5 hrs ago
Thousands Across Odisha Perform Ancestral Rituals on Mahalaya
Mahalaya is a special day when many people remember and honour family members who have died.
In Odisha, people went to rivers, ponds and the sea to perform prayers and rituals for their ancestors.
Large crowds gathered at several well-known religious sites.
At Samaleswari Temple, people came to see the goddess dressed in white.
The temple opened early because many visitors were expected.
Mahalaya also marks the end of Pitru Paksha and the start of Devi Paksha.
Navaratri begins the next day.
Odisha’s governor, chief minister and opposition leader shared greetings for the occasion.
People across Odisha gathered at rivers, ponds and the sea to offer tila tarpan and pinda daan to their ancestors.
Large crowds gathered at Bindu Sagar Tank in Bhubaneswar, Narendra Pond in Puri and the Baitarani River near Jajpur.
Devotees visited Samaleswari Temple in Sambalpur to see the goddess in her white Dhabalamukhi Besha.
The temple opened its doors at 5 a.m. because a large congregation was expected.
Mahalaya marks the end of Pitru Paksha and the beginning of Devi Paksha; Navaratri starts the following day.
- Who
- People across Odisha, including devotees visiting temples and water bodies.
- What
- They performed ancestral rites, including tila tarpan and pinda daan, and observed Mahalaya.
- Where
- Across Odisha, including Bhubaneswar, Puri, Jajpur and Sambalpur.
- When
- Saturday, October 10; the year is not specified in the report.
- Why
- Mahalaya marks the end of Pitru Paksha and is an occasion to remember and honour ancestors.
Key facts
- Occasion
- Mahalaya
- Date
- Saturday, October 10; year not specified
- Rituals
- Tila tarpan and pinda daan
- Bhubaneswar gathering
- Bindu Sagar Tank near Lingaraj Temple
- Puri gathering
- Narendra Pond at the northern gate of Jagannath Temple
- Jajpur gathering
- Baitarani River near Maa Biraja Temple
- Samaleswari Temple
- Opened at 5 a.m.; the goddess was shown in white Dhabalamukhi Besha
- Festival calendar
- Mahalaya ends Pitru Paksha and begins Devi Paksha; Navaratri starts the next day
Quotes
Hari Babu Kambhampati
Governor of Odisha
“My heartfelt greetings to all on the sacred Mahalaya Amavasya, the occasion for remembering our ancestors. May everyone’s life overflow with happiness, peace, and prosperity during the holy time of Mother Durga’s advent.”
theprint.in
“Greetings and best wishes on the occasion of the sacred Mahalaya. May everyone’s life be filled with happiness and prosperity by the blessings of Mother Durga.”
theprint.in
Sources
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