Devipaksha - Importance - Rituals

Devi Paksha is the waxing phase of moon in Ashwin month (September – October) as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar. In 2026, Devi Paksha is from October 11 to October 20 – Navratri and Durga Puja are held during this period. The Devi Paksha begins with the Mahalaya Amavasya – it is said that the gods and goddess awake on this day to prepare for Durga Puja.

Devi Paksha also marks the end of the Pitru Paksha period which is dedicated to dead forefathers.

It is said that Goddess Durga starts her journey towards the earth of the first day of the Devi Paksha period.

It is believed that Goddess Durga was originally worshipped (Durga Puja) in the Chaitra month (March – April) and was also referred as Basanti Puja. It was Lord Ram who changed the period of Durga Puja.

Lord Ram wanted to get the blessings of Goddess Durga before beginning the war with Ravana. Therefore he invoked Goddess Durga during the Devi Paksha in Ashwin month (October – November). This is why the Durga Puja during Ashvina month is also known as Akal Bodhon or untimely invocation.

Devipaksha In Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Assam 

The entire year is a collection of 24 pakshas (fortnights/lunar phases). Among these, twelve are Krishna Paksha (waning moon/dark fortnight) and the remaining twelve are Shukla Paksha (waxing moon/bright fortnight). Devi Paksha (Fortnight of the Goddess) is the fifteen-day period that runs from the day after Mahalaya, i.e., the Pratipad (first day) of the Shukla Paksha, until Kojagiri Purnima (full moon). This is what Bengalis wait for all year because during this paksha, Goddess Durga is worshipped. Durga Puja, the greatest festival of the Bengalis, is held during this fortnight.

Mahalaya is the junction of Pitri Paksha (Fortnight of the Ancestors) and Devi Paksha. It is commonly believed that Devi Paksha begins from Mahalaya. However, that is not the case. Pitri Paksha's tenure is until Mahalaya. The Amavasya (new moon) Tithi (lunar day) at the end of Pitri Paksha is named Mahalaya. As long as the Amavasya exists, it is Pitri Paksha, and as soon as the Amavasya Tithi passes and the Pratipad begins, Devi Paksha starts.

Devi Paksha is the time for worshipping the Goddess. 

From the first day of Devi Paksha, the worship of one of the nine forms of the Goddess begins. Pratipad is the first day of Sharad Navratri. On Pratipada, Pratipadadi Kalparambha, meaning the awakening (Bodhan) of the Goddess, takes place. 

With the beginning of Devi Paksha, there is a tradition in many homes to start reciting the Chandi Path (recitation of the Devi Mahatmya). 

It was during this fortnight that the Goddess defeated Mahishasura and saved the three worlds. 

Overall, the fifteen days of Devi Paksha are a time for worshipping the Mother. The world celebrates the worship of the Mother Goddess (Matri Shakti). Goddess Durga is worshipped from Shashti (sixth day) until Navami (ninth day), after which Devi Paksha concludes with the worship of Goddess Lakshmi on Kojagiri Purnima. This paksha is named Devi Paksha because of the worship of Devi, the Mother Goddess.