Maharashtra : Hindu New Year welcomed in huge enthusiastic celebrations

Chaitra Shukla 2, Kaliyug Varsha 5114

HJS’ pictorial chariot in a procession at Dombivali

• Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and Sanatan Sanstha also participate
• Signature campaign against the Anti-Superstitious Bill
• Distribution of ‘Sanatan Prabhat’ s special edition on ‘Gudhi-Padwa’

Mumbai : Chaitra Shukla Patipada means Gudhi Padwa ! Gudhi Padwa is celebrated as a symbol of the victory of Shri Ram who is returning to Ayodhya after killing the demonic Ravana. According to Bharatiya culture a new year is celebrated on Gudhi-Padwa. Every year this Hindu new-year is welcomed at a number of places by arranging welcome processions. This year too in Maharashtra the new-year was welcomed by taking out welcome processions at various places like Mumbai, Thane, Nave Mumbai, Pune, Solapur, Sambhaji Nagar, Tuljapur, Jalgaon and other places in the state. In Kolhapur, Sangli and other places in Western Maharashtra worship of the Gudhi was done collectively.

Thane : As is the custom every year, this year too in the District at Thane, Dombivali, Kalyan, Ambernath, Badlapur and other places crores of Hindus with a lot of enthusiasm and joy accompanied by the sounds of dhol, tasha, and lezhim in the air, in traditional clothes along with eye-catching and informative displays, welcomed Gudhi Padwa i.e., the new year through a welcome procession as well as by erecting Gudhi in every home.

The welcome procession first started from Dombivali which is known as a cultural city. This custom which was started 14 years ago has spread not only in Maharashtra but even outside the country at more than 125 places.

The procession at Dombivali contained 74 pictorial chariots while in Thane 40 pictorial chariots participated in the procession. Sri Sampradaya, Warkari Sampradaya, Asaram Bapu Sampradaya, spiritual organisations, Jyotish Sanskar Mandal, Brashtachar Virodhi Jan Andolan Nyas, and other social organisations, religious organisations as well as organisations and trusts from all other sections participated in the processions which took place at a number of places in the district.

Participation of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and Sanatan Sanstha

At Thane, Dombivali, Kalyan and Ambernath on behalf of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti flakes displaying scientific information of Gudhi Padwa along with flakes displaying the historic stories of revolutionaries helped in creating an awakening. In the procession at Badlapur, Sanatan Sanstha gave information on education in righteousness.

Recognising the ploy of enemies Hindus should unite – Ajit Parasnis, Retired Police Suprintendent

Speaking at the concluding ceremony of the welcome procession at Dombivali retired Police Suprintendent Mr. Ajit Parasnis said, “Today when the society is subjected to attacks of sated-ness of western culture, it is important to protect Hindu culture through the medium of such welcome processions. Hindu culture is one which looks after the welfare of human race even though a human may be of any religion. Today terrorism is a huge threat everywhere. To face this threat it is necessary for everyone to keep aside their differences because enemies can take advantage of this. Today some people are engaged in shedding the blood of others in the name of religion. People are being cheated in the name of religion. Recognising this ploy of the enemy, all Hindus should unite for protecting the nation, culture and society. Only if this is done a strong nation can be established in the future.
Highlights

The welcome procession contained a cabin of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti

At a number of places in the district, flakes made of cloth as well as wooden boards giving best wishes for Gudhi Padwa as well as showing the message ‘Celebrate New Year on Gudhi Padwa as per righteous science’ was displayed. In the procession Sanatan products namely the priceless Holy texts and Sattva-predominant products as well as the special edition of ‘Sanatan Prabhat’ on ‘Gudhi Padwa’ were distributed in large numbers.

Enthusiastic participation on Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and Sanatan Sanstha in the welcome procession in Mumbai

Mumbai : Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and Sanatan Sanstha had participated in the new-year welcome procession organised on behalf of Hindu organisations and social organisation in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai on the occasion of Gudhi-Padwa. Exhibition of Holy-texts was arranged at a number of places by Sanatan Sanstha. Greeting cards were distributed to readers of ‘Sanatan Prabhat’, sponsors of advertisements, and Hindus on this occasion. A pamphlet on Gudhi-Padwa was distributed during the procession. Hundreds of activists of the Samiti and Sanstha participated in this program.

West Mumbai

In the procession from Ganesh Chowk Kajupada to Pustipati Ganesh Mandir, Odhavnagar, Borivali (W), small children dressed as Shivaji Maharaj were a prominent feature and demonstrations of exercising on the Mallkhamb were also done. At Goregaon (W) the procession was arranged from Dudh Sagar Vasahat up to Mathurasharam. Residents of Dhakushet Pada, Amboli, Andheri (W) had themselves asked for a procession of the Samiti. After getting information this year no crackers were burst in the procession. Activists of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti had participated in the processions at Borivali, Andheri, and Goregaon. A procession started at Parle Tilak Vidyalay, Vile Parle (W) and concluded at the same place.

Sanatan Sanstha’s Saint H. Padmakar Honap also participated in the procession. He visited the exhibition on Holy-texts by Sanatan Sanstha at Parleshwar Mandir, Vile Parle (W). Child seekers of Sanatan Sanstha were engaged in chanting ‘Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya’ and were giving proclamations imploring people to celebrate new year on Gudhi-Padwa. Information on Holy-texts of Sanatan Sanstha was displayed on flakes which were mounted on a board atop a four-wheeled vehicle. After reading the information displayed on the vehicle a number of people were purchasing Holy-texts. A video-CD on ‘How to celebrate Gudhi Padwa’ by Sanatan Sanstha was shown at Ambika Guest House in Boisar (W) after which Mrs Ahirrao of the Sanstha convinced those present on the importance of Hindu new year. Mr. Manoj Patil, owner of the guest house had always provided cooperation to all programs and he made a request to start a ‘Satsang’ in the guest house.

Navi Mumbai

In the procession from Sanpada Sector 8 to Juinagar, activists of Raje Shivray Vichar Prasarak Mandal participated in the costumes of Shivaji Maharaj and mavals. The procession also contained a demonstration of the correct use of cane-fencing (Dandpatta). At Vashi a welcome procession on behalf of Nagi Samajik Trust was organised from Jagruteshwar Temple, Vashi town to Chatrapati Shivaji Chowk, and onwards to Vashi Depot. H. B. P. Madhusudhan Maharaj participated in the procession singing bhajans. Seekers of Sanatan Sanstha participated in the procession in Navi Mumbai.

On the occasion of Gudhi-Padwa, Hindus take an oath for righteous work in the procession at Jalgaon

Jalgaon : To welcome the new-year at Jalgaon, on behalf of Shri Ram Temple and other Hindu organisations a huge procession was arranged in the city on the occasion of Gudhi-Padwa. At the conclusion ceremony of the procession, 2500 Hindus present during the procession took an oath, ‘’In the presence of Prabhu Shri Ram I take an oath that, from today I will selflessly engage my body, mind and wealth in righteous Hindu work”.

All pervading awakening in opposition to the Anti-Superstitious Bill !

During the welcome procession, a signature campaign in opposition to the proposed anti-superstitious bill was conducted on behalf of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti; similarly at the welcome procession in Dombivali on behalf of Shri Sampraday information against the proposed anti-superstitious bill was announced on load-speakers for the benefit of the people.

Source : Daily Sanatan Prabhat