
Mahalaya, also known as Sarva Pitra Amavasya, is celebrated on October 15th this year and marks the end of Pitru Paksha. This is a religiously significant day for all Hindu devotees. Many people remember their ancestors and make Tarpan or Shraddha offerings to make their souls happy in the afterlife. It also serves as a reminder to the faithful of how much has changed and how, no matter where you live or how far away you are from home, the notes of Mahalaya will always ring in your ears. Come celebrate this day of hope and happiness with us!
Mahalaya Program
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Mahalaya - Mahishasura Mardini, Dhunuchi
We will provide water, tea & some cookie
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Cultural program
Song
Agomoni Gaan
Stotro Path
Stotro Path
Song
Jago Duraga Jago dashaproronodharini
Mahalaya ar Golpo
Mahalaya ar Golpo
Dance
Durge Durge Durgotinashini
Group Dance
Jai Jai Durga Ma
Song
Ayre Ayre Chute aye Pujor Gandho Eseche
Group Dance
A medley of Jaya Jaya Japya/Ya Chandi/Agomoni Alo/Bajlo Tomar Alor Benu
11:15 AM - 12:30 PM
Jhol Khabar
Tea
Cookie, Chocolate chips cookie or Oreo for kids
Luchi & Aloor Dum & Cholar Daal
Garam garam luchi saathe alur dum & cholar daal
Faluda
.
Extra
We will also have chips, salsa, soda, water, etc.
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Cleaning, packing and wrap up
We need your help clean, pack and wrap up
HISTORY OF MAHALAYA
According to the Hindu calendar, devotees of Maa Durga celebrate Mahalaya a week before Durga Puja. Mahalaya is observed on the last day of Pitru Paksha. According to Hindu mythology, Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheswar created Goddess Durga on this day to defeat the demon king Mahishasura. As a result, devotees have marked this day as the arrival of Goddess Durga from Kailash Parvat with her divine powers.
Hindu devotees believe that the demon king Mahishasura was given the blessing that no God or human could ever kill him. After receiving the blessing, Mahishasura attacked the Devtas, and they were forced to flee Devlok after losing the war. All the Devtas prayed to Adi Shakti, along with Lord Vishnu, to save them from Mahishasura’s wrath. It is believed that a divine light emerged from the bodies of all the Devtas and took the form of the Goddess Durga. Maa Durga fought Mahishasura for nine days before killing him on the tenth day. Maa Durga is revered as the goddess of power, and Durga Puja is widely celebrated across the country. Devotees pray to the goddess, who is said to visit Earth to bless her people, for ten days straight.
An auspicious pooja is performed to honor the venerable. Devotees rise early in the morning to worship the goddess by singing ‘Chandipath’ and listening to religious mantras like ‘Mahishasura Mardini.’ Sculptors create and color the eyes of the Goddess Durga. Many people observe this day to remember their ancestors. On Mahalaya Amavasya morning, devotees bid farewell to their ancestors, and in the evening, they perform Durga Pooja for the goddess who steps on Earth to bless the devotees. This festival is celebrated with great zeal and devotion in West Bengal, Odisha, Karnataka, and Tripura.