Mahalaya Paksha, or Pitru Paksha, is a deeply sacred time to remember and honor our ancestors. This year, it begins on September 18, 2024, and will culminate with Mahalaya Amavasya on October 3, 2024. During this period, we have the divine opportunity to offer our heartfelt gratitude and prayers for the peaceful journey of our forefathers in their onward spiritual journey.
In this fortnight of reverence, it is recommended in the Shastras that we perform Śrāddha ceremonies and offer Tarpana (oblations) to our ancestors. By doing so, we not only honor their memories but also pray for their spiritual upliftment, beseeching the Lord to bestow them with higher destinations.
It is also said that any charitable act performed during this time multiplies in merit. Acts such as:
- Annadana (the offering of food),
- Goseva (serving and caring for cows),
- Ganga Puja,
- or donating sacred texts such as the Bhagavad Gita or Srimad Bhagavatam,
are considered especially potent.
This time is also a period for personal spiritual growth. Reading the eighth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, hearing Srimad Bhagavatam Katha, and chanting the Lord’s holy names can bring immense blessings not only to us but also to our forefathers.
As Lord Krishna advised Prahlad Maharaj in the Srimad Bhagavatam:
“My dear child, your father has already been purified just by the touch of My body at the time of his death. Nonetheless, the duty of a son is to perform the Śrāddha ritualistic ceremony after his father’s death so that his father may be promoted to a planetary system where he may become a good citizen and devotee.” (SB 7.10.22)
Though Hiranyakashipu was purified by Krishna’s touch, the Lord still asked Prahlad to perform the Śrāddha to highlight its importance for all devotees.
In this sacred time, Sri Mayapur Dhama, located on the banks of the Ganga, offers a unique opportunity for you to participate in various sevas. It is well-known that any service performed in the holy dhama is magnified 1,000 times, especially in the sacred land of Mayapur.
This year, ISKCON Mayapur Online Puja Services is offering you the chance to submit the names of your forefathers and have daily Narasimha Tulasi Puja performed on their behalf. Additionally, you can contribute towards Annadana, Goseva, Gita Dana, or other charitable acts to gain the maximum spiritual benefit.
How to Participate:
- Submit the names of your forefathers for inclusion in the daily puja.
- Choose a donation category (Annadana, Goseva, Gita Dana, etc.) and mention it along with the names of the ancestors you wish to honor.
Source: https://www.mayapur.com/2024/mahalaya-pitrupaksha-sevas-2024/
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