Mahalaya 2024: Live Telecast Details and Significance

Mahalaya, a significant day in the Hindu calendar, marks the end of Pitru Paksha and the beginning of Devi Paksha. This year, Mahalaya will be observed on October 2, 2024, which also coincides with Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday in India.

Significance of Mahalaya

Mahalaya Amavasya is dedicated to ancestors and Goddess Durga. It is also known as Sarva Pitru Moksha Amavasya, a day crucial for performing rituals like Shradh and Tarpan to pay respect to ancestors and seek their blessings. This day signifies the departure of Goddess Durga from Mount Kailash and her arrival on Earth, marking the beginning of the Durga Puja festival.

Mahishasura Mardini Recital

A cherished tradition during Mahalaya is the recital of the Mahishasura Mardini , an ancient Sanskrit composition that narrates the glory and divine powers of Goddess Durga and her victory over the demon king Mahishasura. This recital, which translates to 'the slayer of the demon Mahishasura,' has been a central part of Durga Puja celebrations for over nine decades.

The Mahishasura Mardini recital will be broadcast on All India Radio (AIR) at 4 AM on October 2, 2024. It will also be available for live streaming on the AIR YouTube channel. The program includes the recitation of Chaipah, Bengali devotional songs, classical music, and acoustic melodrama, and is available in both Hindi and Bengali.

How to Listen and Watch

Devotees can tune into the Mahishasura Mardini recital on AIR's Indraprastha channel and FM Gold for Hindi and Sanskrit, and FM Rainbow for Bengali. The live streaming will be available on the AIR YouTube channel, allowing listeners to enjoy the program from the comfort of their homes or on the go.

Durga Puja Calendar 2024

Following Mahalaya, the Durga Puja festivities will continue with the following dates: Maha Shashthi on October 8, Maha Saptami on October 9, Maha Ashtami on October 10, Maha Navami on October 11, and Vijaya Dashami (Dussehra) on October 12.