MUMBAI: Lord Ram will battle his archenemy Ravan in the streets of Girgaum at a grand Gudi Padwa celebration Tuesday. Each time both warriors clash, the loud beats of the dhol-tasha will reverberate. And each time the 22 ft tall Hanuman arrives holding a tall Gudi aloft, cymbals will ring out.
Saffron flags, motorcycle rallies, live actors atop floats and tableaux will be part of this six-hour long colourful ‘Shobhayatra’ that marks the Maharashtrian new year festival.
Several other communities will also enjoy their new year festivals over Tuesday April 9 and Wednesday April 10. Sindhi Panchayats are organising the Cheti Chand Mela while natives of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are preparing to observe Ugadi, and Kashmiris Navreh. Temples are adorned with flower garlands and lights for the nine days of Chaitra Navratra which begin Tuesday.
Shridhar Aagarkar of the Swami Vivekanand Yuva Pratishthan (SVYP) which organises the Girgaum procession said, “This is the 22nd year of the event. We began in 2003. We have devised the theme ‘Shivrajya Hech Ramrajya’ since we are celebrating the 350th year of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s coronation as well as the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. We have invited several people including Ganpati and Navratra mandals who will each organise skits or musical events. Our large bike rally led by women wearing traditional saris and turbans is a big attraction.”
Approximately 200 members of the small but committed Kashmiri Pandit community will gather to celebrate Navreh at a function organised by the Kashmiri Pandits Association at Kashyap Bhawan, Andheri (East) on April 14. “The function will consist of Mel-Milap, Kashmiri bhajans and an entertainment programme. Keeping in mind the Navratra season and members fasting during this period, ‘satvik’ snacks used for fasting will be served like nadru maungya, kehwa tea, luchi, halwa made of chestnut flour, fruits and wafers for children,” said trustee Rajesh Shah.
Meanwhile on Monday gold rates scaled Rs 71,500 per 10 gm, which casts a shadow over festive purchases at Gudi Padwa. Kanaya Kakad, national director, skill development of IBJA (India Bullion and Jewellers Association) said, “However, jewellery manufacturers are innovating to keep in step with the new price trend. They are manufacturing lightweight ornaments that combine natural and synthetic stones, like lab-grown emeralds, with less amount of gold, to retain consumer interest. These may be 3-4 gm items or 10-15 gm even but look like heavy, expensive pieces of jewellery.” Kakad said two recent expositions like GJC at BKC, and IIJS Tritiya Bengaluru saw robust business owing to similar innovative designs.
Saffron flags, motorcycle rallies, live actors atop floats and tableaux will be part of this six-hour long colourful ‘Shobhayatra’ that marks the Maharashtrian new year festival.
Several other communities will also enjoy their new year festivals over Tuesday April 9 and Wednesday April 10. Sindhi Panchayats are organising the Cheti Chand Mela while natives of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are preparing to observe Ugadi, and Kashmiris Navreh. Temples are adorned with flower garlands and lights for the nine days of Chaitra Navratra which begin Tuesday.
Shridhar Aagarkar of the Swami Vivekanand Yuva Pratishthan (SVYP) which organises the Girgaum procession said, “This is the 22nd year of the event. We began in 2003. We have devised the theme ‘Shivrajya Hech Ramrajya’ since we are celebrating the 350th year of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s coronation as well as the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. We have invited several people including Ganpati and Navratra mandals who will each organise skits or musical events. Our large bike rally led by women wearing traditional saris and turbans is a big attraction.”
Approximately 200 members of the small but committed Kashmiri Pandit community will gather to celebrate Navreh at a function organised by the Kashmiri Pandits Association at Kashyap Bhawan, Andheri (East) on April 14. “The function will consist of Mel-Milap, Kashmiri bhajans and an entertainment programme. Keeping in mind the Navratra season and members fasting during this period, ‘satvik’ snacks used for fasting will be served like nadru maungya, kehwa tea, luchi, halwa made of chestnut flour, fruits and wafers for children,” said trustee Rajesh Shah.
Meanwhile on Monday gold rates scaled Rs 71,500 per 10 gm, which casts a shadow over festive purchases at Gudi Padwa. Kanaya Kakad, national director, skill development of IBJA (India Bullion and Jewellers Association) said, “However, jewellery manufacturers are innovating to keep in step with the new price trend. They are manufacturing lightweight ornaments that combine natural and synthetic stones, like lab-grown emeralds, with less amount of gold, to retain consumer interest. These may be 3-4 gm items or 10-15 gm even but look like heavy, expensive pieces of jewellery.” Kakad said two recent expositions like GJC at BKC, and IIJS Tritiya Bengaluru saw robust business owing to similar innovative designs.