Mahalaya was celebrated today in the capital. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Sept 21, 2025 (BSS)- Mahalaya, an auspicious occasion that heralds the advent of Goddess Durga, was celebrated today 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 devotional songs at temples in the dawn.

Marking the day, special programmes 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 Mahalaya 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. 

“On this day, the ghat of Goddess Durga was installed. Through this, Goddess Durga takes up residence in Beltola. That is, Goddess Durga will come from Kailash (heaven) to Earth (Beltola),” he said.

On the occasion of Mahalaya, Gulshan-Banani Sarbajanin Puja Foundation organized a special programme at Banani ground in the morning. 
Labour and Employment and Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (retd) Dr. M Sakhawat Hussain was present at the event.
 
The event was inaugurated through lighting Mangal Pradip (sacred earthen lamp) early at the dawn.

Meanwhile, various religious rituals and ceremonies were organized in temples and puja mandap across the country, including the capital Dhaka, on the occasion of Mahalaya. 

In addition to the recitation from the Chandi, the devotees set up Mangala ghats and invited the goddess to the earth by playing drums and conch shells.

Mahalaya was also celebrated at Ramakrishna Mission and Math with chanting from Shree Shree Chandi and performing deviational songs.
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 Central Temple, Siddheshwari Puja Mandap and the Sanatan Samaj Kalyan Sangha Puja Mandap in the Khamarbari Krishibid Institution premises.

The most popular attraction of Mahalaya is chanting mantras from holy Sree Sree Chandi and singing devotional songs, highlighting the power and supremacy of Goddess Durga over all evil forces.

Sonorous recorded voice of legendary narrator and radio broadcaster Birendra Krishna Bhadra from Akashbani was once the main attraction of the recitation. Now similar programs are aired from many broadcast media.

Recorded version of Mahishasura Mardini (destruction of evil force Mohishasura) is customarily played at the predawn of Mahalaya day in every Bengali Hindu residences in Bangladesh and Indian state of West Bengal.

Five-day Durga Puja, biggest religious festival of the Bangalee Hindu community, begins on 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.