Mahalaya is an auspicious occasion observed seven days before the Durga Puja, and heralds the advent of Durga, the goddess of supreme power. It is an invocation and invitation to the mother goddess to rise, awake and descend on earth and annihilate the evils of the world by her Supreme Goodness - Jago Tumi Jago, Jago Durga...This is done through the chanting of mantras and shlokas and singing devotional songs. The day of Mahalaya ushers in the aura of Durga Puja. On this auspicious day, early morning, at 4a.m. a 2 hour long program is broadcast in Bengali from Aklashvani Kolkata in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">India.</st1lace></st1:country-region> <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">One man who'll always be remembered for making the Mahalaya Radio Program memorable to one and all is Birendra Krishna Bhadra, the magical voice behind the narration of Mahisasur-Mardini. This legendary narrator recites the holy verses and tells the story of the descent of Durga to earth, in his inimitable style. The program was first aired live on the radio way back in 1932. Birendra Krishna Bhadra was only 28 years old then. I hear this every year and it is so soulful and brings peace. Pl hear and feel the bliss of GODDESS DEVI. yA devI sarvabhUteshhu vishhNumAyeti shabditA | namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaH || Thanks Nandhini:wave </st1lace></st1:country-region>
