Dhaka:Mahalaya, an auspicious occasion marking the advent of Goddess Durga, will be celebrated tomorrow with various rituals by the Hindu community across the country.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Mahalaya signifies the end of Pitru Paksha, the fortnight dedicated to ancestors, and the beginning of Devi Paksha, the divine fortnight. It is believed that on this day, Goddess Durga commences her journey from Kailash to her paternal abode on Earth, which is celebrated as the Durga Puja festival.
Dhakeshwari National Temple will hold a special one-hour program at the start of Devi Paksha at 6 am. Suvasish Kumar Biswas Sadhan, general secretary of the Mahanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee, mentioned that the Indian high commissioner in Dhaka, Dinesh Trivedi, is expected to attend the ceremony. Rituals will continue with a til-tarpan offering at 730 am and special prayers and a Mahalaya ghat installation at 9 am.
Additionally, Ramna Kali Mandir will host a large-scale Mahalaya celebration at dawn on Saturday, as confirmed by Mintu Basu, a joint secretary of the temple management committee. The day will also include paying homage to ancestors through puja and offerings to Brahmins.
Sadhan Chakrabarty, chief priest of Dhaka University Jagannath Hall Upashanalaya, stated that Goddess Durga will arrive on a horse and depart by a boat this year, with Bijaya Dashami falling on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. This departure by boat symbolizes abundant crops and rainfall.
One of the most popular attractions of Mahalaya is the chanting of mantras from the holy Sree Sree Chandi and singing devotional songs that emphasize the power of Goddess Durga over evil forces. The recorded voice of legendary radio broadcaster Birendra Krishna Bhadra was once a key feature of these recitations, which are now aired by various media outlets.
The celebration of Mahalaya marks the beginning of the countdown to Durga Puja, the largest religious festival for the Hindu community in the country. Durga Puja will officially start on October 16 with Maha Shashthi Puja, followed by Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, and Maha Nabami, culminating in the immersion of idols on Bijaya Dashami on October 21.