Chief Minister attends Garba celebrations and visits Durga Puja pandals in Raipur; says women’s safety, dignity and economic empowerment are top priorities
Mahtari Vandan Yojana provides ₹1,000 monthly assistance to nearly 68 lakh women; 14 lakh women in Chhattisgarh have become Lakhpati Didis
State government committed to preserving cultural heritage alongside development, with work underway to develop major Shakti Peeths
Raipur, October 2026: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai participated in various Garba festivals and Durga Puja celebrations organised in the state capital, Raipur. Extending his heartfelt greetings to the people on the occasion of Sharadiya Navratri, he prayed to Maa Adishakti for the happiness, prosperity and peace of Chhattisgarh.
The Chief Minister said Navratri is not only a major festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga, the embodiment of divine feminine power, but also a celebration of India’s rich cultural traditions, social unity and respect for women. Events such as Garba and Durga Puja keep faith and traditions alive while bringing society together through love, harmony and brotherhood.
Sai visited the Durga Puja pandals set up by the Mana Bazaar Sarvajanik Durga Puja Samiti and the Sarvajanik Shri Shri Durga Puja Samiti. He offered prayers to Goddess Durga and sought her blessings for the welfare of the people and the continued progress of Chhattisgarh.
Later, the Chief Minister attended several Garba events across Raipur. These included Raas Garba with Bhajan Dandiya, organised by the revered Chhattisgarh Sindhi Panchayat Youth Wing at Hukum Lalit Mahal; Raas Garba at Rambagh; the Sorathi Rang Rangilo Navratri festival organised by the Shri Dasha Sorathia Vanik Samaj at Ram Mangalam Lawn near Pachpedi Naka; and Sankalp Garba, organised by the Navratri and Raas Garba Utsav Samiti at the BTI Ground in Shankar Nagar. Members of various communities and devotees warmly welcomed the Chief Minister at the events.
Sai said an atmosphere of devotion, faith and enthusiasm prevails across India and Chhattisgarh during the auspicious period of Navratri. Garba is a beautiful expression of devotion to Goddess Durga. Originating in Gujarat’s cultural traditions, it has gained popularity across the country and has become a symbol of India’s cultural unity.
He emphasised that India’s strength lies in its unity in diversity. Festivals bring together different societies, communities and generations while inspiring people to remain connected to their cultural roots.
Navratri celebrates women’s strength and dignity
Greeting the large number of women and girls attending the Garba celebrations, Sai said Indian culture has traditionally regarded women as embodiments of strength. Navratri serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting women, safeguarding their dignity and recognising their invaluable contribution to society.
He said empowering women, ensuring their participation in decision-making and helping them achieve financial independence strengthens not only families but society as a whole. Accordingly, the safety, dignity and economic self-reliance of women remain among the state government’s highest priorities.
Mahtari Vandan provides financial support to women
The Chief Minister said the Mahtari Vandan Yojana provides monthly financial assistance of ₹1,000 directly into the bank accounts of nearly 68 lakh women in Chhattisgarh.
The assistance enables women to make independent decisions regarding their everyday needs and helps them meet household expenses, support their children’s education and address other family requirements.
Sai said the government’s objective extends beyond providing financial assistance. It also seeks to strengthen women’s confidence and help them progress towards self-reliance and prosperity.
He noted that 14 lakh women in Chhattisgarh have become Lakhpati Didis, describing the achievement as evidence of women’s hard work, entrepreneurial spirit and capabilities. The state government is creating new avenues for economic advancement through self-help groups, livelihood activities and various welfare schemes.
Worship of the Goddess is integral to Chhattisgarh’s cultural identity
Sai said Chhattisgarh is the sacred land of Mata Kaushalya and is home to revered shrines dedicated to Maa Danteshwari, Maa Bamleshwari, Maa Mahamaya and Maa Chandrahansini. The worship of Adishakti and the tradition of devotion to the Goddess have been an integral part of the state’s heritage for centuries.
During Navratri, temples and Shakti Peeths across the state—from Dantewada to Dongargarh and Ratanpur to Chandrapur—witness a remarkable atmosphere of devotion, with lakhs of devotees arriving to seek the Goddess’s blessings.
Describing this spiritual and cultural legacy as an invaluable heritage, the Chief Minister said it was the responsibility of the present generation to preserve it and connect younger people with these traditions. Garba, Durga Puja and other traditional celebrations play an important role in introducing young people to their cultural roots and passing on enduring values.
Development and heritage must progress together
The Chief Minister said India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is advancing by combining development with the preservation of its heritage. He noted that the Prime Minister had fostered a renewed sense of pride among citizens in the country’s culture, traditions and glorious legacy.
Sai said the Chhattisgarh government was similarly committed to the state’s overall development while protecting and promoting its cultural, religious and spiritual heritage. Work is underway to develop major Shakti Peeths and religious sites to provide better facilities for devotees and give these destinations greater national recognition.
He added that Chhattisgarh was rapidly achieving new milestones in development. The government’s endeavour is to ensure that culture and traditions are not left behind in the pursuit of modernisation but instead become defining strengths of a developed Chhattisgarh.
The Chief Minister said this balance between development and heritage would keep future generations connected to their roots while guiding the state towards a brighter future.
Bastar now echoes with the rhythms of prosperity: Kedar Kashyap
Cabinet Minister Kedar Kashyap extended his greetings to the people on Sharadiya Navratri and said the double-engine government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s guidance, had fought a decisive battle against Naxalism.
He said the outcome was visible in Bastar, which was entering a new phase of peace, trust and development.
“Where the sounds of gunpowder and bomb blasts were once heard in Bastar, the beats of the mandar drum of prosperity are now resonating,” Kashyap said, adding that the region’s transformation was a source of pride and happiness for the entire state.
He also noted that the restoration of peace was helping Bastar’s rich tribal culture, traditions and folk life gain renewed recognition.
At the various Garba events, participants dressed in traditional attire presented colourful Garba and Dandiya performances. Accompanied by devotional songs and traditional music, large crowds enthusiastically celebrated the festival.
Sai praised the efforts of the organising committees, saying such events strengthen social harmony and help pass the state’s cultural heritage from one generation to the next.
Concluding his engagements, the Chief Minister prayed to Goddess Durga for the good health, happiness and prosperity of the people. He expressed hope that the blessings of Maa Adishakti would always remain upon Chhattisgarh and that the state would continue to advance on the path of peace, prosperity and development.
Cabinet Minister Khushwant Saheb, MLA Motilal Sahu, Chhattisgarh Civil Supplies Corporation Chairman Sanjay Shrivastava, Sindhi community representatives Amit Chimnani and Mahesh Daryani, Shri Dasha Sorathia Vanik Samaj representative Nitin Dholakia, along with community leaders, public representatives, members of organising committees, devotees and a large number of citizens, were present on the occasion.
