CM Fadnavis seeks Navratri blessings at Nagpur's Ekata Janseva Mandal
Synopsis
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited the Ekata Janseva Mandal in Nagpur on October 17, 2026, during Navratri, offering prayers to the Goddess and seeking her blessings for the happiness, prosperity, and health of all citizens.
Key Takeaways
CM Devendra Fadnavis visited the Ekata Janseva Mandal in Nagpur on October 17, 2026 , on the occasion of Navratri .
He offered prayers and sought the Goddess's blessings for the happiness, prosperity, and health of all citizens of Maharashtra.
Fadnavis shared a devotional Marathi verse invoking Goddess Durga as Bhavani, Adishakti, and Saraswati.
Nagpur is Maharashtra's winter capital and the Chief Minister's home city, where large Navratri celebrations are held annually.
The visit reflects a long-standing tradition of Indian chief ministers participating in major religious festivals as a form of community engagement.
On the auspicious occasion of Navratri 2026, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited the Ekata Janseva Mandal in Nagpur on Saturday, October 17, offering prayers to the Goddess and seeking her blessings for the welfare of all citizens.
Sharing the visit on X, Fadnavis began with a devotional invocation in Marathi — 'तूच दुर्गा, तू भवानी, तू आदिशक्ती, तूच सरस्वती, तू दुष्टांचा संहारक, आई भवानी नमोऽस्तुते!' ('You are Durga, you are Bhavani, you are Adishakti, you are Saraswati, destroyer of the wicked — O Mother Bhavani, I bow to you!'). He added that he prayed to the Goddess for the happiness, prosperity, and good health of all.
Nagpur at the heart of the celebration
Nagpur, Maharashtra's winter capital and Fadnavis's home constituency, has long been a hub of large-scale Navratri celebrations. The Ekata Janseva Mandal is one of the city's community organisations that hosts elaborate Goddess installations during the festival's nine nights. For Fadnavis — who represents Nagpur South West and has deep personal and political roots in the city — such a visit carries both devotional and community significance.
A tradition as old as the office
Chief ministers across India have, as a matter of long-standing practice, participated in major religious festivals by visiting temples, mandals, and community pandals. Navratri, dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga and celebrated with particular fervour across Maharashtra, is among the most prominent such occasions on the state's cultural calendar. The gesture — attending in person, offering prayers, meeting devotees — is a way state leaders visibly engage with communities outside the legislative corridors of Mumbai.
With Diwali approaching in the weeks ahead, Fadnavis is likely to continue similar community engagements across Maharashtra's cities and districts.
Point of View
Nagpur is not just Maharashtra's winter capital — it is his political home ground, making visits there doubly significant. In the run-up to any political cycle, such gestures serve to keep the CM personally present in public consciousness beyond formal governance. The devotional framing, drawing on classical Shakta imagery, also resonates strongly with Maharashtra's cultural identity rooted in the Bhavani and Ambabai traditions.
NationPress
18 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did CM Fadnavis visit during Navratri 2026?
CM Devendra Fadnavis visited the Ekata Janseva Mandal in Nagpur on October 17, 2026, to offer prayers to the Goddess on the occasion of Navratri.
What did Devendra Fadnavis pray for at the Navratri event?
Fadnavis prayed to the Goddess for the happiness, prosperity, and good health of all citizens of Maharashtra.
What is Ekata Janseva Mandal in Nagpur?
Ekata Janseva Mandal is a community organisation in Nagpur that hosts religious and cultural events, including Navratri celebrations featuring Goddess Durga installations.
Why is Nagpur significant for CM Fadnavis?
Nagpur is both Maharashtra's winter capital and CM Fadnavis's home constituency, giving the city particular personal and political significance for him.
When is Navratri 2026 being celebrated?
Navratri 2026 is the nine-night Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Durga, with CM Fadnavis's Nagpur visit recorded on October 17, 2026, during the festival period.
