CM Sawant Offers Dhanteras Puja at Mahalakshmi, Panaji
Synopsis
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant performed a formal puja of Lord Dhanvantari at the Mahalakshmi temple in Panaji on Dhanatrayodashi, praying for the health, prosperity, and peace of all Goans, invoking the Sanskrit blessing 'Aarogyam Dhanasampada' — good health is the greatest wealth.
Key Takeaways
CM Pramod Sawant performed the Dhanatrayodashi puja at Mahalakshmi temple, Panaji on 6 November 2026 .
The puja was dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari , the Hindu deity of Ayurveda and divine medicine.
Sawant prayed for 'health, happiness, prosperity, and peace' for all Goans and their families.
He invoked the Sanskrit phrase 'Aarogyam Dhanasampada' — meaning good health is the greatest wealth.
Dhanatrayodashi (Dhanteras) marks the beginning of the five-day Diwali festival season.
On the auspicious occasion of Dhanatrayodashi, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant performed a formal puja of Lord Dhanvantari at the Mahalakshmi temple in Panaji on Friday, 6 November 2026, praying for the health, happiness, prosperity, and peace of all.
Posting from the temple, CM Sawant shared his wishes in Marathi: 'आरोग्यं धनसंपदा!' — 'Good health is the greatest wealth!' — a Sanskrit invocation that captures the spirit of the festival. He extended heartfelt greetings to all Goans and their families on the occasion of Dhanteras.
Lord Dhanvantari and the meaning of Dhanatrayodashi
Dhanatrayodashi, popularly called Dhanteras, falls on the thirteenth lunar day of the dark fortnight of Kartik and marks the opening of the five-day Diwali season. The day is specifically dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician of Hindu tradition and the presiding deity of Ayurveda, who is believed to have emerged from the cosmic ocean bearing a pot of nectar. Worshipping him on this day is considered auspicious for the well-being of the family throughout the year.
Sawant's presence at Mahalakshmi, a Panaji landmark
The puja was conducted at the Mahalakshmi temple, one of Panaji's prominent religious sites in the heart of Goa's capital. CM Sawant, who has been in office since 2019, is a regular at state religious observances — a pattern common among elected leaders across India who participate visibly in local cultural and spiritual traditions as part of community outreach.
Goa's close-knit civic culture makes such public participation by the Chief Minister particularly resonant, blending official presence with personal devotion in a state where religious festivals carry deep social significance.
As the Diwali season lights up Goa, Sawant's prayer — that every household be blessed with health, joy, and abundance — sets the tone for the festivities ahead.
Point of View
Where the CM has governed since 2019, such appearances reinforce his accessibility to local communities ahead of an ongoing cycle of assembly-level politics. The invocation of Dhanvantari — patron deity of Ayurveda — also carries a subtle alignment with the Centre's push for traditional medicine awareness, though no explicit policy announcement accompanied this occasion.
NationPress
6 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dhanatrayodashi or Dhanteras?
Dhanatrayodashi, commonly known as Dhanteras, is the first day of the five-day Diwali festival. It falls on the thirteenth lunar day of Kartik's dark fortnight and is dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari, the Hindu deity of health and Ayurveda.
Where did CM Pramod Sawant perform the Dhanteras puja?
CM Pramod Sawant performed the puja at the Mahalakshmi temple in Panaji, the capital city of Goa, on 6 November 2026.
Who is Lord Dhanvantari?
Lord Dhanvantari is the divine physician in Hindu tradition and the presiding deity of Ayurveda. He is believed to have emerged from the cosmic ocean with a pot of nectar, and worship on Dhanatrayodashi is considered auspicious for good health.
What does 'Aarogyam Dhanasampada' mean?
'Aarogyam Dhanasampada' is a Sanskrit phrase meaning 'good health is the greatest wealth.' CM Sawant used this phrase in his Dhanteras greetings to Goans.
How long has Pramod Sawant been Chief Minister of Goa?
Pramod Sawant has served as Chief Minister of Goa since 2019. He is a senior BJP leader and regularly participates in state cultural and religious observances.
