New Delhi/Bhubaneswar, Sep 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on extend heartfelt greetings to people on the auspicious occasion of Mahalaya, which is observed before the start of Durga Puja.
Taking to his official ‘X’ handle, PM Modi wished a ‘Shubho Mahalaya’ and prayed that everyone’s lives be filled with light and purpose.
“Wishing you all Shubho Mahalaya! As the sacred days of Durga Puja draw near, may our lives be filled with light and purpose. May the divine blessings of Maa Durga bring unwavering strength, lasting joy and wonderful health,” he wrote.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi extended heartfelt greetings and wished that everyone’s life be filled with happiness and prosperity.
“On the occasion of the sacred Mahalaya Amavasya, a day to remember our ancestors, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all the people of the state. As Mother Earth’s sacred arrival graces us, I wish that everyone’s life be filled with happiness and prosperity,” he wrote in a post on ‘X’.
Meanwhile, thousands of devotees gathered at the shrine of Goddess Maa Biraja in Jajpur district and the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri to offer prayers and seek the blessings of their ancestors by performing Pindadana rituals on the auspicious occasion of Mahalaya.
On the final day of Pitrupaksha, a significant number of devotees have been offering Pindaan to their ancestors at the Navigaya of Biraja Temple in Jajpur. The administration has made extensive arrangements to ensure a smooth and safe experience for all the devotees.
In Puri, a large crowd of devotees has gathered at the northern gate of the Jagannath Temple to perform Pindadana for their ancestors. According to tradition, it is believed that performing Pindadana on Mahalaya, along with donating and offering Mahaprasad to a Brahmin, helps ancestors attain salvation. Additionally, the powerful Gundicha or Gupta Gundicha Yatra of Mahaprabhu has commenced at the temple today.
In Sambalpur, Goddess Maa Samaleswari is giving darshan in Dhabalmukhi Besha, drawing thousands of devotees. The darshan began at 5 am with Mangala Aalati, and the Pahada Niti of the Goddess is scheduled to be performed around 10:30 pm.
The police have put in place special arrangements to ensure security and effective crowd management at these sacred sites. With the Navaratri festivities approaching, preparations are in full swing, including the lighting of 5,000 earthen lamps at the Samalei shrine.
