Durga Puja 2020: 'Ma Ashchey'; from Modi to Mamata, politicos and celebs extend wishes on Mahalaya

Mahalaya is important for Hindus as it marks the beginning of the Devipaksha. For those who worship Goddess Durga, the day rings in the festive flavour. Although this year, Durga Puja is still a month away, eminent personalities have extended regards and greetings on Mahalaya via Twitter.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who celebrates his birthday today, urged country people to pray for “strength to overcome the global pandemic”.

“May the divine blessings of Maa Durga ensure good health and happiness in everyone’s life. May our planet prosper!” he said.

This Mahalaya, we pray to Maa Durga to bless with strength to overcome the global pandemic. May the divine blessings of Maa Durga ensure good health and happiness in everyone’s life. May our planet prosper!

Shubho Mahalaya!

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 17, 2020

Chief Minister of Bengal Mamata Banerjee extended her “warm regards” through a number of tweets. She also undertook a pledge called the ‘Mahalaya Protishruti’ so that the COVID-19 situation fails to “dampen the spirit of this Durga Puja”.

She took a vow to ensure that “no one is devoid of the festivities” this year.

On the auspicious occasion of Mahalaya,I extend my warm regards to one & all.Although #COVID19 has restricted how we celebrate festivals, we shall not allow it to dampen the spirit of this Durga Puja. To this end & to lighten up every home,I undertake #MahalayaProtishruti. (1/2)

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) September 16, 2020

Veteran Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan tweeted a picture of a traditional idol of Goddess Durga and wrote “Ma Ashchey”.

T 3662 - Shubho Mahalaya ! ... Ma Ashchey .. pic.twitter.com/1rJNneVQzL

— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) September 17, 2020

Popular author and mythologist Devdutt Patnaik tweeted that people observing Mahalaya should know that Mahalaya is the “cusp between ‘Pitra Paksha’ and ‘Navaratri’ between ancestor and Goddess worship”. He went on to explain that since this year there is an adhik maas, the actual Durga Puja will take place a month later.

Another esteemed author Dr David Frawley wrote that the “purifying form” of Mahishasura Mardini was most needed today.

Ma Durga arises from Agni and Tapas, destroys all darkness in her Mahishasura Mardini form. Her purifying action is most needed today. #Mahalaya pic.twitter.com/wMjKDb5AWn

— Dr David Frawley (@davidfrawleyved) September 17, 2020

Official Twitter account of All India Mahila Congress also tweeted for the occasion.

Best wishes to all on the auspicious occasion of #Mahalaya.

শুভ মহালয়া pic.twitter.com/KegvCk1QPV

— All India Mahila Congress (@MahilaCongress) September 17, 2020

Kandhamal MP Achyuta Samanta wrote how Maa Durga is an “epitome of women power & motherhood”.

#Mahalaya marks the start of #DurgaPuja festival. This is the day Maa descended to earth & started the fight against evil. She is an epitome of women power & motherhood.

This day also marks the end of 16 day period when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors.

May Maa bless all🙏 pic.twitter.com/Twd9Rx1l9Z

— Achyuta Samanta (@achyuta_samanta) September 17, 2020

Popular international sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik posted the image off Durga’s sand sculpture.

Wish you a very Happy #Mahalaya.#ShubhoMahalaya 🙏 pic.twitter.com/ZlP9ysVqHX

— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) September 17, 2020

Writer and economist Sanjeev Sanyal shared the original clip of Biren Bhadra’s classic rendition of Mahishasura Mardini on Twitter.

The official handles of two of the most popular football clubs of the state, ATK Mohun Bagan FC and East Bengal FC shared their wishes across the platform.

মহালয়ার এই শুভক্ষণে জানাই সকল দেশবাসীকে শুভেচ্ছা ও ভালোবাসা। 🙏🏻

“মা আসছে” 🤩#ATKMB #JoyMohunBagan#Mariners #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/ortuj07C2i

— Mohun Bagan Super Giant (@mohunbagansg) September 17, 2020

May Goddess Durga destroy all evil around you and fill your life with prosperity and happiness in this Devi Paksha.
Subho Mahalaya. #EBFC #SubhoMahalaya pic.twitter.com/PwODo5k9BD

— East Bengal FC (@eastbengal_fc) September 17, 2020