![]() Legend of Mahalaya As per myth, Lord Rama hurriedly performed the Durga Puja shortly before he left for Lanka to save Sita from the clutches of the demon king Ravana. According to the Puranas, King Suratha worshipped the Goddess Durga in the spring season and it is for this reason that Durga Puja was also called as Basanti Puja. Since Rama organised the Puja and prayed the Goddess Durga in the season of autumn, it is known as ‘Akal Bodhon’ or untimely worship. The Puja of Lord Rama to Goddess Durga was regarded untimely since, according to the myths Puja is performed when the Goddesses and Gods are awake and this time is known as ‘Uttarayan’ and Puja is never offered when the Gods and Goddesses take rest and the time is called ‘Dakshinayan’. Mahalaya is thus the beginning of Devipaksha when the Gods and Goddesses wake up to prepare for Durga Puja. ![]() The Ritual of Torpon On the day of Mahalaya, many people visit the banks of River Ganga, dressed in dhotis, for offering prayers to their ancestors. Prayers are chanted in the pre-dawn hours for the deceased relatives and holy dips are taken in the holy river Ganges. The ritual is termed as Torpon. Shraddha and the associated rites are generally performed by the eldest son of the family or any male relatives. In some castes, the rituals are performed for only one generation while in many others it is done for many more generations, commonly for three. The foods offered to the forefathers are usually cooked in copper or silver vessels and they are offered on banana leaves. Although the food varies with different families, the main ingredients include rice, certain vegetables, yellow gourd, lapsi, kheer and dal. The person who performs the Shraddha takes the holy dip in the river and wears a dhoti afterwards. The offering during the Shraddha, also known as the Pindadana, are made bare-chested. Following this a cow and a dog is fed. Food is also offered to the Brahmins. ![]() The Story of Mahisasura Mardini Mahisasura Mardini narrates a captivating story of the increasing cruelty of the demon king Mahishasura against the Gods. Dismayed by his tyranny the Gods pleaded to Lord Vishnu to destroy the demon king. The Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara thus unite to create a Goddess ‘Durga’, a powerful female form with ten arms, who is regarded as the Mother of the Universe embodying the primeval source of all power. This supreme creation is then bestowed with individual blessings and weapons by all the Gods. The Goddess then rides a lion, armed as a warrior, to fight with Mahisasura. A fierce combat is followed by the triumph of Goddess Durga and her victory is rejoiced by the heaven and the earth. ![]() Celebration of Mahalaya As the beginning of Devipaksha, it is believed that on the day of Mahalaya the Gods and Goddesses wake up to prepare them for Durga Puja. The day marks the arrival of festivities and nostalgia. On this auspicious day, the eye is given to the idol of Goddess Durga. It is an ancient custom which is followed till date. Mahalaya is a significant day in the lives of Bengalis and many offices and educational institutions remain close on this day. The day indicates the beginning of the biggest festival of the year. (Last Updated on : 23-10-2020) |
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