Mahalaya marks the beginning of the Durga Pooja festival. Traditional Bengali dishes, playing Rabindrasangeet, and wearing new clothes are some of the practices followed on this day.
| Day | Date | States |
| Saturday | 28 September 2019 | West Bengal, Tripura, and Assam |
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Mahalaya 2020
| Day | Date | States |
| Tuesday | 15 September 2020 | Karnataka, Odisha, Tripura and West Bengal |
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History of Mahalaya
Mythology says that Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara created Goddess Durga to defeat demon king Mahishasura. The demon king had gotten a boon that he cannot be exterminated by anyone, including gods and goddesses. The creators of Goddess Durga had given her several weapons to fight against the demon king. Basically, Mahalaya connotes the arrival of Goddess Durga to Earth. Goddess Durga is believed to be the Goddess of ultimate power.
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How Do People Celebrate Mahalaya?
Mahalaya Amavasya is marked by decoratively designed statues of Goddess Durga. People will carry the statue of the Goddess to their houses. The statues are even set up in festooned plinths called padals. Ancestors shall be remembered on the day. Devotees shall offer tarpan in remembrance of their ancestors. Tarpan has to be offered on empty stomach on the bank of holy river Ganga. Devotees should have food after finishing the rituals.
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Advantages Of Paying Homage To Ancestors On Mahalaya
It is believed when devotees remember and pay tribute to their ancestors on the Mahalaya Amavasya Day, ancestors are unfettered from their grief. The following are the benefits of remembering and paying homage to your ancestors:
- Bad karma will be dissolved.
- Your entire family can relish a prosperous future and better health.
- You can accomplish your goals since the bad karmas of your ancestors are cleared.
- Your ancestors will bless you achieve success.
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