Amit Shah extends Mahalaya greetings to people

New Delhi [India], October 14 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday extended his greetings on the occasion of Mahalaya Amavasya.

“I extend my warmest greetings to one and all on the auspicious occasion of Mahalaya. May the Maa Durga bestow divine grace upon us and fulfil our aspirations for better, healthier, and prosperous lives,” Amit Shah wrote on X.

Earlier today, thousands of devotees thronged the Cauvery River banks on the auspicious day of Mahalaya Amavasya and offered prayers for their ancestors.

Purattasi is said to be an important day for the Hindus to remember, offer prayers and get blessings from their ancestors. From early in the morning, devotees started gathering at Amma Mandapam, Srirangam on the Cauvery River banks and offered prayers.

Mahalaya is celebrated at the end of Shradh or Pitru Paksha, a 16-day period when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors. Ammavasai falls every month but the Purattasi Mahalaya Ammavasai holds a special significance for the devotees.

It is from this day that the Durga Puja fever begins. Durga Puja starts on the seventh day after Mahalaya and ends on the tenth day of Dashami or Dussehra.

Hindus believe that fasting and special pujas on the Amavasai day of every month will bring peace to their ancestors. It is the belief that if those who have not cherished their memory for a long time, fast and perform Pithur Karma Puja on this Mahalaya Amavasi day, their ancestors will find peace of mind and they will be happy and wish their family a good life.