Nadda invokes Maa Chandraghanta on Navratri Day 3
Synopsis
Union Health Minister and BJP National President J. P. Nadda invoked Maa Chandraghanta on Navratri Day 3 with a Sanskrit verse, praying for the courage, peace, and prosperity of all Indians during Sharadiya Navratri 2026.
Key Takeaways
Nadda posted Navratri Day 3 greetings on 13 October 2026 , invoking Maa Chandraghanta , the third form of Goddess Durga.
He opened with the Sanskrit verse Vande Vanchhit Labhaya Chandrardhakrit Shekharam , a traditional devotional salutation.
His message prayed for courage, peace, and positive energy for all citizens and freedom from obstacles.
Maa Chandraghanta is depicted riding a lion with a crescent-bell crown, and is associated with bravery and inner peace.
Indian political leaders across parties routinely issue such festival messages during Navratri as part of established cultural outreach.
On the third day of Sharadiya Navratri 2026, Union Health Minister and BJP National President J. P. Nadda offered a devotional salutation to Maa Chandraghanta — the lion-mounted, crescent-crowned third form of Goddess Durga — and prayed for the peace and prosperity of every Indian.
Nadda opened with the Sanskrit verse 'Vande Vanchhit Labhaya Chandrardhakrit Shekharam, Simharudha Chandraghanta Yashasvanim' — a traditional invocation seeking desired blessings from the goddess who bears a half-moon on her crown and rides a lion. He then wrote in Hindi that the worship of Maa Chandraghanta infuses life with courage, peace, and positive energy, and concluded with the prayer that the goddess grant happiness and prosperity to all citizens and free them from every obstacle and adversity.
Who is Maa Chandraghanta and why Day 3 matters
Maa Chandraghanta is venerated on the third tithi of Navratri. Her name derives from the bell-shaped half-moon (ghanta meaning bell) she wears, and devotees believe her worship cultivates inner bravery and dispels fear. Sharadiya Navratri — the autumnal nine-night festival dedicated to Goddess Durga — is one of the most widely observed Hindu festivals across India, drawing millions of worshippers to temples, community pandals, and home shrines alike.
Festival greetings as cultural statecraft
Indian political leaders across the spectrum routinely mark each of Navratri's nine days on social media, addressing the broader Hindu devotional public. For a figure who simultaneously holds the Union Health and Chemicals portfolios and leads the country's largest political party, such messages serve both as personal expressions of faith and as visible cultural participation in a nationally significant observance. The blend is well-established and cuts across party lines.
Point of View
Part constituency outreach, and part cultural signalling. For J. P. Nadda, who holds both ministerial office and the BJP's national presidency, posting on each festival day reinforces a consistent identity as a culturally engaged leader. The Sanskrit opening is a deliberate register choice: it signals classical learning and devotional authenticity to a broad Hindu audience. While the message carries no policy content, it reflects the understood grammar of how India's ruling establishment participates in public religious life.
NationPress
13 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Maa Chandraghanta and when is she worshipped?
Maa Chandraghanta is the third form of Goddess Durga, worshipped on the third day of Navratri. She is depicted riding a lion and bearing a crescent-shaped bell on her crown, and is associated with courage, peace, and the removal of obstacles.
What did J. P. Nadda post for Navratri Day 3 in 2026?
Nadda posted a Sanskrit verse invoking Maa Chandraghanta followed by a Hindi prayer asking the goddess to grant happiness, prosperity, and freedom from adversity to all Indians during Sharadiya Navratri.
What is Sharadiya Navratri?
Sharadiya Navratri is the autumnal nine-night Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Durga, observed across India with worship, fasting, and community celebrations. Each of the nine days is associated with a distinct form of the goddess.
Why do Indian politicians post Navratri greetings on social media?
Posting Navratri greetings is an established practice for Indian leaders across parties, combining personal faith with public outreach to the large Hindu devotional community during one of India's most widely observed festivals.
What portfolios does J. P. Nadda currently hold?
J. P. Nadda serves as Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, and is also the national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
