What Is Mahalaya ?

In Bengal, Mahalaya is an auspicious occasion observed seven days before the Durga Puja, and heralds the advent of Durga, the goddess of supreme power. It is an invocation and invitation to the mother goddess to rise, awake and descend on earth and annihilate the evils of the world by her Supreme Goodness -This is done through the chanting of mantras and shlokas and singing devotional songs. The day of Mahalaya ushers in the aura of Durga Puja. Mahalaya is an auspicious occasion observed seven days before the Durga Puja, and heralds the advent of Durga, the goddess of supreme power. It is an invocation and invitation to the mother goddess to rise, awake and descend on earth and annihilate the evils of the world by her Supreme Goodness - This is done through the chanting of mantras and shlokas and singing devotional songs. The day of Mahalaya ushers in the aura of Durga Puja.

Durga Puja is widely celebrated in West Bengal. Durga Puja includes the worships of Shiva, Lakshmi, Ganesha, Saraswati and Kartikeya also. Modern tradition have come to include the display of decorated pandals and artistically depicted idols of Durga, exchange of Bijoya Greetings and publication of Puja Annuals.

The day of Mahalaya is also the day of Remembrance. On this day, people offer Tarpan in memory of their deceased forefathers. The banks of River Ganges in India are peopled with many priests seen busy performing Tarpan for devotees in groups. The rituals start from early dawn and last till mid-day. Devotees and worshipers observe a fast since morning and offer food, water, clothes and sweets to their forefathers.

Thus, the auspicious Mahalaya day is religiously observed by performing this important ritual to remember our ancestors by doing the Tarpan in the names of those who were our near and dear ones but who are no longer alive with us today, though we cherish them in our hearts and minds.

After offering Tarpan, people break their fast and have their first meal of the day.

Mahalaya signifies the termination of Pitri Paksha and the beginning of Devi Paksha, thus ushering in the season of religious festivals. Durgotsav, as this festival is known in Bengal, commences from Mahalaya – this is the day that Goddess Durga is supposed to begin her journey with her children from her husband Shiva’s abode in Mount Kailash in the Himalayas to her parental home in the plains.

Note : In this Year Durga Puja 2010, the Exact Day of Mahalaya is 7th October 2010 and it will be telecast on Radio at 4 A.M

My Personal Review : I remember my childhood in Kolkata when that famous Radio programme of late Birendra krishna Bhadra about Mahalaya in the wee hours of morning when every house of Bengal open up with that loud charming voice of Birendra indicating the Ma Durga is coming. It was fascinating moment of my life :)

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