Gangtok, Sept. 20 -- "Mahalaya" - is a Sanskrit word meaning "Great Abode". It refers to the day when Goddess Durga is believed to begin her journey from Mount Kailash to Earth, marking the start of the Durga Puja festival. Mahalaya has two significances in Hindu tradition: on this day "Pitri-paksha" (also called "sola-shradhya" in Nepali) ends and initiates "Matri-paksha" also known as "Devi-paksha/Dashain" (in Nepali) which is a two-week period of devotion to Goddess Durga. On this auspicious day, Maa Durga is believed to begin her journey to earth vanquishing the demon "Mahishasura"- the triumph of good over evil. This rich cultural tradition continues from ancient tradition found in Vedic and Hindu mythology involves worshipping Godde...