PM Modi wishes 'Shubho Mahalaya' as India gets ready to welcome Goddess Durga

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday extended his wishes to the people of India saying 'Shubho Mahalaya', as Goddess Durga gets ready to visit her devotees.

“To all those celebrating, Shubho Mahalaya. May this festive season bring even more joy & prosperity in our lives,” PM tweeted.

To all those celebrating, Shubho Mahalaya. May this festive season bring even more joy & prosperity in our lives. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 12, 2015

People have been thronging different Durga Puja pandals from early morning today offering prayers for prosperity and to overcome evil.

Goddess Durga had killed the demon king 'Mahisasur' and thus the heaven and earth rejoice in the victory.

It is believed that mother Durga is invited to visit her maternal home and the invocation given to her is on 'Mahalaya'.

Mahalaya is not just another day for a Bengali, it's an auspicious occasion observed seven days before the Durga Puja, and heralds the advent of Maa Durga, the Goddess of supreme power. It's a kind of invocation or invitation to the mother Goddess to descend on earth, which consists of chanting mantras and singing devotional song – "Jago Tumi Jago".

Goddess Durga then visits home for five days and Bengalis celebrate, worship, and enjoy the five days of Durga Puja – Shashti, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami and Vijayadashami.

Commencing on 18 October (Shashti), Durga Puja is the Bengali festival that depicts the victory of good over evil.

Listen to the Mahalaya recital by Birendra Krishna Bhadra (Courtesy-YouTube) here: