Mahalaya Amavasya (amavasya, अमावस्या, meaning “new moon night” in sanskrit) is the new moon which signals the end of the Pitru Paksha festival and the beginning of Navaratri (Durga Pujas). This year the new moon falls on the night of Oct 8th. Being the last day of Pitru Paksha (fortnight of the ancestors), many Hindus perform their most intense rituals to their deceased relatives on this day, from dawn till dusk. This usually includes creating elaborate feasts accompanied by Vedic rights.
The light of the new moon also signals the beginnings of Navaratri, the nine night festival dedicated to the nine forms of the goddess Durga. On Mahalaya, many Hindus begin to prepare for the Navaratri festival. Preparing for Navaratri includes getting one’s home in order for the endless family and social events that will take place in the coming days, but also beginning one’s “fast”, which usually includes giving up meat, alcohol, smoking or some other vice.
Besides preparing for the intense and joyous festivities that will accompany the next nine nights, devotees may also want to make sure they have a copy of the Devi Purana, the extensive scripture of Durga which contains the story behind her festival. The story of Navaratri appears in Book 3, Chapters 14-30 in the Devi Purana. I will be studying these chapters over the next nine nights of Navaratri.
In the meanwhile, take this time to pay your last respects to your ancestors and get ready for all the fun and worship that is coming up, and don’t forget to start your fast! Happy Mahalaya
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