CM Fadnavis joins Navratri Garba at Nagpur's Manakapur
Synopsis
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited the Lotus Maharas Garba event at Nagpur's Manakapur on 18 October 2026, joining community celebrations for Navratri 2026 in his home city.
Key Takeaways
CM Devendra Fadnavis attended the Lotus Maharas Garba programme at Manakapur, Nagpur on 18 October 2026 .
The visit was made on the occasion of Navratri 2026 , the nine-night Hindu festival honouring Goddess Durga.
Fadnavis opened his post with a Sanskrit prayer to Goddess Saraswati , invoking her blessings at the start of an endeavour.
Nagpur is the winter capital of Maharashtra and Fadnavis's primary political base.
Maharashtra Chief Ministers routinely attend Navratri Garba events across the state as part of community outreach during major festivals.
As Navratri reached its festive peak, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stepped into the swirl of Garba at Nagpur's Manakapur on 18 October 2026, joining thousands of devotees at the Lotus Maharas Garba programme — a visit that blended public faith with political presence in his home city.
Opening with a Sanskrit invocation — 'ॐ सरस्वति नमस्तुभ्यं, वरदे कामरूपिणि। विद्यारम्भं करिष्यामि, सिद्धिर्भवतु मे सदा' ('O Saraswati, I bow to you, O giver of boons and fulfiller of wishes; as I begin this endeavour, may success always be mine') — Fadnavis shared images from the event, tagging the occasion to Navratri 2026.Nagpur's Garba tradition and the CM's home ground
Nagpur, the winter capital of Maharashtra, is Fadnavis's political heartland and regularly hosts some of the state's most prominent Navratri celebrations. The Lotus Maharas Garba at Manakapur drew large community participation, as Garba events across Vidarbha typically do during the nine-night festival honouring Goddess Durga.A familiar ritual for Maharashtra's Chief Ministers
Attending local Navratri Garba programmes is an established practice for Maharashtra's top leadership — an opportunity to engage directly with constituents in a cultural setting rather than a political one. For Fadnavis, whose base is firmly rooted in Nagpur, such appearances reinforce a connection to the city that goes well beyond governance. With Navratri evenings lighting up venues across Maharashtra, similar visits by state leaders to Garba programmes in Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik are expected before the festival concludes.Point of View
Both his political stronghold and the state's winter capital, provides maximum visibility with minimal political risk. Such visits are less about policy signalling and more about sustaining a ground-level cultural bond — one that BJP leaders across the country have cultivated deliberately in the years following their national electoral success. As Navratri approaches its final nights, expect similar gestures from state leadership at venues across urban Maharashtra.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did CM Fadnavis attend Garba on Navratri 2026?
CM Devendra Fadnavis attended the Lotus Maharas Garba programme at Manakapur in Nagpur on 18 October 2026.
What is the Lotus Maharas Garba event in Nagpur?
The Lotus Maharas Garba is a community Garba programme held in Manakapur, Nagpur, during the Navratri festival, drawing large local participation.
What Sanskrit shloka did Fadnavis share on Navratri?
Fadnavis shared a Sanskrit invocation to Goddess Saraswati — 'ॐ सरस्वति नमस्तुभ्यं...' — seeking her blessings for success at the start of an endeavour.
Why does Nagpur hold significance for Devendra Fadnavis?
Nagpur is Fadnavis's home city and primary political base; it also serves as the winter capital of Maharashtra, making it a key venue for state-level events.
Do Maharashtra Chief Ministers regularly attend Navratri events?
Yes, attending Navratri Garba programmes is an established practice for Maharashtra's Chief Ministers as a form of direct community and cultural engagement during the festival season.
