CM Majhi Greets Odisha on Navratri's Fifth Day
Synopsis
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi marked the fifth day of Navratri by offering salutations to Goddess Skandamata and praying for the happiness, peace, and prosperity of all, in an Odia-language post on 15 October 2026.
Key Takeaways
Mohan Charan Majhi , Chief Minister of Odisha, posted Navratri greetings on 15 October 2026 — the festival's fifth day.
He offered 'crores of salutations' to Skandamata , the fifth manifestation of Goddess Durga.
Skandamata is venerated as the mother of Kartikeya (Skanda) and is associated with maternal grace and strength.
The post was written in Odia , reflecting a connection with the state's linguistic and cultural identity.
Majhi has led Odisha since June 2024 , when the BJP won the state assembly election.
On the fifth day of Navratri, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi offered his respects to Skandamata — the fifth form of Goddess Durga — and extended blessings to people across the state on Thursday, 15 October 2026.
Posting in Odia, the Chief Minister wrote: 'ନବରାତ୍ରୀର ପଞ୍ଚମ ଦିବସରେ ଦେବୀ ସ୍କନ୍ଦମାତାଙ୍କୁ କୋଟି କୋଟି ପ୍ରଣାମ' — 'Crores of salutations to Goddess Skandamata on the fifth day of Navratri' — and prayed that the deity shower all with happiness, peace, and prosperity.Who is Skandamata?
Skandamata is revered as the mother of Kartikeya (also known as Skanda), the Hindu god of war, and is the fifth of Navratri's nine celebrated manifestations of Goddess Durga. Devotees worship her on the fifth night seeking maternal grace, inner strength, and familial well-being. Her name literally means 'mother of Skanda.'
Navratri in Odisha's Cultural Calendar
Navratri — the nine-night festival dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga — is observed widely across Odisha alongside the state's prominent Durga Puja traditions. For a BJP-led government, publicly honouring each day of Navratri has become a consistent feature of political communication, reflecting the party's emphasis on Hindu cultural observance. Chief Minister Majhi, who assumed office in June 2024 following the BJP's assembly election victory in the state, has continued this pattern through each successive festival cycle.
The greeting is part of a well-established tradition among India's chief ministers and senior political leaders of marking every day of Navratri with public posts — one that spans party lines and regions, and speaks as much to governance optics as to personal faith.
Point of View
Functioning simultaneously as cultural expression and constituency communication. For Mohan Charan Majhi, doing so in Odia rather than Hindi or English signals a deliberate effort to embed the BJP's cultural messaging within Odisha's own regional identity. The gesture reinforces the party's strategy of combining pan-Hindu observance with hyper-local cultural affinity. As BJP consolidates its hold over Odisha after the 2024 victory, such festival posts form part of a sustained effort to normalise the party's cultural footprint in a state where it is still a relatively recent governing force.
NationPress
15 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Skandamata and why is she worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri?
Skandamata is the fifth form of Goddess Durga and the mother of Kartikeya (Skanda), the Hindu god of war. She is worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri for blessings of maternal grace, inner strength, and familial prosperity.
What did Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi post for Navratri 2026?
CM Majhi posted in Odia on 15 October 2026, offering crores of salutations to Goddess Skandamata and praying for the happiness, peace, and prosperity of all.
When did Mohan Charan Majhi become Chief Minister of Odisha?
Mohan Charan Majhi became Chief Minister of Odisha in June 2024 after the BJP won the state assembly elections.
How is Navratri observed in Odisha?
Navratri is observed widely in Odisha, often alongside the state's major Durga Puja traditions. Each of the nine nights is dedicated to a different form of Goddess Durga, with public celebrations, temple worship, and cultural events.
Why do Indian politicians post Navratri greetings daily?
Posting daily Navratri greetings has become a standard practice across party lines in Indian politics, serving as a way for leaders to connect with Hindu devotees and signal cultural alignment during one of the country's most widely observed festivals.
