CM Fadnavis joins Thane Navratri fest, seeks blessings for Maharashtra
Synopsis
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis attended the Thane chi Maharani Navratri Utsav 2026 on 16 October, organised by MLA Sanjay Kelkar, offering prayers to the Goddess for the happiness and welfare of all citizens.
Key Takeaways
CM Devendra Fadnavis visited the Thane chi Maharani Navratri Utsav 2026 on 16 October 2026 .
The event was organised by MLA Sanjay Kelkar in Thane , a major city in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Fadnavis offered prayers to Jagdamba seeking happiness, peace, and welfare for all.
He opened his post with the Sanskrit verse from the Durga Saptashati, invoking the Goddess as the universal source of power.
The visit is consistent with a broader pattern of Maharashtra political leaders participating in major community religious festivals.
A Sanskrit invocation echoing across a festive Thane pandal set the scene on Friday, 16 October 2026, as Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stepped in to seek the blessings of the Goddess at the 'Thane chi Maharani Navratri Utsav 2026' — a grand community celebration organised by MLA Sanjay Kelkar in Thane.
Fadnavis opened his post with the timeless Durga Saptashati verse — 'Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Shaktiroopena Sansthita, Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah' ('To the Goddess who resides in all beings as power, we bow to her, we bow to her, we bow to her again and again') — before sharing his participation in the event.
Prayers for peace and prosperity at the Thane pandal
At the Navratri gathering, CM Fadnavis offered heartfelt prayers to Jagdamba — another name for the Divine Mother — seeking happiness, peace, and welfare for all. The event, anchored in Thane's vibrant community calendar, drew local devotees alongside the Chief Minister for the nine-night festival that holds deep cultural significance across Maharashtra.
Thane, a major city in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, has long been a hub for large-scale public festivals. Navratri celebrations in the city typically draw thousands of devotees and are woven into the social fabric of the region.
A ritual of public outreach as much as personal faith
Elected leaders across Maharashtra's political spectrum routinely attend prominent Navratri events as both a cultural observance and a form of direct citizen engagement. For Fadnavis, a visit to a festival organised by a fellow party legislator like MLA Sanjay Kelkar underscores the grassroots dimension of governance — a Chief Minister visible not just in assembly halls but in the festive lanes of his state.
As Navratri 2026 unfolds, similar cultural programmes are expected across other Maharashtra districts — each one a gathering point for communities and an occasion for leaders to connect with the people they represent.
Point of View
Being present at an MLA-organised event in Thane signals both personal faith and an endorsement of the local representative's community standing. In a state where festival-circuit visibility matters electorally, such appearances reinforce bonds between the top of the party hierarchy and grassroots organisers. The Sanskrit invocation leading the post also speaks to a conscious cultural branding strategy adopted by BJP leadership across India.
NationPress
17 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Navratri event did CM Devendra Fadnavis attend in 2026?
CM Devendra Fadnavis attended the 'Thane chi Maharani Navratri Utsav 2026', organised by MLA Sanjay Kelkar in Thane, on 16 October 2026.
Who organised the Thane Navratri festival that Fadnavis visited?
The event was organised by MLA Sanjay Kelkar, a legislator associated with Thane.
What did CM Fadnavis pray for at the Navratri event?
CM Fadnavis prayed to Jagdamba — the Divine Mother — for the happiness, peace, and welfare of all.
What is the Sanskrit verse CM Fadnavis quoted in his post?
He quoted the Durga Saptashati verse: 'Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Shaktiroopena Sansthita, Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah', meaning the Goddess who resides in all beings as power, to whom we bow repeatedly.
Why do Maharashtra politicians attend Navratri festivals?
Navratri is a major cultural and religious festival in Maharashtra. Elected leaders across party lines attend prominent celebrations as a form of citizen outreach and community engagement, in addition to personal devotion.
