Mahalaya 2026: Mahalaya will be observed on Saturday, October 10, marking the end of Pitru Paksha and the beginning of the festive period leading up to Durga Puja. For Bengalis, the day holds special significance as it signals the anticipated arrival of Goddess Durga. The occasion is also associated with prayers for departed ancestors, traditional rituals and the recitation of devotional hymns. While Mahalaya marks an important spiritual milestone, the main Durga Puja celebrations in West Bengal will begin with Maha Shashthi on October 16. Shardiya Navratri, meanwhile, starts on October 11 and continues until Vijayadashami on October 20. The dates of individual Durga Puja rituals can differ slightly across regional calendars.
