Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda on Saturday, 17 October 2026, offered prayers to Maa Durga at the Jhandewalan Temple and the Kalibari Temple in Chittaranjan Park, New Delhi, on the occasion of Mahasaptami during the Sharadiya Navratri festival. Nadda prayed for the good health of all citizens, universal peace and happiness, and the nation's all-round development and prosperity.

Nadda's Devotional Journey Across Delhi Temples

The Union Minister began the day with the darshan of Devi Maa and a traditional puja-archana at the Jhandewalan Temple. He subsequently visited the renowned Kalibari Temple in Chittaranjan Park, where he offered prayers to Maa Kaalratri amid the sounds of conches, the rhythmic beats of the Dhaak, and the chanting of Vedic mantras, according to an official statement.

As part of the devotional itinerary, Nadda also visited the Durga Puja pandal at Greater Kailash-II, where he performed Pushpanjali in accordance with traditional rituals, seeking the blessings of Devi Maa.

Who Accompanied the Minister

Nadda was joined during the visits by New Delhi Lok Sabha MP Bansuri Swaraj and Greater Kailash MLA Shikha Rai, the official statement noted. The presence of elected representatives from the area reflected the political and community significance of the occasion.

Delhi LG Sandhu Joins Navratri Celebrations at CR Park

Delhi Lieutenant Governor T.S. Sandhu also participated in the festivities, visiting a Durga Puja pandal in CR Park. In a post on X, Sandhu said he offered prayers at the Kali Bari Mandir and the Cooperative Society Puja Pandal, describing the occasion as an opportunity to reflect on women's safety and dignity. 'Maa Durga embodies Shakti, courage and fearlessness. True devotion lies in translating these ideals into action — ensuring that every woman in our city can live with dignity, freedom, and security,' Sandhu wrote.

A day earlier, on the auspicious occasion of Shashthi, Sandhu had inaugurated and offered prayers at the Durga Puja pandal at Shahjahan Road Park. In a separate post on X, he wrote: 'Our reverence for the Divine Mother must find expression in our commitment to building a Delhi where every woman feels safe, empowered and free to pursue her aspirations without fear.'

Significance of Mahasaptami

Mahasaptami marks the seventh day of Navratri and is traditionally associated with the worship of Maa Kaalratri, one of the nine forms of Goddess Durga. Durga Puja celebrations in Chittaranjan Park — Delhi's prominent Bengali cultural enclave — draw large crowds each year and hold deep cultural importance for the city's Bengali community. This year's festivities continue through the remaining days of Navratri, culminating in Vijaya Dashami.