Gandhinagar, October 2026: Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the Vibrant Navratri Festival-2026 at the GMDC Ground in Ahmedabad. On this occasion, over 800 artists presented a mesmerising cultural performance on the theme ‘Aahvaan Maa Adyashakti’, depicting Gujarat’s folk culture, worship of Shakti, music, dance and spiritual traditions.
At the conclusion of the cultural presentation, the Chief Minister and other dignitaries participated in the Maha Aarti of Maa Jagdamba with devotion.
At the commencement of Navratri, the grand festival dedicated to the devotion and worship of Jagat Janani Maa Adyashakti, Chief Minister extended his greetings to all citizens of the state. He appealed to citizens to celebrate Navratri with a commitment to preserving Gujarat’s rich cultural heritage, maintaining cleanliness, and ensuring the women’s safety.
The Chief Minister said that the completion of 25 years of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s service to the people and the nation is a matter of pride. Through visionary leadership and public participation, the Prime Minister has set an inspiring example of achieving meaningful development for the country and the world.
The Chief Minister stated that the Prime Minister’s guidance has played a significant role in giving global recognition to Navratri and Garba, Gujarat’s centuries-old folk traditions. At the same time, the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit has provided a global platform for the entrepreneurial spirit of the state’s trade and industrial sectors. He added that, through the Prime Minister’s vision and efforts, folk festivals have been linked with public participation and tourism. As a result, Gujarat’s cultural identity has gained new heights, while the local economy has also received a boost.
The Chief Minister stated that the Navratri Festival is putting the Prime Minister’s ‘Vocal for Local’ mantra into practice by providing space for handicraft artisans’ markets and products made by women’s self-help groups. This initiative is promoting local products while creating employment and livelihood opportunities for small traders, handicraft artisans and women’s self-help groups. He added that this approach of linking traditional festivals with local products, traditional arts and employment ensures that Navratri is not limited to being merely a cultural festival, but also becomes a symbol of the development of the creative economy. He stated that, through the Prime Minister’s efforts, Garba, an integral part of Gujarat’s unique cultural identity, has been included in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Moreover, events such as the Rann Utsav in Kutch, the Saputara Festival and the Madhavpur Fair are showcasing Gujarat’s rich cultural traditions across India and the world.
Furthermore, through initiatives and landmarks such as the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, the Statue of Unity, Rann Utsav, the Ambaji Corridor, the hoisting of the flag at Pavagadh after 500 years, Kedardham and the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, the Prime Minister has realised the vision of ‘Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi’, alongside cultural nationalism.
The Chief Minister stated that preserving Gujarat’s cultural identity and religious traditions and passing this heritage on to the next generation is a shared responsibility of all.
Emphasising citizens’ participation in the mass movement for cleanliness, Chief Minister stated that the Prime Minister has inspired the ‘Swachhagraha’ movement alongside faith and devotion to ensure that pilgrimage sites remain clean and well-maintained. Referring to the recently held Bhadarvi Poonam Mela, he appealed to citizens to maintain cleanliness at public Garba venues, party plots, residential societies and streets during Navratri. He also urged everyone to participate in ensuring a clean and beautiful environment by disposing of waste properly during the celebrations.
On the auspicious occasion of Navratri, the Chief Minister appealed to citizens to uphold the pride of Gujarat’s culture and heritage, preserve the sanctity of pilgrimage sites and holy places, and make collective efforts to protect the state’s historical and cultural heritage. Describing respect for and the safety of women as a social responsibility, he urged all citizens to make a firm commitment towards this cause.
Expressing confidence that Gujarat would make a leading contribution towards achieving the national goal of building Viksit Bharat @2047, the Chief Minister said that, as Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi completes 25 years of public service and service to the nation as the head of government, Gujarat will carry forward his inspiring journey from ‘Sankalp to Siddhi’ contribute wholeheartedly towards realising this national vision.
In conclusion, Chief Minister prayed to Jagat Janani Maa Amba to grant the strength to fulfil the resolve of building a developed, self-reliant and prosperous Gujarat.
Before the inauguration of the Vibrant Navratri Festival, the Chief Minister visited various attractions, including a thematic exhibition based on nine resolutions, photo zones, selfie points, a special children’s city, a food court and a handicrafts market.
During the visit, he also inaugurated a fair showcasing home-based industries and handicrafts organised by the Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company. He interacted informally with women from the Sakhi Mandals and learned about their products.
At the beginning of the programme, Shri Kuldeep Arya, Secretary of the Tourism Department, welcomed everyone.
On this occasion, Minister of State for Urban Development Smt. Darshana Vaghela, District Panchayat President Surajitsinh Gohil, Mayor Hitesh Barot, Member of Parliament Dinesh Makwana, ambassadors and representatives from Serbia, Ukraine, Palestine, Moldova, Royal Thai, Eritrea, Niger and Nepal, local legislators, senior officials including Collector Bhavya Verma, other dignitaries, and a large number of Garba enthusiasts and citizens were present.
