Mumbai: Gudi Padwa celebrated with procession and social messages

Report and Pictures by Deepak D’Souza, Dombivli
Bellevision Media Network

Mumbai, 16 March 2010: Since a number of years, the residents of Dombivli in the Thane District, a city known for its highest literacy rate in India has been celebrating Gudi Padwa in a unique way as men, women, youth and children participate in the procession and spread spiritual and social messages.

A large number of social and cultural groups with predetermined messages and acts began to gather at the Bhagshala Maidan from 6am on Tuesday, 16th March, 2010 on the Gudi Padwa Day to usher in the Maharashtrian New Year. At around 7 am, women dressed in bright saris and wearing turbans led the procession by riding the motorbikes. They were followed by various cultural and spiritual organisations. Men, youth and children dressed in historical characters such as Chatrapati Shivaji, Jahnsi Ki Rani and freedom fighters either marched or were taken in trucks through the roads. There was one person dressed as Lord Shiva riding the bike. Groups of school children dressed in white were seen playing the lezim.

A number of social organisations tried to spread messages such as the need to save water, environmental awareness, dental care and need for unity in the society. Spritual organisations carried messages of the role of yoga and meditation in the development of human beings. Thousands of the residents viewed this traditional Gudi Padwa procession from their balconies as well as by standing by the side of the roads and cheering the groups. The traditional mode of transport-the bullock cart was also seen being drawn by oxen.

The Gudi Padwa Procession from the western side of the city finally moved towards the western section and assembled at the Nehru Maidan where leaders gave Gudi Padwa messages to the assembled gathering.