Are you looking for the Bengali Calendar October 2026 (বাংলা ক্যালেন্ডার অক্টোবর ২০২৬)? You have arrived at exactly the right place — and at exactly the right time. Because October 2026 is not just another month in the Bengali calendar. It is the month. The month that every Bengali family across the world has been waiting for since the previous year’s Vijaya Dashami. The month of Durga Puja.
October 2026 is when the entire Bengali world transforms. Cities become art galleries. Streets become stages. The sound of the dhaak drum fills the air from morning to midnight. The smell of shiuli flowers, incense, and deep-fried food mingles into one indescribable fragrance that means only one thing to a Bengali heart — Ma Durga has come home. From the sacred dawn of Mahalaya on October 10 to the emotional farewell of Vijaya Dashami on October 21, and then the gentle abundance of Kojagari Lakshmi Puja on October 25 — this is the most extraordinary month in the Bengali calendar year. This complete guide to the October 2026 Bangla Calendar with holidays covers every important date so you can celebrate every moment fully.
How to Download Bengali Calendar October 2026 PDF
Downloading the Bengali Calendar October 2026 PDF is completely free and simple. Visit the official Bengali Calendar website, navigate to the October 2026 page, and click the download button. The HD PDF includes all festival details, complete Durga Puja date schedule, Mahalaya information, bank holiday list, Tithi, and Nakshatra data — exactly as published in the traditional printed Panjika.
The Bengali Calendar PDF free download service provides high-quality, printer-ready PDFs of every Bengali month — making it the most comprehensive digital resource for Bengali cultural and festival planning throughout the year.
Bengali Calendar October 2026 – Complete Holidays & Festivals Table
Here is the complete, organized, day-by-day list of all holidays, festivals, and important observances for the October 2026 Bangla Calendar.
| Date | Day | Holiday / Festival Name |
|---|---|---|
| October 2, 2026 | Friday | Gandhi Jayanti |
| October 10, 2026 | Saturday | Mahalaya |
| October 10, 2026 | Saturday | Second Saturday (Bank Holiday) |
| October 15, 2026 | Thursday | Durga Puja — Maha Chaturthi |
| October 16, 2026 | Friday | Durga Puja — Maha Panchami |
| October 17, 2026 | Saturday | Durga Puja — Maha Sasthi |
| October 18, 2026 | Sunday | Durga Puja — Maha Saptami |
| October 19, 2026 | Monday | Durga Puja — Maha Ashtami |
| October 20, 2026 | Tuesday | Durga Puja — Maha Navami |
| October 21, 2026 | Wednesday | Durga Puja — Vijaya Dashami |
| October 22, 2026 | Thursday | Additional Durga Puja Holiday |
| October 23, 2026 | Friday | Additional Durga Puja Holiday |
| October 24, 2026 | Saturday | Fourth Saturday (Bank Holiday) |
| October 25, 2026 | Sunday | Kojagari Lakshmi Puja |
| October 26, 2026 | Monday | Additional Lakshmi Puja Holiday |
Key Festivals of October 2026 – Bengali Calendar Explained
Gandhi Jayanti – October 2, 2026
Gandhi Jayanti on Friday, October 2, 2026 marks the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi — the Father of the Nation who led India to independence through the extraordinary power of non-violence and truth. It is one of India’s three national holidays and is observed with prayer meetings, cultural programmes, and cleanliness drives across the country.
Mahalaya – October 10, 2026
Mahalaya on Saturday, October 10, 2026 is the day that every Bengali heart has been waiting for since the last Vijaya Dashami. It is the day when the Durga Puja season officially and spiritually begins. And for Bengalis — wherever they are in the world — the morning of Mahalaya begins the same way it has for generations.
At 4 AM, the radio (and now smartphones) carry the immortal voice of Birendra Krishna Bhadra reciting the Mahishasura Mardini — the Sanskrit hymn invoking Goddess Durga — against the backdrop of haunting music that has not changed in nearly a century. With the resounding echoes of the melodious ‘Bajlo Tomar Alor Benu’, Bengalis around the world welcome the Goddess with the biggest smiles — Mahalaya marking the beginning of Devi Paksha, the fortnight of the Goddess, when Durga is invoked to descend from Kailash to her earthly home.
Durga Puja 2026 – October 15 to 23
Durga Puja 2026 — the most magnificent festival in the Bengali cultural universe — spans nine glorious days from October 15 (Maha Chaturthi) to October 23 (Additional Holiday). Let us walk through each sacred day.
Durga Puja is a famous Hindu festival when Goddess Durga is worshipped. The five main days of festivity — Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami, and Vijayadashami — are observed as the grand days of the Durga Puja celebration. Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswati, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Kartikeya are also worshipped during Durga Puja.
