Culture

The saturday(20/09/25) night ends, the story of 'Mahisasuramardini' heard on the radio in the early hours of Mahalaya. While bengali crowds start to bathe in river Ganga. Where there is no Ganga nearby, people flock to other different rivers or water bodies. This bath is completely different from other days. On the auspicious day of Mahalaya, the souls of the ancestors are remembered and paid homage to by performing tarpan. 

 

On this day, Goddess Durga comes to earth to kill demon king Mahishasura. The Pitru Paksha ends and the Devi Paksha begins, and Durga Puja is inaugurated by performing 'Chandipath' to welcome Goddess MaaDurga. Mahalaya is celebrated a week before the start of Durga Puja. 

 

The word ‘Mahalaya’ comes from the Sanskrit ‘maha’ and ‘alay’ – meaning ‘great abode’. ‘Mahalaya’ basically refers to the gathering of departed souls. However, 'Mahalaya' is not just a festival, it symbolizes the journey from darkness to light and the destruction of evil forces.

 

Life is a continuous cycle that connects generations – past, present, and future. In Hindu tradition, this eternal bond with our ancestors is honored during Shradh Paksha, also known as Pitru Paksha. This sacred period is dedicated to paying respect to forefathers through rituals, offerings, and prayers.

 

Mahalaya Amavasya falls on Sunday, 21st September 2025. This day is considered the most powerful for performing Shradh rituals, Tarpan, and Pind Daan. Hindus believe that these rituals bring peace to departed souls and blessings to the family. Mahalaya Amavasya, also called Sarva Pitru Amavasya, is the final day of Pitru Paksha. Normally, Shradh is performed on the exact tithi (death anniversary) of ancestors. However, for families who do not know the exact date or could not perform Shradh earlier, Mahalaya Amavasya becomes the universal day to honor all ancestors collectively.

 

Mahalaya Amavasya 2025, Sunday, September 21st, with the Amavasya tithi beginning at 12:16 AM and ending at 01:23 AM on September 22nd, 2025. Key timings for the day include Kutup Muhurat from 11:50 AM to 12:38 PM and Rohini Muhurat from 12:38 PM to 01:27 PM, followed by the Aparahna Kaal from 01:27 PM to 03:53 PM.

 

On this day, performing Tarpan, Pind Daan, Brahmin Bhojan, and Daan with devotion is believed to directly reach the Pitru (ancestors) in the celestial realm.  Scriptures say that Shradh on Mahalaya Amavasya not only grants peace to ancestors but also removes Pitru Dosha (ancestral karmic imbalance) from the family.

 

Mahalaya Amavasya is considered highly auspicious because it is a powerful day for honoring ancestors, seeking their blessings, and ensuring their peace and salvation. The day also marks the beginning of the joyous Devi Paksha, culminating in Navratri and Durga Puja, and symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. Mahalaya Amavasya holds a deeply spiritual significance for paying homage to departed souls. This day is the final opportunity during the Pitru Paksha period to perform rituals (shraddha) for departed ancestors, expressing gratitude and showing respect. It is believed that ancestors visit their descendants on this day to receive offerings and blessings. Performing rituals on Mahalaya Amavasya helps ancestors achieve peace and be freed from the cycle of rebirth. Performing Shradh with devotion not only gives peace to departed souls but also attracts blessings of prosperity and happiness for the family. The day signals the end of Pitru Paksha and the beginning of Devi Paksha, which leads into the vibrant Navratri and Durga Puja celebrations. The unique energy of Mahalaya Amavasya is said to facilitate a feeling of oneness with the divine.