Mahalaya: What is Mahalaya Amavasya

What is Mahalaya Amavasya? Mahalaya Amavasya (also called Sarva Pitri Amavasya) is a significant day in Hindu tradition. It marks the last day of Pitri Paksha, the period when people remember and honor their ancestors. On this day, ancestors are believed to return to their realm (Pitru Loka). So what actually is Mahalaya , and why does the Bengali community celebrate it? To begin with, the day of Mahalaya marks the beginning of Devi Paksha and the end of the Pitri Paksha, the latter of which, is a period of mourning. Hindus consider Pitri Paksha to be inauspicious, because shradhh or death rites are performed during this period. It is a 16-day lunar period during which people remember and pay homage to their ancestors using food and water offerings. Celebrate Mahalaya 2025 with date, time, rituals, Subho Mahalaya wishes in Bengali and Hindi, images and captions to share with loved ones. Mahalaya 2025 will be observed with immense devotion, heralding the arrival of Goddess Durga and marking the end of Pitru Paksha—a fortnight dedicated to the remembrance of ancestors. This day signifies the spiritual transition into Devi Paksha, setting the stage for the grand Durga Puja festivities. It holds special importance in the eastern parts of India, particularly in West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam, where cultural rituals and early morning devotional broadcasts are central to the ...