Devotees across the country celebrate Mahalaya, offer prayers September 17, 2020 by Mansoor Hameed Guwahati: Devotees offer prayers on the bank of Brahmaputra river on the occasion of Mahalaya, in Guwahati, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020. Mahalaya’ is celebrated at the end of ‘Pitru Paksha’, a 16-day period when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors. (PTI Photo) Varanasi: Devotees offer prayers at Ganga ghat on the occasion of Mahalaya, in Varanasi, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020. Mahalaya’ is celebrated at the end of ‘Pitru Paksha’, a 16-day period when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors. (PTI Photo) Kolkata: Devotees perform ‘Tarpan’ ritual on the bank of Ganga river on the occasion of Mahalaya, in Kolkata, Thursday, Sept 17, 2020. Mahalaya’ is celebrated at the end of ‘Pitru Paksha’, a 16-day period when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors. (PTI Photo/Swapan Mahapatra) Kolkata: Devotees perform ‘Pind Daan’ on the bank of Ganga river on the occasion of Mahalaya, in Kolkata, Thursday, Sept 17, 2020. Mahalaya’ is celebrated at the end of ‘Pitru Paksha’, a 16-day period when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors. (PTI Photo/Swapan Mahapatra) Kolkata: Devotees perform ‘Tarpan’ ritual on the bank of Ganga river on the occasion of Mahalaya, in Kolkata, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020. Mahalaya’ is celebrated at the end of ‘Pitru Paksha’, a 16-day period when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors. (PTI Photo/Swapan Mahapatra) Kolkata: Devotees perform ‘Tarpan’ ritual on the bank of Ganga river on the occasion of Mahalaya, in Kolkata, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020. Mahalaya’ is celebrated at the end of ‘Pitru Paksha’, a 16-day period when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors. (PTI Photo/Swapan Mahapatra)