Mahalaya Cultural Program 2025
Part of Sanhoti’s Durga Puja- When
- Where
- Bharat Sevashram Sangha West · 5600 Carbon Canyon Rd · Brea, CA · 92823Open in Google Maps →
- Entry
- Free to attend
Mahalaya marks the dawn of Devi Paksha — the day Goddess Durga is invoked and the countdown to Durga Puja truly begins. For Bengalis everywhere it starts before sunrise with Mahishasura Mardini, and it is one of the most emotionally charged mornings in the Bengali year.
For Mahalaya 2025, Sanhoti joined forces with Bharat Sevashram Sangha West (BSSW), Dakshini and BASC to present a combined cultural programme at the Bharat Sevashram Sangha in Brea. Four organisations, one stage — Chandipath recitation, Agomoni songs, dance and choral performances by artists and community members of all ages.
Collaborations like this matter. They bring the wider Bengali community of Southern California together rather than splitting it across parallel events, and they give our children the experience of a full-scale Mahalaya morning far from Kolkata.
Mahalaya opened the season that led into Sanhoti Durga Puja 2025 in Costa Mesa.
Highlights
The dawn of Devi Paksha
The morning Goddess Durga is invoked and the countdown to Durga Puja begins.
Four organisations, one stage
A combined programme with BSSW, Dakshini and BASC at the Bharat Sevashram Sangha in Brea.
Chandipath & Agomoni
Recitation, Agomoni songs, dance and choral performances by artists and community members of all ages.
A full Mahalaya far from Kolkata
Bringing the wider Bengali community of Southern California together on one morning.
Photos
A few moments from the day — tap through to the full gallery.
Common questions
- What is Mahalaya?
- Mahalaya marks the beginning of Devi Paksha and the formal invocation of Goddess Durga, seven days before Durga Puja. Bengalis traditionally listen to Mahishasura Mardini before dawn, and communities hold Chandipath recitation and Agomoni music programmes.
- Who did Sanhoti collaborate with for Mahalaya 2025?
- Sanhoti presented the programme jointly with Bharat Sevashram Sangha West (BSSW), Dakshini and BASC, at the Bharat Sevashram Sangha in Brea, California.
- When does Mahalaya fall?
- On the new moon day roughly a week before Durga Puja, usually in September or early October.