Mahalaya: Goddes Samaleswari dons ‘Dhabalamukhi Besha’, 'pinda' offered to forefathers

Today is Mahalaya Amavasya, an auspicious day in the Hindu calendar dedicated to honouring and remembering our ancestors. This day signifies the last day of Pitru Paksha and is a significant opportunity for Hindus to conduct ‘Shraddha’ for deceased family members, regardless of their specific death anniversary.

Thousands of devotees have been flocking to temples to offer prayers for their ancestors in view of the Mahalaya Amavasya.

Meanwhile, Goddess Samaleswari donned 'Dhabalamukhi Besha’ today marking the beginning of Navratri. Devotees in large numbers throng the temple to get a glimpse of the presiding deity. While the goddess remains dressed in red costumes all round the year, on Mahalaya day she adorns a white costume.

The renowned temple came alive with people thronging it to offer ‘tila tarpan’ and ‘pinda daan’ to their forefathers. 

The deity remains in ‘Dhabalamukhi Besha’ and during this period the priests too wear white costume while worshipping the deity. The darshan of Dhabalamukhi Besha is also known as ‘Ganga Darshan'. It is believed that the darshan of the Goddess Dhabalamukhi Besha gives the same benefits that one gets from taking a holy dip in the Ganga.

As per the tradition, devotees offered ‘pinda daan’ to three generations of maternal uncles. Our forefathers are believed to attain moksha, if ‘pinda daan’ is offered to them. The importance of the day lies in the fact that we show our respect to our forefathers even after their deaths.

At the same time, Mahalaya marks the beginning of Devi Paksha, the beginning of Durga Puja celebrations.