"Mahalaya Observation"

#12779770

21 September 2025

Devotees perform rituals of Mahalaya at a Ganges riverside in Kolkata, India, on September 21, 2025. On Mahalaya, devotees across Bengal and beyond offer prayers at dawn with the recitation of the Chandi Path, marking the arrival of Goddess Durga on earth. Considered the day when the pitru paksha ends and the devipaksha begins in Hindu tradition, Mahalaya holds deep scriptural significance as it symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and heralds the Durga Puja festivities. Hindus believe that if they offer prayers at dawn on Mahalaya for their forefathers, the souls of their ancestors attain moksha and bless them with good fortune.

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#12779771

21 September 2025

Devotees perform rituals of Mahalaya at a Ganges riverside in Kolkata, India, on September 21, 2025. On Mahalaya, devotees across Bengal and beyond offer prayers at dawn with the recitation of the Chandi Path, marking the arrival of Goddess Durga on earth. Considered the day when the pitru paksha ends and the devipaksha begins in Hindu tradition, Mahalaya holds deep scriptural significance as it symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and heralds the Durga Puja festivities. Hindus believe that if they offer prayers at dawn on Mahalaya for their forefathers, the souls of their ancestors attain moksha and bless them with good fortune.

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#12779772

21 September 2025

Devotees perform rituals of Mahalaya at a Ganges riverside in Kolkata, India, on September 21, 2025. On Mahalaya, devotees across Bengal and beyond offer prayers at dawn with the recitation of the Chandi Path, marking the arrival of Goddess Durga on earth. Considered the day when the pitru paksha ends and the devipaksha begins in Hindu tradition, Mahalaya holds deep scriptural significance as it symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and heralds the Durga Puja festivities. Hindus believe that if they offer prayers at dawn on Mahalaya for their forefathers, the souls of their ancestors attain moksha and bless them with good fortune.

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#12779773

21 September 2025

Devotees perform rituals of Mahalaya at a Ganges riverside in Kolkata, India, on September 21, 2025. On Mahalaya, devotees across Bengal and beyond offer prayers at dawn with the recitation of the Chandi Path, marking the arrival of Goddess Durga on earth. Considered the day when the pitru paksha ends and the devipaksha begins in Hindu tradition, Mahalaya holds deep scriptural significance as it symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and heralds the Durga Puja festivities. Hindus believe that if they offer prayers at dawn on Mahalaya for their forefathers, the souls of their ancestors attain moksha and bless them with good fortune.

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#12779774

21 September 2025

Devotees perform rituals of Mahalaya at a Ganges riverside in Kolkata, India, on September 21, 2025. On Mahalaya, devotees across Bengal and beyond offer prayers at dawn with the recitation of the Chandi Path, marking the arrival of Goddess Durga on earth. Considered the day when the pitru paksha ends and the devipaksha begins in Hindu tradition, Mahalaya holds deep scriptural significance as it symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and heralds the Durga Puja festivities. Hindus believe that if they offer prayers at dawn on Mahalaya for their forefathers, the souls of their ancestors attain moksha and bless them with good fortune.

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#12779775

21 September 2025

Devotees perform rituals of Mahalaya at a Ganges riverside in Kolkata, India, on September 21, 2025. On Mahalaya, devotees across Bengal and beyond offer prayers at dawn with the recitation of the Chandi Path, marking the arrival of Goddess Durga on earth. Considered the day when the pitru paksha ends and the devipaksha begins in Hindu tradition, Mahalaya holds deep scriptural significance as it symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and heralds the Durga Puja festivities. Hindus believe that if they offer prayers at dawn on Mahalaya for their forefathers, the souls of their ancestors attain moksha and bless them with good fortune.

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#12779776

21 September 2025

Devotees perform rituals of Mahalaya at a Ganges riverside in Kolkata, India, on September 21, 2025. On Mahalaya, devotees across Bengal and beyond offer prayers at dawn with the recitation of the Chandi Path, marking the arrival of Goddess Durga on earth. Considered the day when the pitru paksha ends and the devipaksha begins in Hindu tradition, Mahalaya holds deep scriptural significance as it symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and heralds the Durga Puja festivities. Hindus believe that if they offer prayers at dawn on Mahalaya for their forefathers, the souls of their ancestors attain moksha and bless them with good fortune.

