Mahalaya Paksha 2012

Mahalaya Paksha 2012 Dates, Mahalaya 2012, Mahalaya Paksha Shraddha 2012, Mahalaya Paksha Shradh

Mahalaya Paksha is observed on the Krishna paksha of the Bhadrapada month of the amavasyant lunar calendars or the complete fifteen days of the waning phase of the moon in the month of Bhadrapada. The meaning of Paksha is fifteen days and all these fifteen days are considered to be sacred for Hindus.  According to purnimant calenders Mahalaya Paksha falls in the month of Ashwin.

The sacred Mahalaya Paksha dates for this year are as follows:

During the Mahalaya Paksha, Tarpans are offered to the ancestors. It is believed that the ancestors would descend to the earth during the Mahalaya Paksha and one should appease them by offering Tarpans and performing the Shraddha. Pinda Daan is done to satisfy the ancestors known as Pitru Devatalu or Gods. It is believed that the satisfied ancestors would then bless the family with wealth and prosperity. Each day of the Mahalya Paksha have a significance and the last Mahlaya Amavasya is the most important. It is believed that even if one is unable to perform Shraddha during the whole year or during the fifteen days of the Mahlaya Paksha it is enough if the shraddha is performed on Mahalya Amavasya. If the thithi of the day on which an ancestor died has been forgotten then the Shraddha is performed on Mahalaya Amavasya. The other name for Mahalya Paksha is Pitru Paksha as it is believed that he deceased ancestors would live the Pitru world.

The story for observing the Mahalya Paksha can be read here “Legend of Mahalya Paksha”.