Durga Puja begins with Mahalaya

Thu, Oct 7th, 2010 6:25 pm BdST Dial 2000 from your GP mobile for latest news

Dhaka, Oct 7 (bdnews24.com) — Festivities of the biggest Hindu event in Bangladesh, the Durga Puja, has begun with the Mahalaya, invoking of Goddess Durga. All the temples and pavilions of the country, including the Dhakeshwari temple, observed the rituals of Mahalaya early Thursday morning. The rituals started with chanting from sacred texts and were followed by worshipping after establishing Mangal Ghot. The rituals continue through the day. The main part of the festivity will start on Oct 13 through the Bodhon of the goddess. And it will terminate on Oct 17 with Bisarjan. "Mother Durga brings peace and welfare for all," Ranjeet Chakraborty, priest of the temple told bdnews24.com. The priest of Ramkrishna Mission, Swami Sthiratmananda, told bdnews24.com: "In fact, Mahalaya, Bodhon and Sandhipuja; these three form the main parts of Durga Puja." Jayanta Debnath, vice-president of Mahanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee, said, "According to the Purana, the 'Devi Pakkha' (Fortnight of the Goddess) begins through Mahalaya and follows Pritripakkha." During the preceding fortnight, devotees offer 'Anna Jal' (rice–water) for the salvation of their forefathers, which is known as Tarpan in scripture, he added. Mahalaya marks the end of Tarpan fortnight and beginning of the goddess' fortnight. In this fortnight, devotees remember Abahan and Leela. Debnath also said Goddess Durga is born as the daughter of Katayani Muni in the previous evening of Mahalaya (Prak Sandha) to annihilate the demon Mahishashura. bdnews24.com/pc/ach/pks/ta/1557h