Gandhinagar, Oct 19 — Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited the Shree Varadayini Mataji Temple in Rupal village of Gandhinagar district on Monday evening to offer prayers on the ninth day of Navratri, ahead of the traditional Palli Yatra.
Patel sought the blessings of the Goddess and prayed for the health, happiness, peace and prosperity of people, according to officials.
The annual Palli Yatra begins at the Varadayini Mataji Temple during Asho Navratri, drawing devotees who gather to participate in the religious tradition.
The procession is a longstanding feature of Navratri celebrations in Rupal. Before the commencement of the yatra, the Chief Minister offered prayers at the temple.
He also interacted with devotees who had gathered for the occasion and acknowledged their greetings. Gandhinagar District Collector Ravindra Khatale and the temple trustees welcomed Patel during his visit.
The visit coincided with the ninth day of Navratri, also known as Maha Navami, when devotees across Gujarat and other parts of the country offer prayers to the Goddess.
The festival culminates in Vijayadashami, which symbolises the victory of good over evil.
Patel also called for greater social harmony, mutual respect and brotherhood as he extended Vijayadashami greetings to citizens, urging people to work collectively towards unity and inclusive development.
In his message on the occasion of Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra, Patel described the festival as a symbol of the victory of truth over falsehood and righteousness over unrighteousness.
"The occasion represented the triumph of divine forces over evil and offered an opportunity for people to overcome the negativity and inner evils that reside within them," he emphasised.