Durga Puja 2020 Dates: Mahalaya Amavasya will be observed today on September 17, 2020. Mahalaya is celebrated after Pitru Paksha Shraddha ends, Bengali’s usually celebrate Durga Puja after 7 days but this year they will have to wait more than a month. However, the much-awaited festival will be celebrated after a month of Mahalaya. This year Durga Puja celebrations will start from October 22 (Shashthi) till October 26 (Vijaya Dashami).
According to Bisuddha Siddhanta and Suryasiddhanta, the usual gap between Mahalaya and Durga Puja is because of mala mash which means two new moons. This month, devotees are not allowed to celebrate any festivals and Durga Puja can only be held after the month of Ashwin month.
It should be noted that this is not the first time there is a delay in Durga Puja celebrations, a similar thing happened in 2000 when Durga Puja was celebrated after 30 days of Mahalaya. Bengali’s are already for the Puja and have started their celebrations but this time celebrations will be different because of COVID-19.
On the occasion of Mahalaya, Bengali’s wake up early in the morning to listen to Mahisasuramardni which is a recitation from the scriptural verses of Sri Chandi and devotional songs. People also offer food to their deceased ancestors. It is said that Goddess Durga visits Earth from Kailash after Mahalaya.
The Devi Paksha when Durga Puja is celebrated will begin from October 17 with the first day of Navratri.
Also read: Mahalaya Amavasya 2020: Devotees won’t be allowed to dip at holy Ganga amid COVID-19
