Quick answer: For Durga Puja, men usually wear a cotton panjabi with dhoti or pyjama for Ashtami anjali and family pujas, and switch to something easier for pandal hopping: a short kurta or panjabi with jeans, or a plain cotton tee with chinos and comfortable sneakers. Pick cotton or linen, shoes you can walk in for hours, and something that won't suffer in a sudden shower. In 2026, Ashtami is on Monday, 19 October and Bijoya Dashami on Wednesday, 21 October.
Every Pujo, someone in the group insists on doing "just three more pandals" at 1:30 am.
You'll walk more over these five days than in the rest of the month. You'll stand in queues, squeeze through crowds, eat phuchka on the move and probably get caught in at least one shower. And through all of it you still want to look good in the photos, because Pujo photos stay on your profile for the next year.
So this guide splits the festival into what each day actually asks of you, then gives you ten outfits that look festive and still work after six hours on your feet.
Durga Puja 2026 dates
| Day | Date | What happens | What to wear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahalaya | Sat, 10 Oct | Start of Devi Paksha; early-morning Mahishasuramardini | Whatever you sleep in; the radio doesn't judge |
| Shashthi | Fri 16 or Sat 17 Oct | Bodhon, the unveiling; first evening of hopping | Something easy: short kurta with jeans, or a good tee |
| Saptami | Sat 17 / Sun 18 Oct | Kolabou snan in the morning; big hopping night | Comfort first; you'll walk the most today |
| Ashtami | Mon, 19 Oct | Pushpanjali in the morning, Sandhi Puja | The proper panjabi and dhoti or pyjama for anjali |
| Navami | Tue, 20 Oct | Navami bhog, last big night out | Your best evening look; a jacket over the panjabi |
| Bijoya Dashami | Wed, 21 Oct | Sindoor khela, immersion, Bijoya greetings | White or cream panjabi; expect colour on it |
Ashtami, Navami and Dashami dates are from Outlook India and Hindutone, which agree. The two differ by a day on Shashthi and Saptami because panjikas differ, so check your local puja committee's schedule. State holidays don't always line up with the tithi dates either.
10 Durga Puja outfits for men
For anjali and the pandal rituals
1. Panjabi and dhoti
- Top: cotton panjabi in white, cream or off-white, maybe with a little chikan or kantha work
- Bottom: white dhoti, pleated and tucked properly
- Shoes: plain leather nagra or slip-ons you can take off at the pandal
- Good for: Ashtami anjali, Sandhi Puja, family photos
The Ashtami outfit. If you only dress traditionally once this Pujo, make it the morning of Ashtami. If you can't tie a dhoti, a ready-stitched one saves twenty minutes of family commentary.
2. Panjabi and pyjama
- Top: cotton panjabi in a soft colour: mustard, sage, sky blue, maroon
- Bottom: white or cream pyjama or churidar
- Shoes: nagra or kolhapuris
- Good for: anjali if dhoti isn't your thing, evening visits to relatives
Easier to walk in than a dhoti and nearly as traditional.
3. Silk-blend panjabi for one evening
- Top: tussar or silk-blend panjabi in a deep colour
- Bottom: churidar or straight pants
- Good for: Navami evening, a family dinner, the night you won't be walking far
Save silk for a short evening. It looks great, but in a crowded pandal it will be soaked in an hour.
For pandal hopping
4. Short kurta with jeans
- Top: hip-length cotton or khadi kurta, plain or block-printed
- Bottom: straight or relaxed jeans
- Shoes: clean white sneakers
- Good for: Shashthi and Saptami nights, the long walks
The pandal-hopping uniform. Festive enough for photos, and you can walk in it till dawn.
5. Plain cotton tee with chinos
- Top: solid cotton tee in white, red or maroon (the Pujo colours)
- Bottom: beige or olive chinos
- Shoes: sneakers with a proper sole
- Good for: daytime hopping, when the sun is out and the queues are long
The most comfortable outfit on this list.
6. Slogan tee with jeans
- Top: a graphic or slogan tee you actually like
- Bottom: dark jeans or black cargos
- Shoes: sneakers
- Good for: late-night hopping with friends, the 2 am adda at the roll stall
Not traditional, and that's fine. Plenty of people hop pandals in tees; just keep it to the late-night runs with friends rather than anjali.
7. Overshirt over a tee
- Base: plain tee
- Layer: light cotton or linen overshirt, left open
- Bottom: jeans or chinos
- Good for: evenings, and days when rain is forecast
If it rains, the overshirt comes off and goes in your bag, and you still look put together.
For evenings and Navami
8. Panjabi with a Nehru jacket
- Top: plain cream or white panjabi
- Layer: Nehru jacket in a rich colour: maroon, bottle green, mustard
- Bottom: churidar or straight pants
- Good for: Navami night, family gatherings, the big group photo
One jacket changes a plain panjabi into your best outfit of the week.
9. Linen shirt and trousers
- Top: linen shirt in white, sky blue or beige, sleeves rolled
- Bottom: tailored trousers or chinos
- Shoes: loafers
- Good for: Pujo dinners at restaurants, club pujas, meeting someone's family for the first time
For Bijoya Dashami
10. White panjabi you don't mind ruining
- Top: white or cream cotton panjabi
- Bottom: white pyjama or jeans
- Shoes: something washable
- Good for: sindoor khela nearby, immersion processions, Bijoya visits
Sindoor gets everywhere on Dashami, even if you're only standing near the khela. Wear something white that you're happy to see turn red, and skip anything precious.
