Lalan Singh Greets Nation on Navratri's Fourth Day
Synopsis
Union Minister Lalan Singh marked Navratri's fourth day by sharing the Sanskrit shloka of Maa Kushmanda, the fourth form of Goddess Durga, offering devotional greetings to the nation on 14 October 2026.
Key Takeaways
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) posted a devotional message on 14 October 2026 , marking the fourth day of Navratri.
He invoked the Sanskrit shloka dedicated to Maa Kushmanda , the fourth manifestation of Goddess Durga.
Maa Kushmanda is revered in Hindu tradition as the goddess associated with the creation of the cosmic universe.
Lalan Singh is a senior Janata Dal (United) leader and holds the Union portfolio of Panchayati Raj, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying .
Navratri is one of India's most widely observed festivals, with large celebrations in Bihar and across the country.
On the fourth day of Navratri, Union Panchayati Raj and Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh — widely known as Lalan Singh — offered devotional greetings to the nation, invoking the ancient Sanskrit shloka dedicated to Maa Kushmanda, the fourth manifestation of Goddess Durga.
The minister shared the verse 'Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Kushmanda Rupena Samsthita, Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah' — 'Salutations again and again to the Goddess who resides in all beings as Maa Kushmanda' — extending what he called koti-koti vandan (countless reverences) to devotees observing the festival.
Maa Kushmanda and the Fourth Day of Navratri
In Hindu tradition, Navratri — the nine-night festival dedicated to Goddess Durga — assigns a distinct divine form to each day of worship. Maa Kushmanda, worshipped on the fourth day, is believed to be the creator of the cosmic universe, her name derived from the Sanskrit words for 'warm energy' and 'cosmic egg.' Devotees across India observe this day with special prayers, fasting, and offerings of flowers and fruits.
The festival, one of the most widely celebrated in the Hindu calendar, carries particular resonance in Bihar — Lalan Singh's home state — where public celebrations draw tens of thousands of participants to temples and community gatherings each year.
Ministers and the Festival Conversation
Senior political leaders routinely mark each of Navratri's nine days with devotional social-media posts, reflecting both personal faith and a long-standing tradition of public figures engaging with India's cultural and religious calendar. As a senior leader of the Janata Dal (United) and a Union Cabinet minister, Lalan Singh's greetings carry reach across the party's core base in Bihar and beyond.
With five more days of Navratri remaining, the festival's momentum — from community gatherings to temple illuminations — will continue to shape public life across the country until the culminating celebrations of Vijayadashami.
Point of View
Blending personal faith with broad-based constituency outreach. For a JDU leader like Lalan Singh, whose party's support base is deeply rooted in the religious and social fabric of Bihar, such gestures reinforce cultural alignment with voters during a high-visibility festival season. The practice also reflects a broader shift in Indian politics, where the religious calendar increasingly sets the rhythm of public communication. As Navratri moves toward Vijayadashami, the intensity of these engagements from leaders across the political spectrum is only set to grow.
NationPress
14 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the fourth day of Navratri dedicated to Maa Kushmanda?
Hindu tradition assigns a distinct form of Goddess Durga to each of Navratri's nine days. Maa Kushmanda is worshipped on the fourth day as she is believed to have created the universe with her cosmic smile, symbolising warmth and creative energy.
What does the shloka 'Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu' mean?
The shloka means 'Salutations to the Goddess who resides in all living beings in the form of Maa Kushmanda — we bow to her, again and again.' It is a standard invocation recited across Navratri's nine days, with the deity's name changing each day.
Who is Lalan Singh and what ministry does he head?
Lalan Singh, formally known as Rajiv Ranjan Singh, is a senior Janata Dal (United) leader and Union Cabinet minister holding the portfolios of Panchayati Raj, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. He is a prominent political figure from Bihar.
When is Navratri celebrated in 2026?
Navratri in October 2026 is the Sharad Navratri, the most widely observed of the four Navratris in the Hindu calendar. The fourth day, on which Maa Kushmanda is worshipped, fell on 14 October 2026.
How is Navratri celebrated in Bihar?
Bihar observes Navratri with temple rituals, community gatherings, fasting, and cultural programmes. Public celebrations draw large crowds, with the festival holding deep social and religious significance across the state.
