Mahalaya is an auspicious occasion starts seven days before the Durga Puja. It is the end of Pitra Paksha and the beginning of Devi Paksha. This day marks the beginning of Goddess Durga’s journey to Earth along with her family of Ganesha, Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Kartikeya. Today is Mahalaya and the countdown for Durga Puja has begun.

There is a story that relates to the Mahalaya festival to Goddess Durga. This day is considered as the period when the Goddess Durga killed the asuras to bring peace in the world. Since only a woman was capable of killing the demon king, Mahisasura. Therefore, female power or shakti took the form of Goddess Durga to kill him. After a fierce battle and with the help of celestial weapons given by all the Gods to her, she killed the demon. That is why she is also known as Mahisasuramardini. This ar went on for nine days and therefore these nine days are celebrated in the form of Navaratri.

Therefore Mahalaya is celebrated in West Bengal to remember how Goddess Durga got all her powers by all the Gods and was sent to kill the asuras.

Since the 1930s, Mahalaya has become synonymous with the All India Radio Programme ‘ Mahishasura Mardini’. It is a beautiful recitation from the scriptural verses of ‘Chandi Kavya’. For nearly six decades, the entire Bengal rise early in the morning of the Mahalaya day to tune in to the “Mahisasura Mardini’ broadcast. In the voice of Birendra Krishna Bhadra, Mahalaya recital for two thrilling hours is aired on the radio that mesmerizes every household into welcoming Maa Durga with open arms. It is scripted by Bani Kumar, music is composed by Pankaj Mullick, and the songs are rendered by famous singers of yesteryears, including Hemant Kumar and Arati Mukherjee.

Penguin Tank, a renowned plastic tank manufacturer of West Bengal celebrates the auspicious occasion of Mahalaya with great enthusiasm. We embrace the new beginning with both hands and brings purity to our homes by starting the day with ‘Mahishasura Mardini’. Similarly, get a plastic water tank from us and start the beginning of Durga Puja with the purity of water for your home.

‘Ya devi sarbabhuteshshu, sakti rupena sanksthita Namasteshwai Namasteshwai Namasteshwai namo namaha.’