Chandrapur's Mahakali festival drops entertainment programmes over drought; savings to go to farmers

Chandrapur: In view of the drought in the state, festival committee president and MLA Kishor Jorgewar has decided to cancel all entertainment programmes at this year's Shri Mata Mahakali festival. The decision follows an appeal by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and the money saved will be given to drought-hit farmers through the chief minister, News34 and Chanda Blast reported.

The five-day festival from October 14 was to feature devotional music by well-known singers; those performances will no longer be held. The religious and social programmes will go ahead as planned: worship and a meal for 9,999 girls, the offering of green bangles to married women, silver coins for girls born during Navratri, and a procession around the city on October 19.

On Sunday, October 11, the day of Ghatasthapana that opens Sharadiya Navratri, the Shri Mata Mahakali Mahotsav Trust ceremonially hoisted a 51-foot flag at the temple. After Jorgewar offered prayers before the goddess's silver idol, the idol was carried out in a palanquin. By tradition, the silver idol is taken to devotees' homes during Navratri, and it was taken by chariot, amid devotional singing, to a devotee family's house.

Jorgewar said that being mindful of farmers' pain and hardship during the drought was a social responsibility, which is why the money meant for entertainment was being diverted to help them. The festival's religious traditions and community activities would carry on without a break, he added.

Sources: News34 Chandrapur; Chanda Blast; Chanda Blast