Pune : Workshop for having coordination between public Ganesh festival committees

Ganesh –devotees make a resolve to celebrate Ganesh festival as per science while attending work-shop

Pune : Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) holds different drives for creating awareness amongst people towards right manner of celebrating religious festivals. HJS held a Workshop for public festival committees (Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandals) for developing coordination among these committees from Pune as a part of its drive. It was explained to Ganesh-devotees during the Workshop, the proper manner of celebrating Ganesh festival as per the science. Information on various malpractices taking place during the celebrations was given through VCD shown during the Workshop. Information was also given on Sanatan’s ‘Shri Ganesh Ap’. The Workshop was started with chanting Shri Ganesha’s name for 2 minutes by all participants which helped them to have thought-less mind and they felt good. Exhibition of Sanatan’s ‘sattvika’ products and holy books and ‘Dharmashikshan’-boards was also held at the venue. All Ganesh-devotees visited this exhibition as also made resolve to celebrate Ganesh festival as per the science.

Shrikrushna Mandir, Tukai Darshan, Hadapsar

Shri. Hemant Manerikar of HJS explained the purpose of holding such Workshop to participating Ganesh-devotees. Some of the dignitaries expressed their views on the issue.

Unification of Hindu youth is the need of the hour ! – Abhijit Borate, Hindavi Swarajya Yuva Sanghatana

Shri. Abhijit Borate of ‘Hindavi Swarajya Yuva Sanghatana’ expressed his views frankly on the present condition of Ganesh festival and the basic change required in the same. He said, “DJs are played in front of ‘Ganesh-Mandals’ at different places. People dance in hideous manner. Hindus are being divided through competition among Ganesh-Mandals to outshine each other. Hindu youth from different ‘Mandals’ need to come together through Ganesh festival, since it is the need of the hour.”

Considering the severe problems faced due to recent deluge, it is essential to help each other and seek God’s help. Everyone agreed on this point. Later, during group discussions, members of all festival committees demanded holding of Workshop on ‘sadhana’. They also spontaneously asked for holding lecture and exhibition during Ganesh festival in their respective ‘Mandal’. They were also in favour of publishing information on Ganapati as per science, in their respective reports.

Highlights

1. Divine particles were observed mainly in later half of the program and everyone had experience of coolness and divine energy in atmosphere.

2. Devout Hindus from various festival committees spontaneously participated in Workshop, though receiving invitation over phone.

Bhairavnath Mandir, Marunji Gaon

The Workshop was started with lighting of lamp by Shri. Samir Buchade, a local dignitary. Shri. Ashok Kulkarni explained the purpose of holding such Workshop while explaining the expansive purpose of Lokmanya Tilak in starting public celebration of Ganesh festival. Shri. Hemant Manerikar of HJS advised that we should show what is necessary for people to know through Ganesh festival, rather than what people would like to see.

Some days in a year should be devoted for ‘Dharmakarya’ ! – Shri. Samir Bhuchade

Shri. Samir Bhuchade explained difficulties faced by Ganesh Mandals and Ganesh –devotees due to lack of unity among them. He said, “We come together due to faith in God and Dharma but such faith is not shown once our wish is fulfilled and we tend to ignore each other. We should devote at least few days in a year for serving Dharma. Today’s Workshop is the beginning of the same.”

Shri. Lakshman Kumbhar, a sculptor from Nere Gaon advised that getting idols made of clay would be as per science and help in acquiring benefit of Shri Ganesh-Principle while appealing to buy Ganesh-idols made of clay.

Assistance from devout Hindus

Shri. Vitthal Kamathe gave information on Chhatrapati Shivaji and Chhatrapati Sambhaji festivals celebrated by his ‘Mandal’ and insisted that traditional music instruments should only be played during festivals. Shri. Ankush Jagatap provided hall free of charge. Shri. Ganesh Khaladkar of ‘Matoshree Amrut-tulya’ made arrangements for tea. Shri. Dattatreya Kulkarni extended special assistance in organizing the Workshop.