Garba Festival Symbolises Our Rich Cultural Traditions and Respect for Women: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai

*Chief Minister Shri Sai Attends Various Garba Festivals in Raipur, Offers Prayers at Durga Puja Pandals*

*Respect, Safety and Economic Empowerment of Women Are Our Government’s Top Priority: Chief Minister*

*Nearly 68 Lakh Women Receive Rs. 1,000 Every Month under Mahtari Vandan Yojana; 14 Lakh Women in the State Have Become Lakhpati Didis*

*Preserving Culture and Faith Alongside Development Is Our Commitment; Work Underway to Develop the State’s Major Devi Shaktipeeths*

Raipur, 19 October 2026/

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai attended various Garba festivals and Durga Puja celebrations in Raipur on Sunday. Extending warm greetings and best wishes to the people of the state on Sharadiya Navratri, he prayed to Maa Adishakti for Chhattisgarh’s prosperity, peace and well-being.

Chief Minister Shri Sai said that Navratri is not only a major festival dedicated to the worship of Maa Durga, the embodiment of strength, but also a celebration of our rich cultural traditions, social unity and respect for women. Celebrations such as Garba and Durga Puja keep our faith and traditions alive while bringing society together through love, harmony and brotherhood.

The Chief Minister visited the Durga Puja pandals set up by the Mana Bazar Sarvajanik Durga Puja Samiti and the Sarvajanik Shri Shri Durga Puja Samiti, where he had darshan of Maa Durga and offered prayers. Bowing before the Goddess, he sought her blessings for the welfare of the people and the continued progress of Chhattisgarh.

He subsequently attended ‘Raas Garba with Bhajan Dandiya’, organised by the youth wing of the Pujya Chhattisgarh Sindhi Panchayat at Hukum Lalit Mahal; Raas Garba at Rambagh; the ‘Sorathi Rang Rangeelo’ Navratri festival organised by Shri Dasha Sorathiya Vanik Samaj at Ram Mangalam Lawn in Pachpedi Naka; and ‘Sankalp Garba’, organised by the Navratri Evam Raas Garba Utsav Samiti at the BTI Ground in Shankar Nagar. Community members and devotees warmly welcomed Chief Minister Shri Sai at the various venues.

The Chief Minister said that the country and Chhattisgarh were filled with devotion, faith and joy on the sacred occasion of Navratri. Garba is a beautiful expression of reverence and devotion to Maa Durga. Originating in Gujarat’s cultural traditions, it has become popular across the country and emerged as a symbol of India’s cultural unity. He said that India’s distinctive strength lies in its unity in diversity. Festivals bring together different communities and generations and inspire people to remain connected to their roots and culture.

*Navratri Celebrates the Dignity and Strength of Women*

Greeting the mothers, sisters and daughters present in large numbers at the Garba celebrations, Chief Minister Shri Sai said that Indian culture has always regarded women as an embodiment of strength. Navratri reminds us to honour women, uphold their dignity and recognise their invaluable contribution to building society.

He said that when women become stronger, participate in decision-making and achieve financial independence, they strengthen their families and society as a whole. Ensuring women’s safety, dignity and economic self-reliance is therefore among the state government’s highest priorities.

*Mahtari Vandan Provides Financial Support to Women*

Chief Minister Shri Sai said that assistance of Rs. 1,000 is being transferred directly into the bank accounts of nearly 68 lakh women in the state every month under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana. This financial support is enabling women to make their own decisions about their needs, both large and small. The assistance is also helping meet children’s educational expenses, family requirements and household needs.

He said that the government’s objective is not merely to provide financial assistance, but also to build women’s confidence and help them achieve self-reliance and prosperity. Today, 14 lakh women in Chhattisgarh have become Lakhpati Didis. This achievement reflects their hard work, enterprise and capabilities. The state government is creating new opportunities for women’s economic progress through self-help groups, livelihood activities and various schemes.

*Worship of the Goddess Is Integral to Chhattisgarh’s Cultural Identity*

Chief Minister Shri Sai said that Chhattisgarh is the sacred land of Mata Kaushalya, Maa Danteshwari, Maa Bamleshwari, Maa Mahamaya and Maa Chandrahasini. The state’s glorious tradition of worshipping Adishakti and the Goddess has continued for centuries.

He said that during Navratri, a remarkable atmosphere of devotion prevails at Devi temples and Shaktipeeths across the state, from Dantewada to Dongargarh and from Ratanpur to Chandrapur. Lakhs of devotees visit these shrines for darshan and blessings. This spiritual and cultural heritage is an invaluable legacy of Chhattisgarh.

The Chief Minister said that it is our responsibility to preserve this heritage and connect the younger generation with it. Garba, Durga Puja and other traditional celebrations are effective ways to introduce young people to their culture and pass on its values.

*Development and Heritage Must Progress Together: Chief Minister*

Chief Minister Shri Sai said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the country is progressing while preserving its heritage. The Prime Minister has renewed people’s pride in their culture, traditions and glorious legacy.

He said that, guided by the same spirit, the Chhattisgarh Government is committed to the state’s overall development as well as the preservation and promotion of its cultural, religious and spiritual heritage. Work is continuing to develop the state’s major Devi Shaktipeeths and religious sites to provide better facilities for devotees and greater recognition for these places at the national level.

Chief Minister Shri Sai said that Chhattisgarh is rapidly achieving new milestones in development. The government’s endeavour is to ensure that its culture and traditions keep pace with modern development and become a source of identity and strength for a developed Chhattisgarh. This balance between development and heritage will keep future generations connected to their roots while leading them towards a bright future.

Participants dressed in traditional attire presented attractive Garba and Dandiya performances at the various celebrations. Amid devotional songs and traditional music, citizens present in large numbers enthusiastically shared the joy of the festival. Appreciating the efforts of the organising committees, Chief Minister Shri Sai said that such celebrations strengthen social harmony and play an important role in passing on our cultural heritage from one generation to the next.

Concluding his address, Chief Minister Shri Sai prayed to Maa Durga for the good health, prosperity and well-being of the people. He expressed the hope that Maa Adishakti’s blessings would always remain with Chhattisgarh and that the state would continue to progress on the path of peace, prosperity and development.

*The Beat of the Mandar Now Celebrates Prosperity in Bastar: Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap*

Extending greetings and best wishes to the people on Sharadiya Navratri, Cabinet Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, the double-engine government has fought a decisive battle against Naxalism. As a result, Bastar is now entering a new era of peace, trust and development.

He said that places in Bastar once shaken by gunfire and bomb blasts now resonate with the joyful beat of the mandar. Bastar’s changing circumstances are a source of pride and happiness for all of Chhattisgarh. He added that the establishment of peace is also bringing renewed recognition to Bastar’s rich tribal culture, traditions and way of life.

Cabinet Minister Shri Guru Khushwant Saheb, MLA Shri Motilal Sahu, Chairman of the Chhattisgarh State Civil Supplies Corporation Shri Sanjay Shrivastava, Shri Amit Chimnani and Shri Mahesh Daryani of the Sindhi community, Shri Nitin Dholakia of Shri Dasha Sorathiya Vanik Samaj, office-bearers of various communities, public representatives, members of the organising committees, devotees and a large number of citizens were present.