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Shubho Mahalaya 2025: Mahalaya is a sacred day that commemorates the onset of the Durga Puja festival, marking an end to a mourning period for ancestors and the beginning of the veneration of the divine feminine, Goddess Durga. Families rise early in the morning to hear the renowned devotional programme, 'Mahishasura Mardini,' in anticipation of the arrival of the goddess. Bhakts observe a ritual of 'Tarpan' to worship their ancestors, and idol-makers perform the legendary 'Chakkhudaan' (eyepainting of the goddess Durga idol) to give life symbolically to the deity.

Shubho Mahalaya 2025: Date And Time

- Shubho Mahalaya 2025 Date: 21st September 2025, Sunday

- Amavasya Tithi Begins: 12:16 AM, 21st September 2025

- Amavasya Tithi Ends: 01:23 AM, 22nd September 2025

Shubho Mahalaya 2025: Significance

Mahalaya is a day of spiritual importance, as people honour their ancestors by performing rituals like Shradh and Tarpan and they welcome Goddess Durga's arrival to the Earth. Many Bengalis get up early to hear or recite mantras, like the famous Mahishasura Mardini, which tells the story of Goddess Durga defeating the demon Mahishasura. This custom shows good winning against evil and gets everyone ready for the celebrations. On Mahalaya, people honour their ancestors with rituals involving food, water, and prayers, hoping to bring peace to their souls. This day is key for Shradh ceremonies, which are thought to free ancestors from the rebirth cycle.

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maa-durga-idol-eyes-paint

Traditionally, the eyes of Maa Durga idol are painted by veteran artists on the sacred day of Mahalaya. This ritual is known as Chokkhu Daan. (Image Source: Canva) 

Shubho Mahalaya 2025: Rituals

Devotees rise early before sunrise to conduct Tarpan rituals along riverbanks or the sacred water bodies, offering prayers and water that has black sesame seeds, seeking ancestral blessings. The ritual is a significant aspect of Mahalaya observances, praying for peace and liberation for the souls of ancestors. The family comes together to pay tribute to ancestors, chanting mantras and conducting rituals with devotion.

The legendary Mahishasura Mardini series of All India Radio is a cherished tradition, with listeners praying at 4 AM to hear the recitation of hymns and Sanskrit shlokas. This devotional broadcast gets the festive mood underway, chronicling Goddess Durga defeating Mahishasura. The show is a much-loved element of Mahalaya celebrations, invoking piety and spiritual passion.

In Bengal, chokkhu daan is performed by idol-makers, where the artist paints the eyes of Maa Durga, inviting the eyes of the goddess to impart life into the Durga idol. During this process, the veteran idol artists carefully paint the eyes of Goddess Durga in a certain order: Trinayana, left eye and lastly, right eye. This auspicious ritual conducted on Mahalaya infuses life into the idol. Holy kajal, prepared by burning Bel leaves smeared with ghee, is applied on the broad end of another Bel leaf. Since her eyes are attractive, Goddess Durga is also revered as 'Mrinmayi', her earthly form, and converted into 'Chinmayi', her divine form, by sacred rituals, giving life and divine force to the idol.

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Houses are cleaned and adorned, and families begin making festival sweets. The occasion begins the celebration of Durga Puja. Temples conduct special pujas and cultural functions, such as dance-dramas and recitation of the Chandi Path. Gatherings and observances differ in states, but the sentiment and devotion are similar. Mahalaya is a period of spiritual contemplation, cultural celebration, and communal bonding.