“Mahalaya day”, the day Durga was assigned the task of eliminating evil. An invitation to the mother goddess to descend on earth – “Jago Tumi Jago”.

The traditional six day countdown to Mahasaptami starts from Mahalaya. Goddess Durga visits the earth for only four days but seven days prior to the Pujas, starts the Mahalaya. The enchanting voice of Birendra Krishna Bhadra fill up the predawn hours of the day thus marking the beginning of  “devipaksha”and the beginning of the count-down of Durga. It is an auspicious Indian occasion observed seven days before the Durga Puja, and heralds the advent of Durga, the Goddess of supreme power. The dark fortnight of Aswayuja is known as the  Mahalaya Paksha or the fortnight specially sacred for offering oblations to the departed ancestors. Durga – goddess of deliverance – comes to earth on the seventh day after the autumn new moon. She is depicted by the ‘kumors’ or potters as a resplendent golden figure standing on a lion’s back, each of her ten arms bearing a particular weapon, as she triumphs over the demon Mahisasura.

For Kolkata, the local Mahalaya 2026 Tarpan and Shraddha muhurat timings on Saturday, October 10, 2026, are to the local sunrise as follows:

Local Muhurat Timings for Kolkata:

• Sunrise time in Kolkata: ~5:31 AM
• Traditional Dawn Tarpan: Devotees traditionally begin gathering at the Hooghly River ghats right after dawn—following the Mahishasura Mardini broadcast—from 5:35 AM onwards.
• Kutup Muhurat: 12:03 PM to 12:48 PM
• Rohina Muhurat: 12:50 PM to 01:37 PM
• Aparahna Kaal (Highly Recommended for Tarpan): 01:35 PM to 03:57 PM

Tithi Schedule:

• Amavasya Tithi Begins: October 9, 2026, at 9:35 PM
• Amavasya Tithi Ends: October 10, 2026, at 9:19 PM

Popular Ghats in Kolkata for Tarpan:

If you are planning to perform the rituals in public, major crowds gather along the Hooghly riverbanks. You can visit locations such as Babughat, James Prinsep Ghat, Jagannath Ghat, Ahiritola Ghat or Bagbazar Ghat. It is highly advised to reach these locations early in the morning to beat the heavy festive rush.