Staff Reporter:
Mahalaya, an auspicious occasion that heralds the advent of Goddess Durga, was celebrated yesterday through different rituals by members of Hindu community across the country.
Mahalaya marking the beginning of ‘Devi Paksha’ was celebrated in Bangladesh six days ahead of Durga Puja this year as per Hindu calendar. Countdown of Durga Puja began with the celebration of Mahalaya.
Through Mahalaya celebration, Hindu devotees invited Goddess Durga from Kailash (heaven) to her paternal home Earth, along with her children Laxmi, Saraswati, Ganesh and Kartik.
This invitation was extended through the chanting of mantras from Sri Sri Chandi and singing of devo-tional songs at temples in the dawn.
Marking the day, special programs of Mahalaya were arranged at different temples across the country.
On the occasion the Hindus remembered and paid homage to their late ancestors by performing puja, and offering the Brahmins clothes, food and sweets in their names.
Mahalaya was celebrated at Dhakeshwari National Temple from 6 am to 7 am. Then at 7:30 am, tarpan offering was held to pray for the peace of the souls of the ancestors. Later, the installation of the Maha-laya ghat and special puja were held.
During this time, eminent artists of the country performed invocations and devotional songs.
Barun Chakraborty, priest of Dhakeshwari Durga Puja Mandap, said the countdown to Durgotsab begins with Mahalaya.
Mahalaya programs were held at other temples and mandap in the capital, including Loknath Temple in Swamibag, Ramna Kali Mandir and Maa Anandamayi Ashram, Siddheshwari Kali Mandir, Mirpur Cen-tral Temple, Siddheshwari Puja Mandap and the Sanatan Samaj Kalyan Sangha Puja Mandap in the Khamarbari Krishibid Institution premises.
Five-day Durga Puja, biggest religious festival of the Bangalee Hindu community, to begin September 28.
President of Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad Basudeb Dhar said that preparations are underway to organize Durga Puja in 33,355 mandaps across the country this year. Of these, preparations have been made to organize Durga Puja in 258 mandaps in Dhaka city, he said.
