AGARTALA, Oct 12 (TIWN): Thousands of people in the capital on Monday paid obeisance to their forefathers on the banks of Major River and the lakes on the occasion of Mahalaya.

River banks were thronged by thousands of people busy to pay obeisance and people across the state stepped out of the house during the dawn and had morning walk and visited the temples.

The day marks the beginning of the Durga Puja, with seven day left for the auspicious celebration of the Durga Puja.

On this day, Mahisasuramardini is a recitation of scriptural verses devoted to Goddess Durga and broadcast of Bengali devotional songs. It was aired for the first time by All India Radio in 1932.

With Durga Puja seven days away, artisans and decorators are busy in giving the finishing touch to the idol to meet the dead line.

According to mythology, on occasion of Mahalaya sets the stage for Goddess Durga to leave her abode in Kailash and make her annual trip to her paternal home on earth.

The occasion of Mahalaya ushers in the Durga Puja festivity and the countdown for the week-long fiesta begins on this day.

Mahalaya Amavasya is considered as a highly auspicious day for performing rituals ‘Tarpana’. According to a popular belief, on the day it is observed that people paid obeisance to their forefathers on the banks of Howrah Laxmi Narayan Lake, Jaganath Bari Lake and many other holy lakes.

Mahalaya Amavasya reaches the forefathers of the performers. The offerings are offered to the departed souls as a part of ‘Tarpana’ ritual.

Mahalaya ushers in the feeling of Durga Puja. The countdown for the Durga Puja begins.

It is only from the day of Mahalaya that the preparations for the Durga Puja reach the final stage. Mahalaya is an auspicious occasion observed seven days before the Durga Puja,