Guwahati: This year Mahalaya will be celebrated on September 17 coliding with Vishwakrma Puja. People are already excited to welcome Goddess Durga on Maha sashti. Normally, the gap between Mahalaya and Durga Pooja is of six days but this time Maha sasthi will begin on October 22, 2020. There’s a gap of good 35 days.
Mahalaya marks the start of the Durga Puja festival. On this day, the goddess Durga is believed to have descended to Earth.
Bengali’s all around the globe wake up at 4 am and listens to Chandi Path verses popularly known as “Mahishasura Mardini”. Eight decades after it was first recorded; there is still no comparison with the sonorous voice of Birendra Krishna Bhadra that still rules the heart of every Bengali.
It is believed that ‘Mahisasura Mardini’ verse and mantras invoke the Goddess; the most famous one being ‘Jago Tumi Jago.’
Mahalaya is the combination of two words Maha which means grand and Alaya or abode. This day is quite special for Bengali’s. The auspicious occasion is celebrated with beautiful traditions and rich stories.
Mahalaya is celebrated after Pitri Paksha ends or when Hindus remember their ancestors. People take part in many rituals like offering food and water to the needy to express their love and gratitude to their forefathers.
Mahalaya Amavasya marks the culmination of the Pitri Paksha period and the beginning of the Devi Paksha. On this day, Shradh and Tarpan rituals are performed for those who breathed their last on Purnima Tithi, Chaturdashi Tithi and Amavasya Tithi.
The banks of the holy rivers are also thronged by worshippers from dawn to perform the ritual of ‘tarpan’. The fervour and festivity surrounding Durga Pooja and Navaratri start with Mahalaya.
But unlike other year Devotees will not be allowed to take a holy dip in any holy river on the occasion of Mahalaya Amavasya on September 17 in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking of 35 days gap between Mahalaya and Durga Pooja, it is because of Mala Mash which is also known as an unholy month. In this month, Bengali’s avoid rituals because mal mash has two moons which are not considered holy.
This year Durga Puja will be held in the month of Kartik instead of Ashwin because of the two moons.
