Khattar greets devotees on Durga Ashtami, prays to Maa Mahagauri
Synopsis
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar marked Durga Ashtami by invoking a Sanskrit shloka dedicated to Maa Mahagauri and praying for the happiness, prosperity, and peace of all devotees across India.
Key Takeaways
Manohar Lal Khattar , Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, shared Durga Ashtami greetings on 18 October 2026 .
He invoked a classical Sanskrit shloka honouring Maa Mahagauri , the eighth form of Goddess Durga.
The post prayed for happiness, prosperity, peace, and joy for all devotees.
Durga Ashtami falls on the eighth day of the autumn Navratri festival and is observed widely across India.
Senior political leaders routinely share devotional greetings during major Hindu festivals as part of public cultural engagement.
On the auspicious occasion of Durga Ashtami, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar offered his reverence to Maa Mahagauri — the eighth form of Goddess Durga — and extended heartfelt wishes to devotees across the country on Sunday, 18 October 2026.
Invoking a classical Sanskrit shloka — 'Shwete vrishe samarudha shwetambaradhara shuchih, Mahagauri shubham dadyaan mahadevapramodada' — the minister offered a traditional salutation to the goddess described as radiant, pure, and seated upon a white bull. He prayed that Karunamayi aur amogha phaladayini Devi Maa (the compassionate and ever-fruitful Divine Mother) bless all her devotees and ensure their well-being.
The significance of Maa Mahagauri on the eighth day of Navratri
Durga Ashtami, observed on the eighth day of the Navratri festival, is dedicated to Maa Mahagauri, revered as a symbol of purity, compassion, and inner illumination. Across India, the day is marked by special prayers, kanya puja, and community celebrations. The autumn Navratri — Sharadiya Navratri — is among the most widely observed Hindu festivals, drawing millions of worshippers from every region.
Khattar's message to all devotees
The minister's post closed with a prayer for 'sukh, samridhi, shanti aur anand' — happiness, prosperity, peace, and joy — to shower upon all devotees. The sign-off, 'Jai Maa Mahagauri', echoed the devotional spirit of the day. It is routine for senior political leaders across India's parties to mark major Hindu festivals with such public greetings, reflecting both personal faith and broad cultural engagement with their constituents.
Point of View
Particularly ahead of any electoral season. The invocation of a Sanskrit shloka rather than a plain-language greeting adds a layer of scriptural authenticity that resonates with a devotionally inclined base. While such posts carry no direct policy weight, they form a consistent thread in the BJP's broader cultural communication playbook that has proven effective in sustaining public visibility between major announcements.
NationPress
18 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Durga Ashtami and why is it celebrated?
Durga Ashtami is the eighth day of the Navratri festival, dedicated to Maa Mahagauri, the eighth form of Goddess Durga. It is observed with special prayers, kanya puja, and community rituals across India.
Who is Maa Mahagauri?
Maa Mahagauri is the eighth of the nine forms of Goddess Durga worshipped during Navratri. She is symbolised by purity, compassion, and radiance, and is traditionally depicted seated on a white bull.
What did Manohar Lal Khattar say on Durga Ashtami 2026?
Khattar invoked a Sanskrit shloka in honour of Maa Mahagauri and prayed that the goddess bless all her devotees with happiness, prosperity, peace, and joy.
What is the Sanskrit shloka Khattar recited for Mahagauri?
The shloka is: 'Shwete vrishe samarudha shwetambaradhara shuchih, Mahagauri shubham dadyaan mahadevapramodada' — a traditional verse describing Mahagauri as pure, white-robed, and mounted on a white bull.
When is Navratri celebrated in India?
The autumn Navratri, known as Sharadiya Navratri, is celebrated over nine nights typically in October, with each day dedicated to one of the nine forms of Goddess Durga.
