On the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami 2026, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai stood before thousands at Raipur's historic WRS Maidan and offered a message that reached beyond the ritual bonfire — reminding citizens that no matter how harsh the circumstances, truth and righteousness ultimately prevail.

Sai's message at WRS Maidan: more than a festival speech

The Chief Minister's Office of Chhattisgarh shared his words on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, quoting him directly: 'विजयादशमी केवल बुराई पर अच्छाई की विजय का पर्व नहीं, बल्कि सत्य, न्याय और मानवता के मार्ग पर अडिग रहने की प्रेरणा है' — 'Vijayadashami is not merely a festival of good triumphing over evil; it is an inspiration to remain steadfast on the path of truth, justice, and humanity.'

Sai attended the annual Dussehra Mahotsav organised at the WRS Maidan, one of Raipur's most prominent public grounds and the traditional venue for the state-sponsored celebration. The gathering brought together Hindu devotees and residents from across the capital.

Chhattisgarh's claim as Lord Rama's maternal homeland

CM Sai underscored a cultural argument the state has long championed: that Chhattisgarh shares a deep, intimate bond with Lord Rama. Speaking at the event, he stated that the state is revered as the sacred birthplace of Mata Kaushalya — Ram's mother — and as the maternal home (nanihal) of the Lord himself.

This identity is not incidental to the festival. Chhattisgarh actively promotes Ramayana-linked heritage sites and tourism circuits, positioning the state as a living geography of the epic rather than a mere observer of it. The region's landscape, according to this narrative, carries Ram's memories and the living faith of its people.

A pattern of Ramayana heritage at the heart of state policy

The emphasis at this year's Dussehra event fits a consistent pattern under the BJP government sworn in under Sai in December 2023. State governments across India use Dussehra as a moment to blend religious observance with public messaging on cultural identity — but Chhattisgarh's specific pitch around the Kaushalya-birthplace narrative gives it a distinct edge in that competition.

By invoking Mata Kaushalya's birth and Ram's maternal lineage at the state's flagship Dussehra event, Sai is reinforcing a cultural brand that serves both devotional sentiment and heritage tourism ambitions simultaneously.

As the effigies burned across Chhattisgarh on Tuesday evening, the Chief Minister's message was clear: the victory this festival celebrates is not a one-time mythological event — it is a living obligation.