Mahalaya - the starting of Matri Paksha

Goddess Durga

“Ya Devi Sarbabhuteshu Sakti Rupena Sanksthita

Nasasteshwai Namasteshwai Namasteshwai Namo Namaha.”

Today is Mahalaya.  Hindus all over the world are preparing for Navratri (Worship of nine days). In Bengalis Mahalaya means the starting of Durga Puja. Hindus believe that on this day Pitri Paksha ends and Matri Paksha starts. According to Hindu mythology Goddess Dugga comes to earth for nine days on this day.  

But what is the reason for celebrating Mahalaya? Like all other Hindu mythologies, it also has a story inside. According to the Mythology, there was a demon king Mahisasura. He was bestowed by a boon that no man or God could kill him. Because of this he was gaining his powers. As his power grew, his cruelty on Earth started to increase.

All Gods became scared of the powers of Mahisasura. So they pleaded to Lord Vishnu. The Hindu Trinity (Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva) came together to create a powerful entity. They combined all their powers to make a powerful woman. They named her Mahamaya (the Mother of the Universe). She was given ten hands.

All Gods bestowed their blessings and gave her their weapons. Armed with all the weapons, she went to the war riding on a lion. Mahamaya fought a fierce battle with Mahisasura. Mahisasura tried a lot to escape the battle field, but Goddess Mahamaya was able to kill Mahisasura.

According to Hindu Mythology Goddess Mahamaya killed the demon king Mahisasura on the day of new moon of Aashwin month ( according to Hindu calendar). Her victory over Mahisasura is celebrated as Mahalaya. In this period the woman power is celebrated. This ten days celebrate the glory of victory of woman power over the demonic power.

After defeating Mahisasura, Goddess Mahamaya was named as Mahisasur Mardini (the slayer of Mahisasura). Mahisasurmardini stotra is a very popular devotional stotra of Goddess Durga. It was written by Guru Adi Shankaracharya. These verse addresses the story of Goddess Durga