In 2026, Mahalaya falls on Saturday, 10 October. Mahalaya is observed on Ashwin Amavasya, the new moon that closes Pitru Paksha. In North India, the same day is known as Sarva Pitru Amavasya.So Mahalaya stands at a turning point. It ends the fortnight dedicated to ancestors, called Pitru Paksha. And it begins Devi Paksha, the bright fortnight when Maa Durga is believed to descend to earth with her children.
Why Mahalaya Matters
A day for the ancestors. Early in the morning, thousands gather at the ghats of the Hooghly in Kolkata to offer tarpan. Men stand waist-deep in the river, offering water, til and kusha grass in the names of their fathers and grandfathers. It’s one of the most moving sights of the Bengali calendar.The Goddess is invoked. According to belief, this is the day Maa Durga begins her journey from Kailash to her parents’ home on earth. The Devi Paksha that follows builds up to her arrival.The eyes are painted. In Kumartuli, the artisans’ quarter of north Kolkata, idol-makers traditionally paint the eyes of the Durga idols on Mahalaya. The ritual is called Chokkhu Daan. Until then, the idols remain unfinished. Once the eyes are drawn, the Goddess is considered to have truly arrived in the clay.
The Radio Programme That Became a Tradition
Mahishasura Mardini is a mix of Sanskrit shlokas, Bengali devotional songs and narration. All India Radio first aired it in the 1930s, and the recorded version with Birendra Krishna Bhadra’s voice has played on Mahalaya morning for decades.Television channels now broadcast their own versions. Many younger Bengalis stream it on their phones. But in countless homes, elderly family members still insist on the radio. Waking up at 4 AM for it is less a ritual than a memory passed from one generation to the next.
When Does Durga Puja 2026 Begin?
Navratri starts on 11 October, the very next morning. But in Bengal, the grand Durga Puja celebration follows a few days later. Here’s the Bengal schedule for 2026:·Maha Shashthi, Friday, 16 October: Bodhon, when the Goddess is ritually awakened. The covered faces of the idols are unveiled.·Maha Saptami, Saturday, 17 October: Nabapatrika Snan at dawn, when a bundle of nine plants is bathed and dressed as the Goddess.·Maha Ashtami, Monday, 19 October: Pushpanjali in the morning and Sandhi Puja, the most powerful ritual of the Puja.·Maha Navami, Tuesday, 20 October: The final day of worship, with grand bhog and evening aarti.·Vijaya Dashami, Wednesday, 21 October: Sindoor Khela and immersion of the idols.You might notice Sunday, 18 October, is missing. That’s because Saptami tithi stretches across two sunrises this year, so Ashtami moves to Monday. Families following local panjikas should check exact timings for Sandhi Puja and Anjali.Kolkata’s Durga Puja was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021. If you’ve ever walked through a pandal-hopping crowd at midnight on Ashtami, that recognition won’t surprise you.
What to Do on Mahalaya
If you’re observing it at home, wake early and listen to Mahishasura Mardini, whether on the radio or online.Offer tarpan to your ancestors with water and til. If you don’t know a relative’s death tithi, Mahalaya covers all ancestors. Feed crows and cows, and donate food to someone in need.In the evening, light a diya facing south for your Pitrs. Then turn your thoughts to the days ahead. Clean the puja space at home, and get ready to welcome Maa Durga.
After the Puja Ends
The festive season doesn’t stop with Bijoya. Kojagori Lakshmi Puja follows on Sharad Purnima, and Kali Puja lights up Bengal on the night of Diwali, 8 November.Dates follow the Bengali panjika as commonly listed for 2026. Timings may vary slightly by location and family tradition.
