Mahalaya Amavasya 2025 – The Beginning of Devi Paksha

September 22, 2025

Mahalaya Amavasya, also known as Pitru Amavasya, is a significant Hindu occasion dedicated to honoring ancestors and welcoming Goddess Durga to Earth. In 2025, Mahalaya Amavasya will be observed on Sunday, September 21. This day marks the end of Pitru Paksha (a fortnight dedicated to offering prayers to ancestors) and the beginning of Devi Paksha, which leads up to the grand festival of Durga Puja.

Significance of Mahalaya Amavasya

  1. Tribute to Ancestors – Hindus perform Tarpan and Shraddha rituals on this day to express gratitude and seek blessings from their forefathers.

  2. Spiritual Renewal – It marks the transition from honoring ancestors to invoking Goddess Durga, symbolizing a shift from remembrance to celebration.

  3. Start of Durga Puja Celebrations – In West Bengal and other parts of India, Mahalaya is celebrated as the day when Goddess Durga begins her journey from Mount Kailash to Earth.

Mahalaya Amavasya 2025 Date & Tithi

  • Mahalaya Amavasya Date: Sunday, 21st September 2025

  • Amavasya Tithi Begins: 11:31 AM on 20th September 2025

  • Amavasya Tithi Ends: 08:46 AM on 21st September 2025

Performing rituals during this time is considered highly auspicious.

Rituals of Mahalaya Amavasya

  1. Tarpan & Shraddha – Devotees offer water, sesame seeds, rice, and prayers to ancestors by the riverbanks or sacred ponds.

  2. Charity & Feeding the Poor – Donating food, clothes, or money to the needy is believed to bring blessings.

  3. Durga Invocation – In Bengal, the day begins with listening to Mahishasura Mardini, a devotional recitation describing the victory of Goddess Durga.

  4. Fasting & Prayers – Many devotees observe fasts to purify themselves and strengthen their devotion.

Cultural Celebrations

  • In Bengal – Mahalaya is a deeply emotional day when families wake up at dawn to listen to the legendary Chandipath by Birendra Krishna Bhadra. It officially announces the countdown to Durga Puja.

  • Across India – Rituals of Tarpan and Shraddha are performed in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha.

Conclusion

Mahalaya Amavasya 2025 is a sacred occasion that beautifully balances reverence for ancestors and devotion to Goddess Durga. While rituals of Shraddha ensure peace for departed souls, the invocation of Durga brings hope, strength, and festive joy.

This September 21st, let us remember our forefathers with gratitude and welcome the divine energy of Goddess Durga into our lives with devotion.