Mahalaya in West Bengal Draws Thousands to Hooghly Ghats

Mahalaya in West Bengal was observed with devotion on Saturday as thousands of people gathered along the banks of the Hooghly River and other water bodies to offer prayers to their ancestors, marking the end of Pitru Paksha and the beginning of Devi Paksha.

Devotees began arriving at ghats across Kolkata from early morning to perform tarpan, the traditional ritual of offering water and prayers in memory of departed ancestors.

The occasion also marked the beginning of the countdown to Durga Puja, West Bengal’s biggest annual festival.

Thousands Perform Tarpan Along Hooghly River

From the early hours of the morning, river ghats in Kolkata witnessed large gatherings of devotees participating in Mahalaya rituals.

Families offered prayers and water to their ancestors as part of tarpan, one of the most important traditions associated with the day.

Mahalaya marks the conclusion of Pitru Paksha, a period dedicated to remembering ancestors, and ushers in Devi Paksha, which is associated with the invocation of Goddess Durga.

Birendra Krishna Bhadra’s Voice Marks Mahalaya Morning

For generations, Mahalaya mornings in Bengal have begun with the traditional broadcast of ‘Mahishasura Mardini’, featuring the iconic voice of Birendra Krishna Bhadra.

The legendary radio programme once again formed an integral part of the morning for countless households.

Its recitations, devotional music and narration have become inseparable from the cultural identity of Mahalaya in West Bengal, signalling to many that Durga Puja is approaching.

Special Cultural Programme Planned at Eden Gardens

The West Bengal government has also planned a special cultural programme at Eden Gardens in Kolkata to mark the occasion.

The programme is expected to celebrate Bengal’s cultural traditions associated with Mahalaya and the beginning of Devi Paksha.

Durga Puja Festivities to Begin From Maha Shashthi

The main Durga Puja celebrations are scheduled to begin with Maha Shashthi on October 16.

Kolkata is already preparing for the annual festival, with elaborate pandals, decorative lighting and cultural programmes set to transform the city.

The days following Mahalaya traditionally see preparations gathering pace as puja committees complete their pandals and neighbourhoods get ready to welcome visitors.

Mahalaya Signals Arrival of Devi Paksha

Mahalaya is observed on the new moon day of the Hindu month of Ashwin and holds both spiritual and cultural significance.

While devotees remember their ancestors through tarpan, the day also symbolically invokes Goddess Durga ahead of the autumn festival.

For Bengal, Mahalaya in West Bengal is therefore much more than a religious observance. It represents a deeply rooted cultural tradition and the moment when anticipation for Durga Puja begins to fill Kolkata and the rest of the state.