MAHALAYAM - ITS IMPORTANT DETAILS

Every year we observe mahalayam a ritual we observe for 15 days before

the festival Navaratri .
We here by know the importance of mahalayam and some important rules
to observe the same .
Mahalayam:-

Mahalayam means a place of large gathering. Our pitrus come to earth to

stay more free here for these 16 days to do good to their progeny. It is our duty to do sraddham, Hiranya
sraddham or at least tarpanam.

There are two types of observing mahalayam: Paksha mahalayam for observing
everyday of the entire mahalaya paksham (15 sraddhams);

Sakrun mahalayam- one day sraddham or tarpanam.

We should perfom inaddition Mahalaya Amavasyai sraddham

or tarpanam.
Restrictions:

1. If a pitru sraddham falls within mahalayam, then

mahalayam (sraddham) can be observed only after performing the pitru
sraddham. Mahalayam can be performed on the next day after the pitru
sraddham.

2. sakrun mahalam (one day), should not be observed on Fridays, prathamai, sashti, chaturdasi, ekadasi
tithis, Revati, makam, nakshatrams, self janma
nakshatram, patni janma nakshatram or son's janam nakshatram days .

3. For some reason, if mahalayam can not be observed in bhadrapada krishna

paksham, there is time up to thula masam.

Exceptions:

1. For paksha mahalayam, the above days of tithi, vara and nakshatra dosha
restrictions do not apply.

2. For sakrun mahalayam, Certain days in this period are considered

important: For example the day with bharani is called mahabharani;
Krishna paksha ashtami called madhyashtami; navami called vyatipadam;
Thrayodasi called Gajachaayai.

In these days mahabharani, madhyashtami, vytipadam or gajachayai,one

should not be concerned about restricted vara, nakshatram or tithis dosham
as above under restrictions.

sakrun mahalaya sraddham can be observed from Panchami days, on Panchami,

saptami, ashtami, navami, dasami,dwadasi, thrayodasi and also pita tithi excluding pitru sraddham day
within mahalayam.
Sep 15/Monday - Indu varam - Mahalaya paksham begins

Adiyen had a write up on mahalaya paksham.

Mahalayam means a place of large gathering. Our pitrus come to earth to stay more free
here for these 16 days to do good to their progeny. It is our duty (karthavyam) to do
sraddham, Hiranya sraddham or at least tila tarpanam.

There are two types of observing mahalayam: Paksha mahalayam for observing everyday
of the entire mahalaya paksham (15 sraddhams); sakrun mahalayam- one day
sraddham
or tarpanam. This is in addition to Mahalaya Amavasyai sraddham or tarpaNam.

Restrictions:
1. If a pitru sraddham falls within mahalayam, then mahalayam (sraddham)
can be observed only after performing the pitru sraddham. Mahalayam can be
performed on the next day after the pitru sraddham.

2. For sakrun mahalayam (one day), on Fridays, prathamai, sashti, chaturdasi,

ekadasi
tithis, Revati, makam nakshatrams, self -janma nakshatram, patni-janma nakshatram
or
son's-janma nakshatram days should not be observed.

3. For some reason, if mahalayam can not be observed in bhadrapada krishna paksham,
there is time up to thula (aiyppasi) masam.

Exceptions:
1. For paksha mahalayam, the above days of tithi, vara and nakshatra dosha restrictions
do not apply.
2. For sakrun mahalayam, Certain days in this period are considered important: For
example the day with bharani is called mahabharani;
Krishna paksha ashtami called madhyashtami; navami called vyatipadam;
Thrayodasi called Gajachaayai.

In these days (mahabharani, madhyashtami, vyatipadam or gajachayai), one should

not be concerned about restricted vara, nakshatram or tithis dosham as above (under
restrictions) for sakrun mahalayam.

sakrun mahalaya sraddham can be observed from Panchami days, on Panchami,

saptami, ashtami, navami, dasami,dwadasi, thrayodasi and also pita tithi (excluding
pitru
sraddham day within mahalayam).

In the sankalpam of sakrun mahalaya tarpanam, one should say .. sakrun mahalaya
sraddha pratiniti tila tarpanam karishye...
vachika doshaha kshantavyaha

sarvam sri krishnarpanam astu