Mahalaya Amavasya 2017: Know Durga Puja schedule and about Goddess arrival

The 10-day-long festival, Durga Puja is just around the corner along with Mahalaya 2017. After observing Ganesh Chaturthi and Shradh 2017, people are now gearing up to welcome the Goddess of Power and Prosperity, ‘Maa Durga’.

Right from shoppers thronging the markets to artisans giving final touch on the beautiful ‘pandals’, there is still a lot left to be done.

Durga Puja is a famous Hindu festival when Goddess Durga is worshipped also known as Durgotsava. Durgotsava refers to all five days festivity and these five days are observed as Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami and Vijayadashami. 

The Goddess Durga arrives on the Earth on the first day of Devi Paksha which starts on the next day of Mahalaya Amavasya during Pitru Paksha. She departs on Durga Visarjan day. The weekdays when she arrives and departs are significant and considered as omen of coming time.

What is Mahalaya Amavasya?

Mahalaya, marks the beginning of Devi-Paksha and the end of the Pitri-Paksha (the Shradh or the mourning period) is an auspicious day for Bengalis, who celebrate it with much enthusiasm. Mahalaya is observed seven days before the Durga Puja.

Most states except West Bengal do Ghatasthapana on Pratipada which is the next day of Mahalaya Amavasya. Ghatasthapana is equivalent to Kalparambha during Durga Puja when Goddess Durga is invoked. Kalparambha mostly falls on Shashthi Tithi during Devi Paksha. According to regional customs and beliefs Durga Puja during Shardiya Navratri varies from nine days to one day only which is also mentioned in Dharmasindhu.

Durga Puja Calendar 2017 Mahalaya:

Durga Puja Mahalaya

19 September 2017, Tuesday
Bengali Month - Ashvin 02, 1414

Panchmi:

25 September 2017, Monday

Bengali Month - Ashvin 08, 1414

Shashthi:

26 September 2017, Tuesday

Bengali Month - Ashvin 09, 1414

Saptami:

27 September 2017, Wednesday

Bengali Month - Ashvin 10, 1414

Mahaa-Ashtami:

28 September 2017, Thursday

Bengali Month - Ashvin 11, 1414

Mahaa-Nabami:

29 September 2017, Friday

Bengali Month - Ashvin 12, 1414

Dashami:

30 September 2017, Saturday

Bengali Month - Ashvin 13, 1414