CM Fadnavis visits Mumbadevi, attends Marathi Dandiya Mahotsav
Synopsis
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis sought blessings at Mumbai's Mumbadevi Temple and joined MLA Mihir Kotecha's Marathi Dandiya Mahotsav on October 15, praying for the state's prosperity and thanking the large festive gathering.
Key Takeaways
CM Devendra Fadnavis visited the Mumbadevi Temple in Mumbai on October 15, 2026 during Navratri.
He attended the Marathi Dandiya Mahotsav organised by BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha .
Fadnavis offered prayers for the 'happiness and prosperity of the people of Maharashtra.' The Chief Minister thanked the large number of devotees and Garba enthusiasts present at the event.
His visit follows Maharashtra's long-standing tradition of Chief Ministers participating in Navratri observances and Mumbadevi darshan.
On the auspicious occasion of Navratri 2026, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis sought the blessings of the city's patron goddess at the historic Mumbadevi Temple in Mumbai on Thursday, October 15 — and then stepped into the festive energy of a packed Dandiya night.
Fadnavis attended the Marathi Dandiya Mahotsav organised by BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha, where devotees and Garba enthusiasts had gathered in large numbers. Opening with the classical Devi hymn — 'Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Shaktirūpeṇa Sansthita' ('To the Goddess who resides in all beings in the form of power — salutations, salutations, salutations') — the Chief Minister's post captured both the spiritual and communal dimensions of the evening.
Prayers for Maharashtra's prosperity at Mumbadevi
Fadnavis said he 'offered heartfelt prayers for the happiness and prosperity of the people of the state' during the Mumbadevi darshan. The temple, nestled in the heart of old Mumbai's Bhuleshwar area, is one of the city's most revered shrines and the namesake of Mumbai itself — a pilgrimage point that carries weight well beyond routine religious observance.
He also thanked the large gathering of devotees and Dandiya participants for their 'enthusiastic welcome,' acknowledging the community spirit the evening brought out.
Kotecha's Dandiya Mahotsav and Mumbai's Navratri tradition
The event was spearheaded by Mihir Kotecha, a BJP legislator from Mumbai known for organising cultural programmes that blend local tradition with community engagement. Mumbai's Navratri calendar has long featured such legislator-hosted Garba-Dandiya gatherings — evenings that double as ground-level public connect for political leaders.
The broader pattern holds across Maharashtra: Chief Ministers attending Navratri events and visiting Mumbadevi Temple is a well-established tradition, one that lets state leaders participate in a living cultural moment rather than merely issue a ceremonial statement. For Fadnavis, Thursday's visit was both a personal act of devotion and a visible public appearance during one of the state's most widely celebrated festivals.
As the nine nights of Navratri continue, Maharashtra's streets, mandals and cultural stages will keep the festive energy at full pitch — and Mumbai's largest Dandiya celebrations are still ahead.
Point of View
Where urban Hindu identity and Marathi cultural pride both carry electoral weight, such appearances reinforce a leader's visible connect with lived tradition rather than just governance. The choice of Mumbadevi, the city's patron shrine, adds symbolic resonance: it signals not just piety but belonging to Mumbai itself. With Maharashtra's political landscape remaining competitive, these high-visibility festive moments are also quiet acts of coalition maintenance.
NationPress
16 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did CM Fadnavis visit during Navratri 2026?
CM Devendra Fadnavis visited the Mumbadevi Temple in Mumbai and attended the Marathi Dandiya Mahotsav on October 15, 2026.
Who organised the Marathi Dandiya Mahotsav attended by CM Fadnavis?
The Marathi Dandiya Mahotsav was organised by BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha in Mumbai.
What did CM Fadnavis pray for at Mumbadevi Temple?
Fadnavis prayed for the happiness and prosperity of the people of Maharashtra during his Mumbadevi darshan.
What is the significance of Mumbadevi Temple in Mumbai?
Mumbadevi Temple is one of Mumbai's most historic and revered shrines, dedicated to the city's patron goddess — the deity after whom Mumbai is named.
Do Maharashtra Chief Ministers typically visit Mumbadevi during Navratri?
Yes, attending Navratri events and visiting Mumbadevi Temple is a well-established tradition for Maharashtra's Chief Ministers as part of public engagement during the festival.
