Navratri: 78 Local Artists to Perform at 26 UP Temples Under Yogi Government Initiative

Uttar Pradesh will host Devi song performances and Durga Saptashati recitations at 26 temples during Navratri, providing 78 local artists, mostly women, a platform to showcase their talent.

Navratri programmes promote women’s safety and local talent (Img: IANS)

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government will organise cultural programmes at 26 major Devi temples across the state from Saptami to Navami of Sharadiya Navratri, combining religious traditions with a message of women's safety, dignity and self-reliance under Mission Shakti.

The three-day events, running from Saturday to Monday, will feature performances of traditional Devi songs and recitations of the Durga Saptashati. The initiative also aims to provide a platform for local artists, with 78 performers, most of them women, set to participate.

Mission Shakti to Promote Women's Safety and Self-Reliance

The programmes will focus on preserving traditional forms of devotional singing while spreading awareness about women's safety, dignity and self-reliance. The state government plans to use the Navratri celebrations to connect cultural traditions with social awareness.

Three local artists will perform at each venue, giving 78 artists an opportunity to showcase their talent across the 26 temples. Women artists will make up the majority of the performers.

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The Chandrika Devi and Sankata Devi temples in Lucknow, along with the Alopi Devi and Lalita Devi temples in Prayagraj, will each host three artists. A total of 12 performers will take part across these four temples, while three artists will perform at each of the remaining 22 venues.

Jaiveer Singh Highlights Opportunities for Local Artists

Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said the celebrations would combine religious faith with cultural preservation and social awareness.

"Sharadiya Navratri is a festival of faith, Shakti and cultural traditions. Our aim is to use religious events as a medium for social change and raise awareness among women and girls about safety, dignity, and self-reliance. These programs will give local artists, particularly women artists, a chance to showcase their talent. Along with promoting traditional Devi songs and folk culture, this will also support the livelihoods of artists."

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The initiative is also expected to create performance opportunities for local artists and support their livelihoods while keeping folk traditions alive.

List of Temples Hosting Navratri Programmes

The three-day cultural programmes will be held at the following 26 temples and religious sites across Uttar Pradesh:

1. Maa Vindhyavasini Devi, Mirzapur
2. Vishalakshi Temple, Varanasi
3. Jwala Devi, Sonbhadra
4. Sita Samahit Sthal, Sitamarhi (Bhadohi)
5. Alopshankari Devi, Prayagraj
6. Lalita Devi, Prayagraj
7. Kadavasini, Kaushambi
8. Devipatan, Balrampur
9. Lalita Devi, Naimisharanya (Sitapur)
10. Shakumbhari Devi, Saharanpur
11. Katyayani Devi, Mathura
12. Maa Sheetla Chaukiya Dham, Jaunpur
13. Belha Devi, Pratapgarh
14. Mahalakshmi Devi Temple, Varanasi
15. Chandrika Devi, Unnao
16. Devkali Temple, Auraiya
17. Maa Tarkulha Devi Dham, Gorakhpur
18. Maa Sheetla Mata Sthal, Mau
19. Maa Singh Vahini Kali Devi, Chitrakoot
20. Gayatri Shaktipeeth, Hamirpur
21. Bairagarh Mata, Konch, Jalaun
22. Kushmanda Devi, Ghatampur
23. Sheetla Mata Temple, Mainpuri
24. Chamunda Devi Temple, Firozabad
25. Chandrika Devi Temple, Lucknow
26. Sankata Devi Temple, Lucknow