Shivraj Singh Chouhan Greets Nation on Maa Chandraghanta Day
Synopsis
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan marked the third day of Shardiya Navratri 2026 by posting a Sanskrit shloka and Hindi prayer dedicated to Maa Chandraghanta, seeking her blessings for the peace, prosperity, and welfare of all.
Key Takeaways
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan posted Navratri greetings on 13 October 2026 , the third day of Shardiya Navratri .
He opened with a classical Sanskrit shloka describing Maa Chandraghanta , the third form of Aadishakti.
His prayer sought the destruction of sorrows and the bestowal of joy, peace, prosperity, and love upon every household.
Maa Chandraghanta is depicted as ten-armed, riding a tiger, and wearing a crescent moon as a bell on her forehead.
Shardiya Navratri culminates in Vijayadashami (Dussehra) , one of India's most widely celebrated festivals.
On the third day of Shardiya Navratri 2026, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan offered prayers to Maa Chandraghanta — the third manifestation of Aadishakti — and prayed for the welfare and happiness of every living being on earth.
Chouhan opened his post with the classical Sanskrit shloka: 'Pindajapravararudha chandakopastrakairyuta, prasadam tanute mahyam chandraghanteti vishrutaa' — a verse that describes Maa Chandraghanta as one who rides a tiger, wields weapons in a state of fierce resolve, and yet bestows grace upon her devotees.
In the Hindi portion of the post, the minister bowed at the feet of the goddess and prayed: 'O Mother, destroy the sorrows of all and, through your grace, bring auspiciousness and welfare to every being on this earth. May every home be filled with boundless joy, peace, prosperity, and love through your blessings. Jai Maa Chandraghanta!'
Who is Maa Chandraghanta — the third Navratri form
Maa Chandraghanta is worshipped on the third day (Tritiya) of Navratri. Her name derives from the crescent moon (chandra) she wears as a bell (ghanta) on her forehead. Iconography depicts her as ten-armed, riding a tiger, embodying both martial courage and motherly compassion — a duality central to the nine-day festival's spiritual arc.
Shardiya Navratri — the autumn edition of the festival — falls in the Hindu month of Ashwin and is among the most widely observed religious observances across India, culminating in Vijayadashami (Dussehra). Senior political leaders across the spectrum traditionally extend greetings on each of the nine days.
Point of View
A practice that reinforces cultural and religious connect with a large voter base. Chouhan, as a four-term Chief Minister of a state with deep Hindu devotional traditions, has long used such occasions to project a image of accessibility and shared faith. The gesture carries no direct policy weight but is consistent with the BJP's broader cultural-outreach strategy ahead of any electoral cycle. The classical Sanskrit opening, rather than a plain Hindi wish, signals an attempt to signal both learning and piety simultaneously.
NationPress
13 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which goddess is worshipped on the third day of Navratri?
Maa Chandraghanta is worshipped on the third day (Tritiya) of Navratri. She is the third manifestation of Aadishakti and is depicted riding a tiger with a crescent moon on her forehead.
What did Shivraj Singh Chouhan post on Navratri third day 2026?
Shivraj Singh Chouhan posted a Sanskrit shloka praising Maa Chandraghanta and a Hindi prayer seeking her blessings for the peace, prosperity, and welfare of every person on earth.
What is the meaning of the Sanskrit shloka Chouhan posted?
The shloka describes Maa Chandraghanta as one who rides a tiger, is armed with weapons, and yet graciously bestows blessings upon her devotees — capturing her dual nature of fierce power and maternal grace.
When does Shardiya Navratri 2026 end?
Shardiya Navratri 2026 concludes on Vijayadashami (Dussehra) , which falls on the tenth day of the Hindu month of Ashwin. The exact calendar date depends on the lunar calendar for 2026.
Who is Shivraj Singh Chouhan?
Shivraj Singh Chouhan is the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development in the Government of India, and a senior BJP leader who served four terms as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.
