In Photos: Devotees Offer Prayers on Mahalaya Ahead of Durga Puja

People all over the country performed pujas for their departed ancestors on the occasion of ‘Mahalaya Amavasya’.

Devotees gather on the bank of river Ganga for a holy dip during the traditional Hindu ritual of Tarpan in Kolkata on October 12, 2015. (Photo: PTI)

A large number of people from various parts of the country took a holy dip in the Ganga and performed pujas for their departed ancestors on the occasion of ‘Mahalaya Amavasya’ today.

Mahalaya Amavasya is considered a highly auspicious day for performing rituals for ancestors and forefathers.

Devotees perform tradition rituals during Tarpan near historical Howrah Bridge in Kolkata on Monday. (Photo: PTI)

Mahalaya, marks the commencement of Devi Paksha. The occasion is observed from the wee hours of the morning, starting with a radio broadcast of late spiritual poet Birendra Krishna Bhadra’s Mahishasur Mardini recital.

Hindu devotees perform rituals on the occasion of Mahalaya, in Mumbai. (Photo: AP)

Large number of people gather on the banks of different rivers to perform Tarpan in the memory of their departed ancestors.

Devotees pray in a holy pond on the auspicious day of Mahalaya in Mumbai. (Photo: Reuters)

Devotees perform rituals on the occasion of Mahalaya, to pay homage to their ancestors, in Mumbai. (Photo: AP)

There is another story which relates the Mahalaya festival to Goddess Durga. Mahalaya is said to be the time when the Goddess Durga killed the asuras. The Bengalis consider this an auspicious day and it is celebrated in many parts of Bengal.

A policeman (top) keeps watch from a boat as Hindus gather to perform prayers on the banks of the Ganga on the holy day of Mahalaya in Kolkata. (Photo: Reuters)