Chants, Rituals, and Joy — What Happens on the Opening Day of Durga Puja?

The air is electric. The city pulses with anticipation. The first day of Durga Puja — well-known as Mahalaya or Shashthi, depending on regional tradition — marks a magical beginning to one of India’s largest and most beloved festivals. But what truly happens as the curtain rises on these sacred festivities? Let’s step into the world of chants, rituals, and joy that define the opening day.

The Spiritual Dawn: Mahalaya’s Significance

The festivities kick off with Mahalaya, a day resonating with spiritual energy. It’s believed to be the moment when Goddess Durga, the divine embodiment of Shakti, descends to earth. Before dawn, homes and temples fill with the recitation of the Chandi Path, a sacred scripture celebrating Durga’s victory over evil. This ancient chanting, often broadcast on radio and speakers throughout towns and cities, creates an enchanting and uplifting atmosphere.

Rituals of Remembrance: Honoring Ancestors

On Mahalaya, rituals go beyond welcoming the goddess. Devotees perform ‘tarpan’ — a heartfelt water offering to honor departed ancestors, seeking blessings and spiritual connection for the coming year. This blend of remembrance and hope sets a contemplative yet joyful tone for the celebrations.

Welcoming the Goddess: Bodhan and Idol Unveiling

As the festival moves to Shashthi (the sixth day), the focus shifts to the grand welcoming of Goddess Durga into beautifully decorated pandals and homes. The key ceremony, Bodhan, involves rituals that symbolically awaken and invite the deity. Artisans’ masterpieces — the clay idols of Durga — are unveiled, revealing vibrant, ornate forms adorned with exquisite jewelry and garments. The unveiling is celebrated with fanfare, music, and fervent prayers.

The Power of Chants and Aarti

Chanting is at the heart of Durga Puja. Devotees recite mantras and shlokas, infusing the air with a sense of purity and devotion. Priests and worshippers chant Sanskrit verses and perform aarti — waving lamps and incense before the goddess while the rhythmic beat of traditional drums (dhaks) and the sound of conch shells fill the atmosphere. The effect is mesmerizing, blending the sacred with sheer celebratory joy.

Celebratory Joy: Feasts, Flowers, and Family

No opening day is complete without community and family gatherings. Special vegetarian dishes like bhoger khichuri are prepared as offerings, then shared as blessed food (prasad). Floral tributes (anjali) are offered, and children, elders, and families visit neighborhood pandals, marveling at the art, lights, and joy that bloom across the city. Dressed in vibrant saris and dazzling jewelry — often from family heirlooms or local designers like DWS Jewellery — revelers embody the festival’s blend of beauty and devotion.

A Unique Spark: Tradition Meets Artistry

At DWS Jewellery, we celebrate how tradition meets artistry, much like Durga Puja itself. Just as artisans labor over the goddess’s ornaments and adornments, we honor this spirit in every piece we create, connecting our craft to the festival’s timeless joy.

________________________________________

The first day of Durga Puja is a tapestry woven from ritual, remembrance, and community. From resonant chants and soulful ceremonies to the sparkling joy in every eye and every jewel, it marks the radiant beginning of a celebration that lights up hearts and cities alike.