Agartala, Sept 23 (TIWN): Amidst heavy downpour, the weeklong countdown for the biggest festival-Durga Puja starts on Tuesday with the auspicious occasion Mahalaya marking the start of Devipaksha (Fortnight of the Goddess). In this holy morning, Mahalaya was celebrated across the state Tripura with a lot of pomp and gaiety.

Though the heavy downfall spoiled the holy morning but to mark the occasion of Mahalaya, a huge gathering of people right from aged to teenagers was noticeable at the different parks, city roads and temples in Agartala.

A vast number of people from different parts of the state Tripura took a holy dip and performed worship to their departed ancestors on the occasion ‘Mahalaya’, this morning. Besides, special prayers and Poojas were also performed by the devotees at the temples here in Tripura.

Mahalaya also marks the end of the 'Pitri-paksha'. The traditional six day countdown to Mahasaptami started today. Goddess Durga starts her journey towards earth on the day of Mahalaya, the first day of Devi-Paksha. The first day of Navaratra starts just after the Mahalaya celebration.

According to the Hindu calendar-2014, this year goddess Durga arrives on a boat and departs on a palanquin. Goddess Durga’s arrival on a boat suggests flood and misery while her departure on a palanquin spells wide spread epidemic.

This year, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami and Maha Dashami or Immersion worship will be celebrated on October 01, 02, 03 and 04 next respectively.