Gujarat Dy CM Harsh Sanghavi offers Navratri prayers at Chotila's Chamunda Mata temple
Synopsis
Gujarat Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi marked Navratri by visiting the iconic Chamunda Mata temple atop Chotila hill in Surendranagar, hoisting the flag, performing rituals, and joining a Garba event with police families — a visit that also brought together a wide cross-section of the state's political and administrative leadership.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi visited the Chamunda Mata temple at Chotila, Surendranagar on 15 October 2026 during Sharadiya Navratri .
He performed flag worship at the foothills and offered prayers atop Chotila hill , seeking blessings for the welfare of Gujarat's people.
Sanghavi attended a Garba event organised by police families and appreciated traditional performances including Talwar Raas .
He was welcomed with traditional Zhalawadi umbrellas , shehnai music and a ceremonial Zhalawadi coat and turban .
Senior officials including IG Nirlipt Rai , District Collector G.H.
Solanki , and several MLAs and MPs attended the event.
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi visited the Chamunda Mata temple at Chotila in Surendranagar district on Thursday, 15 October 2026, during Sharadiya Navratri, offering prayers for the well-being and prosperity of the state and ceremonially hoisting the flag at the prominent pilgrimage site.
Prayers and Flag Worship at Chotila Hill
Sanghavi first performed flag worship at the foothills of Chotila before ascending to the temple atop the hill. There, he participated in religious rituals amid the chanting of sacred mantras and sought the blessings of Maa Chamunda. He prayed for the happiness, progress and welfare of the people of Gujarat.
On his arrival at the foothills, the Deputy Chief Minister was welcomed with traditional Zhalawadi umbrellas, drum beats and shehnai music. Officials received him by presenting a traditional Zhalawadi coat and turban. He also greeted devotees and others gathered at the site.
Garba with Police Families on the Hill
Sanghavi attended a Garba event organised by police families at the hill, interacting with participating artists and appreciating their performances. Local performers presented traditional Raas, while young girls performing Talwar Raas — a traditional sword dance — were among the highlights of the evening.
Officials and Elected Representatives Present
The visit drew a gathering of senior political figures and administrative officials. Among those present were Deputy Chief Whip Jagdish Makwana, Member of Parliament Chandubhai Shihora, District Panchayat President Ranjan Bhusdiya, and MLAs Shamji Chauhan, P.K. Parmar, Kiritsinh Rana and Udaybhai Kangad.
Also attending were Mayor Rakesh Rathod, Deputy Mayor Smita Raval, Standing Committee Chairman Nikhil Champaneri, and local leaders Hitendrasinh Chauhan and Hardik Tamaliya. Senior officials including Range Inspector General of Police Nirlipt Rai, District Collector G.H. Solanki, District Development Officer K.S. Yagnik and Superintendent of Police Premsukh Delu were also present. Office-bearers, mahants of the Chotila Temple Trust and large numbers of devotees attended the event.
Navratri Arrangements at Chotila
The Chotila temple draws large numbers of devotees during Sharadiya Navratri each year, with pilgrims arriving to seek the blessings of Maa Chamunda. The district administration has put in place arrangements to facilitate the movement and convenience of pilgrims throughout the festival period. Sanghavi's visit underscores the political and religious significance of Chotila as a cultural landmark in Gujarat's festive calendar.
Point of View
Multiple MLAs, district-level administrative heads and police leadership at a single temple visit reflects how political and institutional presence at religious gatherings remains a fixture of Gujarat's governance culture. While the event is ceremonial in nature, the participation of police families in a state-organised Garba at a pilgrim site is a soft-power signal worth noting — it blends community policing optics with festive outreach in a region that has historically been sensitive to law-and-order during mass gatherings.
NationPress
16 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Gujarat Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi visit Chotila?
Harsh Sanghavi visited the Chamunda Mata temple at Chotila in Surendranagar during Sharadiya Navratri on 15 October 2026 to offer prayers for the well-being and prosperity of Gujarat. He also ceremonially hoisted the flag at the pilgrimage site and joined a Garba event organised by police families.
What is the Chotila Chamunda Mata temple?
The Chamunda Mata temple at Chotila is a prominent Hindu pilgrimage site situated atop Chotila hill in Surendranagar district, Gujarat. It is especially significant during Sharadiya Navratri, when large numbers of devotees visit to seek the blessings of Maa Chamunda.
What is Talwar Raas, performed during the Chotila Navratri event?
Talwar Raas is a traditional Gujarati folk dance performed with swords, typically by young girls during Navratri celebrations. It was one of the highlights of the cultural performances witnessed by Sanghavi during his visit to Chotila hill.
Who accompanied Harsh Sanghavi during the Chotila visit?
Several elected representatives and senior officials were present, including MP Chandubhai Shihora, Deputy Chief Whip Jagdish Makwana, multiple MLAs, Mayor Rakesh Rathod, Range IG Nirlipt Rai, District Collector G.H. Solanki, and Superintendent of Police Premsukh Delu, among others.
What arrangements were made for pilgrims at Chotila during Navratri?
The district administration has put in place logistical arrangements to facilitate the movement and convenience of pilgrims visiting Chotila during the Sharadiya Navratri festival period, according to officials present at the event.
