Significance Of Mahalaya – Pitru Paksha And Matripaksha

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Mahalaya Amavasya is the new moon day in the month of Badrapada, which signifies the beginning of Dussehra. It is a special day dedicated to offering gratitude to ancestors who have lived on this earth before us.

Pitru Paksha starts on a full moon day and ends on a no moon day, which is the Mahalaya Amavasya. This is also the day when the Matripaksha starts.

Let us first learn something about the Pitru Paksha.

Pitru Paksha, also called the Shrad, is a custom religiously followed by the Hindus. They offer food and water to their departed ancestors. This is done to please the ancestors and ensure that they are resting in peace. This ensures that the present generation is blessed with a good life and prosperity. Failing to please the ancestors will bring troubles in the family. It also leads to the present generation remaining without food and water in the afterlife.

The period of Shrad is considered very inauspicious by the Hindus. No new ventures are started. People refrain from cutting their hair during this period as it is said to bring bad luck.

According to a legend, King Karna from Mahabharata, was the son of Sun God. He was charitable and would often donate to the poor. When he passed on to the heavens, the gods offered him food made of gold. This was difficult for him to consume. He demanded the reason behind this as he was always donating to the poor.

To this, the gods replied saying that he always donated gold and jewels, which were not the primary requirements of the poor who wouldn't get one proper meal a day. Karna realised his mistake and asked the gods for forgiveness. The gods decided to send Karna to earth for sixteen days to rectify his mistake. These sixteen days are called Pitru Paksha. This is the period when Hindus offer prayers and food to their ancestors for a peaceful life. People observe fasts to let their ancestors rest in peace. This pooja is usually done by the male members of the family.

Matripaksha

On the day of the Mahalaya, Goddess Durga is worshipped. Though there are many legends regarding the worship of Goddess Durga, the popular legend goes like this -

Mahishasur (the Buffalo Demon) got a blessing from Lord Brahma through years of praying, that no one could kill him. He became invincible and started destroying the world. No one could fight him because of the blessing. Therefore, all the gods came together to create a goddess. They presented her with their most powerful ten weapons and gave her a lion to ride.

This goddess went on to defeat the powerful Mahishasur. This event signifies the prevalence of good over evil. After defeating the Mahishasur, Goddess Durga returned with her daughters. This event is celebrated by all the married daughters of the house, who go home with their children to celebrate the festival with their family.

After five days, the idol is immersed in a water body. Married women adore themselves with sindoor and binge on sweets. It is celebrated all over the country with lots of fanfare.