New Delhi, 19 October (H.S.): President Droupadi Murmu, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and several other political leaders extended their heartfelt greetings to the people of the country on Monday on the occasion of Mahanavami, the ninth day of Sharadiya Navratri.

In a message posted on X, President Murmu wrote, “On the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all Indians living in the country and abroad.”

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla invoked the blessings of Goddess Siddhidatri, the ninth manifestation of Goddess Durga, and prayed for wisdom, spiritual awareness and prosperity for all. He said that Gandharvas, Yakshas, other divine beings, demons and immortals remain devoted to serving the Goddess, who bestows spiritual accomplishments and supernatural powers.

Birla said the divine form of Maa Siddhidatri, the presiding deity of knowledge, spiritual discipline and accomplishment, inspires discernment, spiritual consciousness and self-realisation. He prayed that, through the boundless grace of the Goddess, everyone's life would be filled with knowledge, balance and righteousness. He also expressed hope that, alongside material progress, people would advance on the path of spiritual growth. He prayed that the Goddess's sacred blessings spread happiness, peace, prosperity and auspiciousness throughout the world and fulfil the wishes of all devotees.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that, on the sacred occasion of Mahanavami, he prayed to Goddess Durga to bless everyone with sound judgement, understanding, humility and the inspiration to perform good deeds. He expressed hope that every achievement would contribute to public welfare and that people would continue to follow the path of service, devotion and righteousness. He also prayed for the continued grace of Maa Siddhidatri upon all.

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah said that the blessings of Goddess Durga would always bring happiness, peace and prosperity into the lives of all citizens.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari offered his profound salutations to Maa Siddhidatri, the ninth manifestation of Goddess Durga. He prayed that the four-armed Goddess would bestow spiritual accomplishments upon everyone.

Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the Goddess, worshipped by Gandharvas, Yakshas, other divine beings and demons, would continue to bless devotees with spiritual accomplishments. He prayed that the grace of Maa Siddhidatri, the compassionate ninth manifestation of Goddess Durga and the bestower of the eight siddhis and nine nidhis, would bring dignity, prosperity and good health into the lives of all devotees. He also expressed hope that their wishes would be fulfilled and that the entire universe would benefit from her blessings.

Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh said that, on the final and highly significant day of Navratri, the blessings of Maa Siddhidatri, the ninth manifestation of Goddess Durga, would bring happiness, peace, prosperity and good health into everyone's life.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar