Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
The Hindu New Year begins on the day of Gudi Padwa. Marking the occasion, the Hindu Navvarsh Swagat Samiti has organised a grand procession in the city on Wednesday at 4 pm, continuing a tradition of the past 20 years, informed founder president and former MP Chandrakant Khaire at a press conference on Tuesday.
Khaire said that a new president of the committee is appointed every year, and this year former corporator Praful Malani will hold the post. The procession will commence from Sansthan Ganpati with a flag-hoisting ritual. Around 75 Hindu organisations will participate in the event.
The procession will feature horses, camels, decorative tableaux, and live depictions of great personalities including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Maharana Pratap. Religious leaders from various sects will also be present on chariots. Mahamandaleshwar Swami Shivgiri Maharaj, a disciple of Sant Janardan Swami from Trimbakeshwar, will participate and be part of the procession.
The event will conclude with his discourse at the Shiv temple premises in Khadkeshwar. Khaire appealed to citizens, especially women, to participate in traditional attire. He also invited guardian minister Sanjay Shirsat, OBC welfare minister Atul Save, mayor Sameer Rajurkar, former leader of opposition Ambadas Danve, and MLA Pradeep Jaiswal to join the procession as Hindus.
Among those present at the press conference were Shiv Sena (UBT) deputy leader Subhash Patil, Praful Malani, former mayor Nandkumar Ghodele, Dayaram Basaiye, and Sanjay Kankariya, among others.