, Oct. 10 -- Mahalaya, which marks the beginning of Hindu community's largest religious festival Durga Puja, is being observed across the country amid festivity on Saturday.

From early morning, temples across the country resonated with Chandipath, tarpan rituals, and devotional hymns in praise of Goddess Durga.

The serene autumn dawn ushered in Devipaksha, the fortnight dedicated to the goddess, through the traditional recitation of sacred verses.

Mahalaya that is considered as ceremonial invocation of goddess Durga is observed seven days prior to the initiation of the Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community.

Hindus believe the earth prepares itself and welcomes the coming of the Goddess and her children, thr...