India, Sept. 21 -- Bengalis across the country woke up at 4 am on Sunday to tune in to radio for for the iconic programme "Mahishasura Mardini" in Birendrakrishna Bhadra's powerful narration, marking Mahalaya that is considered s the beginning of 'Devi Paksha' and the countdown to Durga Puja, one of the most significant festivals for Bengalis.

A massive crowd of devotees gathered at the banks of the Hooghly river in West Bengal's Dakshineshwar at 4 am to perform 'tarpan', while thousands took a holy dip at the Agni Theertham in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu, to mark Mahalaya Amavasya.

Tarpan is a Hindu ritual of offering water and prayers to one's ancestors (Pitrs) to express gratitude and seek their blessings.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi t...