Kumar Bahukhandi
1.25 Lakh Lamps of Good Wishes: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai joins the lighting of earthen lamps at Mahadev Ghat in Raipur on Thursday, September 17, 2026, as 1.25 lakh ‘Aashirwad’ diyas illuminated the Kharun riverfront on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday-Photo Credit:channel24india.com via CG/DPR
Mahadev Ghat glows on PM Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday as Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai joins citizens in prayers for his health and long life; month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyan begins
Key Highlights
- 1.25 lakh diyas illuminated Mahadev Ghat on the banks of the Kharun River.
- CM Vishnu Deo Sai participated in the Maha Aarti and prayed for PM Narendra Modi’s health and longevity.
- The programme marked Modi’s 76th birthday on September 17.
- Sai recalled his experience of serving in the Union government after Modi became Prime Minister in 2014.
- The Chief Minister spoke about welfare programmes, Chhattisgarh’s development and changes in Bastar.
- The Seva Sankalp Abhiyan will run from September 17 to October 17
Raipur: The banks of the Kharun River at Mahadev Ghat were illuminated by 1.25 lakh earthen lamps on Thursday as Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai joined a grand Deepotsav and Maha Aarti organised under the ‘Aashirwad Ka Diya’ initiative on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday. Contemporary reports from the venue also confirmed the 1.25-lakh diya display and Sai’s participation in the Kharun Maha Aarti.
Sai joined the prayers on behalf of the people of Chhattisgarh, wishing the Prime Minister good health and a long life. The simultaneous lighting of the lamps transformed the riverfront into a large ceremonial gathering combining religious observance with public participation.
Maha Aarti on the Kharun: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai participates in the ceremonial Maha Aarti during the ‘Aashirwad Ka Diya’ programme at Mahadev Ghat in Raipur on September 17, 2026-Photo Credit:channel24india.com via CG/DPR
Addressing the gathering, Sai spoke extensively about Modi’s years in public life, the Centre’s welfare programmes, his own experience of working in the Union government and Chhattisgarh’s development priorities.
“The 1.25 lakh lamps lit today on the sacred banks of Kharun Maiya are an expression of the affection, warmth and good wishes of the people of Chhattisgarh for Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Sai said.
He extended birthday greetings to Modi on behalf of the State and prayed for his health and longevity.
Sai Recalls Working with Modi in Union Government
Sai also recalled the period after Modi became Prime Minister in 2014, when he served as a Union Minister of State.
“When Shri Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014, I too had the opportunity to work in his government as a Union Minister of State. During that period, I had the opportunity to closely observe and understand his working style, discipline, hard work and dedication to public service,” Sai said.
The Chief Minister described Modi’s public career as one centred on governance and public service, from his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister to his years as Prime Minister.
Sai also referred to major decisions taken by the Union government during Modi’s tenure, including the removal of provisions of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and the construction and consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
“Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the country has witnessed several historic decisions and changes that had been awaited for a long time,” he said.
Welfare of the Poor at the Centre
The Chief Minister said welfare programmes for poorer households had remained a major component of the Union government’s agenda, referring to housing, toilets, Jan Dhan bank accounts, LPG connections and food-security measures.
“For Prime Minister Modi, governance has always centred on the poor and the person standing at the last rung of society,” Sai said.
He said programmes addressing basic household requirements had sought to bring more families within the reach of public services and welfare schemes.
Chhattisgarh, Bastar and the Centre
Sai also spoke about Modi’s association with Chhattisgarh and the support the State had received from the Union government.
He credited the Centre, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, security forces and State efforts with advances against Maoist violence, while saying infrastructure and public services were expanding in parts of Bastar affected by conflict. Similar remarks by Sai at the event were reported on Thursday.
“The transformation taking place in the lives of the people of Bastar is giving new strength to our resolve for a developed Chhattisgarh,” Sai said.
He said the State wanted improved security conditions to be accompanied by economic opportunities based on Bastar’s natural resources, tourism, culture and forest-produce economy.
Seva Sankalp Abhiyan Begins
The programme also marked the beginning of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, scheduled from September 17 to October 17. The campaign is being associated with 25 years of Modi’s tenure in elected executive office and is intended to include activities related to cleanliness, health, nutrition, environmental protection, assistance to people in need and public welfare.
Sai called upon citizens to participate in the campaign and take its service-oriented activities into their villages, neighbourhoods and communities.
“This campaign is an opportunity to carry forward the resolve of service, good governance, welfare of the poor and nation-building through public participation,” he said.
A Riverfront Illuminated by 1.25 Lakh Diyas
The evening’s principal visual was the Kharun riverfront itself, where rows of diyas illuminated Mahadev Ghat as the Maha Aarti was performed by Sadhvi Pragya Bharati and other acharyas.
Sai participated in the Maha Aarti. A song dedicated to Modi, composed and rendered by Sadhvi Pragya Bharati, was also released during the programme.
For Sai, the diya represented more than the ceremonial illumination of the riverfront.
“A lamp in Indian culture is a symbol of hope, faith, positivity and light. Every ‘Aashirwad Ka Diya’ lit today represents both our wishes for Prime Minister Modi’s healthy and long life and our resolve for service and nation-building,” the Chief Minister said.
The programme was attended by public representatives, office-bearers of the Sanatan Dhwaj Vahini, volunteers and citizens. Those present included Rajya Sabha MP Laxmi Verma, MLAs Rajesh Munat and Motilal Sahu, Raipur Mayor Meenal Choubey and Kaushalya Sai, among others.