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#12779777

21 September 2025

Devotees perform rituals of Mahalaya at a Ganges riverside in Kolkata, India, on September 21, 2025. On Mahalaya, devotees across Bengal and beyond offer prayers at dawn with the recitation of the Chandi Path, marking the arrival of Goddess Durga on earth. Considered the day when the pitru paksha ends and the devipaksha begins in Hindu tradition, Mahalaya holds deep scriptural significance as it symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and heralds the Durga Puja festivities. Hindus believe that if they offer prayers at dawn on Mahalaya for their forefathers, the souls of their ancestors attain moksha and bless them with good fortune.

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#12779778

21 September 2025

Devotees perform rituals of Mahalaya at a Ganges riverside in Kolkata, India, on September 21, 2025. On Mahalaya, devotees across Bengal and beyond offer prayers at dawn with the recitation of the Chandi Path, marking the arrival of Goddess Durga on earth. Considered the day when the pitru paksha ends and the devipaksha begins in Hindu tradition, Mahalaya holds deep scriptural significance as it symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and heralds the Durga Puja festivities. Hindus believe that if they offer prayers at dawn on Mahalaya for their forefathers, the souls of their ancestors attain moksha and bless them with good fortune.

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#10637178

14 October 2023

People are seen offering prayers to their ancestors at a riverside during Mahalaya observation in Kolkata , India , on 14 October 2023 . Mahalaya marks the beginning of Devi Paksha and Durga puja and the end of the Pitri Paksha which is a period of mourning. Hindus consider Pitri Paksha to be inauspicious as death rites are performed during this period. It is a 16-day lunar period during which people remember and pay homage to their ancestors using food and water offerings at local river and water bodies.

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#10637180

14 October 2023

People are seen offering prayers to their ancestors at a riverside during Mahalaya observation in Kolkata , India , on 14 October 2023 . Mahalaya marks the beginning of Devi Paksha and Durga puja and the end of the Pitri Paksha which is a period of mourning. Hindus consider Pitri Paksha to be inauspicious as death rites are performed during this period. It is a 16-day lunar period during which people remember and pay homage to their ancestors using food and water offerings at local river and water bodies.

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#10637182

14 October 2023

People are seen offering prayers to their ancestors at a riverside during Mahalaya observation in Kolkata , India , on 14 October 2023 . Mahalaya marks the beginning of Devi Paksha and Durga puja and the end of the Pitri Paksha which is a period of mourning. Hindus consider Pitri Paksha to be inauspicious as death rites are performed during this period. It is a 16-day lunar period during which people remember and pay homage to their ancestors using food and water offerings at local river and water bodies.

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#10637184

14 October 2023

People are seen offering prayers to their ancestors at a riverside during Mahalaya observation in Kolkata , India , on 14 October 2023 . Mahalaya marks the beginning of Devi Paksha and Durga puja and the end of the Pitri Paksha which is a period of mourning. Hindus consider Pitri Paksha to be inauspicious as death rites are performed during this period. It is a 16-day lunar period during which people remember and pay homage to their ancestors using food and water offerings at local river and water bodies.

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#10637186

14 October 2023

People are seen offering prayers to their ancestors at a riverside during Mahalaya observation in Kolkata , India , on 14 October 2023 . Mahalaya marks the beginning of Devi Paksha and Durga puja and the end of the Pitri Paksha which is a period of mourning. Hindus consider Pitri Paksha to be inauspicious as death rites are performed during this period. It is a 16-day lunar period during which people remember and pay homage to their ancestors using food and water offerings at local river and water bodies.

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#10637188

14 October 2023

People are seen offering prayers to their ancestors at a riverside during Mahalaya observation in Kolkata , India , on 14 October 2023 . Mahalaya marks the beginning of Devi Paksha and Durga puja and the end of the Pitri Paksha which is a period of mourning. Hindus consider Pitri Paksha to be inauspicious as death rites are performed during this period. It is a 16-day lunar period during which people remember and pay homage to their ancestors using food and water offerings at local river and water bodies.

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#10637190

14 October 2023

People are seen offering prayers to their ancestors at a riverside during Mahalaya observation in Kolkata , India , on 14 October 2023 . Mahalaya marks the beginning of Devi Paksha and Durga puja and the end of the Pitri Paksha which is a period of mourning. Hindus consider Pitri Paksha to be inauspicious as death rites are performed during this period. It is a 16-day lunar period during which people remember and pay homage to their ancestors using food and water offerings at local river and water bodies.

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