Odisha: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan goes pandal-hopping on Navami, offers prayers to goddess Durga

Sambalpur (Odisha) [India], October 24 : Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday went pandal-hopping in his native Odisha, visiting a number of Durga Pujas in Sambalpur district on Maha Navami and offering prayers to the goddess.
Earlier, on Monday, the Human Resource and Development Minister visited the birthplace of freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai in Sambalpur and took part in an event organised as part of the BJP's 'Meri Maati Mera Desh' campaign.
Speaking to reporters, Pradhan informed that soil from the birthplace of the freedom fighter will be taken to Delhi and given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a part of the ongoing nationwide campaign.
Speaking to ANI, the Union Minister said, "We are in the last phase of the 'Meri Maati, Mera Desh' campaign. I consider it as my good fortune that I am here today at the birthplace of freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai. The soil from his birthplace will be taken to Delhi and given to the Prime Minister. The soil will be incorporated into the surface at Kartavya Path. As part of the ongoing campaign, soils from the birthplaces of the country's stalwarts are being taken to Delhi."
On Maha Navami, the ninth day of Navratri, devotees worship Goddess Siddhidatri.
Fairs, with swings and slides and food stalls, are organised in different parts of the country during Navaratras.
Revellers and devotees gather in numbers to watch Ramlilas, soaking up the festive ambience. Children, in festive attires, take part in games and other shows organised at these fairs.
Navami is followed by Dussehra, which marks the triumph of the good over the evil.