CM Vishnu Deo Sai offers homage at Maa Khallari on Navratri's ninth day
Synopsis
On Navratri's ninth day, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai paid homage to Maa Khallari at Mahasamund's hilltop shrine, invoking the goddess's blessings for the state's happiness and prosperity.
Key Takeaways
CM Vishnu Deo Sai posted his tribute to Maa Khallari on 19 October 2026 , the ninth (Navami) day of Sharadiya Navratri.
The Maa Khallari temple sits atop Khallari Hills in Mahasamund district , Chhattisgarh, and is a major pilgrimage centre.
The Chief Minister prayed for Chhattisgarh to remain filled with 'happiness, prosperity, and well-being' by the goddess's grace.
The hashtag #महतारी_का_सम्मान underlines the state government's cultural branding around the divine feminine and Chhattisgarhi identity.
Sai has led the BJP government in Chhattisgarh since December 2023 .
On the ninth and final day of Navratri 2026, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai paid reverent tribute to Maa Khallari — the presiding deity enthroned atop the Khallari Hills of Mahasamund — invoking her blessings for the state's enduring prosperity and well-being.
In a post on X on Monday, 19 October 2026, the Chief Minister wrote: 'Mahasamund ki Khallari pahadi ke shikhar par virajman Maa Khallari ka dham shraddhaaluon ki atoot aastha aur shraddha ka pramukh kendra hai' ('The sacred abode of Maa Khallari, seated at the summit of Khallari Hills in Mahasamund, is the foremost centre of the unbroken faith and devotion of pilgrims'). He offered 'countless salutations at the holy feet of Maa Khallari' on Navami — the ninth day — and prayed that the goddess's grace keep Chhattisgarh 'forever filled with happiness, prosperity, and well-being.'
Khallari Hills: a hilltop shrine at the heart of Chhattisgarh's faith
The Maa Khallari temple on Khallari Hills in Mahasamund district is one of the region's most venerated Shakti shrines. Pilgrims ascend the hill in large numbers during both Navratri seasons — the spring Chaitra Navratri and the autumn Sharadiya Navratri — making it a significant centre of religious tourism in central Chhattisgarh. The hashtag #महतारी_का_सम्मान ('Honour of the Mother') used by the Chief Minister reflects a recurring cultural motif the state government has woven into its public communications, linking the reverence for the divine feminine to state identity.
Navami — the crescendo of Sharadiya Navratri
Navami, the ninth day of Sharadiya Navratri, is the festival's most sacred peak — the day traditionally associated with Maa Siddhidatri, the ninth form of Goddess Durga, and marked by elaborate pujas and the conclusion of nine-day vrats (fasts) across India. For a state like Chhattisgarh, where tribal and folk traditions of goddess worship run deep alongside mainstream Hindu practice, Navratri carries layered cultural resonance that extends well beyond ritual into community identity.
Chief Minister Sai, who has led the BJP government in Chhattisgarh since December 2023, has consistently used major religious occasions to communicate directly with the state's citizens on social media — a pattern common among BJP chief ministers who blend governance communication with cultural signalling during festivals.
Point of View
Which also echoes the state's 'Mahtari Vandan' welfare scheme for women launched after the 2023 election win. Religious pilgrimage sites like Khallari can also become anchors for temple-tourism infrastructure investments — an area BJP-governed states have increasingly prioritised. For now, this is devotional communication; the policy substance, if any, would follow in formal announcements.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Maa Khallari temple located?
The Maa Khallari temple is situated at the summit of Khallari Hills in Mahasamund district , Chhattisgarh. It is one of the region's most revered Shakti shrines and draws large numbers of pilgrims during Navratri.
Why is Navami significant during Navratri?
Navami is the ninth and final day of Navratri, considered the festival's most sacred peak. It is associated with Maa Siddhidatri, the ninth form of Goddess Durga, and marks the conclusion of nine-day fasts and elaborate pujas across India.
Who is Vishnu Deo Sai?
Vishnu Deo Sai is the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh , leading the BJP government in the state since December 2023 after the party won the assembly elections.
What does the hashtag Mahtari ka Samman mean?
The hashtag #महतारी_का_सम्मान translates to 'Honour of the Mother' in Chhattisgarhi. It is used by the state government to express reverence for the divine feminine and also connects to the state's broader welfare branding around women.
What is CGNavratri2026?
#CGNavratri2026 is the official social media hashtag used by Chhattisgarh's government and public figures to mark Navratri celebrations across the state in 2026.
