Today is Mahalaya. Mahalaya marks the end of “Pitri Paksha”, and heralds the beginning of “Devi Paksha”. This day is significant because it starts the countdown for Durga Puja – the greatest festival of West Bengal. Associated with midnight chants of the hymns of “Mahishasura Mardini”, Mahalaya intensifies the Durga Puja fever that starts gripping West Bengal as soon as autumn arrives.

An auspicious occasion, Mahalaya is observed seven days before Durga Puja. Although preparations for the main Puja begin as early as two months before Puja arrives, they reach the final stage on Mahalaya. Observed on a new moon, or “amavasya”, Mahalaya ushers in the spirit of invoking Ma Durga to awaken and descend on earth. Durga, the Goddess of supreme power, arrives on earth from her heavenly abode on the seventh day after the new moon. Her devotees invoke her during late night hours on Mahalaya by chanting mantras and offering prayers, saying “Jago Tumi Jago” (Wake up Ma, and descend on earth).