An artisan paints the eyes of a Durga idol in Tezpur on Monday. Picture by UB Photos

Guwahati, Sept. 26: Once a year, setting the alarm at 4am does not mean there is a flight to catch, an examination to prepare for or a office presentation to complete.

It means it’s Mahalaya — time to turn on the radio and listen to the chants of Mahisasur Mardini and Chandipath — sublime mantras that manage to give you goosebumps on a nippy autumn morning.

It also means that Durga Puja is just a week away, though nature shows the festive signs much earlier — with dew and xewali showers.

Tomorrow, while some will laze in bed and listen to the annual Mahalaya chants, a few will shake off their sleep and prepare to offer prayers to their forefathers.

“We will go to the river bank early in the morning and perform certain religious rituals and offer prayers in the memory of our ancestors. People take a dip in the river on the occasion,” said Sandeep Paul.

The Assamese community believes that on Mahalaya both gods and the departed ancestors descend on earth from their heavenly abode.

“Our ancestors are believed to descend on earth to bless us. Hence, people make offerings in the morning seeking their blessings. Some people also perform naam kirtan for the peace of these departed souls on this day,” said Ramen Bordoloi.

Many also light earthen lamps to welcome the spirit of their forefathers.

The holy occasion also holds the same significance for people of the Bihari community.

“Mahalaya is a day dedicated to our ancestors and early in the morning whatever is cooked is first offered to our ancestors. We also perform a puja for them,” said Sunil Singh.

The day also officially says that Puja is here, as is Maha Navratri that begins on the first day of the month of ashwin and continues for the next nine days. Nine incarnations of Durga or Shakti are worshipped on the occasion.

Kumari Puja, symbolising the kumari or virgin form of the goddess, is also performed on the last day of Maha Navratri.

“Apart from fasting, we also perform the ritual of kalash sthapan on the first day of Maha Navaratri. Kalash sthapan is done by sowing a few grains in an earthen pot and allowing them to sprout over the next nine days. On Mahanabami, the last day of Navratri, religious rituals are performed using newly sprouted seedlings. We also perform Kumari Puja on the last day by feeding nine young girls before the deity,” said Sangeeta Khemka, a member of the Marwari community.