PUNE: A grand celebration and procession for Gudhi Padwa was organised by the Hindu New Year Welcome Committee (HNYWC) from Shri Tambdi Jogeshwari Temple to Shanipar Chowk. The opening ceremony of the celebration was done by Mayor Mukta Tilak.
Hanumant Sathe, Maharashtra State President of Republican Party of India, Gayatri Khadke, Adviser, Sharad Gunjeevale, Convenor, Abhay Mate, co-coordinator and organiser and Founder of Mandal Mahesh Sheth were present on the occasion. Punekars gathered in a huge crowd for the celebration. Children came dressed as Prabhu Shriram, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Rajmata Jijau, Lokmanya Tilak, Mahatma Phule, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and others. There was ‘Dhol Tasha Pathak’ performing their art and people danced to their beats. The procession began at Appa Balwant Chowk and ended at Shanipar Chowk.
“It is our ancient tradition to set up Gudhi in the centre of Grama Deity. Brahma made cosmopolitanism and told how man should behave. Gudhi is a symbol of nature’s relationship. Gudhi is set up for the creation of righteousness, unity and new minds. That’s why our cultural history is in the festivals of the books,” said Dr Ramchandra Naykane, a great teacher of saints.