Key Highlights

• The plan: Durga Saptashati recitations and devotional songs in 26 Uttar Pradesh temples during the last three days of Navratri.
• The message: Awareness about the safety, dignity and self-reliance of women and girls.
• Under: The state’s Mission Shakti initiative.
• For artists: Three local artists will perform at each temple, many of them women.
• Major temples: Vindhyavasini Devi (Mirzapur), Vishalakshi (Varanasi), Alopi Devi (Prayagraj) and Chandrika Devi (Lucknow).

The Uttar Pradesh government is organising recitations of the Durga Saptashati and devotional performances in temples dedicated to Goddess Durga across the state during the final days of Sharadiya Navratri. The programmes, held under the state’s Mission Shakti initiative, aim to spread awareness about the safety and dignity of women and girls.

“Our endeavour is to ensure that these religious events serve as a catalyst for social change, fostering awareness regarding the safety, dignity, and self-reliance of women and girls,” said Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh.

Where the Programmes Will Be Held

In all, the programmes will be held at 26 temples.

A Stage for Local Women Artists

Three local artists will perform at each temple, many of them women. Across 26 temples, that means around 78 performers will get an opportunity to present traditional devotional songs and folk music, along with some livelihood support. “These programmes will also provide local artists, especially women, an opportunity to showcase their talent,” the minister said.

Why It Matters: Linking Shakti Worship With Women’s Safety

Navratri celebrates the Goddess as Shakti, the divine feminine power. The Durga Saptashati, a sacred text of 700 verses describing the Goddess’s victories over evil, is recited widely during the festival. By linking these recitations with Mission Shakti, the government is attempting to connect the festival’s spiritual message with a social one: respect and safety for women in everyday life.

Giving women artists the stage in these temples also turns the message into practice, offering visibility and income to performers who often struggle for opportunities.

In 26 temples across Uttar Pradesh, the final days of Navratri will combine devotion, folk music and a message for women’s dignity, with local women artists at the centre of the celebrations.

With inputs from IANS.

Key Highlights

• The plan: Durga Saptashati recitations and devotional songs in 26 Uttar Pradesh temples during the last three days of Navratri.
• The message: Awareness about the safety, dignity and self-reliance of women and girls.
• Under: The state’s Mission Shakti initiative.
• For artists: Three local artists will perform at each temple, many of them women.
• Major temples: Vindhyavasini Devi (Mirzapur), Vishalakshi (Varanasi), Alopi Devi (Prayagraj) and Chandrika Devi (Lucknow).

The Uttar Pradesh government is organising recitations of the Durga Saptashati and devotional performances in temples dedicated to Goddess Durga across the state during the final days of Sharadiya Navratri. The programmes, held under the state’s Mission Shakti initiative, aim to spread awareness about the safety and dignity of women and girls.

“Our endeavour is to ensure that these religious events serve as a catalyst for social change, fostering awareness regarding the safety, dignity, and self-reliance of women and girls,” said Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh.

Where the Programmes Will Be Held

In all, the programmes will be held at 26 temples.

A Stage for Local Women Artists

Three local artists will perform at each temple, many of them women. Across 26 temples, that means around 78 performers will get an opportunity to present traditional devotional songs and folk music, along with some livelihood support. “These programmes will also provide local artists, especially women, an opportunity to showcase their talent,” the minister said.

Why It Matters: Linking Shakti Worship With Women’s Safety

Navratri celebrates the Goddess as Shakti, the divine feminine power. The Durga Saptashati, a sacred text of 700 verses describing the Goddess’s victories over evil, is recited widely during the festival. By linking these recitations with Mission Shakti, the government is attempting to connect the festival’s spiritual message with a social one: respect and safety for women in everyday life.

Giving women artists the stage in these temples also turns the message into practice, offering visibility and income to performers who often struggle for opportunities.

In 26 temples across Uttar Pradesh, the final days of Navratri will combine devotion, folk music and a message for women’s dignity, with local women artists at the centre of the celebrations.

With inputs from IANS.