CM Samrat Choudhary Offers Prayers at Durga Puja on Saptami
Synopsis
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary performed the netra pujan of Maa Durga at Shri Durga Puja Samiti, Moon Club, Jagdev Path on Saptami, October 17, 2026, praying for peace and prosperity across Bihar.
Key Takeaways
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary participated in Durga Puja celebrations at Moon Club, Jagdev Path, Patna on Saptami, October 17, 2026 .
He performed the netra pujan — the eye consecration ritual — one of the most sacred rites of Saptami .
Choudhary offered prayers for Bihar's peace, prosperity, and happiness on the occasion.
The event was organised by Shri Durga Puja Samiti, Moon Club, Jagdev Path .
Durga Puja is among Bihar's most widely celebrated festivals, with local committees organising large-scale public events across the state.
On the sacred occasion of Saptami, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary participated in the netra pujan (eye worship) of Maa Durga at the Shri Durga Puja Samiti, Moon Club, Jagdev Path in Patna, offering prayers for peace, prosperity, and happiness across the state on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
Choudhary performed the puja-archana (ritual worship) and invoked the blessings of the goddess with the words 'Jai Maa Bhavani' — 'Victory to Mother Bhavani' — a salutation that resonated through the celebration. The netra pujan, or consecration of the deity's eyes, is one of the most spiritually significant rituals of Saptami, the seventh day of the Navratri cycle, marking the moment the goddess is believed to fully awaken and receive devotees' prayers.
Saptami's Central Ritual and What It Means
Durga Puja is among the most widely observed Hindu festivals in Bihar and across eastern India, celebrating the victory of the goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura — good over evil, light over darkness. Local committees like the Shri Durga Puja Samiti organise elaborate multi-day celebrations, drawing thousands of devotees from surrounding neighbourhoods.
The netra pujan on Saptami holds particular importance: it is the ritual through which the idol is considered to receive its divine gaze, transforming clay and colour into a living presence. For devotees, this moment is the spiritual heart of the entire festival.
A Chief Minister at the Pandal
Indian chief ministers routinely attend major religious festivals as a bridge between the state and its cultural fabric. For BJP leaders in states like Bihar, participation in Durga Puja celebrations carries both devotional and political resonance — affirming the party's deep engagement with Hindu traditions while connecting directly with lakhs of festival-going constituents.
Samrat Choudhary, who leads a state of over 130 million people, used the occasion to publicly pray for the collective well-being of Bihar — 'rajya ki sukh-shanti, samridhi aur khushali' (the state's peace, prosperity, and happiness). The gesture was as much a message to citizens as a moment of personal devotion.
As Ashtami and Navami — the festival's climactic final days — approach, Bihar's public celebrations are set to reach their peak.
Point of View
Reinforcing cultural identity while building constituent goodwill. Bihar, with its large and devout Hindu population, makes Navratri an especially high-visibility window for the ruling party. The imagery of a chief minister performing netra pujan — a deeply personal ritual moment — also projects accessibility rather than distance. With Bihar's political landscape remaining competitive, these festival appearances are rarely just ceremonial.
NationPress
17 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did CM Samrat Choudhary attend Durga Puja on Saptami 2026?
He attended the celebrations at Shri Durga Puja Samiti, Moon Club, Jagdev Path, Patna, on October 17, 2026.
What is netra pujan in Durga Puja?
Netra pujan is the ritual consecration of the deity's eyes on Saptami, the seventh day of Navratri, after which the idol is considered fully awakened and ready to receive devotees' prayers.
What did Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary pray for at Durga Puja?
He prayed for peace, prosperity, and happiness for the people of Bihar — expressed in Hindi as 'rajya ki sukh-shanti, samridhi aur khushali'.
Which day of Durga Puja is Saptami?
Saptami is the seventh day of the Navratri festival cycle and one of the most important days of Durga Puja, marking key rituals including the netra pujan.
Does Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary regularly attend religious festivals?
Like most Indian chief ministers, Samrat Choudhary participates in major religious and cultural events across Bihar, a practice that is common among BJP leaders as part of public engagement.
