MP CM Mohan Yadav visits Vijayawada Utsav, offers prayers at Kanaka Durga temple
Synopsis
Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav travelled to Andhra Pradesh on 17 October for the second edition of Vijayawada Utsav, offered prayers at the Kanaka Durga temple during Sharad Navratri, and held meetings with CM Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan — blending religious, cultural, and inter-state political engagement into a single one-day visit.
Key Takeaways
MP CM Mohan Yadav visited Andhra Pradesh on 17 October 2026 for the Vijayawada Utsav and Sharad Navratri celebrations.
He offered prayers at the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Temple (Kanaka Durga temple) on Indrakeeladri Hill , Amaravati.
Yadav attended the Vijayawada Utsav at Punnami Ghat , themed 'One City, One Festival, Ten Days and Infinite Experiences' — its second edition.
He extended advance Vijayadashami greetings to the people of Andhra Pradesh and the country.
The Chief Minister met AP CM N.
Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan during the visit.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Friday, 17 October 2026, participated in the Vijayawada Utsav and offered prayers at the revered Kanaka Durga temple during a one-day visit to Andhra Pradesh. The visit also included a courtesy call on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and a meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.
Religious Observances at Indrakeeladri Hill
Yadav visited the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Temple on Indrakeeladri Hill in Amaravati, Guntur district, where he participated in a special puja organised as part of the Sharad Navratri Festival 2026. The famous Kanaka Durga temple, perched atop the same hill on the banks of the Krishna river, draws lakhs of devotees each year during Navratri, making Yadav's participation a symbolically significant gesture of inter-state cultural solidarity.
Vijayawada Utsav at Punnami Ghat
The Chief Minister subsequently attended the Vijayawada Utsav at Punnami Ghat in Vijayawada, where he received a warm reception from organisers and attendees. The festival, held during Sharadiya Navratri, is themed 'One City, One Festival, Ten Days and Infinite Experiences' and showcases the city's cultural identity through artistic performances and colourful programmes.
Addressing the gathering, Yadav called the event a celebration of India's rich cultural traditions. 'I am delighted to be part of the second edition of Vijayawada Utsav and the auspicious occasion of Sharadiya Navratri. This festival, dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga, symbolises the remarkable traditions of our Sanatan culture,' he said.
He further praised the festival's theme, saying it highlighted Vijayawada's distinctive identity and reflected India's cultural diversity. Describing the city as a 'land of victory', Yadav extended advance greetings for Vijayadashami to the people of Andhra Pradesh and the nation. 'On behalf of the people and the government of Madhya Pradesh, I extend my advance greetings for Vijayadashami to all residents of Andhra Pradesh and the people of the country,' he added.
Meetings with Andhra Pradesh Leadership
On the political front, Yadav paid a courtesy call on Chief Minister Naidu at his residence and separately met Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. The meetings formed part of his engagements with Andhra Pradesh's senior leadership and were broadly characterised as part of the visit's official programme rather than discussions on any specific policy agenda, according to reports.
Significance of the Visit
The trip combined religious observances, cultural participation, and inter-state political engagement, with the Navratri 2026 celebrations serving as the broader backdrop. This is the second edition of the Vijayawada Utsav, underscoring the festival's growing profile as a platform that draws national political figures. Such visits also reflect the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government's emphasis on cultural and religious diplomacy as a tool for inter-state outreach.
Point of View
And this visit fits that template precisely. What is notably absent is any publicly stated policy or bilateral agenda — the meetings are described as courtesy calls, leaving the substantive outcomes, if any, unaccounted for.
NationPress
17 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did MP CM Mohan Yadav visit Vijayawada on 17 October 2026?
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav visited Vijayawada to participate in the second edition of the Vijayawada Utsav and to offer prayers at the Kanaka Durga temple as part of the Sharad Navratri Festival 2026. The visit also included meetings with Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan.
What is the Vijayawada Utsav?
The Vijayawada Utsav is a cultural festival held during Sharadiya Navratri at Punnami Ghat in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. Themed 'One City, One Festival, Ten Days and Infinite Experiences', the festival celebrates the city's cultural identity through artistic performances and various cultural programmes; 2026 marks its second edition.
Which temple did Mohan Yadav visit in Andhra Pradesh?
Yadav visited the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Temple — more widely known as the Kanaka Durga temple — situated on Indrakeeladri Hill in Amaravati, Guntur district. He participated in a special puja organised as part of the Sharad Navratri celebrations.
Who did Mohan Yadav meet during his Andhra Pradesh visit?
During the one-day visit, Yadav paid a courtesy call on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at his residence and separately met Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. The meetings were part of his official engagements with the state's political leadership.
What did Mohan Yadav say at the Vijayawada Utsav?
Yadav described the festival as a celebration of India's rich cultural heritage and said it 'symbolises the remarkable traditions of our Sanatan culture.' He also extended advance Vijayadashami greetings to the people of Andhra Pradesh and the rest of the country on behalf of the Madhya Pradesh government.
