JORHAT, Oct 10: Thousands of people took to the streets of Jorhat on Mahalaya, marking the beginning of the festive period ahead of Durga Puja, as a traditional town procession and crowds at local jalebi outlets added to the celebrations.
Mahalaya marks the end of Pitru Paksha, a 16-day period during which Hindus pay homage to their deceased ancestors, and the beginning of Devi Paksha, considered an auspicious period dedicated to Goddess Durga.
According to Hindu beliefs, Mahalaya signifies the arrival of Goddess Durga from Mount Kailash to her maternal home on Earth, accompanied by her children, Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswati, Lord Kartikeya and Lord Ganesha.
The occasion also marks the start of preparations for the five-day Durga Puja, which begins with Maha Shashthi and continues through Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Vijayadashami.
Many devotees perform Tarpan on Mahalaya, offering prayers and rituals in memory of their departed ancestors. Meanwhile, artisans across the region are completing Durga idols ahead of the festival. One of the important rituals during idol-making is Chokkhu Daan, or the painting of the Goddess’s eyes.
Celebrated with religious ceremonies, cultural programmes and community gatherings, Durga Puja commemorates the triumph of good over evil. The large turnout in Jorhat reflected the town’s festive spirit and preparations for the upcoming celebrations.
