Mahalaya today

Mahalaya, an auspicious occasion that heralds the advent of Goddess Durga, is being celebrated through different rituals by Hindu community members across the country on Sunday.

Mahalaya marks the ending of Pitru Paksha (the dark fortnight dedicated to ancestors) and beginning of Devi Paksha (the divine fortnight). 

On this day, Goddess Durga begins her journey from her home in Kailash to her paternal abode on Earth, which is celebrated as the Durga Puja festival. 

The most popular attraction of Mahalaya is chanting mantras from holy Sree Sree Chandi and singing devotional songs, highlighting the power and supremacy of Goddess Durga over all evil forces.

Sonorous recorded voice of legendary narrator and radio broadcaster Birendra Krishna Bhadra from Akashbani was once the main attraction of the recitation. Now similar programs are aired from many broadcasting media.

Recorded version of Mahishasura Mardini (destruction of evil force Mohishasura) is customarily played at the predawn of Mahalaya day in every Bengali Hindu residences in Bangladesh and Indian state of West Bengal.

Marking the day, special programmes of Mahalaya was arranged at different temples including the capital Dhaka at the predawn hours.

The Hindus will remember and pay homage to their late ancestors by performing puja and offering robes to Brahmins. 

A special programme marking the Mahalaya was arranged at Dhakeshwari National Temple at the dawn. Similar programmes will also be arranged in different temples across the country.

Five-day Durga Puja, biggest religious festival of the Bangalee Hindu community, begins on September 28.