Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel prays at Ambaji temple on Maha Ashtami, reviews Navratri security
Synopsis
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel marked Maha Ashtami by visiting the Ambaji temple — one of India's foremost Shakti Peethas — offering prayers for the state's prosperity and conducting a hands-on review of security and crowd-management arrangements for the lakhs of Navratri pilgrims converging on Banaskantha.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel visited Ambaji temple in Banaskantha district on 18 October 2026 , the occasion of Maha Ashtami .
He performed puja and aarti to Adhyashakti Maa Ambe and sought blessings for the state's peace and development.
Patel reviewed security, darshan management, and pilgrim facilities arranged by the district administration and the Devasthan Trust .
Senior officials including the district collector , district superintendent of police , and Devasthan Trust representatives were present.
The Ambaji temple is among India's prominent Shakti Peethas and witnesses a large influx of devotees every Navratri.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited the Ambaji temple in Banaskantha district on Sunday, 18 October 2026, on the occasion of Maha Ashtami — the eighth day of Shardiya Navratri — offering prayers for the state's development, peace, and prosperity. His visit also included a detailed review of security and pilgrim-management arrangements at one of India's most prominent Shakti Peethas.
Prayers and Rituals at Ambaji Dham
Patel performed traditional puja and aarti to Adhyashakti Maa Ambe, also revered as Maa Jagdamba, amid the chanting of sacred mantras. He sought the goddess's blessings for the well-being, health, and continued progress of the people of Gujarat. A large number of devotees had gathered at the temple premises and welcomed the Chief Minister with chants of 'Jai Ambe'.
Security and Crowd Management Under Review
During the visit, Patel took stock of the facilities and security measures put in place by the district administration and the Devasthan Trust for the heavy influx of pilgrims from across the country. The review covered darshan management, crowd control protocols, and pilgrim amenities at Ambaji Dham. Senior officials present included the district collector, the district development officer, the district superintendent of police, and representatives of the Devasthan Trust, along with local public representatives.
Significance of Ambaji and Maha Ashtami
The Ambaji temple is one of India's celebrated Shakti Peethas and draws lakhs of devotees during Navratri every year. Maha Ashtami is considered among the most auspicious days of the nine-day festival, marked by special worship of the goddess. Shardiya Navratri is observed across Gujarat with religious ceremonies, traditional garba events, and large-scale temple gatherings, making crowd and security management a key administrative priority.
Navratri Celebrations Across Gujarat
The festival sees Banaskantha district, home to the Ambaji shrine, emerge as one of the state's foremost pilgrimage hubs during this period. The Devasthan Trust, in coordination with district authorities, has been managing visitor facilities throughout the nine-day festival. With the festival drawing pilgrims from multiple states, both crowd safety and devotee experience remain central to the administration's planning this season.
Point of View
And a CM-level review of crowd and security arrangements underscores the scale of state machinery deployed for the festival. Gujarat's Navratri celebrations carry political weight too: the BJP has long identified cultural and religious occasions as outreach opportunities, and a visible CM presence at a major Shakti Peetha on the festival's most auspicious day fits that pattern. Whether the reviewed security arrangements translate into smoother pilgrim experience remains to be seen once the peak Navami rush arrives.
NationPress
18 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel visit the Ambaji temple on 18 October?
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited the Ambaji temple on 18 October 2026 to offer prayers on the occasion of Maha Ashtami, the eighth and one of the most auspicious days of Shardiya Navratri. He also reviewed security and crowd-management arrangements for the large number of pilgrims visiting the shrine.
What is the significance of Maha Ashtami at the Ambaji temple?
Maha Ashtami is the eighth day of the nine-day Shardiya Navratri festival and is considered especially sacred for worshipping the goddess. The Ambaji temple, one of India's renowned Shakti Peethas, draws particularly large crowds of devotees on this day each year.
Who was present during the Chief Minister's review at Ambaji Dham?
The district collector, district development officer, district superintendent of police, senior officials of the Devasthan Trust, and local public representatives accompanied Chief Minister Patel during his review of arrangements at Ambaji Dham.
What arrangements were reviewed by CM Patel at Ambaji?
Patel reviewed darshan management, security measures, crowd control protocols, and facilities available to pilgrims at the Ambaji temple premises. The review was conducted jointly with the district administration and the Devasthan Trust, which have been overseeing Navratri arrangements.
Where is the Ambaji temple located and why is it significant?
The Ambaji temple is located in Banaskantha district of Gujarat and is one of India's celebrated Shakti Peethas dedicated to Adhyashakti Maa Ambe. It is a major pilgrimage destination throughout the year, attracting its largest crowds during the Navratri festival.