How to survive a night of pandal hopping
| Get this right | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Cotton, khadi or linen | October in eastern India is still warm and humid, and pandals get packed. Synthetics and heavy silk get uncomfortable fast |
| Shoes with a real sole | You'll be on your feet for hours, often on uneven roads and temporary pandal floors. Thin-soled nagras are for anjali, not the 14-pandal route |
| Slip-on footwear for pandals that ask you to remove shoes | Laces at every entrance get old quickly |
| Darker bottoms for hopping | Mud, puddles and roll-stall spills show less on dark jeans or chinos |
| One layer you can take off | Pandals are hot inside and the night air outside can be cooler, or wet |
| Hems that clear the ground | A dhoti or long kurta dragging on a rainy road is miserable |
If it rains
Pujo showers aren't unusual. Wear something that dries fast (cotton tee, linen shirt) and keep the silk panjabi for an evening you're mostly indoors. A compact umbrella or a thin rain jacket in your bag does more for your outfit than any styling trick.
What to carry for pandal hopping
- A small crossbody bag or sling, worn in front in crowds
- Phone, power bank and some cash; not every stall takes UPI when the network drops
- A compact umbrella
- A handkerchief or small towel
- A spare tee if you're going straight from anjali to a full day out
- Plasters, in case your new shoes have opinions
What we'd pick from House of ANIT
We don't make panjabis or dhotis, so the ritual outfits will come from elsewhere. For the pandal-hopping half of Pujo, these work well:
| Piece | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Solid white oversized tee | Outfit 5 with beige chinos, and Dashami if you don't want to risk the panjabi | ₹599 |
| Red oversized tee | The classic Pujo colour, for daytime hopping | ₹549 |
| Maroon oversized tee | A deeper red that hides the roll-stall spills | ₹549 |
| "Sab Moh Maya" graphic tee | Outfit 6, for the late-night run with friends | ₹799 |
| "Shareef Ladka" Hindi slogan tee | For when the relatives are watching, ironically | ₹849 |
Prices as of 9 October 2026. More in our Hindi slogan tees and oversized tees under ₹999.
Delivery: we print to order, which takes 2 to 5 business days, then 2 to 4 business days to metros like Kolkata and longer elsewhere, according to our delivery page. Order this weekend and metro deliveries should usually arrive around the start of Pujo. Later than that, plan for the Dashami week.
Sizing: oversized tees are cut roomy. Take your usual size for a relaxed fit that won't swamp you in photos.
Mistakes to avoid this Pujo
- Breaking in new shoes on Saptami night. Wear them around the house for a day first.
- Silk for pandal hopping. Save it for Navami dinner.
- A white outfit on Dashami that you'll be upset about later.
- Skipping the umbrella because the morning looked clear.
- Finding the Ashtami panjabi crumpled in the cupboard at 7 am that morning. Iron it the night before.
The bottom line
Durga Puja asks two different things of your wardrobe: a proper panjabi for anjali and Bijoya, and something comfortable for the hours of pandal hopping in between. Cotton, sensible shoes and one layer you can take off will get you through all five days. If you're also celebrating Navratri, our Navratri outfit ideas for men covers the nine colours, and our guide to styling baggy jeans helps with the pandal-hopping half.
Sorting your hopping outfit? Shop Hindi slogan tees →
FAQs
What should men wear for Durga Puja?
A cotton panjabi with dhoti or pyjama for anjali and family pujas, and something easier for pandal hopping, like a short kurta with jeans or a plain cotton tee with chinos. Comfortable shoes matter more than anything else.
What should men wear for Ashtami anjali?
A white, cream or soft-coloured cotton panjabi with a dhoti or pyjama is the traditional choice. Wear slip-on footwear you can take off easily at the pandal.
What is the most comfortable outfit for pandal hopping?
A plain cotton tee or a short cotton kurta with jeans or chinos, plus sneakers with a proper sole. Add a light overshirt you can take off when the pandals get crowded.
Can I wear jeans to Durga Puja?
Yes. A short kurta or panjabi with straight jeans is a common pandal-hopping look. For anjali and rituals, a dhoti or pyjama is more traditional.
When is Durga Puja 2026?
The main days run from Shashthi on 16 or 17 October, depending on the panjika, to Bijoya Dashami on Wednesday, 21 October. Ashtami is on Monday, 19 October. Mahalaya is on Saturday, 10 October.
What should men wear on Bijoya Dashami?
A white or cream cotton panjabi with pyjama or jeans. If you'll be near sindoor khela, wear something you won't mind getting stained.
What colours are good for Durga Puja?
Red, white, cream, maroon and gold are the classic Pujo colours. Mustard, bottle green and sky blue also look great on panjabis and Nehru jackets.
What shoes should men wear for pandal hopping?
Sneakers or comfortable sandals with a proper sole for the long walks, and slip-on nagras or kolhapuris for anjali, when you'll be taking them off at the pandal.
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