Gadkari offers Navratri greetings on Maa Katyayani Shashthi
Synopsis
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari marked Navratri's sixth day by offering devotional salutations to Maa Katyayani on X, praying for the goddess to destroy all troubles as a symbol of Shakti and courage.
Key Takeaways
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari posted Navratri greetings on October 16, 2026 , the sixth day of the festival.
He saluted Maa Katyayani , the sixth form of Goddess Durga, as the symbol of power and courage.
Gadkari prayed for the goddess to destroy the difficulties of all devotees.
The post was accompanied by a video and carried hashtags #नवरात्रि , #Navratri2026 , and #JaiMataDi .
Such devotional posts during Navratri are a standard cultural practice among Indian political leaders across parties.
On the sixth day of Navratri, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari offered devotional greetings to Maa Katyayani, the sixth form of Goddess Durga, invoking her blessings of power and courage for all.
Posting on Friday, October 16, 2026, Gadkari wrote in Hindi: 'नवरात्रि की पवित्र षष्ठी पर अमोघ फलदायिनी मां कात्यायनी को कोटि-कोटि वंदन' — 'On the sacred sixth day of Navratri, a crore-fold salutation to the infallibly bountiful Maa Katyayani.' He prayed that the goddess, as the symbol of Shakti and courage, may destroy the troubles of all.
Maa Katyayani and the sixth day of Navratri
Maa Katyayani is revered as the sixth of the nine divine forms of Goddess Durga worshipped across the nine nights of Navratri. She is traditionally associated with fierce courage and the power to vanquish adversity — qualities that make her one of the most invoked forms during the festival. Devotees across India observe special prayers and rituals on Shashthi, the sixth day, in her honour.
Navratri, one of Hinduism's most widely celebrated festivals, is marked by fasting, community worship, and cultural gatherings. Political leaders across parties routinely use social media during the festival to connect with Hindu devotees, and Gadkari's post follows that well-established tradition of cultural outreach.
Point of View
Navratri messaging is both devotional expression and a consistent touchpoint with the party's core voter base. The practice of day-by-day Navratri greetings — each tied to a specific goddess form — has become a social-media calendar staple across the political spectrum. It reflects a broader normalisation of faith-based public communication as an uncontested feature of Indian political identity.
NationPress
16 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Nitin Gadkari post about Maa Katyayani?
Gadkari posted to mark the sixth day of Navratri 2026, when Maa Katyayani — the sixth form of Goddess Durga — is traditionally worshipped.
Who is Maa Katyayani?
Maa Katyayani is the sixth of the nine divine forms of Goddess Durga, revered as the embodiment of power and courage, and worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri.
What did Nitin Gadkari say in his Navratri post?
He offered a 'crore-fold salutation' to Maa Katyayani and prayed that the goddess, as the symbol of Shakti and courage, may destroy the troubles of all.
Do Indian politicians regularly post Navratri greetings?
Yes, posting devotional messages for each day of Navratri has become a standard social-media practice for political leaders across parties in India.
