CM Fadnavis visits Nagpur Bengali Association's Durga Puja
Synopsis
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis visited the Bengali Association's Sarvajanik Durga Puja in Nagpur on 17 October 2026, seeking Goddess Durga's blessings and praying for peace, prosperity, and the end of societal evils during Navratri.
Key Takeaways
CM Devendra Fadnavis attended the Sarvajanik Shri Shri Durga Puja Committee (Bengali Association) event in Nagpur on 17 October 2026 .
The visit was part of Navratri 2026 observances and included darshan and prayers at the pandal.
Fadnavis prayed for the destruction of evil in society and for happiness, prosperity, and abundance for all citizens.
Nagpur , Maharashtra's winter capital, hosts a longstanding Bengali community Durga Puja tradition.
The visit reflects a broader pattern of Maharashtra's leadership engaging with diverse linguistic and cultural communities during major festivals.
On the occasion of Navratri 2026, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited the Sarvajanik Shri Shri Durga Puja Committee (Bengali Association) in Nagpur on 17 October 2026, seeking the blessings of Goddess Durga and offering prayers for the welfare of all.
Sharing the visit on X, the Chief Minister opened with a Sanskrit shloka — 'ॐ सर्वतीर्थसमुद्भूतं पाद्यं गन्धादिभिर्युतम्। विघ्नराज गृहाणेमं भगवन् भक्तवत्सलः॥' ('O Lord who is beloved of devotees, please accept this offering drawn from all sacred waters and adorned with fragrance') — before describing his darshan at the pandal. He wrote that he 'prayed with devotion for the destruction of all evil tendencies in society and for happiness, prosperity, and abundance for all.'
Nagpur's Bengali community and its Durga Puja tradition
The Bengali Association's public Durga Puja is a longstanding fixture on Nagpur's festive calendar. Bengali communities across India observe Durga Puja as the year's most significant collective celebration, erecting elaborate pandals and conducting multi-day rituals honouring the goddess's victory over evil. In Nagpur — the state's winter capital — the event draws participants well beyond the Bengali diaspora, making it a genuinely cross-community affair.
Cultural outreach as a recurring feature of Maharashtra's leadership
Chief ministers of Maharashtra have long made it a practice to attend festivals celebrated by diverse linguistic and cultural communities across the state. These visits serve as visible signals of inclusive governance, particularly in a state as culturally plural as Maharashtra. Fadnavis, who represents Nagpur as his home constituency, has a natural connection to the city's civic and cultural life — making this visit both politically routine and personally resonant.
As Navratri continues across the state, the Chief Minister's office is expected to log similar engagements at other community celebrations in the days ahead.
Point of View
Such grassroots cultural engagement reinforces a 'sab ka saath' optic without requiring any policy announcement. The choice of a Bengali Association event is particularly notable given the BJP's sustained effort to consolidate Bengali-speaking diaspora support across non-West Bengal states. Expect similar outreach visits to continue through the Navratri and Diwali season.
NationPress
18 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Durga Puja event did CM Fadnavis attend in Nagpur?
CM Devendra Fadnavis attended the Sarvajanik Shri Shri Durga Puja organised by the Bengali Association in Nagpur on 17 October 2026 during Navratri.
What did Devendra Fadnavis pray for at the Durga Puja?
He prayed for the destruction of all evil tendencies in society and for happiness, prosperity, and abundance for everyone.
Why does Nagpur have a Bengali Association Durga Puja?
Nagpur has a resident Bengali diaspora community that has long organised public Durga Puja celebrations, making it a well-established fixture of the city's festive calendar.
Is Nagpur the home city of Devendra Fadnavis?
Yes, Nagpur is Devendra Fadnavis's home constituency and also serves as Maharashtra's winter capital.
Do Maharashtra chief ministers regularly attend Durga Puja and Navratri events?
Yes, attending community religious festivals such as Navratri and Durga Puja is a routine part of cultural outreach for Maharashtra's state leadership.
