Pune: Khuti Puja Marks Beginning of 24th Purbo Poona Sarbajonin Durgotsav in Hadapsar
Reported by Shoaib Tadvi
Hadapsar, 4th October 2026: The festive spirit of Durga Puja has begun in Hadapsar with the traditional Khuti Puja performed by Poona Bango Sanmilani at Corporation Ground, Bhosle Garden, on Sunday. The ritual marks the beginning of pandal construction for the organisation’s 24th Purbo Poona Sarbajonin Durgotsav, which will be celebrated from October 16 to 21.
Khuti Puja is an important Bengali tradition that symbolically marks the commencement of Durga Puja preparations. Following the ritual, construction of the temporary pandal will begin at the venue.
According to the organisers, the tradition has historical links to Kathamo Puja, during which a wooden framework of Goddess Durga was worshipped before clay was applied to give the idol its final form. Over time, the tradition evolved into the modern-day Khuti Puja, where a bamboo or wooden pole is ceremonially worshipped before the pandal construction begins.
Speaking on the occasion, Saurav Bhowmik, President of Poona Bango Sanmilani, said the ritual holds deep emotional and cultural significance for the community.
“Khuti Puja marks the real beginning of Durga Puja for us. The moment the ritual is performed, the entire community starts feeling that Maa Durga is about to arrive. This is our 24th year of celebrating Durga Puja in Hadapsar, and we are extremely happy to invite people from across Pune to be part of our celebrations. Our doors are open to everyone, irrespective of their background, to seek Maa Durga’s blessings and experience the richness of Bengali culture,” said Bhowmik.
Durga Puja 2026 Schedule
The organisers have released the following schedule for this year’s celebrations:
Maha Sasthi – October 16, 2026
Puja starts: 8:30 AM
Bodhan, Amantran and Adhivas: 7:30 PM
Maha Saptami – October 17, 2026
Puja starts: 8:15 AM
Nabapatrika Prabesh and Sthapana
Pushpanjali: 12:00 PM
Evening Arati: 6:45 PM to 7:30 PM
Maha Ashtami – October 18, 2026
Puja starts: 7:30 AM
Pushpanjali: 11:30 AM
Evening Arati: 6:45 PM to 7:30 PM
Sandhi Puja – October 19, 2026
Puja starts: 7:26 AM
Bolidan: 7:51 AM
Evening Arati: 6:45 PM to 7:30 PM
Maha Navami Puja – October 20, 2026
Puja starts: 6:00 AM
Kumari Puja: 7:30 AM
Pushpanjali: 9:00 AM
Evening Arati: 6:45 PM to 7:30 PM
Bijoya Dashami – October 21, 2026
Puja starts: 7:30 AM
Pushpanjali: 9:00 AM
Devi Boron and Sindooran: 12:30 PM onwards
Visarjan: 4:00 PM onwards
The goddess is scheduled to arrive on a horse (Ghotok) and depart on a boat (Nouka), according to the organisers’ festival calendar.
The celebrations will also include a series of cultural programmes beginning October 15 and continuing until October 20.
The organisers expect around 7,000 visitors each day during the Durga Puja celebrations. The atmosphere becomes particularly vibrant on Vijaya Dashami, when Bengali women traditionally dress in the iconic lal par sada sari, offer vermilion to Maa Durga and participate in Sindoor Khela.
The traditional Dhunuchi Naach, accompanied by the powerful beats of the Bengali Dhaak, will also form an important part of the celebrations, with men joining the dance later in the festivities.
Palash Banerjee, from the Social Media and Digital Communication Cell of Poona Bango Sanmilani, said the organisation wants the celebration to be an open invitation to the people of Pune.
“For 24 years, we have been celebrating Durga Puja in Hadapsar and creating a space where people can come together and enjoy the traditions, food, music and culture associated with the festival. Khuti Puja is the first step towards the grand celebration. We invite all Punekars to visit our pandal, have Bhog Prasad, witness the rituals and experience the festive atmosphere with us,” said Banerjee.
Other Puja Celebrations
The organisation will also observe Lakshmi Puja on October 25, with Puja beginning at 7:00 PM and Pushpanjali at 8:30 PM.
Shyama Puja will be held on November 8, 2026, at Puneshwari Kalibari, Hadapsar.
With Sunday’s Khuti Puja, preparations for the grand celebrations have officially begun at Bhosle Garden, as the community gets ready to welcome Maa Durga to Hadapsar for the 24th consecutive year.
