The country's Hindu community on Sunday (Sep 25) celebrated Mahalaya, the auspicious occasion of heralding the advent of Goddess Durga, with due religious fervour and gaiety.
Mahalaya marks an invitation of sorts to goddess Durga to begin her journey from Kailash to her paternal home (earth), along with her children.
This invitation is extended through the chanting of mantras from Sri Sri Chandi and singing of devotional songs.
The countdown of Durga Puja begins with the celebration of Mahalaya. On the occasion of the day, special programmes of Mahalaya were arranged at different temples across the country including the capital at dawn, local media reported.
To mark the Mahalaya, members of the Hindu community remembered and paid homage to their ancestors, who passed away, by performing puja, and offering Brahmins clothes, food and sweets in their name.
Mahanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee arranged a special programme at Dhakeshwari National Temple at 6 a.m.
Gulshan-Banani Sharbojanin Puja Foundation organised a programme welcoming Goddess Durga at 5.30 a.m. at Banani playground. Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud attended the event as the chief guest while Panna Lal Dutta chaired it.
Similar programmes were also arranged in different temples in the capital city and across the country.
Social media is abuzz with photos and videos shared and posted by Hindu community members welcoming the advent of Goddess Durga. Members of different faiths also greeted Hindus on the occasion of Mahalaya on social media.
With the beginning of 'Devipaksha', Mahalaya is observed six days before Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Bangalee Hindu community.
Usually, the Devi Paksha commences with Mahalaya Amavasya.
On Oct 1, Durga Puja will begin with various rituals on the day of Maha Shashthi and will end on Oct 5 (Bijoya Dashami) with immersion of idols.
