Mahalaya 2018 Date And Time

Mahalaya is observed on the Amavasi day in the Hindu month of Ashwin or Ashwayuja (September-October). Mahalaya 2018 date is October 8, Monday. Time is 11:32 AM on October 8 to 9:17 AM on October 9. The last day of Pitru Paksha fortnight, the period sacred for doing rituals and offering oblations to the souls of the departed ancestors, ends on Mahalaya day. Durga Puja rituals also commence on Mahalaya day.

Note - in 2018 the rituals associated with dead ancestors should be performed on October 8, Monday.

The rituals and rites on Mahalaya day are performed early morning on riverbanks or on seashore. The main offering made on Mahalaya Paksha to ancestors is food. It is believed that the offering made during this period will benefit all the departed souls. Charity in the form of food is also done by people.

Mahalaya – Durga Puja

Mahalaya also heralds the advent of Goddess Durga to earth. Mahalaya marks the beginning of ‘Devipaksha’ and the countdown to Durga Puja.

On Mahalaya day, invitation is given to Goddess Durga to descend on to the earth along with her family. In Bengal, Goddess Saraswathi and Goddess Lakshmi are considered part of the family of Durga.

Chanting mantras and singing bhajans dedicated to Goddess Durga is the main event on Mahalaya day. The most famous bhajans is the – ‘Jago Tumi Jago.’ The Chandi Kavya or Chandi Stotram is also recited on the day.

Related
Mahalaya Thoughts and Quotes
What is Devipaksha?