2 Durga Pujas in 2028!

West Bengal could witness two rounds of Durga Puja in 2028, separated by just 15 days, as two traditional Bengali almanac systems are expected to prescribe different dates for the festival.

The unusual situation stems from differences between the Drik Siddhanta, also known as Bishuddha Siddhanta, and the traditional Surya Siddhanta methods of calculating religious dates.

According to reports, the two systems are likely to place the five-day festival on separate timelines in September and October 2028.

The Bishuddha Siddhanta calendar is followed by Belur Math, the Ramakrishna Mission and their devotees. Most community-organised and traditional household pujas in Bengal, meanwhile, follow the Surya Siddhanta system, associated with almanacs published by Gupta Press and Benimadhab Shil.
Why will the dates differ?

The discrepancy arises from differences in astronomical calculations, including how the two systems determine solar transitions and the boundaries of lunar months. These calculations influence the dates assigned to religious observances.

According to reports, those following the Bishuddha Siddhanta calendar are expected to celebrate Durga Puja from September 23 to 27, 2028, while many community pujas following the Surya Siddhanta calendar are likely to take place between October 8 and 12. The dates remain subject to confirmation by the respective almanac authorities.

Jayanta Kushari, principal of the Sarva Bharatiya Prachya Vidya Academy, said the two traditions could observe the festival roughly a fortnight apart. He indicated that both observances would follow their respective religious rituals and that devotees could participate in either or both.

Not the first time

A similar calendar discrepancy reportedly occurred in 1980, when the two rounds of Durga Puja were separated by approximately a month.

Historical accounts also point to earlier instances of significant differences between the two almanac systems. The anticipated 2028 split has therefore renewed interest in how traditional calendar calculations shape the timing of Bengal’s biggest annual festival.

When will schools and colleges get their Puja holidays?

The prospect of two sets of festival dates has also raised questions about school, college and government holidays in 2028.

During the previous episode in 1980, the government led by then chief minister Jyoti Basu reportedly scheduled the main holidays around the dates prescribed by the Surya Siddhanta system.

Given that most community pujas follow this calendar, there is speculation that the main holiday period in 2028 could also coincide with the October celebrations. However, no official holiday schedule has been announced, and the final decision will rest with the relevant authorities.

For devotees, the anticipated calendar divergence offers the possibility of celebrating Durga Puja twice in the same year. For now, however, the exact dates await confirmation from the almanac publishers and religious authorities.