Ranchi/ Jamshedpur: Mahalaya heralded festive fervour in Jharkhand on Saturday as chants, rituals, busy markets and pandal work marked Devi Paksha and the countdown for Durga Puja.“Mahalaya has a special emotional significance for Bengali families. We wake up early to listen to Birendra Krishna Bhadra’s Mahishasura Mardini, with its Chandi Path and devotional songs invoking Goddess Durga. It marks the beginning of Devi Paksha and prepares us in welcoming Maa Durga,” said Pampa Biswas, a resident of Ranchi.Markets saw brisk buying of clothes, accessories, household items, and puja essentials, with traders expecting heavier footfall as the celebrations near. “We usually start shopping for Durga Puja around Mahalaya. I bought clothes and a few puja essentials today. Have to buy a few more things before the festivities begin,” said Puja, a customer at Daily Market.At pandals, organisers and artisans worked late on decorations, lighting, and other arrangements as neighbourhoods began taking on a festive look. “Work is going on till late at night to complete the decorations, lighting, and other arrangements before Puja,” said Ravi Shankar, a Bero-based Durga Puja organising committee member.In Jamshedpur, a series of religious and cultural events were organised across the city on Mahalaya, marking the beginning of Devi Paksha and heralding the Durga Puja festivities. The day began with the broadcast of Mahishasuramardini, the iconic Chandi Path recited by legendary broadcaster Birendra Krishna Bhadra.The devotional programme was played through loudspeakers across residential colonies in Kadma and Sonari in the early hours.In Jugsalai, the Jugsalai Durgabari Trust organised a grand procession to mark the occasion. Men, women and children dressed in traditional attire welcomed the goddess to the rhythmic beats of dhak and the chanting of Chandi Path.Trustee Shambhunath Basu said the trust had been organising the traditional Prabhat Pheri, or early-morning procession, on Mahalaya since 1936.“Mahalaya is an auspicious occasion that marks the beginning of Devi Paksha and the arrival of the goddess. We organise the early-morning procession to welcome her,” Basu said.In Bistupur, social organisation Anvesha, in association with the Jamshedpur Mahila Samiti, organised an ‘Agomoni’ programme to welcome Goddess Durga.A large number of devotees gathered at various ghats along the Subarnarekha and Kharkai rivers early in the morning to perform tarpan and pind daan rituals for the peace of their ancestors’ souls. Mahalaya also marks the conclusion of the 15-day Pitru Paksha period, during which Hindus pay homage to their ancestors.
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