Mahalaya ushers in Durga Puja countdown
Thu, 10/07/2010 - 07:17
Kolkata, Oct 7 (IBNS): The weeklong countdown for the Durga Puja began on Thursday with the auspicious Mahalaya marking the start of Devipaksha (Fortnight of the Goddess) amid rituals by the pious Hindus in the Ganges and the wee hours radio broadcast of the legendary Birendra Krishna Bhadra 's Mahishasur Mardini recital.
In a Bengali Radio tradition for more than half a century, All India Radio (Akashvani) Kolkata broadcasts spiritual poet Birendra Krishna Bhadra's recitation Mahishashura Mardini (a collection of shlokas and songs dedicated to Goddess Durga) at 4 AM the day of Mahalaya, ushering the Bengali festival of Durga Puja.
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For hundreds of Hindus in the city the wet Thursday began at Babughat, on the banks of the Ganges, as they flocked to perform Tarpan -- the ritual of praying for their departed ancestors.
Puja organisers rush to put in their finishing touches on their elaborate pandals.
Durga Puja is an annual Hindu festival which is celebrated by the Hindus all over the world they worship the Hindu goddess Durga.
In a Bengali Radio tradition for more than half a century, All India Radio (Akashvani) Kolkata broadcasts spiritual poet Birendra Krishna Bhadra's recitation Mahishashura Mardini (a collection of shlokas and songs dedicated to Goddess Durga) at 4 AM the day of Mahalaya, ushering the Bengali festival of Durga Puja.
.
For hundreds of Hindus in the city the wet Thursday began at Babughat, on the banks of the Ganges, as they flocked to perform Tarpan -- the ritual of praying for their departed ancestors.
Puja organisers rush to put in their finishing touches on their elaborate pandals.
Durga Puja is an annual Hindu festival which is celebrated by the Hindus all over the world they worship the Hindu goddess Durga.
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