Mahalaya Amavasya 2024: The End of Pitra Paksha!

Mahalaya Amavasya, also known as Sarvapitri Amavasya, Pitra Moksha Amavasya, or Pitru Amavasya, is an auspicious day to offer rituals and offerings to the departed souls of our ancestors and to seek the blessings of Swadha Devi, the queen of Pitra Loka. So, let’s get ahead and read more about this auspicious day and see what its benefits and rituals involve. 

• Mahalaya Date 2024: 2nd October, 2024 (Wednesday) 
• Amavasya Tithi Begins: 09:39 PM on 1st October, 2024
• Amavasya Tithi Ends: 12:18 AM on 3rd October, 2024

Mahalaya Amavasya Meaning 

Mahalaya Amavasya is an auspicious and significant day to honour our ancestors and the divine qualities of the goddess Durga. It is celebrated on the last day of Pitra Paksha, which marks the beginning of Dussehra or Durga Puja. This day is observed on the New Moon Day (Amavasya) during Ashwin (September- October).

Moreover, on this day, people usually offer tarpan and shraddha rituals to the departed souls of their ancestors so that they receive moksha or salvation from the world. Also, suppose someone has died during Chaturdashi, Amavasya or purnima tithi. In that case, this ritual is essential to ask for forgiveness and eliminate Pitra Dosh. 

Significance of Mahalaya 2024 in Hinduism

Mahalaya 2024 is very important in Hindu culture. It starts a period of celebration of Maa Durga’s divine qualities. Mahalaya Amavasya is the perfect time to remind ourselves of Maa Durga’s strength and seek her blessings.

Moreover, during Mahalaya, people perform religious rituals to praise the goddess. Moreover, this is also an important day to connect with your ancestors, who are believed to have come to Earth to accept our sraddha offerings.

On Mahalaya, we ask our ancestors to give us valuable guidance and protection on Earth. We thank them for what they gave us and pray for their moksha. Additionally, people wake up to celebrate this day, representing remembrance and gratitude. It is the time to end the month of mourning and start various festivities for Durga Puja.

Also Read: Hariyali Teej 2024: Secret to a Happy Married Life

Mahalaya Amavasya 2024 Rituals

People perform various rituals during this auspicious time. These rituals help us connect with our roots and seek protection and blessings from the gods and ancestors.

1. Preparations for Durga Puja 

• Start planning to celebrate this grand festival dedicated to Maa Durga because Durga Puja 2024 Mahalaya marks the start of Devipaksh.
• People prepare their homes to welcome the goddess, and devotees bring statues of the goddess Durga to their homes and societies during this time.
• Afterwards, they decorate a seat for her where she will reside in the upcoming days. 
• Devotees also wake up early to hear Mahishasur Mardini’s telecast on the radio, which is usually observed in Kolkata.
• They also sing hymns and praises for the goddess. Chandi Path is one such hymn that protects you from negativity in your life. 

2. Pitru Tarpan

• Tarpan is a ritual for ancestors to receive salvation (Moksha) on sacred rivers like the Ganga.
• During this ritual, people offer milk, black sesame seeds, honey, uncooked rice, and ghee to their ancestors.
• People perform Pind Daan and seek peace and mukti for those who have passed away.

3. Chokkhu Daan

• Chokkhu Daan is a very special Mahalaya amavasya ritual. It is the day when artisans draw eyes on the statues of Maa Durga.
• In Bengali, Chokkhu means eyes, and Daan means to give. Therefore, this is an essential step in making statues of the goddess.
• Devotees believe that drawing eyes on Maa Durga’s statue gives her vision. Therefore, she can see people’s sufferings, understand their pain and bless them to bring fortune into their lives.

4. Kola Bou

• Kola Bou is another unique ritual of Maa Durga Puja Mahalaya. People perform it to pray for a good harvest and please their deities.
• It is a Bengali tradition that involves marrying a banana tree.
• People decorate a banana tree with Sindur and drape a traditional Bengali saree around it.
• Afterwards, they place it next to Lord Ganesha as his bride.
• Additionally, people bathe the tree in holy rivers and perform puja with sandalwood and flowers.

Story of Mahalaya 2024

Mahalaya 2024 has different stories that highlight the festival’s history. Because of diverse cultures and beliefs, people have passed on different folk tales about the meaning and importance of Maa Durga Mahalaya.

1. Maa Durga’s arrival on Earth 

According to Hindu mythology, Maa Durga lived in the Kailash Parvat. This is because Goddess Parvati is an avatar of Maa Durga, the wife of Lord Shiva. During Maa Durga Puja Mahalaya, she visits Earth for the sake of her devotees, and it is believed to be her maternal home.

Mata travels to Earth in seven days, accompanied by her children, Lord Ganesh and Lord Kartikey. Upon her arrival, Durga Puja or Navratri begins to celebrate her stay in her maternal home. 

2. Story of Karna

We pray for our ancestors because of the connection with the sacred epic text Mahabharata. According to the Mahabharata, Karn went to heaven after his death. However, in heaven, Lord Yama (Lord of Death) gave him jewels and money to eat, and he had no idea what to do with that. When asked Lord Yama, he answered that he had only donated wealth to those in need during his time on Earth.

Therefore, God sent him back to Earth for some time to fix this. Karn donated food to those in need and his ancestors during this time. So, after this, people started to offer food to their ancestors on Mahalaya Amavasya.

3. The War between Gods and Demons

The frequent wars between gods and demons led to destruction and loss of lives. According to Hindu mythology, a great war was fought between the two, which lasted until Amavasya. Therefore, on Mahalaya Amavasya, people started praying for the lost lives during the war.

Additionally, over time, they started praying for their ancestors as well as family members who lost their lives.

4. Story of Mahishasur Mardini

Demon Mahishasur had a blessing from Lord Brahma, which made him undefeatable. Only a woman could kill him. He was creating chaos in the universe, so the Gods asked Lord Vishnu to stop the demon.

As a result, Tridev came together to create Maa Durga. She had the powers of Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma. Therefore, she defeated Mahishasur, which gave her the name Mahishasur Mardini. People across the country celebrate Mahalaya and Durga Puja to celebrate this victory.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Also Read: Dev Uthani Ekadashi: An Ideal Time To Seek God’s Blessings

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