Mahalaya, also called as Also called Sarva Pitra Amavasya, is an important Hindu festival celebrated in India, especially in the state of West Bengal. It marks the beginning of the Durga Puja festival, which is one of the most significant and widely celebrated festivals in Bengal. Mahalaya usually falls on the Amavasya (new moon day) of the Hindu month of Ashwin, which is the last day of the Pitru Paksha, a 16-lunar day period in the Hindu calendar when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors (Pitrs). This year, Mahalaya 2023 falls on Saturday, October 14. Subho Mahalaya Wishes, Maa Durga Photos, Messages and WhatsApp DPs To Send to Your Family and Friends.

Mahalaya is the day when the goddess Durga is believed to have descended to Earth. Durga Puja, the biggest festival of the Bengalis, is celebrated annually during the Hindu calendar month Ashvin, which usually corresponds to the month of September or October in the Gregorian calendar. Scroll down to learn more about the Mahalaya 2023 date, Puja Vidhi, Shubh Muhurat and the significance of the auspicious day.

Mahalaya 2023 Date

Mahalaya 2023 falls on Saturday, October 14.

Mahalaya Puja Vidhi

  1. Devotees should wake up early in the morning, take a bath and wear clean clothes.

  2. Clean the area where you plan to perform the puja and place the picture or idol of Goddess Durga. Offer flowers, fruits, and sweets to the Goddess.

  3. Light a ghee diya and incense sticks and offer flowers, fruits, sweets, a lamp, water

  4. You can chant various Durga mantras or hymns dedicated to the goddess and seek her blessings for protection, strength, and well-being.

  5. After the puja, distribute the prasad among family members and guests.

On the day of Mahalaya, Bengalis wake up early in the morning to recite hymns from the Devi Mahatmya (Chandi) scripture. Every Bengali household listen to a collection of songs and mantras known as Mahisasuramardini that recounts goddess Durga’s birth and eventual triumph over the demon king Mahishasura. On this day, offerings are made to the ancestors.

Mahalaya Significance

Mahalaya holds great significance as it is believed that people bid farewell to their deceased ancestors in the morning and mark the arrival of the Goddess of power and hope, Maa Durga, in the evening. It is believed that invoking the goddess during this time helps in the successful invocation of her power and blessings. As per religious beliefs, Goddess Durga was created on this day by the powers of Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwar to kill the demon Mahishasura.

On this day, a special puja is performed as devotees remember their ancestors by offering Tarpan to make their souls happy. The transition from Pitru Paksha to Devi Paksha is celebrated with great enthusiasm. After Mahalaya, the preparations for Durga Puja begin in full swing. The actual Durga Puja festivities typically span over five days, culminating in the immersion of the idols in water bodies.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 14, 2023 06:23 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).