Mahalaya SMS, Greetings ticks off the countdown for Durga Puja

Goddess Durga is arriving on a palanquin this year. As Bengal is gearing up for the festivities of Durga Puja, the people are anxious. What is going to happen? The arrival of the Goddess of Shakti on a palanquin signifies an outbreak of epidemic.

Countdown has already begun for Devipaksha and beginning of Durga Puja with the Mahalaya 2010. The clay idol of Goddess Durga als start getting finishing touch. The day marks the start of Devipaksha and end of ‘Pitri Paksha’. A large number of people perform Tarpan on Mahalaya to pay respect to departed parents. Mahalaya is considered the day to invoke Mother Durga’s promising occurrence for the Durga Puja.

Mantras are chanted and bhajans are sung to invoke the grace of Goddess Durga. People eagerly wait for dawn of Devipaksh to watch Chakshu Daan. They march through the arched corridors of Mallik Bari, into the courtyard where the artisan sat creating magic with clay and paint with which the mere idol of clay, bamboo, jute and reed adorned with mat paint and lustre, suddenly transforms into the living, breathing, all-seeing Trinayani Durga, the slayer of Mahishasur.

People wish each other and relatives on this day as SMS and Greetings keeps circulating through out the day and gives a message to get ready for Durga Puja.