Citizen groups set to ring in Kojagiri celebrations

Nagpur: Sharad Purnima, or Kojagiri, will be celebrated on Thursday across the city with full fervour. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi goes around visiting people and shows her pleasure on those she finds awake. On the occasion, in order to observe a night vigil and commemorate the celebrations, several offices, flat schemes, bhajan mandals and youth clubs will be organizing get-togethers in different ways.

Kshamta Mahila Mandal, a 32-year-old group at Civil Lines, organizes Sharad purnima programmes every year. The members bring Laxmi's idol after Dusshera and have planned innovative and entertaining events spanning six days this time. One-minute games, short plays, bhajan, garba, and cultural programme dominate the schedule.

On Wednesday, rangoli, arti, and traditional wear competitions were organized, along with maha-arti and mahaprasad. On Thursday, a cookery competition will be organized, and Bhulabai's songs will be sung on Friday. "We do it to maintain the tradition and culture of our society, and we want to carry our heritage forward. All members have come together for the decoration. We also had a play on 'Jhansi ki Rani' to empower girls," says Bharti Bisawal, a member of the mandal.

Nearly 50 families that reside at Rani Durgavati Square hutments, at Binaki in Mangalwari, come together every year to spend quality time with each other. "The milk is boiled until midnight, after which it is distributed among the residents here. We sing Jas geet till 4am and dance to it," says member Sneha Deshmukh.

In Anand Nagar, also in Mangalwari, a big-scale community programme is being organized for the first time. "An orchestra has been booked and there will be games for ladies and children," informs resident Ruchika Karole.

Like every year, Art of Living and Gandhar Ayucare will be distributing free medicines at 8pm, at the Shiva Temple, Hingna road. On the occasion, a satsang and meditation programme has also been organized.

Ramdaspeth Youth Foundation regularly celebrates all festivals, and has organized an event for Kojagiri as well. "We are expecting nearly 25 members to assemble at the residence of Mangesh Badwaik, where a get-together has been organized. We will have musical chair, competitions, housie, mimicry and other things in the evening itself," said co-founder Mangesh Rege.

However, members of Paschim Nagpur Bangiya Samiti will commemorate Khojagiri with only a traditional puja at their office in Bajaj Nagar at 10pm. "We will bring the idol on Thursday, perform the puja and distribute prasad. A cultural celebration will be held on October 8," said President Arup Mukherjee.