Gadkari extends Nag Panchami wishes to nation
Synopsis
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari marked Nag Panchami on 17 August with Marathi greetings on X, invoking Lord Mahadev and the serpent deity for the nation's health, peace, and prosperity.
Key Takeaways
Nitin Gadkari extended Nag Panchami greetings on 17 August 2026 via X.
The message was posted in Marathi , reflecting outreach to his home state of Maharashtra.
Gadkari invoked Lord Mahadev and Nagdevata for health, peace, and prosperity for all.
Nag Panchami is a Hindu festival in the month of Shravan dedicated to snake worship and associated with Lord Shiva.
The post follows an established pattern of Indian political leaders using social media for cultural and religious outreach.
On the auspicious occasion of Nag Panchami, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari extended heartfelt greetings to the country, invoking the blessings of Lord Mahadev and the serpent deity for the health, peace, and prosperity of all.
Posting on Monday, 17 August, Gadkari wrote in Marathi: 'नागपंचमीच्या सर्वांना हार्दिक शुभेच्छा' — 'Heartfelt Nag Panchami greetings to all' — and prayed that Bhagwan Mahadev and Nagdevata bless everyone with good health, peace, and prosperity.
Nag Panchami is an annual Hindu festival observed in the month of Shravan, dedicated to the worship of snakes and closely associated with Lord Shiva. It is widely celebrated across Maharashtra, Karnataka, and other parts of India with prayers, fasting, and offerings at temples.
Gadkari, who represents Nagpur — a city with deep cultural and religious roots in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra — posted the greeting in Marathi, reflecting his consistent outreach to his home constituency and the broader Marathi-speaking community.
Point of View
Posting in Marathi on a festival widely celebrated in Maharashtra reinforces his identity as a Vidarbha leader even while holding a national cabinet portfolio. The invocation of both Lord Mahadev and Nagdevata signals alignment with mainstream Hindu religious sentiment — a consistent feature of BJP's cultural communication strategy. No policy consequence flows from this post, but its symbolic function in constituency maintenance is straightforward.
NationPress
17 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nag Panchami and when is it celebrated?
Nag Panchami is an annual Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of snakes, observed in the month of Shravan. Devotees offer prayers to serpent deities and Lord Shiva on this day.
What did Nitin Gadkari say on Nag Panchami?
Gadkari posted Nag Panchami greetings in Marathi on X, praying that Lord Mahadev and Nagdevata bless everyone with good health, peace, and prosperity.
Why did Gadkari post in Marathi?
Gadkari represents Nagpur in Maharashtra and frequently communicates in Marathi to connect with his home constituency and the broader Marathi-speaking community.
Is Nag Panchami associated with Lord Shiva?
Yes, Nag Panchami is closely associated with Lord Shiva, who is traditionally depicted with a serpent around his neck. The festival is widely observed across Maharashtra, Karnataka, and other Indian states.
