AGARTALA, Oct 13 (TIWN): Durga puja which is considered the biggest festival for Bengali community is celebrated by Bengali, non-Bengali communities with full enthusiasm. On Friday, public gathered at MBB college premise on the early morning of Mahalaya and invited Goddess Durga to come to the world. 7 days after Mahalaya, Durga puja begins. "Tarpan" was offered at lakes, rivers by people dedicating to the forefathers. Across the state, people observed the day with full devotion. Mahalaya signifies the arrival of the new moon, occurring a week before Durga Puja. This day holds immense importance in Hindu traditions, especially among Bengali communities, as it heralds the commencement of Devi Paksha, a two-week span dedicated to the worship of the goddess Durga.

Mahalaya marks the beginning of Devipaksha, the start of the fortnight heralding Durga Puja. Birendra Krishna Bhadra’s iconic radio programme, Mahisasurmardini, narrating goddess Durga’s victory over Mahishasur, has crossed over to television, with Bengali entertainment TV channels offering dramatic retellings of the mythology of the goddess every year.