Amit Shah lays foundation for 81-foot Shiva statue in Gandhinagar during Navratri
Synopsis
Home Minister Amit Shah marked Navratri in his home constituency of Gandhinagar by laying the foundation stone for an 81-foot Shiva statue at the Varadayini Mata temple in Rupal — a site famed for its annual Palli festival — before joining family prayers at the Bahuchara Mata temple in Mansa on the festival's sixth day.
Key Takeaways
Amit Shah laid the foundation stone for an 81-foot Shiva statue at the Shaktipeeth Shri Varadayini Mataji temple complex in Rupal, Gandhinagar district on 16 October 2026 .
Shah offered prayers at the Varadayini Mata temple before the foundation-laying ceremony; Rupal is situated approximately 15 km from Gandhinagar .
On the sixth day of Sharadiya Navratri , Shah visited the Bahuchara Mata temple in Mansa with his family, participating in the aarti.
Earlier in the day, he met Jain spiritual leaders in Ahmedabad at Prerna Tirth and Shri Vishwanandikar Jain Sangh .
Shah represents the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency , where the proposed statue will serve as a major new landmark.
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Friday, 16 October 2026, laid the foundation stone for a proposed 81-foot-tall statue of Lord Shiva at the Shaktipeeth Shri Varadayini Mataji temple complex in the Rupal area of Gandhinagar district, Gujarat. The ceremony was among the centrepiece engagements of Shah's religious tour of the state coinciding with the Sharadiya Navratri festival.
Foundation Stone Ceremony at Rupal
Before laying the foundation stone, Shah offered prayers and sought blessings at the Varadayini Mata temple. The proposed statue will stand within the temple complex, which is located roughly 15 km from Gandhinagar. Rupal is well known for this Shaktipeeth and its annual Palli festival, whose ceremonial procession draws large gatherings of devotees every Navratri season. The foundation-laying adds a new landmark dimension to a site already of considerable religious significance in the region.
Bahuchara Mata Temple Visit on Navratri's Sixth Day
Later on Friday evening, on the sixth day of Sharadiya Navratri, Shah travelled to the Bahuchara Mata temple in Mansa accompanied by his family. He bowed before the deity, participated in the aarti, and reportedly prayed for the well-being of the people of Gujarat and the country at large. The Bahuchara Mata temple is one of Gujarat's most revered religious sites, drawing devotees throughout the year and especially during major festivals.
Earlier Meetings with Jain Spiritual Leaders
Earlier in the day, Shah visited two Jain spiritual figures in Ahmedabad. He sought the blessings of Gachchhadhipati Acharya Nar Ratna Surishwarji Maharaj at Prerna Tirth in the Satellite area, followed by a visit to Gachchhadhipati Uday Ratna Surishwarji Maharaj at Shri Vishwanandikar Jain Sangh in Paldi. The meetings underlined the breadth of Shah's religious outreach across communities during his Gujarat visit.
Constituency Connect and Broader Context
Shah represents the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, making these visits both a religious engagement and a homecoming of sorts. The Rupal Palli festival, held annually during Navratri, is a major cultural and devotional event for the region's communities, and the foundation stone for the Shiva statue is expected to further elevate the site's prominence. The construction of large religious statues has gained momentum across several Indian states in recent years, with the proposed 81-foot structure set to become a significant landmark in Gandhinagar district once completed.
Point of View
Family aarti at a Shakti temple, and blessings from Jain acharyas — is a carefully calibrated display of cross-community religious outreach in his home constituency. The 81-foot statue announcement follows a broader national pattern of large religious infrastructure projects being championed by BJP leaders, from the Ram temple in Ayodhya to the Statue of Unity in Gujarat itself. Whether these projects deliver lasting constituency dividends or become targets of opposition criticism over resource allocation is a question that will sharpen as construction progresses. For now, Navratri has handed Shah a high-visibility platform to reinforce his Gujarat roots ahead of any future electoral cycle.
NationPress
16 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 81-foot Shiva statue that Amit Shah laid the foundation for?
It is a proposed 81-foot-tall statue of Lord Shiva to be built within the Shaktipeeth Shri Varadayini Mataji temple complex in Rupal, Gandhinagar district, Gujarat. The foundation stone was laid by Home Minister Amit Shah on 16 October 2026 during the Navratri festival.
Where is the Varadayini Mata temple in Rupal located?
The Varadayini Mata temple is situated in Rupal, a locality approximately 15 km from Gandhinagar in Gujarat. The site is known for its annual Palli festival held during Navratri, which draws large numbers of devotees each year.
Why did Amit Shah visit the Bahuchara Mata temple during Navratri?
Shah visited the Bahuchara Mata temple in Mansa with his family on the sixth day of Sharadiya Navratri, participating in the aarti and praying for the well-being of Gujarat and the country. The Bahuchara Mata temple is one of Gujarat's most prominent religious shrines.
Which Jain spiritual leaders did Amit Shah meet in Ahmedabad?
Shah met Gachchhadhipati Acharya Nar Ratna Surishwarji Maharaj at Prerna Tirth in the Satellite area and Gachchhadhipati Uday Ratna Surishwarji Maharaj at Shri Vishwanandikar Jain Sangh in Paldi, both in Ahmedabad, earlier on the same day.
What is the significance of Rupal's Palli festival?
The Palli festival is an annual Navratri celebration centred on the Varadayini Mata temple in Rupal, with the ceremonial procession of the Palli as its defining feature. The event draws large numbers of devotees to Rupal each year, making it one of the notable regional religious gatherings in Gandhinagar district.
