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Mahalaya – The festive season has officially begun! The long-awaited festive fever is finally here. Mahalaya is the beginning of Durga Puja. It is observed at the end of Shrad or Pitrupaksha, his 16-day period during which Hindus pay homage to their ancestors. This year this special day is celebrated on his September 25th.
This annual event not only has religious and spiritual significance, but also serves as a reminder of the power of truth, courage, and the universal fact that in the end good always triumphs over evil. Also Read – Navratri 2022: Why is Navratri Celebrated for His Nine Days? Here’s what you need to know
The Maharaya celebration is of paramount importance as it opens a window to the colors of the celebrations that take place in the rest of the year.
Ceremony
People today believe that Goddess Durga formally begins her journey from Mount Kailash, where she resides with her husband Lord Shiva, to her maternal home on Earth. According to the Hindu calendar, the Maharaya festival begins one week before Durga her Puja festival.
This occasion is associated with various customs and rituals. Many people perform ‘tarpan’ on this day to pray for the deceased souls of their ancestors and give ‘bog’ to the Brahmins along with food and supplies for the poor. People even like to listen to Mahishasuramardini’s compositions.
In Mahalaya, all Bengali families wake up early in the morning, before the sun rises. Some Hindu households hold pitol his tarpan ceremonies on this day, during which they make prayers and offerings (pind-daan) on the banks of the Ganga River for their deceased ancestors.
Meaning
Mahalaya is observed at the beginning of Devi Paksha (Goddess Age) and at the end of Pitru Paksha (his 16 lunar days where Hindus pay tribute to their ancestors/Pitru).
In Bengali communities, Mahalaya is an auspicious day that heralds Durga Puja. Officially, the celebration begins on this day. This marks the arrival of Kailash Her All Bat Goddess Durga on Earth. It is also known as Sarva Pitra Amavasha as it is also the end of Pitru Paksha.
