Union Food Processing Minister Chirag Paswan on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, performed a havan (sacred fire ritual) and kanya pujan (worship of young girls as manifestations of the goddess) at his residence in New Delhi, observing the auspicious occasion of Gupt Navratri with full traditional rites and seeking the blessings of Maa Adishakti.

Sharing the occasion on social media, the minister wrote: 'Aaj pawan Gupt Navratri ke shubh avsar par apne aavas par poorn vidhi-vidhan ke saath havan evam kanya pujan kar Maa Adishakti ki aradhana ki tatha unka aashirwad prapt kiya.' ('Today, on the auspicious occasion of the sacred Gupt Navratri, I performed a havan and kanya pujan at my residence with complete rituals, worshipped Maa Adishakti, and received her blessings.')

He further prayed: 'Maa Jagdamba se prarthana hai ki ve sabke jeevan mein sukh, samridhi, uttam swasthya, shanti aur khushhaali ka sanchaar karen. Jai Mata Di!' ('I pray to Maa Jagdamba that she brings happiness, prosperity, good health, peace, and well-being into everyone's lives. Jai Mata Di!')

Context

Gupt Navratri is a Hindu observance of nine nights dedicated to the goddess Durga, observed according to the lunar calendar in the month of Ashadha. Unlike the more widely celebrated Chaitra and Sharad Navratris, Gupt Navratri is considered particularly significant in tantric and shakta traditions, where the nine forms of the goddess are worshipped with special rituals.

The kanya pujan — the ritual worship of young girls as living embodiments of the goddess — is a central practice during Navratri observances across India, symbolising the reverence for feminine divine energy. The havan, a fire offering, is performed to invoke divine blessings and purify the surroundings.

Policy Backdrop

Indian elected representatives and cabinet ministers routinely share personal religious observances on social media during major Hindu festivals. These public expressions of devotion are an established part of political and cultural life across party lines, and occur independently of official ministerial duties or government policy announcements.

Chirag Paswan, who leads the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) as its national president, has been a prominent voice in Bihar politics and at the national level. He succeeded his father, the late Ram Vilas Paswan, a veteran political leader known for his social justice advocacy, in leading the party.

Stakeholders and Impact

The post resonates with millions of Hindu devotees across India who observe Gupt Navratri, particularly those in Bihar and other Hindi-speaking states where Navratri rituals hold deep cultural significance. For Paswan's political constituency, the public observance reinforces his connection to popular religious sentiment.

The minister's message extended beyond personal devotion, carrying a public prayer for 'happiness, prosperity, good health, peace, and well-being' for all — a customary benediction that broadens the post's reach beyond a purely personal statement.

What's Next

With the Gupt Navratri festival period ongoing, further public statements by the minister on cultural or constituency matters are likely. Such observances by senior ministers often set the tone for wider party participation in festival activities at the state and local level, particularly in electorally significant states like Bihar.