Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan offers prayers at Odisha temple on Vijayadashami

Angul (Odisha) [India], October 24 : Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday offered prayers at Maa Kundheibira Mandir on the occasion of Vijayadashami in Pallahara in Angul district of Odisha.
During his visit, Pradhan participated in various rituals and offered flowers to the goddess.

"On the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami, I have come to my birthplace, Pallahara, to visit Maa Kundheibira Mandir. I prayed to the Goddess to bless the people and the country with more power, wealth, and wisdom and make India a developed nation by 2047," the minister told ANI.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Tuesday offered prayers to 'Maa Jwala Devi' at the Jwala Ji temple in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra on 'Vijaya Dashmi' and also, on the occasion of his birthday.
"...I extend greetings to the countrymen on Vijayadashmi. At Maa Jwala Ji Temple, I would like to pray that our country keeps going forward, Himachal Pradesh also keeps progressing and that the blessings of Maa Jwala be with all of us...Greetings to everyone on Dussehra", Thakur said while speaking to reporters in Kangra.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh extended his wishes on Vijayadashami to the troops during his visit to the India-China border at Arunachal's Bum La.
He appreciated the efforts of the soldiers in securing the borders of the country in sub-minus temperatures at an altitude of 15000 feet above sea level.
"I wanted to see the tougher conditions in which our soldiers were securing India's borders," Rajnath Singh told troops.
Singh who is on a two-day visit to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh attended the wreath-laying ceremony, engaged with the security personnel deployed in the strategically vital Tawang sector, performed Shashtra Puja, held special prayers.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah offered prayers at Bahuchar Mata Temple in Gujarat's Gandhinagar and also had lunch at the temple.
Earlier in the day, Shah extended his greetings to the people on the occasion of Vijayadashami.
Taking to social media platform X, the minister said, "Best wishes to all the countrymen on 'Vijayadashami'. No matter how dense the darkness of unrighteousness is, the victory of the light of righteousness based on truth is eternal. Symbolic of the victory of virtue over sin, 'Vijayadashami' is a festival that inspires and teaches us to always follow the path of wisdom and truth. May Lord Shri Ram bless everyone. Jai Shri Ram!"
'Vijyayadashmi' or 'Dussehra', is celebrated to mark the triumph of good over evil.
It is believed that Lord Rama killed Ravan on this day, and with this belief, the culture of burning the effigies of Ravan began.
Vijayadashmi marks the end of the five-day festivities of Durga Puja, and it also marks the culmination of the nine-day-long Navratri festival.
'Dussehra' or 'Vijayadashmi' also starts the preparations for Deepavali, the important festival of lights, which is celebrated 20 days after Vijayadashami.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings to the people.
"Best wishes to my family members across the country on Vijaya Dashmi. This holy festival brings the message of ending negative forces as well as adopting goodness in life. Wishing you all a Happy Vijaya Dashmi!" PM Modi wrote on 'X'.