City gears up to greet Lord Krishna on His birthday
Navi Mumbai is all set to celebrate Janmashtami with renewed fervour, while keeping traditions intact. Every nook and corner in the city is gearing up for the festival, which celebrates the birth of Krishna, with fun, frolic, pomp and pleasure. Not only are mega events being organised for the occasion, but even schools, colleges and social organisations are preparing to celebrate the festival in whichever way they can.
The ISKCON temple at Kharghar began its Jhulan Yatra on July 29, which will continue till August 5. Besides, the temple will also organise a Janmasthami where lakhs of devotees are expected to be present. Even Bhagavat Dham has announced its Kanha Megh Utsav 2012, which is scheduled to begin on August 5 and continue till September 2, on its premises at Parsik Hill, Belapur. The month-long event will witness bhajans by Bhajan Samrat Anup Jalota and the popular folk dances Vrindavan and Brij Ras Leela by a troupe led by Avdhes Sharma, son of Padma Shri Hargovindji Maharaj, and consisting of artistes from Kalasadan Cultural Society, Noopur Kala Academy, Mamta Biswas, Tarijum and Nrityanjali. Ganesh Naik, the Guardian Minister of Thane District, will be the Chief Guest at the inaugural ceremony on August 5.
Besides, like every year, various Dahi Handi Mandals in the city are going to host Janmasthami - one being the Republican Party of India, which has decided to celebrate a Blue Dahi Handi and give the festival a political colour. Besides, the Suresh Haware Mitra Mandal, which pumps huge money into the festival, is yet to go public with its celebration plans this year.
Furthermore, the Jankalyan Mitra Mandal has announced a prize money of Rs.1,51,000 for the person who breaks its Dahi Handi, while members of the South Indian community, including about 500 newspaper vendors and their families, will be gathering at the Tamil Sangam to celebrate the festival, thus ensuring that the residents of Navi Mumbai are in for a real treat this Janmashtami.