Kumar Bahukhandi
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai performs aarti of Lord Ganesha at the historic Gol Bazar in Raipur on Monday night, September 14, 2026, joining a Ganeshotsav tradition that has continued for 117 years. Raipur MP Brijmohan Agrawal and other public representatives were also present-Pho credit:channel24india.com via CMO
Chief Minister offers prayers to Lord Ganesha at historic Gol Bazar and visits over 150-year-old Hanuman temple as generations-old celebration brings faith, culture and community together
Key Highlights
- Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai joined the historic Ganeshotsav celebrations at Raipur’s Gol Bazar.
- The Shri Bajrang Navyuvak Mitra Mandal Ganeshotsav Samiti has continued the tradition for 117 years.
- Sai crowned the Ganesha idol, performed aarti and prayed for Chhattisgarh’s peace, progress and prosperity.
- The Chief Minister praised the celebration for preserving cultural heritage across generations.
- Sai also offered prayers at the nearby Hanuman temple, which is more than 150 years old.
- Raipur MP Brijmohan Agrawal and other public representatives joined the programme.
Raipur: A tradition that has endured for 117 years came alive once again in the heart of Raipur as Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai joined devotees at the historic Gol Bazar Ganeshotsav, offering prayers for peace, prosperity and happiness across Chhattisgarh.
Sai visited the Ganeshotsav pandal organised by the Shri Bajrang Navyuvak Mitra Mandal Ganeshotsav Samiti near the Hanuman temple at Gol Bazar on Monday night. Amid devotional chants and the festive atmosphere of Ganesh Chaturthi, he performed rituals before Lord Ganesha and prayed for the welfare and progress of the State.
The Chief Minister placed a crown on the Ganesha idol, applied tilak and performed aarti amid the chanting of mantras.
“Lord Ganesha is the first to be worshipped, the remover of obstacles and the harbinger of auspiciousness,” Sai said, describing Ganeshotsav not only as an important festival of faith and culture but also as a tradition that brings society together.
Prayers at a Historic Temple: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai offers prayers at the more than 150-year-old Hanuman temple at Gol Bazar in Raipur after participating in the Ganeshotsav celebrations on Monday night. He prayed for the happiness, prosperity and welfare of the people of Chhattisgarh-Photo Credit:channel24india.com via CMO
He prayed that Chhattisgarh continue on the path of development and prosperity and that happiness and wellbeing reach every household.
117 Years of Faith in the Heart of Raipur
The Gol Bazar celebration carries a history extending across generations.
According to the information provided, the Shri Bajrang Navyuvak Mitra Mandal Ganeshotsav Samiti has been installing the Ganesha idol near the historic Hanuman temple for the past 117 years, making the celebration one of Raipur’s enduring religious and cultural traditions.
Sai praised the continuity of the festival, saying that preserving a cultural tradition through generations with faith and community participation was itself significant.
“Such traditions not only preserve our cultural heritage but also connect the new generation with its culture and social values,” he said.
The Ganesha idol installed at the venue has over the years become a major centre of devotion and attraction in Gol Bazar, drawing large numbers of people during the festival.
Sai was welcomed by members of the organising committee, local traders and citizens. The sound of drums and chants of “Ganpati Bappa” added to the celebratory atmosphere as committee members felicitated the Chief Minister with garlands.
Prayers at More Than 150-Year-Old Hanuman Temple
After offering prayers to Lord Ganesha, Sai visited the nearby Hanuman temple, which is more than 150 years old.
He offered prayers there as well and sought blessings for the happiness, prosperity and welfare of the people of Chhattisgarh.
The visit brought together two strands of Raipur’s living heritage — the century-old Ganeshotsav tradition and an even older temple that has remained part of the religious and cultural landscape of the historic marketplace.
Raipur MP Brijmohan Agrawal, Shrichand Sundrani, Kedar Gupta, Chhagan Mundra and Amarjeet Chhabra were among those present, along with members of the Ganeshotsav committee, local representatives, traders and devotees.
