AGARTALA, Sep 19 (TIWN): With only seven days left for Durga Puja, people of Tripura on Tuesday observed the auspicious occasion of Mahalaya, which marks the beginning of ‘Debi Pakshya’.

The day started with lakhs of people paying obeisance to their forefathers on the banks of Howrah, Gomati and other major rivers early morning rendition of ‘Mahisasura Mardini’ (a collection of shlokas and songs dedicated to Goddess Durga) aired on All India Radio (AIR).

‘Mahishasur Mardini’ was first broadcast as a live programme on AIR in the early 1930s. Since then it has become a regular affair on Mahalaya mornings.