With great reverence and devotion, we, the members of Rani Laxmibai Durga Utsav Mandal, have had the honor of organizing the grand Navratri festival for the past 18 glorious years. This celebration has seen overwhelming participation not just from the vibrant city of Nagpur, but from across the entire Vidarbha region.
Each year, our pandal becomes a hub of vibrant socio-cultural performances, addressing pivotal issues such as India’s glorious freedom struggle, the importance of literacy, autism awareness, child labor, and more. This year, we embark on a mystical journey with the dragon as our central theme, promising a spectacle of awe and inspiration.
Over the years, our humble mandal has been graced by a constellation of luminaries, including the legendary actress Asha Parekh, Union Minister for Road Transport Nitin Gadkari, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and former Rajya Sabha MPs Ajay Sancheti and Vijay Darda, among many other esteemed guests. Their presence and heartfelt appreciation of our work have been a testament to the grandeur of our efforts.
What began as a modest venture in 2006 has now blossomed into a beacon of celebration, becoming the only Navratri festival in Central India that combines socio-cultural narratives with devotional fervor. With footfalls exceeding 50,000 visitors per day, the festival stands as a testament to the tireless dedication of our team—comprising around 50 spirited individuals, a harmonious blend of youthful energy and seasoned wisdom—who work around the clock to ensure its resounding success. Our efforts have been lauded in numerous media outlets, and we take pride in being the first mandal in Vidarbha to establish a dedicated website (www.laxminagardurga.in) alongside a strong social media presence on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
Beyond the grandeur of Navratri, our mandal is deeply committed to social welfare, conducting various charitable activities throughout the year. We regularly visit Matoshree Old Age Home near Adasa, offering vital support in the form of medicines and food grains. We also extend a helping hand to orphanages, providing children with educational materials and books. Moreover, to safeguard our environment, we annually set up artificial tanks at Laxmi Nagar Volleyball Grounds for the eco-friendly immersion of Ganesh idols, preserving our precious water bodies from pollution.
We humbly seek your esteemed presence and support in this noble and charitable cause. Your participation would not only bless our efforts but also help us spread the message of peace, harmony, and brotherhood in society. We earnestly invite you and your loved ones to grace our pandal with your presence and make this year’s celebration a resounding success, as it has been in years past.
Below is the list of socio-cultural programmes to be held this year:
October 03 – Installation of the sacred Durga ‘Ghat’
October 05 – Nrutya Natika titled ‘Bhagwati’ a captivating dance drama by Soniya Parchure and troupe from Mumbai
October 06 – Live concert ‘Abhang Repost’, performed by a renowned Mumbai-based band. Also ‘Ghazar’ prog by Anand Shinde in the same event
October 07 – Bhakti Swarabhishek, a devotional music presentation by popular city singer Niranjan Bobde and ensemble
October 08 – Insightful talk on ‘Bharat: Today, Yesterday, and Tomorrow’ by acclaimed Marathi actor Sharad Ponkshe
October 09 – Live tribute concert to renowned sibger Arijit Singh, performed by the talented singer Rahul Sali
October 10 – Spiritual Jaagran by the famous Jagrata siblings, Deepali and Sonali Dube
October 11 – Navchandi Yagya, followed by Mahaprasad and a vibrant cultural programme
October 12 – Grand Dussehra Milan celebration
October 13 – Immersion ceremony of the sacred Durga ‘Ghat’