The day after Mahalaya is the first day of the Devi Paksha, which is the fortnight of the goddess. Mahalaya marks the end of the Pitru Paksha, a 16-day period when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors, and the beginning of the Durga Puja festival. In Bengal, Mahalaya is considered the beginning of the Durga Puja festivities, and it is the day when the goddess Durga is believed to have descended to Earth. Bengali people traditionally wake up early in the morning on Mahalaya to recite hymns from the Devi Mahatmya (Chandi) scripture.