Mahanadi Is Not Only Our Lifeline but Also the Ever-Flowing Stream of Chhattisgarh’s Faith, Culture and Civilisation: Chief Minister Shri Sai
Chief Minister Performs Maha Aarti and Prays for the Happiness, Prosperity and Well-Being of Chhattisgarh’s People
Water Is Essential for Our Future; Water Conservation Must Become a People’s Movement to Secure Future Generations: Chief Minister
Chief Minister Calls for Conserving Every Drop of Rainwater and Protecting All Water Sources, Including Ponds, Wells and Rivers
Under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Guidance, Jal Sanchay-Jan Bhagidari Campaign Has Made Water Conservation a Collective Commitment: Chief Minister
Continuous Efforts Underway to Strengthen Shivrinarayan’s Religious, Spiritual and Cultural Identity at the National Level
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai participated in the Chitrotpala Ganga Maha Aarti organised on the sacred banks of the Mahanadi River at Shivrinarayan, the holy town associated with Mata Shabari, on Wednesday.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, accompanied by his wife, Smt. Kaushalya Devi Sai, participated in the Maha Aarti with deep faith and devotion. He prayed to Mahanadi Maiya for the happiness, prosperity and well-being of Chhattisgarh and its people.
The Maha Aarti, held amid the glow of lamps, the chanting of Vedic mantras, and the presence of a large number of devotees on the banks of the Mahanadi, added to Shivrinarayan’s spiritual and cultural grandeur.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Shri Sai extended heartfelt greetings to the people of Chhattisgarh on Shivrinarayan Mahotsav and Sharadiya Navratri.
He described the day as highly auspicious and said that participating in the Chitrotpala Ganga Maha Aarti with his wife on the sacred banks of the Mahanadi in the holy land of Mata Shabari was a fortunate occasion for him. He said that the large number of devotees reflected society’s deep connection with its faith, traditions, and rich cultural heritage.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the Mahanadi is the Ganga Maiya of Chhattisgarh. It is not merely a flowing river but an uninterrupted stream of the state’s faith, culture, civilisation and daily life.
For centuries, the Mahanadi has nourished Chhattisgarh, supported its agriculture and economy, and helped its rich culture and civilisation flourish along its banks. Just as people across the country hold Ganga Maiya in deep reverence, Chhattisgarh’s people have immense faith and respect for the Mahanadi. He said reverence for rivers will have true meaning only when people accept their protection, conservation, and cleanliness as collective responsibilities.
Water Conservation Must Become a People’s Movement Through Public Participation: Chief Minister Shri Sai
Calling for water conservation, Chief Minister Shri Sai said water is essential for our future, and we cannot imagine life without it. Water is a priceless gift of nature, and protecting it for future generations is everyone’s responsibility.
Today’s efforts will determine the future of coming generations. Therefore, water conservation must become every citizen’s responsibility. He said that collective awareness and active public participation are the most important factors in conserving water. A culture of saving every drop of rainwater must be developed.
The Chief Minister said that effective rainwater harvesting arrangements should be established wherever possible, whether in villages or cities, homes or public premises. Only when saving water becomes a commitment for every family and every citizen can water conservation truly become a widespread people’s movement.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has made water conservation a national priority and turned it into a public-participation campaign.
Under the Prime Minister’s guidance, the Jal Sanchay-Jan Bhagidari campaign is driving extensive efforts across the country to conserve rainwater and improve groundwater levels. The Prime Minister has highlighted the importance of water conservation on various occasions, including his popular programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’, and encouraged citizens to participate in the campaign.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that, inspired by the Prime Minister, Chhattisgarh must further expand water conservation efforts. Every village, town, and family should join the water conservation campaign, making it a commitment shared by all citizens.
Maximum Rainwater Harvesting and Groundwater Recharge Are the Need of the Hour
Chief Minister Shri Sai said Chhattisgarh is undertaking several commendable efforts to conserve water and promote rainwater harvesting. Innovations being implemented according to local conditions and available resources need to be expanded further. He emphasised the need to encourage various innovations, including the five per cent model for water conservation, saying such initiatives can help conserve more rainwater. He said communities must adopt scientific, locally appropriate measures to ensure rainwater seeps into the ground instead of flowing away.
Small initiatives, such as constructing soak pits, developing groundwater recharge facilities around hand pumps, installing rainwater harvesting systems and protecting local water structures, can produce significant results.
Developing water conservation measures suited to local geography and available resources in villages and cities will help raise groundwater levels and meet future water needs.
The Chief Minister said that traditional ponds, wells and other water sources are not merely water structures but also an important part of the state’s heritage. Their conservation and restoration are essential. He appealed to the people of Chhattisgarh to keep rivers, ponds, wells and all other water sources clean, actively participate in their conservation and maximise rainwater harvesting.
Along with Reverence for Rivers, Let Us Resolve to Protect Them
Chief Minister Shri Sai said the Mahanadi and other rivers of Chhattisgarh are the state’s lifelines. Our reverence for rivers should also inspire us to protect them. He said that events such as the Chitrotpala Ganga Maha Aarti not only strengthen religious and cultural traditions but also remind people of their responsibilities towards nature and rivers.
On this sacred occasion, everyone should resolve not to waste water, protect water sources from pollution, and actively participate in water conservation efforts.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said the government is continuously working on water conservation and groundwater recharge, but the campaign’s real strength lies in public participation. When the government and society work together toward a common objective, they can protect rivers and water sources while ensuring adequate water availability for future generations.
Shivrinarayan Is an Important Centre of Faith and Cultural Heritage
Highlighting the religious and cultural significance of Shivrinarayan, Chief Minister Shri Sai said the sacred town is associated with Bhagwan Shri Ram and Mata Shabari’s devotion. Shivrinarayan holds an important place in Chhattisgarh’s rich spiritual and cultural traditions. Religious and cultural events organised here help connect younger generations with their roots, traditions and heritage.
He said it is essential to further strengthen the distinct identity of important religious and cultural places such as Shivrinarayan. The state government is continuously working to promote their identity more widely while preserving their spiritual significance and cultural heritage.
Union Minister of State Shri Tokhan Sahu said in his address that organising the Maha Aarti on the banks of the Mahanadi strengthens religious faith and reinforces cultural traditions. He said that, just as the Ganga Aarti inspires reverence and respect for rivers, such devotion should also encourage their conservation. Rivers are our lifelines, and protecting them from pollution while keeping them clean and free-flowing is everyone’s collective responsibility.
Finance Minister Shri O.P. Choudhary, also the Minister in Charge of the district, said that continuous efforts are underway to elevate Shivrinarayan’s religious, spiritual, and cultural identity. This sacred town, associated with Bhagwan Shri Ram and Mata Shabari’s devotion, holds special significance. He said that efforts are underway to further establish Shivrinarayan’s glory and importance at the national level and establish it as a distinctive destination among the country’s major religious and cultural centres.
Many devotees participated in the Chitrotpala Ganga Maha Aarti organised on the sacred banks of the Mahanadi. During the Maha Aarti, held in a devotional atmosphere, the gathering expressed reverence for the Mahanadi and received the message about water and environmental conservation.
Smt. Kaushalya Devi Sai, Union Minister of State Shri Tokhan Sahu, Finance Minister Shri O.P. Choudhary, Janjgir-Champa Member of Parliament Smt. Kamlesh Jangde, Shri Narayan Chandel, Shri Mahant Ramsundar Das, several public representatives, distinguished citizens, and a large number of devotees were present.