Mahalaya marks the arrival of Maa Durga on earth. Families wake up before sunrise, turning on All India Radio at 4 a.m. The magical voice of Birendra Krishna Bhadra fills the air with Mahishasurmadini.
Boatmen, priests, and devotees rowed the boats along the riverbank from one riverside village to another, as hundreds of villagers offered coconuts and garlands to bid farewell to the Goddess.
In honour of Maa Durga, who resides within each woman and celebrates her days with us, we bring forth the story of Bijoli Murmu, a self-taught toto-driver from an indigenous community of Salboni in Midnapore.
Mahalaya marks the beginning of Devi Paksha, a day of deep cultural and spiritual significance for the Bengali community, symbolizing the arrival of Maa Durga.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended Navami's wishes and sought blessings for everyone, said the Prime Minister's Office.
The five-day long celebration is full of fun and frolic, food, buzzing streets, dazzling lights, eye-catching themes, grand puja pandals, laughter and giggles and happiness with no bounds.
It is intended for worshipping Maa Durga and her nine avatars, known as Navdurga. Navratri means 'nine nights' in Sanskrit.
This year, with a hopeful heart, the artists have started their work and are preparing for the grand festival.
Worshiping nine goddesses for nine days, stage decorations, recitation of the legend, enactment of the story, and chanting of Hindu scriptures are all part of the festivities.
Earlier this week, around 12 Durga Puja Committees of Chittaranjan Park, GK2, GK1, Alaknanda, and Kalkaji unanimously decided to suspend Durga Puja celebrations this year due to the Corona pandemic.
