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Kolkata Puja Gets an Extra Day: Two Saptamis This Year!
29 Jul
Summary
- Durga Puja in Kolkata will span an extra day this year due to a double Saptami.
- An extended auspicious period, 'Aharatra Tithi', is causing the unusual calendar.
- The extended festivities might alter traditional immersion plans and increase costs.
This year's Durga Puja in Kolkata is set to be an extended celebration, featuring two Saptamis instead of the usual one. This rare occurrence is attributed to an 'Aharatra Tithi,' an auspicious period that extends beyond 24 hours, effectively granting an extra day of festivities. Priests and organizers note that such an extended Saptami is uncommon, with the last instance in 2020 having overlapping Saptami and Ashtami tithis.
The extended Saptami is also influencing the timing of subsequent rituals, bringing Ashtami rituals and Sandhi puja forward. While the extended celebration is welcomed by many for offering more time for pandal-hopping, it has led to some uncertainty regarding immersion plans, with possibilities of shifting from Ekadashi to Dashami. Some puja committees are also considering the financial implications of an extended festival.
According to a panjika expert, the 'mol mash' effect from mid-May to mid-June, which defers auspicious periods, has contributed to this year's 'Aharatra tithi' and double Saptami. This phenomenon typically occurs once every four years, though not always long enough to alter the puja calendar significantly.
