On September 25, the country will observe Mahalaya 2022. According to rituals, This signifies the end of the Pitru Paksha, also known as Shradh or Shraddh, and the start of the Devi Paksha. The festival of Durga Puja begins with Mahalaya. The goddess Durga is said to have descended to Earth on this day.
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People generally believe that on this day, Goddess Durga begins her journey from Mount Kailash, where she lives with her husband Lord Shiva, to her maternal home on Earth. Mahalaya celebrations begin a week before Durga Pooja, according to the Hindu calendar.
Mahalaya 2022: Date, rituals, significance
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Mahalaya is distinguished by large, intricately crafted Durga statues displayed in homes and on decorated podiums known as Pandals.
On Mahalaya people gets up early in the morning, before the sun rises. The event is associated with various practices and rituals. On this day, many people perform ‘tarpan’ to offer prayers to their ancestors’ departed souls and to give ‘bhog’ to the Brahmins, as well as food and materials to the needy.
A special ritual is associated with the painting of the goddess’s eyes. On Mahalaya, artisans complete the final touch of drawing Ma Durga’s eyes. It is a ritual known as ‘Chakkhudaan.’ True to ritual, the Goddess is invoked and aroused with a prayer to open her eyes with ‘Chakkhudaan.’
Significance of Mahalaya 2022:
Mahalaya is a combination of two words:’maha,’ which means great, and ‘alaya,’ which means abode. Mahalaya is essentially an oratory invocation to the goddess pleading with her to come to Earth.
The next day marks the start of the Sharadiya Navratri season, which is dedicated to Maa Durga. Navratri begins on September 26 this year.
Sarva Pitru Amavasya 2022: Shubh Muhurat
Kutup Muhurat – 11:48 AM to 12:37 PM
Duration – 00 Hours 48 Mins
Rohina (Rahun) Muhurta – 12:37 PM to 01:25 PM
Duration – 00 Hours 48 Mins
Aparahan (PM) – 01:25 PM to 03:50 PM
Duration – 02 hours 25 minutes
Amavasya Tithi Begins – 03:12 AM on Sep 25, 2022
Amavasya Tithi Ends – 03:23 AM on Sep 26, 2022
Puja Vidhi:
Take a bath early in the morning and dress in white to offer prayers to your ancestors on this day. Face south, fill a copper pot with black sesame seeds, raw milk, a piece of kush, and a flower, and offer tarpan. While doing tarpan and praying for the peace of the ancestors, chant ‘Om Pitru Ganay Vidmahe Jagdharinye Dheemah Tanno Pitro Prachodayat’.
