Dharmendra Pradhan visits Durga Puja pandals in Sambalpur
Synopsis
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan visited Durga Puja pandals at Mahantipada, Pattnayakpada, and Golbazar in Sambalpur on Dussehra 2026, calling festivals markers of identity and seeking Maa Durga's blessings for all.
Key Takeaways
Dharmendra Pradhan visited three Durga Puja pandals in Sambalpur, Odisha on 19 October 2026 — Dussehra day.
The pandals visited were located at Mahantipada, Pattnayakpada, and Golbazar in Sambalpur.
Pradhan described the darshan of Maa Durga as a 'unique and personal experience.' He posted in Odia , calling festivals 'our identity' and Dussehra the eternal symbol of truth over falsehood.
The minister shared four images from the pandal visits on his official X account.
On the auspicious occasion of Dussehra 2026, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stepped into the festive heart of Sambalpur, Odisha, seeking the blessings of Maa Durga at three prominent neighbourhood pandals — a moment he described as a deeply personal and unique experience.
Posting in Odia on Monday, 19 October, Pradhan wrote: 'Aamara parbaparbaani gudika aamara parichaya' — 'Our festivals are our identity' — and called Dussehra the eternal symbol of the triumph of truth over falsehood and justice over injustice. He specifically named Mahantipada, Pattnayakpada, and Golbazar in Sambalpur as the sites of his pandal visits, offering prayers and seeking the goddess's blessings for all.
Sambalpur's Dussehra — a celebration rooted in western Odisha
Sambalpur is among western Odisha's most prominent cities, known for its vibrant Durga Puja and Dussehra festivities. Neighbourhood puja mandaps (pandals) serve as the cultural centrepiece of the ten-day celebration, drawing lakhs of devotees from across the region. The festival marks the mythological victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, and for communities across eastern India, it is among the most significant events of the year.
Pradhan, who hails from Odisha and has represented the state politically through successive decades, has consistently engaged with local cultural traditions during festival seasons. Central ministers from the state routinely attend Durga Puja pandals as part of a broader pattern of cultural outreach that also reinforces grassroots political connect in a state where the BJP has deepened its footprint in recent years.
The minister's message: identity, faith, and an eternal victory
Pradhan's post carried a philosophical note alongside the personal — framing the festival not merely as a religious observance but as a marker of civilisational identity. 'May the blessings of Maa remain with all,' he concluded, a benediction directed at Odia devotees and the wider community.
The four images shared alongside the post captured Pradhan at the decorated pandals, underscoring the personal, on-ground nature of the visit rather than a purely ceremonial gesture from a distance.
As Dussehra illuminates Sambalpur's streets with the glow of devotion, the minister's walk through three neighbourhood pandals is a reminder that for India's political leadership, the festivals of the people are never just calendar events — they are the pulse of public life itself.
Point of View
A state it has targeted aggressively. Senior Union ministers visibly participating in local festivals signals an intent to own the cultural narrative in eastern India. For Pradhan personally, such engagements reinforce his Odia identity at a time when the party is consolidating gains in the state. The philosophical framing of Dussehra — as a civilisational symbol, not just a religious event — reflects a broader BJP communication strategy that links governance with cultural continuity.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Dharmendra Pradhan visit on Dussehra 2026?
Dharmendra Pradhan visited Durga Puja pandals at Mahantipada, Pattnayakpada, and Golbazar in Sambalpur, Odisha on 19 October 2026 .
What did Dharmendra Pradhan say about Dussehra?
Pradhan called Dussehra the 'eternal symbol of the triumph of truth over falsehood and justice over injustice,' posting in Odia that festivals are the identity of a people.
Which state is Dharmendra Pradhan from?
Dharmendra Pradhan is from Odisha and is a senior BJP leader who has represented the state across successive political roles, currently serving as Union Minister of Education.
What is Dussehra and why is it celebrated?
Dussehra is an annual Hindu festival marking the mythological victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura and of Lord Rama over Ravana — symbolising the triumph of good over evil.
Why do Union ministers visit Durga Puja pandals in Odisha?
Central ministers from Odisha routinely attend regional Durga Puja pandals during the festival season as part of cultural outreach that also strengthens grassroots political connect in the state.
