Why Bengalis Wake Up at 4 AM on Mahalaya: The Story Behind the Ritual and Radio Tradition

Mahalaya 2026: Every year, before sunrise on Mahalaya, many Bengali households set their alarms for around 4 AM. The reason is not simply to mark the beginning of Durga Puja. It is a decades-old tradition of waking up early to listen to Mahishasura Mardini, the iconic radio programme featuring the voice of Birendra Krishna Bhadra.

For generations, the sound of Chandipath, devotional songs and Bhadra’s powerful narration has become closely associated with the arrival of Maa Durga.

Why Do Bengalis Wake Up at 4 AM on Mahalaya?

The early morning timing is linked to the traditional broadcast of Mahishasura Mardini by All India Radio (AIR). The programme was designed as a pre-dawn invocation of Goddess Durga and became an annual Mahalaya ritual in Bengali homes.


Mahalaya also marks the transition from Pitru Paksha to Devi Paksha. Many families observe the day by remembering ancestors and performing Tarpan, while the Mahishasura Mardini broadcast signals the beginning of the festive anticipation of Durga Puja.

That combination of spiritual observance and the pre-dawn broadcast made waking up early an important part of Mahalaya for Bengali families.

What Is Mahishasura Mardini?

Mahishasura Mardini is a roughly 90-minute radio presentation combining narration, Sanskrit chants, hymns and Bengali devotional songs based on the story of Goddess Durga and her battle with the demon Mahishasura.

The programme describes the creation and divine power of Goddess Durga and her battle against Mahishasura. Its most recognisable elements include the Chandipath and devotional music associated with the invocation of the Goddess.

The famous rendition is particularly identified with the deep, dramatic voice of Birendra Krishna Bhadra.

Who Was Birendra Krishna Bhadra?

Birendra Krishna Bhadra was a Bengali radio broadcaster and narrator whose voice became inseparable from Mahalaya.

His recitation of the Chandipath gave Mahishasura Mardini its distinctive character. Even today, many Bengali families consider hearing his voice before sunrise an essential part of Mahalaya.

Several attempts were made over the years to introduce alternate versions, but Bhadra’s rendition remained the most popular and continued to define the Mahalaya morning experience.

When Did the Mahishasura Mardini Radio Tradition Begin?

The programme has its roots in the early years of radio broadcasting in Bengal. The presentation was created for radio in the early 1930s, with Pankaj Kumar Mullick associated with its music and Bani Kumar with the script. It was initially performed live before the recorded version became the one most widely heard by audiences.

The recording associated with Bhadra became so popular that listening to it on Mahalaya morning gradually turned into a family tradition.

Why Is the Broadcast Heard Before Sunrise?

The pre-dawn timing is part of the tradition itself. Mahalaya is observed at the end of Pitru Paksha and is associated with the beginning of Devi Paksha. The quiet hours before sunrise provide the setting for prayers, Tarpan and the invocation of Goddess Durga.

For Bengali households, therefore, 4 AM is less about the exact clock time and more about preserving the traditional Mahalaya morning ritual.

Why Is Mahalaya Incomplete Without the Radio?

For older generations, the radio was once the primary way to hear Mahishasura Mardini. Families would wake up together, switch on the radio and listen to the programme in the stillness of the early morning.

Today, the programme can be accessed through digital platforms as well, but the tradition has survived. For many Bengalis, hearing Bhadra’s voice at dawn is a cultural marker that says Durga Puja has truly arrived.

The ritual has therefore moved beyond radio technology. It has become a shared memory passed from parents and grandparents to younger generations.

Mahalaya 2026: When Is It?

Mahalaya 2026 falls on Saturday, October 10. It marks the end of Pitru Paksha and the beginning of the festive transition towards Devi Paksha and Durga Puja.

For Bengali households following the tradition, the Mahalaya morning will once again begin before sunrise with prayers, remembrance of ancestors and the familiar voice of Birendra Krishna Bhadra.

Also Read: Durga Puja 2026 Dates: Know When Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami and Vijayadashami Fall | Mahalaya to Durga Puja 2026: What Happens Before Maa Durga Arrives?