Shubho Mahalaya 2023: Best wishes, images, messages and greetings to share with your loved ones to welcome Maa Durga

Mahalaya 2023 Vrats should know some things related to Mahalaya so that they do not commit any mistake and the full blessings of Maa Durga remain upon them. There are special precautions for those people who recite Durga Saptashati for nine days, in such a situation they should know everything thoroughly before installing the Kalash. So that there is no hindrance in their worship.


Mahalaya is today on 14th October. This day has special significance in Hindu religion, especially in Bengali communities. This day also marks the end of Pitru Paksh which is considered important for the Shraddha of ancestors. Not only this, Mahalaya (Mahalaya 2023) also sounds the conch sound of the beginning of Devi Paksha. Mahalaya has special significance especially for Bengalis because this day means that the Durga Puja festival (Durga Puja 2023 Festival) begins.

Mahalaya 2023: date and time


Mahalaya usually falls on the last day of the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadra (usually in September or October). This year, it will be celebrated on 14 October. The date is determined based on lunar calculations, and it marks the beginning of Devi Paksha, a special time dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga.

Mahalaya 2023 Traditions, Customs


On Mahalaya, every Bengali family wakes up in the morning before the sun rises. This occasion is associated with various practices and rituals. Many people pray and perform 'tarpan' of their ancestors on this day to seek their blessings for the peace of their departed souls. Donate food and materials to the needy. Provides food to Brahmins. Some Hindu families perform the ritual of Pitru Tarpan on this day, in which they offer prayers and pinda daan for the departed ancestors on the banks of river Ganga.

Importance of Mahalaya, Mythological beliefs


Mahalaya marks the beginning of Durga Puja. Generally, people believe that on this day, Goddess Durga begins her journey from Mount Kailash to her maternal home on earth - where she lives with her husband Lord Shiva. According to legends, it is believed that Maa Durga undertakes her long journey with her children - Ganesha, Karthik, Lakshmi and Saraswati on the vehicle of her choice to reach the earth. His vehicle could be a palanquin, boat, elephant or horse. It is also believed that the choice of her vehicle determines whether the arrival of Maa Durga will bring disaster or prosperity to mankind.

Durga Puja 2023 dates


  • 15 October 2023: First day of Navratri (worship of Maa Shailputri)
  • 16 October 2023: Second day of Navratri (worship of Mother Brahmacharini)
  • 17 October 2023: Third day of Navratri (worship of Maa Chandraghanta)
  • 18 October 2023: Fourth day of Navratri (worship of Maa Kushmanda)
  • 19 October 2023: Fifth day of Navratri (worship of Mother Skandamata)
  • 20 October 2023: Sixth day of Navratri (worship of Maa Katyayani)
  • 21 October 2023: Seventh day of Navratri (worship of Maa Kalratri)
  • 22 October 2023: Eighth day of Navratri (worship of Maa Siddhidatri)
  • 23 October 2023: Ninth day of Navratri (worship of Mother Mahagauri)
  • 24 October 2023: Dashami Tithi (Dussehra)

Importance of Mahalaya


Apart from paying homage to the ancestors, the day is celebrated to highlight the power of truth and courage and the victory of good over evil. According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that Goddess Durga was incarnated by the powers of all the supreme gods to kill a demon named Mahishasura.

History of Mahalaya


According to mythological beliefs, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh created Mother Durga to kill the tyrannical demon Mahishasura. Mahishasura was blessed with the boon that no god or human would be able to kill him. After receiving such a boon, Mahishasura became the king of demons and attacked the gods. The gods lost the war and Devlokar was ruled by Mahishasura. To protect from Mahishasura, all the gods worshiped Adi Shakti along with Lord Vishnu. During this, a divine light emerged from the bodies of all the gods which took the form of Goddess Durga. Goddess Durga, armed with weapons, fought a fierce battle with Mahishasura for nine days and killed him on the 10th day. Actually, Mahalaya marks the arrival of Maa Durga on earth. Mother Durga is considered the goddess of power.

मां दुर्गा के इन मंत्रों का करें जाप

ॐ जयन्ती मंगला काली भद्रकाली कपालिनी।

दुर्गा क्षमा शिवा धात्री स्वाहा स्वधा नमोऽस्तुते।।

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु दयारूपेण संस्थिता,

नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः।।

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शांतिरूपेण संस्थिता,

नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः।।

सर्वमंगल मांगल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थ साधिके।

शरण्ये त्र्यंबके गौरी नारायणि नमोऽस्तुते।।

पिण्डज प्रवरा चण्डकोपास्त्रुता।

प्रसीदम तनुते महिं चंद्रघण्टातिरुता।।

पिंडज प्रवररुधा चन्दकपास्कर्युत । प्रसिदं तनुते महयम चंद्रघंतेति विश्रुत।