RAIPUR: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will celebrate Dussehra festival in Bastar this year as he has been formally invited to attend the historic Bastar Dussehra festival, one of the longest-running and culturally rich celebrations in India.
On September 19, Bastar MP Mahesh Kashyap met HM Shah in New Delhi and extended the invitation on behalf of the Bastar Dussehra Committee and the Manjhi-Chalaki community, that play a central role in the festival’s traditional proceedings.
During the meeting, HM Shah was presented with a sacred image of Maa Danteshwari, the revered deity of Bastar, symbolising the spiritual essence of the event.
HM Shah shared the moments on his X handle and wrote, “Bastar, now free from the grip of Naxalism and embracing a path of peace, is celebrating its festivals with renewed spirit and joy. I have been honoured with an invitation to attend the 75-day-long Muria Darbar, a central part of the Bastar Dussehra festivities.
"This remarkable event stands as a living testament to the region’s rich tribal culture and heritage. I look forward to being part of this celebration and witnessing the vibrant traditions that define Bastar’s identity.”
According to reports, HM Shah has accepted the invitation and is scheduled to visit Bastar on October 4.
His itinerary includes attending the Muria Darbar at Sirhasar Bhavan in Jagdalpur, where he will interact with tribal representatives and review progress on Mission 2026, a central campaign aimed at eliminating Naxalism from the region.
The invitation and HM Shah’s anticipated visit have generated excitement across Bastar, with hopes that his engagement will bring national attention to the region’s cultural heritage and developmental needs.