CM Vishnu Deo Sai offers Navratri tribute at Maa Banjari Devi temple
Synopsis
On Navratri Saptami, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai paid tribute at Raipur's Maa Banjari Devi shrine, praying for happiness and peace for all state residents and tagging the message with #CGNavratri2026.
Key Takeaways
CM Vishnu Deo Sai marked Navratri Saptami (Day 7) with a public prayer at the Maa Banjari Devi shrine in Raipur .
He described the temple as a centre of 'devotion, faith, and unwavering belief' and prayed for well-being across Chhattisgarh .
The post was tagged #CGNavratri2026 and #महतारी_का_सम्मान , linking religious sentiment to the state's women-welfare branding.
Sai has served as Chief Minister since December 2023 after the BJP's assembly election victory in the state.
BJP chief ministers across multiple states issued similar Navratri greetings, reflecting a coordinated festival-outreach pattern.
On the seventh day of Sharadiya Navratri, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai offered his reverence at the sacred shrine of Maa Banjari Devi in Raipur, invoking the goddess's blessings for peace and prosperity across the state.
In his post, the Chief Minister described the Maa Banjari Devi temple as a centre of devotion, faith, and unwavering belief — 'श्रद्धा, भक्ति और अटूट आस्था का केंद्र' ('a centre of reverence, devotion, and unbreakable faith'). He prayed that the goddess's grace remain upon all residents of Chhattisgarh, and that every household be blessed with happiness, peace, and well-being.
Maa Banjari Devi and Raipur's devotional landscape
The Maa Banjari Devi shrine in Raipur draws thousands of devotees each Navratri season. Saptami — the seventh day — holds particular significance in the Navratri calendar, marking the worship of the seventh form of the goddess and often coinciding with large community gatherings and aarti processions.
BJP's festival outreach and the #CGNavratri2026 moment
Vishnu Deo Sai, who has served as Chief Minister since December 2023 following the BJP's decisive assembly election victory, has made public religious observance a visible thread of his administration's outreach. The post was tagged #CGNavratri2026 and #महतारी_का_सम्मान — 'Mahtari ka Samman' ('Respect for the Mother') — a phrase that resonates both as a religious sentiment and as a nod to the state government's 'Mahtari Vandan' welfare scheme aimed at women. BJP leaders across multiple states marked the same Navratri occasion with similar public messages, reflecting a coordinated festival-outreach pattern the party has maintained across its state governments.
As the remaining days of Navratri unfold, state-level cultural programmes and concluding rituals are expected to keep the religious calendar busy across Chhattisgarh.
Point of View
Designed to reinforce cultural affinity with the Hindu majority electorate. The pairing of devotional hashtags with the 'Mahtari ka Samman' phrase is a deliberate layering — connecting a religious moment to a welfare scheme brand that has become a signature of his administration. This dual register of faith and governance messaging has proved effective for the party in Hindi-heartland states. With Navratri concluding in the coming days, the state government's cultural programming will serve as another low-friction touchpoint ahead of the next electoral cycle.
NationPress
17 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Maa Banjari Devi temple in Raipur?
Maa Banjari Devi temple in Raipur is a prominent Hindu shrine and a major centre of devotion in Chhattisgarh, drawing large numbers of pilgrims especially during Navratri.
What is Navratri Saptami?
Saptami is the seventh day of the nine-day Navratri festival, dedicated to a specific form of the goddess Durga and observed with special prayers and community gatherings.
Who is Vishnu Deo Sai?
Vishnu Deo Sai is the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh and a BJP leader who took office in December 2023 after his party won the state assembly elections.
What is #महतारी_का_सम्मान (Mahtari ka Samman)?
'Mahtari ka Samman' translates to 'Respect for the Mother' and is associated with the Chhattisgarh government's Mahtari Vandan scheme, a welfare initiative targeted at women in the state.
When is Sharadiya Navratri celebrated?
Sharadiya Navratri is celebrated in the autumn season — typically in September or October — and is one of the two major Navratri observances in the Hindu calendar.
