Shillong, Oct 3: Mahalaya which was celebrated on Wednesday, marks a significant event in the life of Hindus for several reasons.
First it’s believed that Goddess Durga begins her journey from her heavenly abode to her maternal home on earth on this day. This day further marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura over a nine-day war.
It also marks the end of Pitru Paksha and the start of Devi Pakhsha. Pitri Paksha is a 15-day period and people perform the ritual of Pitru Tarpan offering prayers to their ancestors on this day.
The ritual involves offering water, sesame seeds and other sacred items on the banks of rivers and water bodies. This ritual is thought to bring peace to the souls of ancestors, inviting their blessings for the family’s well-being.
Mahalaya is observed at least a week before Durga Puja celebrations. Although local artisans started making idols of Durga and her children almost a month ago, on Mahalaya the divine eyes of the idol are painted.
This day is also called “Chokhu Dan” wherein a senior artisan paints the eyes of Goddess Durga. The ritual involves painting the Trinayana (third eye) first, then the left eye and finally, the right eye. This is done while chanting mantras with the presence of a priest.
During Mahalaya, devotees pray to the Goddess to bless them and their family with prosperity, happiness and protection and her descent on earth.
Here again there is an important significance concerning the mode of transportation the Goddess takes during her journey. Each year, according to the almanac the goddess’ mode of journey could be either on a boat, palanquin, horse or an elephant. Each mode has its own significance.
The journey by boat is a precursor to both floods and good harvest on earth. The palanquin is a sign of an epidemic. The elephant signifies good harvest and overall well-being and the horse, war.
According to the almanac, this year the goddess is arriving on earth on a palanquin and would ascend to her heavenly abode on a horse. This signifies epidemic and war.
Meanwhile, Mahalaya, especially among the Bengali community, marks the listening of Mahishasura Mardini on All India Radio. It’s one of the most popular radio programmes and is aired on the radio at 4 am.
Mahishasura Mardini has been broadcasted from 1931 uninterrupted and is still immensely popular. People still tune in to the radio (through the internet etc.) and listen to it at 4 am. This programme narrates in Sanskrit, by Birendra Krishna Bhadra, the fight between Goddess Durga and the demon Mahisasura.
Therefore, Mahalaya is unlike any other Hindu religious occasion and has a deep rooted belief and significance among Hindus where individuals pray for well-being and the victory of good over evil.
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