Mahalaya is the magnificent curtain-raiser for Durga Puja, when Bengal awakens to the music of Chandipath and the goddess begins her journey to her father’s home. The streets begin to shine with festive lights, artists give the finishing touch to idols, and the air is filled with the night jasmine, the Kans grasses, and the clouds of the sky give the message that Maa Durga is coming.
Date of Mahalaya this year
Durga Puja 2025’s Mahalaya will be celebrated on 21st September, which is a Sunday; significantly, this year's Mahalaya will also be celebrated in an Amavyasa. Sunday, 21 September. The tithi (Amavasya) begins at 1:02 AM on September 21 and ends at around 1:42 AM on September 22.
Significance of Mahalaya
Bengalis take immense pride in their rich cultural heritage, and that pride reaches its peak when Maa Durga’s annual journey begins on Mahalaya. It is not just a ritual but an emotion, a signal that the festive season has truly arrived. Maa Durga travels to her father's house with the message that the Goddess is arriving, and this day marks the start of “Devipaksha” as Pitri Paksha comes to a close. On this day, Bengalis and Indians in general will perform “pinda daan” or “Tarpan” (ritual offerings) for their ancestors, praying for their peace and wellness wherever they may be. Maa Durga may appear for a few days, but she leaves even more, from coconut narus (sweet treats) to blessings for living a good life.
Chandipath of Birendra Krishna Bhadra
The legendary “Chandipath”, narrated in the deep, resonant voice of Birendra Krishna Bhadra, holds a timeless charm which still wakes even the laziest Bengali at dawn. It can send chills down your spine, as if his voice personally invites every home to prepare for the coming of Maa Durga, making Mahalaya morning a shared cultural experience that spans generations.
These days, TV networks and online platforms produce their own stunning visual extravaganzas known as "asur-nidhan" (demon-slaying), which frequently include famous individuals on lavish sets. However, nothing compares to the sentimental, almost religious experience of hearing Bhadra's famous recitation at sunrise for the majority of Bengalis, as it creates the ideal spiritual atmosphere for the several days of Durga Puja. Generations are bound together by a fusion of ethnic pride, tradition, and devotion.
