Hansraj Ahir offers prayers to cows at Govardhan Puja festival in Chandrapur

Farming, cow conservation and a bond with nature are the real foundation of Indian culture, former Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said in Chandrapur. According to him, Govardhan Puja is not merely a religious tradition. It honours the labour of farmers, expresses gratitude to nature and respects a rich cultural heritage. He said farming and cow conservation are the roots of Indian culture and that preserving these traditions is everyone's responsibility.

A Govardhan Puja festival was held on November 10, 2026, on the occasion of Diwali, at Jagers Park in Nehru Nagar. At the event, held in an atmosphere of devotion and enthusiasm, Ahir worshipped the cows and expressed gratitude to them. He then honoured cattle keepers by presenting them with stoles and milk cans.

Senior leader Khushal Bonde, OBC leader Dr Ashok Jiwtode, Mayor Sangeetatai Khandekar, BJP leader Prakash Devtale and Yuva Morcha state vice-president Raghuvir Ahir were present. Mohan Chaudhari, Vinod Sherki, Vandanatai Hatgaonkar, Rodmat Gehlot, Ravindra Gurnule, Manoj Paul, Pramod Shastrakar, Ravi Jogi, corporators Nitesh Gawali, Jitesh Kulmethe, Shitaltai Gurnule, Anujatai Tayade and Saralatai Kulsange, Diwakar Puddatwar and Nilesh Belkhede also attended. Former corporator Vitthalrao Dukare, Dinkar Somalkar, mandal president Swapnil Dukare, Pradeep Kirane, Poonam Tiwari, Gautam Yadav, Sanjay Misalwar, Sudama Yadav, former corporator Vanita Dukare, Rutuja Nagapure, Mayur Bhokare, Pravin Gilbile, Sanjay Tiwari, Amit Karpe, Sumit Bele, Ashay Chandankhede, Parag Malode, Anji Matangi, Vinod Pandilwar, Chetan Sharma, Umesh Salunkhe, Janardan Bhujade, Raju Salunkhe, Rajkumar Bhagade, Sagar Wajekar and Shravan Gadai were also present.

Speaking at the event, Ahir said India is an agrarian country. Farmers work day and night to meet the entire society's need for grain, so honouring their labour and expressing gratitude to nature is a cultural responsibility, he said. Govardhan Puja is a celebration of this gratitude and devotion. In his view, protecting traditional values has become even more important in the modern age, and it is essential to pass the legacy of these values to the new generation.

Ahir said the Bharatiya Janata Party is working for social unity, the preservation of cultural traditions and bringing different sections of society together. He said festivals and celebrations are an effective means of binding society and strengthening mutual brotherhood. He said social unity will grow stronger only by preserving one's traditions and culture.

He also said Diwali is the festival of light, and that this light should not be limited to lamps but should also show in our thoughts and deeds. Ahir appealed to everyone to work together to remove darkness, inequality and injustice from society.

People from the surrounding area came to the festival in large numbers and took part freely. The whole venue was filled with devotion and enthusiasm.