CM Bhupendra Patel offers Navratri greetings on Maa Kushmanda day
Synopsis
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel marked the fourth night of Navratri by offering devotional greetings to Maa Kushmanda, praying for positive energy, good health, and the removal of darkness and sorrow from all lives.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel offered greetings on the fourth night ( nortu ) of Navratri 2026 .
The message honours Maa Kushmanda , the fourth form of Goddess Durga, believed to have created the universe through her smile.
Patel prayed for the removal of darkness, illness, and sorrow, and for the blessing of positive energy and good health for all.
Navratri holds deep cultural significance in Gujarat , celebrated widely through Garba and community worship.
Indian chief ministers routinely issue devotional messages across all nine nights to maintain public and cultural connection.
On the fourth day of the sacred festival of Navratri, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel offered devotional greetings to the fourth form of Goddess Durga — Maa Kushmanda — with a prayer for health, positivity, and glory for all.
In a post shared on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, the Chief Minister wrote in Gujarati: 'નવરાત્રિના પવિત્ર પર્વના ચોથા નોરતે માઁ દુર્ગાના ચતુર્થ સ્વરૂપ — માઁ કુષ્માંડાના ચરણોમાં વંદન' — 'On the fourth night of the holy festival of Navratri, I bow at the feet of Maa Kushmanda, the fourth form of Maa Durga.' He described the goddess as the creator of the universe through her gentle smile, and a symbol of new energy, strength, and radiance.
Maa Kushmanda: the light behind creation
According to Hindu tradition, Maa Kushmanda is venerated as the deity who created the cosmos with her divine, radiant smile — dispelling primordial darkness. CM Patel invoked her to rid devotees' lives of all forms of darkness, illness, and sorrow, and to bless them with positive energy, good health, and honour. The post closed with the invocation 'Jai Ambe!'
Navratri's special resonance in Gujarat
Navratri — the nine-night festival dedicated to Goddess Durga — holds exceptional cultural weight in Gujarat, where Garba dances and community worship transform towns and cities each year. Chief Ministers of the state have long used each of the nine nights as an occasion for public devotional outreach, reinforcing the festival's role as both a spiritual and communal anchor. For the BJP, whose political identity is closely tied to cultural nationalism, Navratri messaging carries added significance.
With five more nights of the festival remaining, the state is expected to see continued large-scale Garba events and public celebrations — a tradition Gujarat exports to the world.
Point of View
Particularly pronounced in Gujarat where the festival commands unrivalled public fervour. For Bhupendra Patel, leading a state synonymous with Navratri, these messages serve both devotional and political purposes — reinforcing proximity to cultural identity that forms a core pillar of the BJP's electoral appeal. The invocation of Maa Kushmanda's qualities — creation, energy, dispelling darkness — also fits neatly into the broader BJP narrative of national renewal. These posts are low-stakes individually, but cumulatively they build a consistent public image rooted in shared religious tradition.
NationPress
14 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Maa Kushmanda in Hindu tradition?
Maa Kushmanda is the fourth form of Goddess Durga, worshipped on the fourth day of Navratri. She is believed to have created the universe with the radiance of her smile, and is associated with new energy, strength, and good health.
What did Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel post on Navratri Day 4?
CM Bhupendra Patel posted a devotional message in Gujarati on October 14, 2026, bowing at the feet of Maa Kushmanda and praying for positive energy, good health, and the removal of sorrow and illness from all lives.
Why is Navratri especially significant in Gujarat?
Gujarat is renowned for its elaborate Navratri celebrations, including Garba dances that draw millions of participants. The festival is a major cultural and community event in the state, and Gujarat's Garba tradition has gained international recognition.
How many days does Navratri last?
Navratri is a nine-night festival dedicated to Goddess Durga in her various forms. Each night honours a different form of the goddess, culminating in Vijayadashami (Dussehra) on the tenth day.
Why do Indian politicians post Navratri greetings?
Indian politicians, particularly chief ministers, regularly post devotional messages during major festivals to connect with constituents, reflect shared cultural values, and reinforce their proximity to local traditions and identity.
