Lucknow: Ramakrishna Math in Nirala Nagar, Lucknow, will celebrate Shri Shri Durga Puja Mahotsav 2026 from October 16 to 21, with a series of religious ceremonies, devotional music and traditional rituals. The celebrations will follow the scriptural traditions prescribed by Raghunandan Smriti. All programmes will also be livestreamed on the official YouTube channel of Ramakrishna Math, Lucknow.
Swami Muktinathananda, president of Ramakrishna Math, said elaborate arrangements had been made to ensure convenient and safe darshan for devotees. Community feasts will be organised for visitors on October 17, 18, 19 and 20. Facilities such as a free shoe-deposit counter and first-aid services will also be available. CCTV cameras will be installed across the premises to maintain security.
Unlike the usual five-day observance, this year’s festival will span six days, with Saptami Puja scheduled on both October 17 and 18.
One of the major highlights will be Kumari Puja on October 19 at 9 am, during which a five-year-old girl will be worshipped as an embodiment of Goddess Durga. The celebrations will also feature Sandhi Puja, devotional songs and scriptural recitations.
The rituals will honour eight manifestations of the Divine Mother through traditional forms of worship, including the ceremonial pot, Navapatrika, clay idol, sacred scriptures, a young girl, sacrificial fire and the assembled devotees.
Swami Satyavidananda Maharaj from Ramakrishna Mission Vidyapeeth, Mylapore, Chennai, will serve as the principal ritual guide. Brahmachari Soumyajit of Ramakrishna Math, Puri, will conduct the puja, while Swami Pratibhanandaji Maharaj of Ramakrishna Mission Sevashram, Vrindavan, will recite the Chandi from sacred texts. Swami Shivadhishananda of Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Narendrapur, will present devotional songs.
The festival will begin on October 16 with Bodhan, the ceremonial invocation of the Goddess, using nine types of plants, including banana, turmeric, jayanti, ashoka, pomegranate, paddy and bel. The following two days will feature Saptami rituals, devotional music and floral offerings by devotees.
With traditional worship, spiritual music and arrangements for public convenience, the six-day celebration is expected to bring devotees together to observe Durga Puja in accordance with the Math’s religious traditions.
