Mahalaya is one of the most significant days as it marks a spiritual transition in the Hindu calendar, marking the end of Pitru Paksha and the beginning of Durga Puja festivities and Dev Paksha.
The Pitru Paksha is an important part of Mahalaya as it allows people to connect to their ancestors and roots, while the Dev Paksha marks the welcome of Goddess Durga on earth.
From date and timings to rituals and significance, here’s everything you must know about Mahalaya 2025.
What Is Mahalaya, And Why Is It Celebrated?
This year, Mahalaya 2025 falls on Sunday, September 21, 2025. Mahalaya or Mahalaya Amavasya is also known as Sarva Pitru Amavasya. It is the end of Pitru Paksha, a 16-day-long period during which people pay homage to their deceased family members and ancestors.
It also is the beginning of the Dev Paksha that marks the onset of Durga Puja festivities for the Bengali community and Shardiya Navratri for others from the next day.
This year, Amavasya tithi will begin at 12:30 am on Sunday, September 21, 2025, and end at 1:23 am on Monday, September 22, 2025.
What Is Pitru Paksha?
Pitru Paksha is considered to be an inauspicious period that begins as Ganesh Chaturthi ends and ends as Mahalaya or Dev Paksha begins. This year, Pitru Paksha began on September 7 and will end on September 21.
It is considered inauspicious for starting any new venture, buying a house, or hosting wedding festivities because it is a mourning period during which shraddh or death rites are performed.
During the 16 days, people honor their ancestors, the deceased souls, with food and water offerings. It is believed that performing tarpan or pind daan on Mahalaya is considered auspicious and brings peace to the departed souls.
What Are The Rituals Of Pitru Paksha?
During Pitru Paksha, families perform shraddha rites, which include offerings of cooked food, water, sesame seeds, and rice balls (pindas) near water bodies. Families gather at riverbanks to carry out these rituals.
Tarpan, which means “offering water,” is a ritual conducted to nourish and appease the souls of departed ancestors. Another important ritual involves feeding Brahmins, crows, animals, and those in need.
These rituals are typically performed by the eldest sons or male relatives. It is believed that these practices help ancestors attain moksha, which is liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
What Is The Story Behind Pitru Paksha?
The story behind Pitru Paksha is related to Mahabharat’s Karna. According to mythology, after Karna’s death, when he reached heaven, he received gold instead of food. He asked Lord Indra about the reason, and Indra explained that though Karna donated gold and wealth generously during his life, he never offered food or water to his ancestors.
Karna realised his mistake and wanted to correct it. So, Karna was allowed to return to Earth for 15 days to perform rites and feed his ancestors. This compassionate act became the basis for Pitru Paksha to pay homage through food and water offerings to the ancestors.
Why Mahalaya Marks The Beginning of Durga Festivities?
Apart from marking the end of Pitru Paksha, Mahalaya also marks the descent of Goddess Durga to earth. It is the celebration of the divine feminine energy as the earth welcomes the beautiful and fierce deity, marking the beginning of Shardiya Navratri from the next day.
In the Bengali community, it is believed that on Mahalaya, Goddess Durga begins her journey to earth with her kids Ganesh, Karthikeya, Laxmi, and Saraswati. Mahalaya is celebrated about a week before Durga Puja begins.
On this day, Bengalis wake up before sunrise and listen to or recite mantras and songs which are known as “Mahishasura Mardini”.
It is believed that these mantras evoke Goddess Durga, marking the beginning of Durga Puja festivities. This is because only after Mahalaya do devotees begin the main preparations for Durga Puja.
This includes crafting and decorating idols, and planning for vibrant community celebrations.
Summing Up
Mahalaya is a time for spiritual reflection and celebration of traditions and heritage. From paying respects to our ancestors to welcoming the protector of this universe, Maa Durga, Mahalaya is surely one of the most significant events in Hinduism.
