Ma Nanda Devi Raaj Jaat Mumbai Mahotsav 2012 brings 2.7 lakh Uttrkhandi's together for the first time

Sparkling Temple for Ma Nanda Devi to be constructed in Mumbai

The 10 -day long Ma Nanda Devi Raaj Jaat Mumbai Mahotsav 2012 (organised for the first time in Mumbai by Parvatiya Natya Manch) witnessed a very strong participation from the people of Uttrakhand living in Mumbai-Thane Region. 

Ma Nanda Devi Mumbai Raaj Jaat Yatra, which began on December 15, 2012 from Virar, toured more than 27 places (19 Padav across Mum-Thane-Vashi) blessing devotees in Virar, Nalasopara, Vasai, Dahisar, Borivali, Kandivali, Santacruz, Andheri, Bandra, Sion Koliwada, Kurla, Ghatkopar, Vikroli, Bhandup, Mulund,Thane, Aroli, Panvel, Belapur and Vashi, New Bombay among others.

More than 40 different Uttrakhand Parvasi Groups and 27 Bhajan Mandali's participated whole heartily in successfully managing the mega event.  Over 125 artists from Uttrkhand also came to 

Mumbai for performing Devbhoomi’s traditional,cultural art, songs, dance and music

With the aim to promote and preserve Uttrakhand's  unique Art, Tradition and Culture and bringing people of the Himalayan state under one roof, a three day Uttrakhandi cultural function was held at Vashi from Dec 23 to 25, 2012. 

The guest of honor Shri Satpalji Maharaj, Member of Parliament, Uttrakhand, Shri Mantri Prasad Naithani, Education Minister, Govt. of Uttrakhand, Shri Ganesh Godhiyal, MLA, Uttrakhand, Shri Ganesh Naik, NCP MLA, Belapur, Shri Eknath Shinde,Shiva Sena MLA, Thane and Smt. Radha Fateh Singh Bahadur, Mayer Thane Indranagar graced the occasion..

Commenting on the momentous occasion Shri Baldev Singh Rana, Director, Parvatiya Natya Manch said " I could not believe my eyes. What i witnessed was amazing... I never saw so many Uttrakhandi's walking together on Mumbai Roads. When we were planning this mega event, I never thought so many thousands of my Uttrakhandi mothers, sisters, brothers, children and  elders would turn out and walk on the streets with us to make Ma Nada Devi Raaj Jaat (which has been orgnised for the first time in Mumbai) so successful. There are about 10 lakh people here from Uttrakhand, we have been trying to unite and bring them together on one platfrom for many years with little success to our credit, but now with Ma Nand devi's blessing our dream has come true. More than 2.7 lakh devotees (including the three day function at Vashi) were able to seek the blessings of Ma Nanda Devi. That's the beauty of Goddess Ma Nanda; when she is with us we can make a miracle happen. The next dream that we have is to have a Grand Temple dedicated to Ma Nanda Devi in Mumbai. I thank all Uttrakhandi's for their whole hearted support, participation, dedication, enthusiasm and commitment" 

Addressing the people at the event Shri Satpalji Maharaj thanked the organisers and people for putting up such a great show. Maharajji promised to take up the issues like better rail connectivity from Mumbai to Uttrakhand with concerned ministries/authorities and extend helping hand to Uttrakhandi Mumbaikar's

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Mantri Prasad Naithani, Education Minister, Govt. of Uttrakhand announced that a sparkling temple of Ma Nandi Devi and a Uttrakhand Bhavan will be a reality in Mumbai soon. 

Mr Naithani also paid his tribute to Late Shri Bala Saheb Thakre and said " Shri Bala Saheb was a great leader who inspired crore's of people not only in Maharashtra but also across the country, I pay my humble tribute to the great Maratha leader and I thank Shiv Sena for supporting the Uttrakhand Statehood bill in the parliament"

Shri Mantri Prasad Naithani also thanked and facilitated the artists from Uttrakhand to who's Songs and Music the Gods dance. Mr Naithani himself played the drum known as Dhol which thrilled the crowd. Mr Naithani said " We must not forget our roots, our culture and our language, otherwise we will be a forgotten history soon"  

Shiva Sena MLA from Thane constituency Shri Eknath Shinde praised the people of Uttrakhand for being so spiritual, spontaneous and sporting. Mr Shinde promised to provide his full support for construction of Ma Nanda Devi Temple in Mumbai and also extend helping hand to all Uttrakhand people whenever needed. 

Shri Baldev Singh Rana in his concluding remarks expressed his gratitude and thanked Government of Uttrakhand and Maharashtra and all the people associated with the event for making "Ma Nanda Devi Raaj Jaat Mumbai Mahotsav 2012" a grand success. "Special thanks to Shri Satpalji Maharaj, Shri Mantri Prasad Naithani, Shri Ganesh Godhiyal (President Badri -Kedar, Vasai Mumbai Samiti), Shri Ganesh Naik, Shri Eknath Shinde, Mrs Radha Fateh Singh Bahadur, Shri Rajedra Rawat (PA, Shri Satpalji Maharaj) Shri Neerajan Negi, Shri Madhav Bhatt, Ms Mamta Bhatt,Shri Mohan Lal, Shri Pankaj Bhandari, Shri DineshJoshi and Shri Vinod Joshi”

Mr Rana also expressed very special thanks and gratitude towards his team who met more than 17 times to discuss the plan and ideas in the past 6 months and contributed immensely by working relentlessly… "day and night…. to make this event a great success…without their contribution we would have not been able to make such a great impact". 

Mr  Rana  specially  thanked Shri Rajesh Pundir, Shri Surendra Bist, Shri  Jaipal Bist, Shri Lalit Bist, Shri Surendra Rawat, Shri Gajendra Rawat, Ms Rajani Pant, Ms Nisha Suradi, Shri Dayaram Sati, Shri Manoj Sati, Shri OP Badwani, Shri Darshan Singh Rawat, Shri Kishore Pusola,  Shri Nandan Kathait, Ms Priyanka Tiwari, Ms Gayatri, Shri Baldev Nagi, Shri Raghuveer Negi, Shri Surbir Panwar, Shri Uttam Nagi and Dr Rajeshwar Uniyal and everyone who made his or her contribution. Shri Baldev Singh Rana specially thanked Shri Ganesh Sanwal and his team for conceptualizing, designing, decorating and lighting the grand stage and the venue. 

Report By-Aryan Rana (9930372436)