Pitar paksh

The Hindu calendar welcomes Mahalaya on October 14 which marks the completion of Pitru Paksha and the onset of Devi Paksha. The glorious nights praising the Goddess start with the Mahalaya, the no-moon day (Amavasya) falling in the lunar month of Ashwin. With the end of Mahalaya, people will embark on the festivities mood. Navratri would thus commence on October 15 and extend till Dusshera, October 24.