Priyanka Gandhi, Kharge extend Navratri greetings on Shardiya Navratri 2026
Synopsis
Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjun Kharge marked the start of Shardiya Navratri on 11 October with wishes posted on X, invoking Goddess Durga's blessings for peace and prosperity. The nine-day festival culminates with Maha Navami on 19 October, followed by Dussehra on 20 October.
Key Takeaways
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge extended Shardiya Navratri greetings on 11 October 2026 via posts on X .
Both leaders wished citizens happiness, peace, prosperity, and well-being on the occasion.
Shardiya Navratri is a nine-day Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms, the Navadurga .
The festival begins with Ghatasthapana and this year concludes with Maha Navami on 19 October .
Vijayadashami (Dussehra) follows on 20 October 2026 .
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Indian National Congress (INC) national president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday, 11 October extended warm greetings to citizens across the country on the occasion of Shardiya Navratri, wishing happiness, peace, prosperity, and well-being for all. Both leaders took to social media platform X to share their messages on the sacred nine-day Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Durga.
Priyanka Gandhi's Navratri Message
Priyanka Gandhi conveyed her wishes with a heartfelt post on X, invoking the blessings of the goddess. 'Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all fellow citizens on the sacred festival of Sharadiya Navratri dedicated to the worship of Adi Shakti Maa Durga. May the universal mother Maa Jagadamba bring happiness, prosperity, and peace into all your lives. Jai Mata Di,' she posted.
Kharge's Greetings to the Nation
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also shared his wishes on X, expressing hope that the festival would usher in positivity for every household. 'Heartfelt best wishes to all on the grand festival of worship of the embodiment of power, Mother Durga, on the auspicious occasion of Shardiya Navratri. I hope this grand festival brings the flow of happiness, peace, prosperity, and well-being into all your lives,' Kharge posted.
About Shardiya Navratri 2026
Shardiya Navratri, also referred to as Sharad Navratri, commenced on Sunday, 11 October this year. The nine-day festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms, collectively known as Navadurga. Devotees observe the period with prayers, fasting, and religious rituals, seeking the goddess's blessings for strength, peace, and prosperity. Each of the nine days is dedicated to a distinct form of Goddess Durga, with specific customs observed throughout.
The festival formally opens with Ghatasthapana, the ritual that marks the commencement of Navratri. Temples and homes across the country witness intensified religious activity as devotees gather to seek divine blessings for their families and communities.
Key Dates: Maha Navami and Dussehra
According to the festival calendar, Maha Navami will be observed on 19 October, marking the culmination of the nine-day celebrations. Vijayadashami, popularly known as Dussehra, will follow on 20 October, rounding off the festive season with widespread celebrations across India.
Point of View
And this instance carries no policy weight. What is worth noting is the consistent pattern of senior Congress leaders using high-visibility Hindu festivals to communicate directly with constituents on X — a platform-strategy shift from the party that once relied primarily on press statements. With assembly elections on the horizon in several states, the optics of prominent leaders publicly invoking Goddess Durga are unlikely to be incidental. The messaging is culturally calibrated, though it adds little beyond seasonal goodwill.
NationPress
11 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Shardiya Navratri 2026 begin and end?
Shardiya Navratri 2026 began on Sunday, 11 October, and runs for nine days. Maha Navami, marking the culmination, falls on 19 October, with Dussehra (Vijayadashami) following on 20 October.
What did Priyanka Gandhi Vadra post on X for Navratri?
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra posted heartfelt greetings on X, wishing citizens happiness, prosperity, and peace. She invoked Adi Shakti Maa Durga and Maa Jagadamba, concluding her post with 'Jai Mata Di.'
What did Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge say on Navratri?
Kharge extended greetings on X, describing Goddess Durga as the embodiment of power and expressing hope that the festival would bring happiness, peace, prosperity, and well-being to all citizens.
What is the significance of Shardiya Navratri?
Shardiya Navratri is a nine-day Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms (Navadurga). Devotees observe prayers, fasting, and rituals, with each day dedicated to a distinct form of the goddess. It begins with Ghatasthapana and holds deep religious significance across India.
What is Ghatasthapana?
Ghatasthapana is the ritual that formally marks the commencement of Navratri. It is performed on the first day of the festival and involves the symbolic installation of a pot representing the goddess, initiating nine days of worship and religious observance.
