Nagpur: The Laxmi Nagar Ganesh-Durga Utsav mandal, famous for organising Ganesh and Durga festivals on a grand scale every year, would be portraying a gallery that will showcase the rich history and legacy of city-headquartered Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) this year, for the first time in Vidarbha’s history.
The Mandal has pledged to donate a big amount to ‘Sanmvedna School’ for autistic children located at Lendra Park for welfare and education for such special children. A couple of years back, it had donated a fully-loaded ambulance to Matru Seva Sangh for the patients. The Mandal had also become first in Vidarbha to have its own dedicated website – www.laxmingardurga.in – which contain entire information about its activities. During festive season, the Mandal witnesses a massive footfall of over 5,000 devotees every day at its venue — Laxmi Nagar Volleyball Ground, near Purti Super Bazaar at Aath Rasta Square.
The organisers would be erecting a big dome that will house the portraits depicting history of world renowned organisation and how it helps in character and nation building of young boys and girls. The gallery would portray relief and rehabilitation works done by the saffron organisation at various parts in the country during natural calamities like earthquake and floods. The visitors would also be apprised of various works of RSS through audio-visual aids and projectors and television screens. Books and literature on RSS activities would be made available at the stalls at the venue.
There will be socio-cultural extravaganza for the devotees at the venue. A plethora of renowned singers, including Indian Idol fame Rahul Saxena and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa fame Vaishali Made, would be performing during Navratri festivities. The devotees can attend all the events absolutely free of cost.
The cultural programmes would begin from September 26 where noted Marathi actor and stage artist Vijay Kadam would be staging internationally acclaimed famous play ‘Khumkhumi’. It would be followed by most awaited and not to be missed musical extravaganza of the year involving Saxena and Made in super-hit jugalbandi. They will play popular Hindi, Marathi and devotional songs on Saturday, September 28.
Next day, world famous “Lord Krishna Ballet & Dance”, a group from Mumbai would staging their international show at the same venue led by Sonia Parchure and group. On September 29, popular orator Sharad Ponkshe would deliver a lecture on well known revolutionary of pre-independence era ‘Swatantraveer Savarkar’. It would be followed by colourful cultural programmes comprising songs, dances and mimicry by the children and even the professionals on September 30. Next day, well known group of Kamlesh Pandey would stage ‘Jagraan’ for the devotees on the occasion of Ashtami while on October 2, ‘Nav Chandi Yadnya’ would be organised for devotees.
The entry for all events would be totally free and organisers, including President Prasanna Mohile and secretary Amol Joshi had called on Nagpurians to visit in large numbers with their families to pandal during the festival season.
Last year, the Mandal had hosted renowned yesteryear artistes like Asha Parekh who was invited for paying musical tribute to superstar Rajesh Khanna on his death anniversary. It also hosted popular plays like ‘Varhad Nighalaya London La’ and ‘Geet Ramayan’ by Shridhar Phadke. Popular singer Milind Ingle of ‘Garwa’ fame stole everybody hearts with his scintillating performance prior to that.
The Mandal started a unique concept from last year of organizing exhibition on various themes. Accordingly, an expo depicting life and thoughts of Swami Vivekananda was organized in association with Ramkrishna Math below the huge replica of Kanya Kumari memorial. The efforts, first of its kind in entire Vidarbha, were much appreciated and well publicized by the print and electronic media.
In last two years, the Ganesh and Durga extravaganzas witnessed massive footfalls of devotees to catch a glimpse of its colourful replica of Kolkataï’s Victoria Memorial in 2011, beautiful Chinese temple (Pagoda) in 2012, and stunning replica of Swami Vivekanand memorial at Kanya Kumari in 2013. Additionally, the Mandal organizes activities like blood donation camp, tree plantation drives on regular basis, thus spreading the message for saving environment.