Bilva Nimantran: First auspicious ritual that begins Durga Puja

In West Bengal, Durga Puja is a celebration of Maa Durga's visit to her maternal home during Sharda Navratri, leaving behind her husband Lord Shiva's abode Kailah Parvat. The festivity is a five-day celebration which will begin on September 22 and continue till October 2 this year. While there are many rituals to honour Goddess Durga, Bilva Nimantran officially begins the Durga Puja. So, let's explore more about Bilva Nimantran's meaning, time, date and rituals.

Bilva Nimantran: First sacred ritual that begins Durga Puja

Sangeeta Das | Updated on: Sep 23, 2025 | 11:56 AM

New Delhi: Durga Puja is one of the most vibrant Indian festivals celebrated with much grandeur by all Hindus across the globe to commemorate the triumph of Maa Durga over the Buffalo Demon Mahishasur. Hindu legend mentions that the demon earned Lord Brahma’s boon, which made him invincible. No man or God could kill him. Hence, Mahishasur began destroying the world and killing people, becoming a threat to the Gods. To annihilate Mahishasur, Goddess Durga emerged from the collective energies of the Gods as a divine feminine power. So, Durga Puja embodies the victory of good over evil.

But in West Bengal, Durga Puja is a celebration of Maa Durga’s visit to her maternal home during Sharda Navratri, leaving behind her husband Lord Shiva’s abode Kailah Parvat. The festivity is a five-day celebration which will begin on September 22 and continue till October 2 this year. While there are many rituals to honour Goddess Durga, Bilva Nimantran officially begins the Durga Puja. So, let’s explore more about Bilva Nimantran’s meaning, time, date and rituals.

Bilva Nimantran meaning

Durga Puja’s first sacred ritual is Bilva Nimantran, which is highly crucial to commence the festival. Nimantran means an invitation which is sent to invite Goddess Durga by invoking her in a Bilva tree and is then invited to the Puja for the next 4 days. Other rituals that are performed on the first day of Durga Puja are Kalparambha, Bodhon and Adhivas and Amantran.

Bilva Nimantran rituals

Bilva Aamantran is one of the main rituals on the first day of Durga Puja, which mostly falls on Panchami or Shashti Tithi. This sacred ritual is performed ideally during Sayankaal on Shashthi. But if Sanyakal prevails on Panchami Tithi, then Panchami Tithi is an auspicious time for Bilva Namantran. And it should begin around 2 hours and 24 minutes before sunset. During this ritual, Goddess Durga is invoked in the bilva tree or its branch before sending a puja invitation to her for the next day.