Context: Recently, PM has greeted the people on the occasion of Mahalaya saying ‘Shubho Mahalaya!’
How is Mahalaya observed?

• On this day, Bengalis traditionally wake up in the morning to listen to Mahisasuramardni, an audio montage of Chandipath recitation from the scriptural verses of Sri Sri Chandi along with devotional songs.
• Then they make food and water offerings to deceased ancestors.

About Mahalaya

• Mahalaya marks the beginning of the Devipaksha and the end of the Pitrupaksha according to Hindu calendar.
• For the unversed, Pitru Paksha is a 16-lunar day period when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors through shradh prayers and food offerings.
• Celebrations for Durga Puja begin seven days after Mahalaya.
• It is believed that on Mahalaya, Goddess Durga begins her journey to the Earth from her home in Kailash.
• Durga brings her children Kartik, Ganesha, Lakshmi and Saraswati as she visits her maternal home. The vehicle she boards to descend also changes every year.
• In 2020, Mahalaya Amavasya observed on 17 September, on the same day as Vishwakarma Puja.