Published: 12:00 AM, 09 October 2016
The significance of Mahalaya in the lives of Bengalis
'Mahalaya' is the day which marks the end of 16-day long Pitru Paksha and the beginning of Devi-Paksha. It is the day, when Bengalis, all over the world, get ready for their biggest festival - the Durga Puja, which begins exactly six days later. This day, along with the kaash flowers and the enchanting smell of shiuli flowers spread the message "Ma Durga is arriving with Her Family Very Soon." Mahalaya marks the beginning of Durga Puja and the day holds a very special place in the hearts of every Bengali. It is the day that is celebrated to invoke the Goddess possessing Supreme powers.
On the day of Mahalaya, Ma Durga is invited to descend on earth to ward off all evils. This invitation is offered through chanting of Mantras. "Jaago Tumi Jaago" - this is what we say to invoke our Ma Durga to descend on our earth to bless all mortals and wipe away the evil. Although Mahalaya is special for Bengalis, the Mahalaya Amavasya has a very special significance throughout India. People pay homage to their ancestors by performing 'Tarpan' at the holy river of Ganges. There are certain myths associated with this ritual of Tarpan.
Your ancestors will attain 'Moksha': That means your ancestors willb be freed. Mahalaya falls on the new moon day, which is also known as the 'Mahalaya Amavasya'. It is believed that if you offer oblations to the souls of your ancestors on this day, they get free from the worldly sin.
The Story of Mahabharata: According to the Mahabharata legend, after the death of Karna, he went to the heaven. There, his soul was offered jewels as food. He was surprised to see this. Then, Indra clarified that during Karna's lifetime; he never offered anything to his ancestors. Karna replied, he didn't know about them and wanted a chance to do the due. He came back on earth for sixteen days and he offered foods and other belongings to his ancestors and returned to heaven. Beginning of 'Akal Bodhan': This means worshipping before time. According to mythology, King Suratha worshipped Devi Durga during the spring. But, Lord Ram worshipped Goddess Durga during the autumn season, as he needed her blessings to kill Ravana. This day signifies the awakening of Devi Durga.
The story of war: It is said that when Devatas got irritated with the demon, Mahishasura, and went to the Trinity for solution; they got so angry that their anger took the form of Devi Durga. On Mahalaya, Devi is dressed up with lethal weapons and she is said to have killed Mahishasura. This day is signified as the victory of virtue over vice. Importance to the Bengalis: Finally, Mahalaya is most important to the Bengalis, as this is the day when they remember their forefathers. They also get ready to welcome their daughter, 'Uma', for the five days and forget all their miseries. They are renewed to a new life with the festival and prepare to welcome life again with all its ups and downs.
How do the Bengalis celebrate Mahalaya ?
There are certain rituals that the Bengalis follow on the day of Mahalaya. 'Chokhu Daan' - Or the offering of eyes. This is the final and finishing touch to the thousands of Durga idols made across the world. On the day of Mahalaya, the idol-makers complete their task of creating mesmerising Durga idols by painting her eyes. Chokhu-Daan listening to Mahishasuramardini program early in the morning - On the eve of Mahalaya, every Bengali has a child-like happiness which is associated with the feeling of 'raat perolei Mahalaya' ( Mahalaya is just a night away). They mark their alarm at 4 am next morning to listen to the broadcasting of the programme 'Mahishasuramardini' which is aired on the AIR. The program is aired for over six decades now and it makes the morning of Mahalaya magical. This magic is induced by Late Birendra Krishna Bhadra who voice makes the 'Chandi Path' even more magical.
Offering 'Tarpan' - Clad in dhotis , people throng the holy river of Ganges and take dips in the river before offering prayers to their ancestors. This way, they pay their homage to their forefathers. Last moment preparation - Mahalaya is the day which also is the final sign that 'Durga Puja is here. Are your dresses ready?' And so, the ladies see to it that the blouses are stitched to perfection and collected from the tailor. The men see that their favourite coloured kurtas are matched with the dhotis and the kids take a final look at all the new dresses which they must have already checked out thirty times by now.
The delicious meal which doesn't the staple maachh - bhaat and mangsho - bhaat - Think of the Bengali food and all you remember is fish curry - rice or mutton curry - rice without which a Bengali meal is incomplete, rather unimaginable. But on the day of Mahalaya, all Bengali kitchens cook Khichuri - Labra (a mixed vegetable sorts, whose exact explanation cannot be provided in words; becomes heavenly with the 'bhog' khichuri, which is again definitely not same as the regular khichuri though cooked similarly. Might be the magical touch of Goddess Annapurna, another name of Ma Durga) - begun Bhaja (brinjal fry) - tomato chutney - payesh. And the fish - eating Bongs devour this heavenly combination with no qualms at all. To finish with, Mahalaya will keep spreading the magic and setting the vigour for the biggest festival of Bengalis - the Durga Puja , eternally. "Ya devi sarbabhuteshshu, sakti rupena sanksthita Namasteshwai Namasteshwai Namasteshwai namo namaha."
