, and the final 2028 festival schedules are yet to be confirmed.
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A reader recently asked, “I have heard that Durga Puja will take place twice in 2028. Is this really possible, and should families plan their holidays for both September and October?” The question has attracted attention because Durga Puja is one of Bengal’s biggest annual festivals, affecting family gatherings, travel plans, school holidays and community celebrations. The key point is that the reports describe a difference between two traditional calendar systems, not a confirmed decision to organise two separate state-wide festivals. The exact dates will depend on the final calculations published in the respective panjikas.
Durga Puja 2028: Two Different Sets of Dates
The discussion centres on two established methods used to calculate Hindu festival dates in Bengal.
| Calendar system | Reported Durga Puja period in 2028 | Associated tradition |
|---|---|---|
| Bisuddha Siddhanta (Drik Siddhanta) | September 23–27 | Followed by Belur Math and the Ramakrishna Mission |
| Surya Siddhanta | October 8–12 | Followed by many community and traditional household pujas |
These dates were reported by The Times of India on October 23, 2026. The report also notes that the exact dates are yet to be finalised. The potential gap between the two schedules is approximately two weeks.
An independent calendar published by Drik Panchang currently lists Durga Puja observances in late September 2028, with Ashtami on September 26, Navami on September 27, and Vijayadashami on September 28 in its displayed schedule. This is consistent with a late-September observance, but the final Bengali panjika schedules should be checked when published.
Why Could Durga Puja Fall Twice in 2028?
The main reason is the difference between the astronomical and traditional calculations used by the two calendar systems.
In Bengal, festival dates are commonly determined using two broad traditions: Bisuddha Siddhanta, associated with Drik Siddhanta, and Surya Siddhanta, followed by the Gupta Press almanac tradition.
Although both systems calculate dates for the same religious observances, their methods of determining astronomical positions, lunar months, and certain calendrical transitions differ. Under particular circumstances, these differences can shift a festival from one part of the calendar to another.
According to the reports, a distinctive calendrical calculation in 2028 may produce a substantial gap between the dates assigned by the two systems.
This does not mean that the Hindu religious calendar has formally declared two Durga Pujas for everyone. Instead, institutions and communities following different almanacs may observe the festival on different dates.
Durga Puja 2028: All Days Chart (Provisional)
| Date | Day | Puja / Observance |
|---|---|---|
| 23 September 2028 | Saturday | Panchami, Bilva Nimantran & Kalparambha |
| 24 September 2028 | Sunday | Shashthi |
| 25 September 2028 | Monday | Saptami |
| 26 September 2028 | Tuesday | Ashtami |
| 27 September 2028 | Wednesday | Navami |
| 28 September 2028 | Thursday | Dashami / Visarjan |
Important: These are provisional dates based on the reported September schedule. Durga Puja 2028 may follow different dates under different Bengali panjikas. The final observances should be checked against the relevant almanac.
Which Calendar Does Belur Math Follow?
Belur Math and the Ramakrishna Mission follow the Bisuddha Siddhanta tradition for their Durga Puja observances.
Under the schedule currently reported for 2028, their celebrations are expected to take place in late September, from September 23 to September 27.
However, the exact dates and ritual timings remain subject to the final calculations and announcements by the institutions concerned.
Devotees planning to visit Belur Math should check its official announcements closer to the festival rather than treating the currently reported dates as final.
Why May Many Community Pujas Take Place in October?
Many neighbourhood puja committees, community organisers and traditional household observances in Bengal follow the Surya Siddhanta calendar tradition, including dates published through the Gupta Press almanac system.
According to current media reports, this tradition may place Durga Puja between October 8 and October 12 in 2028.
If the two schedules are confirmed, neighbourhood pandals and other community celebrations could take place in October, while institutions following Bisuddha Siddhanta could observe the festival in September.
The final dates will depend on the published almanacs and the decisions of individual puja organisers.
Has Bengal Experienced Such a Situation Before?
Yes. Historical reports identify previous occasions when different almanac traditions placed Durga Puja at substantially different times.
The Times of India report refers to 1963 and 1982 as examples in which Belur Math and the Ramakrishna Mission observed Durga Puja approximately a month before communities following the Gupta Press calendar.
The difference was associated with the calendrical treatment of an intercalary or additional lunar month, known in traditional terminology as mala maash.
These precedents help explain why different festival dates can occur without either tradition necessarily treating its observance as invalid.
The exact circumstances in 2028, however, should be understood from the final calculations for that year rather than assumed to be identical to earlier cases.
Will Schools and Colleges Get Two Durga Puja Holidays in 2028?
This is likely to be one of the biggest questions for students, parents and working families.
At present, there is no confirmed announcement that West Bengal will provide two separate sets of Durga Puja holidays in 2028.
The eventual holiday schedule will depend on official government notifications and the academic calendars issued by individual educational institutions.
Previous instances of differing puja dates may provide historical context, but they do not establish what the government will decide in 2028.
Students and parents should therefore wait for the official school and college holiday calendars before making travel bookings or other arrangements.
What Should Devotees Do Now?
Although the festival is still some time away, devotees can keep the following points in mind:
- Follow the almanac traditionally used by your family or puja committee.
- Check the final 2028 panjika before confirming ritual dates.
- Follow official announcements from Belur Math or other institutions if you plan to attend their celebrations.
- Wait for government notifications before assuming school, college, or office holidays.
- Confirm dates with local puja committees before booking travel or accommodation.
Since the schedules are provisional, avoid treating either reported date range as a final, universally applicable Durga Puja calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Will Durga Puja be celebrated twice in 2028?
The current reports suggest that two almanac traditions may place Durga Puja approximately 15 days apart. This could result in different communities observing the festival in September and October, but it is not a confirmed universal arrangement for all of Bengal.
2. What are the reported September dates for Durga Puja 2028?
The Times of India reports a provisional period of September 23–27 under the Bisuddha Siddhanta almanac. Drik Panchang’s currently displayed calendar lists key observances from September 24 to September 28. The precise schedule should be verified against the final applicable panjika.
3. What are the reported October dates?
The Times of India reports that the Surya Siddhanta calendar may place celebrations between October 8 and October 12, 2028. These dates remain provisional.
4. Why are the two sets of dates different?
The difference arises from the calculation methods used by the Bisuddha Siddhanta and Surya Siddhanta calendar traditions, including how they determine astronomical positions, lunar months and calendrical transitions.
5. Which dates will Belur Math follow?
Belur Math follows the Bisuddha Siddhanta tradition. Its final 2028 schedule should be confirmed through the institution’s official announcements.
6. Will schools and colleges remain closed twice?
No such arrangement has been officially confirmed. School and college holidays will depend on the government and the respective institutions’ published calendars.
7. When will the final Durga Puja 2028 dates be confirmed?
The final dates should be checked in the relevant 2028 Bengali panjikas and official announcements from the institutions concerned. The dates currently circulating in the media should be treated as provisional.
Conclusion
The discussion around Durga Puja 2028 highlights how different traditional calendar calculations can produce different dates for the same festival. Current reports indicate a possible September schedule under Bisuddha Siddhanta and an October schedule under Surya Siddhanta, with a gap of approximately 15 days.
For now, devotees should not assume that Bengal will officially celebrate two separate Durga Pujas or receive two sets of public holidays. The final panjika calculations and official announcements will clarify the dates to follow.
