Shubho Mahalaya: India celebrates Durga Puja

The festive mood has set-in as Mahalaya amavasya marks the beginning of Durga Puja, which is celebrated with pomp and gaiety. The five days of the festival is fully packed with fun, food and ‘adda’.
Navaratri and Durga Puja is just around the corner. Devotees across the nation have started their preparations for Goddess Durga's arrival. (Photo | Kajol Rustagi)
Navaratri and Durga Puja is just around the corner. Devotees across the nation have started their preparations for Goddess Durga's arrival. (Photo | Kajol Rustagi)
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The celebrations of Durga Puja starts with Mahalaya which falls on September 19 this year. The same day marks the ending of Shradh 2017 also known as 'Pitra Paksha' where devotees pay homage to their ancestors. In pic: Kolkata traditional drummers perform during the unveiling of a kilometer long street 'Alpona' sacred art painting to celebrate the upcoming Durga Puja festival in Kolkata on Tuesday. (Photo | PTI)
The celebrations of Durga Puja starts with Mahalaya which falls on September 19 this year. The same day marks the ending of Shradh 2017 also known as 'Pitra Paksha' where devotees pay homage to their ancestors. In pic: Kolkata traditional drummers perform during the unveiling of a kilometer long street 'Alpona' sacred art painting to celebrate the upcoming Durga Puja festival in Kolkata on Tuesday. (Photo | PTI)
Mahalaya Amavasya is of prime importance, especially for Bengalis, as it's said that Goddess Durga was created by other gods to not only destroy the evil Mahishasura but every other evil in the universe. In pic: An artisan makes clay fingers as he makes idols of goddess Durga ahead of Durga Puja festival in Kolkata. (Photo | Kajol Rustagi)
Mahalaya Amavasya is of prime importance, especially for Bengalis, as it's said that Goddess Durga was created by other gods to not only destroy the evil Mahishasura but every other evil in the universe. In pic: An artisan makes clay fingers as he makes idols of goddess Durga ahead of Durga Puja festival in Kolkata. (Photo | Kajol Rustagi)
While Durga Puja is celebrated for seven days, the first day i.e. Mahalaya is the day when Goddess Durga started her journey on earth. In pic: An artist mixes colors as he makes idols of goddess Durga ahead of Durga Puja festival in Gauhati. (Photo | AP)
While Durga Puja is celebrated for seven days, the first day i.e. Mahalaya is the day when Goddess Durga started her journey on earth. In pic: An artist mixes colors as he makes idols of goddess Durga ahead of Durga Puja festival in Gauhati. (Photo | AP)
Mahalaya is celebrated with huge enthusiasm not only In Bengal but other parts of the country as well. In pic: Devotees perform 'Pind Daan' during traditional Hindu ritual of 'tarpan' for the peace of the souls of ancestors on the banks of River Ganga near the Howrah Bridge in Kolkata. (Photo | PTI)
Mahalaya is celebrated with huge enthusiasm not only In Bengal but other parts of the country as well. In pic: Devotees perform 'Pind Daan' during traditional Hindu ritual of 'tarpan' for the peace of the souls of ancestors on the banks of River Ganga near the Howrah Bridge in Kolkata. (Photo | PTI)
Many bengalis celebrate this day by listening to  Late Krishna Bhadra reciting verses on radio. In pic:  Devotees perform 'Pind Daan' during traditional Hindu ritual of 'tarpan' for the peace of the souls of ancestors on the banks of River Ganga in Kolkata on Tuesday. (Photo | PTI)
Many bengalis celebrate this day by listening to Late Krishna Bhadra reciting verses on radio. In pic: Devotees perform 'Pind Daan' during traditional Hindu ritual of 'tarpan' for the peace of the souls of ancestors on the banks of River Ganga in Kolkata on Tuesday. (Photo | PTI)
Mahalaya is not an ordinary day for Bengalis as it ushers in the festival of Durga Puja. In pic: An artist giving finishing touches to Durga idols in Kolkata. (Photo | Kajol Rustagi)
Mahalaya is not an ordinary day for Bengalis as it ushers in the festival of Durga Puja. In pic: An artist giving finishing touches to Durga idols in Kolkata. (Photo | Kajol Rustagi)
Many devotees perform the ritual of 'Tarpan' or offering where they perform prayers to pay homage to their deceased forefathers on the banks of the river Ganga.  In pic: Kolkata Devotees perform 'Pind Daan' during traditional Hindu ritual of 'tarpan' for the peace of the souls of ancestors on the banks of River Ganga near the Howrah Bridge in Kolkata. (Photo | PTI)
Many devotees perform the ritual of 'Tarpan' or offering where they perform prayers to pay homage to their deceased forefathers on the banks of the river Ganga. In pic: Kolkata Devotees perform 'Pind Daan' during traditional Hindu ritual of 'tarpan' for the peace of the souls of ancestors on the banks of River Ganga near the Howrah Bridge in Kolkata. (Photo | PTI)
The six-day countdown to Saptami starts from Mahalaya. In pic: Durga idols packed and kept outside the artist's workshop in Kolkata. (Photo | Kajol Rustagi)
The six-day countdown to Saptami starts from Mahalaya. In pic: Durga idols packed and kept outside the artist's workshop in Kolkata. (Photo | Kajol Rustagi)
The festival is fully packed with fun, food and ‘adda’. People tune in radio on Mahalaya during the wee hours to listen to shlokas and narration of Maa Durga slaying Mahishasur. In pic: The priest performing puja at one of the pandals in Chittaranjan Park in Delhi. (Photo | Kajol Rustagi)
The festival is fully packed with fun, food and ‘adda’. People tune in radio on Mahalaya during the wee hours to listen to shlokas and narration of Maa Durga slaying Mahishasur. In pic: The priest performing puja at one of the pandals in Chittaranjan Park in Delhi. (Photo | Kajol Rustagi)
Not just the Bengalis who celebrate Durga Puja, but people from different communities celebrate the festival with enthusiasm. In pic: The artist playing one of the traditional musical instrument (Kashor Ghonta) at a Durga Puja pandal in Chittaranjan Park in Delhi. (Photo | Kajol Rustagi)
Not just the Bengalis who celebrate Durga Puja, but people from different communities celebrate the festival with enthusiasm. In pic: The artist playing one of the traditional musical instrument (Kashor Ghonta) at a Durga Puja pandal in Chittaranjan Park in Delhi. (Photo | Kajol Rustagi)

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