Arrival And Departure Of Maa Durga

DID YOU KNOW?

Maa Durga Has More Than One Ride!

We all know Maa Durga’s mighty Lion — her most familiar and powerful vahana.

But did you know that, during Durga Puja, tradition speaks of other vahanas too — and that the day of the week on which certain Puja days fall determines how Maa Durga is believed to travel between her earthly home and her heavenly abode?

It is a fascinating little secret hidden in the Puja calendar.

AGAMAN — HOW DOES MAA COME TO EARTH?

The weekday on which Maha Saptami falls determines Maa Durga’s Agaman — her arrival on Earth during Sharad, the autumn season.

For 2026, according to the traditional calculations followed in the Gupta Press Panjika and Bisuddha Siddhanta Panjika, Maha Saptami falls on a Sunday.

And that means…

MAA COMES ON GAJA — THE ELEPHANT!

The elephant is traditionally associated with rain-bearing clouds, strength, stability, fertility and abundance.

An old traditional verse says:

“Gaje cha jalada Devi, sasya-purna vasundhara.”

The elephant's arrival is therefore traditionally interpreted as an auspicious sign — associated with rain, fertile land, flourishing crops and prosperity.

So, in 2026, Maa does not simply come home.

She comes riding on Gaja — carrying the promise of abundance.

GAMAN — AND HOW DOES MAA LEAVE?

Then comes Vijaya Dashami, the day when we bid the Goddess farewell and she returns to her heavenly abode.

Here too, the weekday matters.

The day of the week on which Vijaya Dashami falls determines Maa Durga’s Gaman — her departure or Prasthan.

In 2026, Vijaya Dashami falls on a Wednesday.

And Maa's ride for her return journey is…

NAUKA — THE BOAT!

The boat naturally evokes water, movement and transition.

Traditionally, a Nauka departure is associated with fulfilment or Sarvasiddhi, while also being interpreted in connection with rain and water.

So there is a lovely rhythm to Maa's journey this year:

She arrives on the Elephant.
She leaves on the Boat.

One evokes the rain-bearing clouds and abundance.

The other carries her across the waters as she returns to her celestial abode.

Perhaps that is one of the beautiful things about our festivals — a calendar can hold an entire conversation between the Goddess, nature, agriculture, seasons and human life.

So this Puja, when you hear the dhaak and see Maa arrive, remember to think beyond the familiar Lion.

Maa has other rides too.
And every year, the calendar tells us which one she takes.

Note: Traditional vahana calculations and their interpretations may vary according to the almanac/Panjika consulted. The above follows the calculations referenced in Gupta Press Panjika and Bisuddha Siddhanta tradition.