CM Samrat Choudhary greets Bihar on Navratri Ashtami
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
On the eighth and penultimate day of Sharadiya Navratri, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary extended warm wishes to devotees across the state, invoking the blessings of Maa Mahagauri — the eighth form of Goddess Durga — for peace, prosperity, and renewed hope in every household.
Posting on Sunday, 18 October 2026, the Chief Minister wrote in Hindi: 'Maa Mahagauri ki divya kripa se sabhi ke jeevan mein sukh, shanti, samridhi evam sakaratmakta bani rahe' — 'May the divine grace of Maa Mahagauri bring happiness, peace, prosperity, and positivity into everyone's life.' He added that the goddess's blessings should fill every home with joy and every heart with fresh hope.
Who is Maa Mahagauri and why Ashtami matters
Maa Mahagauri is revered as the eighth manifestation of Goddess Durga in the Navdurga tradition, associated with purity, serenity, and the fulfilment of wishes. The Ashtami — the eighth night of Navratri — is among the most spiritually significant days of the festival, when millions of devotees across India perform special prayers, kanya pujan (the ritual honouring young girls as embodiments of the goddess), and community gatherings.
Sharadiya Navratri, observed every autumn, is one of Hinduism's most widely celebrated festivals, dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga over nine consecutive nights. In Bihar, the festival draws large-scale public participation, with pandals, processions, and devotional gatherings held across the state's districts.
A routine ritual of political visibility
Elected leaders across India's political spectrum routinely mark major Hindu festivals with social media greetings — a practice that has become a standard feature of public engagement in Indian politics. Chief Minister Choudhary's post follows that established pattern, reflecting the prominent place that festivals like Navratri occupy in official communication. The message carries no policy announcement; its purpose is cultural solidarity with the state's large Hindu devotee population.
As Navratri moves into its final day — Navami — the festival will conclude with the worship of Maa Siddhidatri, the ninth form of Durga, before the immersion of idols marks the close of the season. Bihar's political leaders are expected to mark that occasion as well.