January 16, 2026 12:56 pm (IST)
Mahalaya: Hindus pay tribute to their ancestors at the Hooghly river
Gearing up for the Durga Puja celebration, the Bengali community, like many others, on Saturday observed the final day of Pitru-paksha through Mahalaya, the auspicious occasion when one pays tribute to ancestors through prayers, rituals and a dip in the river Ganga. The day marks the commencement of Devipaksha (Fortnight of the Goddess). In West Bengal, day breaks at 4 am on Mahalaya by listening to the famous radio broadcast Mahishasur-Mardini, a recital conceptualised by the late Birendrakrishna Bhadra. Throngs of people were on the banks of Hooghly river as they took a dip and offered prayer (tarpan) for their forefathers. Images by Soumo Das/IBNS
Gearing up for the Durga Puja celebration, the Bengali community, like many others, on Saturday observed the final day of Pitru-paksha through Mahalaya, the auspicious occasion when one pays tribute to ancestors through prayers, rituals and a dip in the river Ganga. The day marks the commencement of Devipaksha (Fortnight of the Goddess). In West Bengal, day breaks at 4 am on Mahalaya by listening to the famous radio broadcast Mahishasur-Mardini, a recital conceptualised by the late Birendrakrishna Bhadra. Throngs of people were on the banks of Hooghly river as they took a dip and offered prayer (tarpan) for their forefathers. Images by Soumo Das/IBNS
Gearing up for the Durga Puja celebration, the Bengali community, like many others, on Saturday observed the final day of Pitru-paksha through Mahalaya, the auspicious occasion when one pays tribute to ancestors through prayers, rituals and a dip in the river Ganga. The day marks the commencement of Devipaksha (Fortnight of the Goddess). In West Bengal, day breaks at 4 am on Mahalaya by listening to the famous radio broadcast Mahishasur-Mardini, a recital conceptualised by the late Birendrakrishna Bhadra. Throngs of people were on the banks of Hooghly river as they took a dip and offered prayer (tarpan) for their forefathers. Images by Soumo Das/IBNS
Gearing up for the Durga Puja celebration, the Bengali community, like many others, on Saturday observed the final day of Pitru-paksha through Mahalaya, the auspicious occasion when one pays tribute to ancestors through prayers, rituals and a dip in the river Ganga. The day marks the commencement of Devipaksha (Fortnight of the Goddess). In West Bengal, day breaks at 4 am on Mahalaya by listening to the famous radio broadcast Mahishasur-Mardini, a recital conceptualised by the late Birendrakrishna Bhadra. Throngs of people were on the banks of Hooghly river as they took a dip and offered prayer (tarpan) for their forefathers. Images by Soumo Das/IBNS
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
Kolkata streets turn film set as Kalki Koechlin shoots new series
Mon, Jan 05 2026
In Images: Sadhus prepare for Makar Sankranti pilgrimage in Kolkata
Sat, Jan 03 2026
The Kolkata Derby horse races held at the Royal Calcutta Turf Club (RCTC) in Kolkata 1st January 2026
Fri, Jan 02 2026
Kolkata's Alipore Zoo and Victoria Memorial experience massive, record-breaking crowds on New Year's Day
Fri, Jan 02 2026
Kolkata welcomes 2026 with smiles, style and street celebrations
Fri, Jan 02 2026
Kolkata’s Ballygunge Transforms Into a Vibrant Colour Corridor
Thu, Jan 01 2026
In Images: Kali idol displayed at heritage house in Kolkata
Mon, Dec 29 2025
In Images: Kolkata marks Christmas with citywide celebrations
Fri, Dec 26 2025
