नवीनतम
Mahalaya to be celebrated tomorrow
NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: The Hindu calendar welcomes Mahalaya on Amavasya Tithi during Ashwina Month on Saturday which marks the completion of Pitru Paksha and the onset of Devi Paksha. The glorious nights praising the Goddess start with the Mahalaya, the no-moon day (Amavasya) falling in the lunar month of Ashwin.
Amavasya has a great religious and spiritual significance among Hindus. Mahalaya Amavasya is mainly dedicated to ancestors and forefathers. Mhalaya Amavasya is also called as Sarvapitri Amavasya, Pitra Moksha Amavasya or Pitru Amavasya. Mahalaya Amavasya is the last day of the 15-day long Shraddha rituals.
Mahalaya signifies the change from the Shradh period to the Navratri festivities. Navratri would thus commence on October 15 and extend up to the observance of Dusshera on the 24th of this month.
Mahalaya Amavasya 2023:
Amavasya Tithi Begins - October 13, 2023 - 09:50 PM
Amavasya Tithi Ends - October 14, 2023 - 11:24 PM
Prayers and rituals
Mahalaya is observed with prayers to Goddess Durga in West Bengal and Mahishasura Mardini or Lalitambika in South India. Noting that the earlier period of Shradh involved the participation of men in most rituals, the phase after Mahalaya looks into females performing puja at the forefront. Special prayers dedicated to Devi are recited during this occasion to have a blessed festival.
Women keep a fast (as per their capacities) while chanting the 'Mahalaya Mahishasura Mardini' in the morning hours. Some extend the fast until sunset and break it with the evening aarti to Devi. Devotees also recite 108 names of Lord Vishnu, Mahadev, and Mahalakshmi on the Mahalaya day to seek their mercy and well wishes.
Mahalaya Amavasya 2023: Rituals
1. Wake up early in the morning and take a holy bath.
2. Clean the house and offer Arghya to Surya.
3. Prepare sattvik food at home and invite a Female and Male Brahmin.
4. Make him sit on the floor and perform the Tarpan ritual.
5. Offer the food to cows, dogs, ants and crows before giving it to Brahmin.
4. After completing the rituals, male members of the family must offer food, clothes and Dakshina to Brahmin.
5. Once the Brahmin Bhoj is completed, all family members can eat the food.
