Siliguri, 14th October: The nine days of Durgotsava begins with the end of the Pitru Paksha (16-lunar day period) in the Hindu calendar, marking the auspicious day of Mahalaya.
As per reports, people were witnessed in large masses at various riverbeds of Siliguri in the early morning of Mahalaya practicing ‘tarpan’ (honour ancestral souls). Like every other year, the Lal Mohan Moulik Niranjan Ghat was also seen brimming with a massive crowd. People arrived from various areas including Siliguri to offer prayers to their ancestors.