The writer is an India based Journalist and Social Worker
On the day of Mahalaya, Ma Durga is invited to descend on earth to ward off all evils. This invitation is offered through chanting of Mantras. "Jaago Tumi Jaago" - this is what we say to invoke our Ma Durga to descend on our earth to bless all mortals and wipe away the evil. Although Mahalaya is special for Bengalis, the Mahalaya Amavasya has a very special significance throughout India. People pay homage to their ancestors by performing 'Tarpan' at the holy river of Ganges. There are certain myths associated with this ritual of Tarpan.
Your ancestors will attain 'Moksha': That means your ancestors willb be freed. Mahalaya falls on the new moon day, which is also known as the 'Mahalaya Amavasya'. It is believed that if you offer oblations to the souls of your ancestors on this day, they get free from the worldly sin.
The Story of Mahabharata: According to the Mahabharata legend, after the death of Karna, he went to the heaven. There, his soul was offered jewels as food. He was surprised to see this. Then, Indra clarified that during Karna's lifetime; he never offered anything to his ancestors. Karna replied, he didn't know about them and wanted a chance to do the due. He came back on earth for sixteen days and he offered foods and other belongings to his ancestors and returned to heaven. Beginning of 'Akal Bodhan': This means worshipping before time. According to mythology, King Suratha worshipped Devi Durga during the spring. But, Lord Ram worshipped Goddess Durga during the autumn season, as he needed her blessings to kill Ravana. This day signifies the awakening of Devi Durga.
The story of war: It is said that when Devatas got irritated with the demon, Mahishasura, and went to the Trinity for solution; they got so angry that their anger took the form of Devi Durga. On Mahalaya, Devi is dressed up with lethal weapons and she is said to have killed Mahishasura. This day is signified as the victory of virtue over vice. Importance to the Bengalis: Finally, Mahalaya is most important to the Bengalis, as this is the day when they remember their forefathers. They also get ready to welcome their daughter, 'Uma', for the five days and forget all their miseries. They are renewed to a new life with the festival and prepare to welcome life again with all its ups and downs.
How do the Bengalis celebrate Mahalaya ?
There are certain rituals that the Bengalis follow on the day of Mahalaya. 'Chokhu Daan' - Or the offering of eyes. This is the final and finishing touch to the thousands of Durga idols made across the world. On the day of Mahalaya, the idol-makers complete their task of creating mesmerising Durga idols by painting her eyes. Chokhu-Daan listening to Mahishasuramardini program early in the morning - On the eve of Mahalaya, every Bengali has a child-like happiness which is associated with the feeling of 'raat perolei Mahalaya' ( Mahalaya is just a night away). They mark their alarm at 4 am next morning to listen to the broadcasting of the programme 'Mahishasuramardini' which is aired on the AIR. The program is aired for over six decades now and it makes the morning of Mahalaya magical. This magic is induced by Late Birendra Krishna Bhadra who voice makes the 'Chandi Path' even more magical.
Offering 'Tarpan' - Clad in dhotis , people throng the holy river of Ganges and take dips in the river before offering prayers to their ancestors. This way, they pay their homage to their forefathers. Last moment preparation - Mahalaya is the day which also is the final sign that 'Durga Puja is here. Are your dresses ready?' And so, the ladies see to it that the blouses are stitched to perfection and collected from the tailor. The men see that their favourite coloured kurtas are matched with the dhotis and the kids take a final look at all the new dresses which they must have already checked out thirty times by now.
The delicious meal which doesn't the staple maachh - bhaat and mangsho - bhaat - Think of the Bengali food and all you remember is fish curry - rice or mutton curry - rice without which a Bengali meal is incomplete, rather unimaginable. But on the day of Mahalaya, all Bengali kitchens cook Khichuri - Labra (a mixed vegetable sorts, whose exact explanation cannot be provided in words; becomes heavenly with the 'bhog' khichuri, which is again definitely not same as the regular khichuri though cooked similarly. Might be the magical touch of Goddess Annapurna, another name of Ma Durga) - begun Bhaja (brinjal fry) - tomato chutney - payesh. And the fish - eating Bongs devour this heavenly combination with no qualms at all. To finish with, Mahalaya will keep spreading the magic and setting the vigour for the biggest festival of Bengalis - the Durga Puja , eternally. "Ya devi sarbabhuteshshu, sakti rupena sanksthita Namasteshwai Namasteshwai Namasteshwai namo namaha."
The writer is an India based Journalist and Social Worker
