Mahalaya Amavasya 2024 Date: Know Tithi Time for India, USA, Canada, UK, Australia
Posted on September 25, 2024
Mahalaya Amavasya is a significant day in the Hindu calendar, marking the end of the Pitru Paksha, a 16-day period dedicated to paying homage to ancestors. It is observed on the new moon day (Amavasya) in the month of Bhadrapada, according to the Hindu lunar calendar.
Mahalaya Amavasya 2024 Date: October 02, Wednesday.
Tithi Time for various countries:
* India: October 01, 09:39 PM – October 03, 12:19 AM.
* USA: October 01, 12:09 PM – October 02, 02:49 PM.
* Canada: October 01, 12:09 PM – October 02, 02:49 PM.
* United Kingdom (UK): October 01, 05:09 PM – October 02, 07:49 PM.
* Australia: October 02, 02:09 AM – October 03, 04:49 AM.
Spiritual Significance:
During Pitru Paksha, Hindus offer “tarpan” or rituals for their deceased ancestors to ensure their souls find peace and liberation. Mahalaya Amavasya is considered the most important day of this period, as it is believed that the ancestors descend to Earth to bless their descendants. People offer food, water, and prayers to the souls, especially on this day, to express their gratitude.
Connection with Durga Puja:
In many regions, especially in West Bengal, Mahalaya Amavasya also marks the beginning of Durga Puja preparations. It is the day when Goddess Durga is believed to begin her journey from Mount Kailash to Earth, setting the stage for the grand Durga Puja festival that follows a week later.
On Mahalaya, devotees wake up early to listen to or recite the famous devotional song “Mahishasura Mardini,” a narration of Goddess Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura. This sets a spiritual tone and builds anticipation for the upcoming celebrations.
Rituals and Traditions:
Tarpan: People perform this ritual by offering water mixed with sesame seeds to the departed souls, usually in rivers, seas, or ponds.
Pind Daan: Some families also perform “pind daan,” a ritual offering rice balls to ancestors, often done at pilgrimage sites like Gaya or Varanasi.
Charity: Offering food, clothes, and donations to the poor is considered auspicious on this day, as it is believed to bring blessings from the ancestors.
Mahalaya Amavasya carries deep emotional and cultural significance, where spirituality, family traditions, and community come together to honour the past and welcome the festive season.