Maha Chaturthi — October 15 (Thursday): The festival preparations reach fever pitch. Pandal committees put final touches on their decorations. Artisans in Kumartuli complete the last details on Durga idols. The city of Kolkata begins to transform — streets are lit up, stalls selling traditional food and trinkets appear overnight, and the sound of the dhaak drum begins to drift through neighborhoods for the first time. Families begin their shopping for new clothes, gifts, and Puja ingredients.
Maha Panchami — October 16 (Friday): The goddess begins her formal arrival. Bodhan — the invocation of Goddess Durga — is performed on this evening in many traditions. The pandals open their doors to the public, and the first wave of pandal-hopping (visiting multiple Puja pandals in one night) begins. Bengali women in new sarees and men in fresh kurtas fill the streets as the festive season officially begins.
Maha Sasthi — October 17 (Saturday): The most important ceremonial day of the beginning of Durga Puja. Kalparambha (the formal commencement of Puja rituals) and Akal Bodhon (the awakening of the goddess at an unusual time) take place on this day. It is also the day when a significant ritual known as Chokkhudaan takes place, in which an artisan paints the eyes of the deity and brings it to its completion as the sun’s rays first light up the surface of the earth. This moment — the opening of the Goddess’s eyes — is considered the most sacred act of the entire Puja. The idol is now alive. Ma Durga has arrived.
Maha Saptami — October 18 (Sunday): The first full day of formal worship. Nabapatrika Puja — the ritual bathing of the nine plants that symbolize the nine forms of Durga — takes place at dawn at the river. Priests conduct elaborate Puja rituals with Sandhya Aarti in the evening. By Sunday, the pandals are absolutely packed with families and pandal-hoppers. The streets of Kolkata — particularly areas like Ballygunge, Deshapriya Park, College Street, and Kumartuli — are transformed into a human river of joy.
Maha Ashtami — October 19 (Monday): The most sacred day of Durga Puja. Kumari Puja — the worship of a young pre-pubescent girl as a living manifestation of the Goddess — is performed at major temples, most famously at Belur Math where Swami Vivekananda himself established this tradition. Sandhi Puja — the worship performed at the exact junction of Ashtami and Navami Tithis — is another intensely significant ritual. Exactly 108 lamps are lit and 108 lotus flowers are offered to the Goddess at this precise moment. For Bengalis, Maha Ashtami is the most emotionally and spiritually charged day of the entire year.
Maha Navami — October 20 (Tuesday): The final day of the Goddess’s full worship. Homa and Yajna (sacred fire rituals) are performed. The Dhunuchi Naach — the spectacular dance with earthen incense burners balanced on hands, chin, and forehead — fills pandals with smoke, devotion, and extraordinary skill. This is the last day to spend fully with Ma Durga before she prepares to leave. Many Bengalis feel a quiet sadness begin to settle on Navami evening, knowing that the next day brings the bittersweet farewell.
Vijaya Dashami — October 21 (Wednesday): The most emotionally complex day in the Bengali calendar year. This is the day of Durga Visarjan — the ceremonial immersion of the Durga idol in water, marking the Goddess’s return to her husband’s home on Mount Kailash until next year. Durga Puja is celebrated with unmatched enthusiasm in West Bengal. The resounding sound of the dhaak, clusters of brilliant white kaash phool, people adorned in vibrant attire, and a whole gastronomic celebration define this festival.
Kojagari Lakshmi Puja – October 25, 2026
Kojagari Lakshmi Puja on Sunday, October 25, 2026 arrives just four days after Vijaya Dashami — like a gentle, golden light after the emotional storm of Durga Puja. This festival worships Goddess Lakshmi — the goddess of wealth, prosperity, abundance, and auspiciousness — on the Full Moon night of Ashwin.
The name “Kojagari” comes from the Sanskrit phrase “Ko Jagarti” — meaning “Who is awake?” — because Goddess Lakshmi is said to visit homes on this full moon night and bless those who are awake and vigilant with wealth and prosperity. Families clean and decorate their homes, draw beautiful Alpana (traditional floor art) patterns, and perform Lakshmi Puja in the evening with offerings of fruits, flowers, sweets, and the traditional Luchi-Payesh (fried bread and rice pudding).
Durga Puja – Why It Is More Than a Festival
For non-Bengalis reading this, it may be difficult to understand why Durga Puja occupies such an extraordinary place in Bengali life. It is not simply a religious festival — it is a cultural identity, a homecoming, an art festival, and a community celebration all rolled into one.
Durga Puja is a public holiday in Indian states of West Bengal, Odisha, Tripura, Bihar, and Assam, as well as in Bangladesh and Nepal. Its major events include worshipping Hindu deities, family and social gatherings, shopping and gift-giving, feasting, pandal visiting, and cultural events — making it one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.
