A week before Durga Puja, devotees offer prayers to ancestors on Mahalaya
On the occasion of Mahalaya, devotees perform ‘Pind Daan’ during traditional Hindu ritual of ’tarpan’, for the peace of the souls of ancestors, on the banks of the River Ganga near the Howrah Bridge in Kolkata on Tuesday.
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An artisan sprays color as he makes Durga idols ahead of Durga Puja festival in Gauhati on Tuesday. AP
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On the occasion of Mahalaya, devotees perform ‘Pind Daan’ during traditional Hindu ritual of ’tarpan’, for the peace of the souls of ancestors, on the banks of the River Ganga near the Howrah Bridge in Kolkata on Tuesday. Celebrated a week before the five-day Durga Puja begins, Mahalaya essentially heralds the homecoming of the goddess. PTI
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According to tradition, the sons offer food and prayers in the belief that the souls of the departed would smoothly make their transition to heaven. Reuters
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Cloaked in plastic sheets, at the potters’ enclave, artisans worked frantically to give finishing touches to idols of the goddess while puja organisers hurried to put together the marquees (pandals) for inaugural. AP
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A top view during the unveiling of a kilometre long street ‘Alpona’ (sacred art painting) to celebrate the upcoming Durga Puja festival in Kolkata on Tuesday. Mahalaya signifies the end of Pitri Paksha (the period when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors) and the beginning of Debi Paksha (period of the goddess). PTI
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Sheltered under umbrellas against the rain, thousands thronged the banks of river Hooghly — palms clasped in prayers — with the break of dawn to carry out special rituals called “Tarpan”, in honour of their ancestors at Hooghly on Tuesday. Reuters
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