MUMBAI: The beats of drums, the lazim band and the fluttering of the flag, the spectacular tableaux and the enthusiasm of the youth in traditional attire will be seen in the welcome processions in Mumbai on Tuesday, April 9. The inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the 350th anniversary of the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, both these events will have an imprint on the welcome processions in Mumbai. On the occasion of the 350th anniversary of the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Swami Vivekanand Yuva Pratishthan's Hindu New Year Reception in Girgaum will be based on the theme 'Shivrajya is Ramrajya'. The welcome procession will start at 8 am with Gudhi Puja from Phadke Shri Ganapati Temple in Girgaum. The main attraction of the yatra will be a 22-feet-tall Maharudra Hanuman in the hands of sculptor Yogesh Iswalkar, a Ganesha idol by sculptor Pradeep Maduskar will be at the forefront of the yatra, a tableau based on the theme 'Shivrajya is Ramrajya' giving a glimpse of Lord Ram and commemorating the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaraya.
There will also be a scene of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's coronation by sculptor Santosh Kambli and a scene based on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj by art director Tushar Koli. Like every year, Adishakti team of two-wheeler riders in traditional attire, Yuva Shakti team of youth, Sanskar Bharati rangoli by Girgaum Kala Manch, steps of rangoli on the route of the welcome procession by Rangsharda and finally Sant Gadge Baba Sanitation team cleaning the garbage during the yatra will be the main features of the welcome procession. There will also be an exhibition of ancient martial arts of young men, women and children, Mallakhamb and Rope Mallakhamb by Shri Samarth Gymnasium. 'Chaithra Swagat ', a new year welcome special, will also be published this year by Swami Vivekananda Yuva Pratishthan.