Bengali Month Details – October 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Bengali Month (First Half) | Ashshin (আশ্বিন) — Bangabda 1433 |
| Bengali Month (Second Half) | Kartik (কার্তিক) — begins late October |
| Bengali Year | 1433 Bangabda |
| Calendar System | Solar — Surya Siddhanta |
| Season | Sharad (Autumn) — Sharodutsav |
| Cultural Mood | Peak festivity, community celebration, devotion |
Bank Holidays in October 2026 – Bengali Calendar
Here is the complete bank holiday list for October 2026 as per the Bengali calendar and the West Bengal Government’s official 2026 holiday notification.
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2, 2026 | Friday | Gandhi Jayanti | National Holiday |
| October 10, 2026 | Saturday | Mahalaya + 2nd Saturday | Public Holiday + Bank Holiday |
| October 15, 2026 | Thursday | Durga Puja — Maha Chaturthi | Public Holiday — West Bengal |
| October 16, 2026 | Friday | Durga Puja — Maha Panchami | Public Holiday — West Bengal |
| October 17, 2026 | Saturday | Durga Puja — Maha Sasthi | Public Holiday — West Bengal |
| October 18, 2026 | Sunday | Durga Puja — Maha Saptami | Public Holiday — West Bengal |
| October 19, 2026 | Monday | Durga Puja — Maha Ashtami | Public Holiday — West Bengal |
| October 20, 2026 | Tuesday | Durga Puja — Maha Navami | Public Holiday — West Bengal |
| October 21, 2026 | Wednesday | Vijaya Dashami | Public Holiday — West Bengal |
| October 22, 2026 | Thursday | Additional Durga Puja Holiday | Public Holiday — West Bengal |
| October 23, 2026 | Friday | Additional Durga Puja Holiday | Public Holiday — West Bengal |
| October 24, 2026 | Saturday | 4th Saturday | Bank Holiday |
| October 25, 2026 | Sunday | Kojagari Lakshmi Puja | Public Holiday — West Bengal |
| October 26, 2026 | Monday | Additional Lakshmi Puja Holiday | Public Holiday — West Bengal |
As per the West Bengal Government’s official 2026 public holiday notification, Durga Puja spans multiple days from Maha Chaturthi through additional post-Vijayadashami holidays — making October the month with the highest number of public holidays in the entire year for West Bengal.
Conclusion
The Bengali Calendar October 2026 is unlike any other month in the entire calendar year. It is the month when the Bengali soul expresses itself most fully — through art, devotion, community, food, music, and love. Gandhi Jayanti on October 2 opens the month with national pride. Mahalaya on October 10 lights the spiritual fire. Durga Puja from October 15 to 23 transforms the world into something extraordinary. And Kojagari Lakshmi Puja on October 25 closes the festive season with a quiet, golden abundance. October 2026 is not just a month to be lived — it is a month to be celebrated with every breath, every prayer, and every moment of gratitude for being Bengali.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When is Durga Puja in 2026 as per the Bengali Calendar? As per the Bengali Calendar October 2026, Durga Puja begins with Maha Chaturthi on October 15 (Thursday) and the main celebrations run from Maha Sasthi (October 17) through Vijaya Dashami (October 21). The Government of West Bengal has declared additional holidays on October 22 and 23 as well, giving Bengali families a long festive break.
2. When is Mahalaya in October 2026? Mahalaya falls on Saturday, October 10, 2026 — the sacred day that marks the beginning of Devi Paksha and the spiritual invocation of Goddess Durga. Bengalis wake before dawn to listen to the Mahishasura Mardini broadcast and perform Tarpan (ancestral offerings) at rivers and water bodies. It also coincides with the Second Saturday bank holiday.
3. When is Vijaya Dashami in 2026? Vijaya Dashami falls on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. This is the day of Durga Visarjan — the emotional farewell to Goddess Durga as her idol is immersed in water. It is marked by Sindoor Khela (women applying sindoor to the Goddess), grand processions, and the community chant of “Asche bochor abaar hobe.”
4. When is Kojagari Lakshmi Puja in October 2026? Kojagari Lakshmi Puja falls on Sunday, October 25, 2026 — the Full Moon night of Ashwin month. Bengali families worship Goddess Lakshmi at home with Alpana, flowers, and Payesh offerings. The Government of West Bengal has declared October 26 (Monday) as an additional holiday for Lakshmi Puja.
5. How can I download Bengali Calendar October 2026 PDF for free? The Bengali Calendar October 2026 PDF is available for free from official Bengali calendar websites. The HD PDF includes the complete Durga Puja schedule, Mahalaya date, all bank holidays, Tithis, and festival details — perfect for saving on your phone, printing for your home, or sharing with Bengali family members anywhere in the world.