Mahalaya, which marks the beginning of Hindu community’s largest religious festival Durga Puja, is being observed across the country amid festivity on Saturday.

From early morning, temples across the country resonated with Chandipath, tarpan rituals, and devotional hymns in praise of Goddess Durga.

The serene autumn dawn ushered in Devipaksha, the fortnight dedicated to the goddess, through the traditional recitation of sacred verses.

Mahalaya that is considered as ceremonial invocation of goddess Durga is observed seven days prior to the initiation of the Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community.

Hindus believe the earth prepares itself and welcomes the coming of the Goddess and her children, through the celebration.

On this day, Hindus remember and pay homage to the deceased ancestors by performing a puja, and offering Brahmins clothes, food and sweets in their name.

From this day, the countdown to Durga Puja begins.

This year, Shashthi Puja will be celebrated on October 17 while Bijoya Dashami on October 21 will mark the goddess’s departure to Kailash.

Scriptures mention three major milestones of Durga Puja—Mahalaya, Bodhon, and Sandhi Puja. On Mahalaya, Goddess Durga receives the divine mandate to defeat the demon king Mahishasura.

Empowered by the combined forces of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, she emerges as `Mahashakti’, adorned with ten weapons and riding a lion, ultimately slaying Mahishasura after a nine-day battle.