Ashadhi Ekadashi Musical By Swarmala Marks Start Of Devotional Events

Time of India

03-07-2025

Nagpur: The city is set to witness a vibrant series of devotional and cultural programmes in the run-up to Ashadhi Ekadashi on July 6. The festivities commenced on July 3 with a special Marathi devotional musical event titled 'Viththalachya Paayi' held at Vishnuji Ki Rasoi, Bajaj Nagar.
Jointly organised by Swarmala and Vishnuji Ki Rasoi, the musical evening featured performances of soulful abhangs and devotional songs dedicated to Lord Viththal. The highlight of the event was the performance by Deepak Kulkarni, assistant director (programme) at South Central Zone Cultural Centre (SCZCC), Nagpur, who also holds additional charge as deputy director at the centre.
Veteran singer Gunwant Ghatwai, Manjiri Vaidya Iyer, Rajesh Khinchi, and Anand Fadnavis joined as co-singers, presenting a rich repertoire of Marathi devotional classics.
The musical arrangements were done by Govind Gadhikar and Moreshwar Dahasahastra, with accompaniment by Shrikant Pise on harmonium and Vikram Joshi on tabla.
Continuing the fervour, the cultural affairs epartment of the govt of Maharashtra and the directorate of cultural affairs will host 'Paaule Chalati Pandharichi Vaat' on Friday at 6.30pm at Suresh Bhat Auditorium. Conceptualised by cultural affairs minister Ashish Shelar and coordinated by MLA Pravin Datke, the event will feature renowned singers Aniruddha Joshi, Shamika Bhide, Bhushan Jadhav, Niketa Joshi, and Chandrakant Shinde.
Musical arrangements will be led by Parimal Joshi, with Asavari Galande-Deshpande as the compere.
On July 6, a devotional musical programme featuring singer Amar Kulkarni and his troupe is scheduled at Tatya Tope Hall, further adding to the city's Ashadhi Ekadashi celebrations.
In another highlight, a grand Warkari Dindi will be held on July 5 bringing the spiritual spirit of Pandharpur to Nagpur. Approximately 1,500 school students will join the procession to commemorate Ashadhi Ekadashi.
Organised jointly by the secondary education department, Nagpur Zilla Parishad, Nutan Bharat Vidyalaya and Junior College, and Marathi Gyan Sanvardhan Pratishthan, the initiative aims to introduce students to Maharashtra's rich Warkari tradition. The procession will begin at 9am from Swatantryaveer Savarkar Chowk, Shankar Nagar, with students donning traditional Warkari attire and carrying images and scriptures of revered saints.
The Dindi will conclude at the Dnyaneshwar Temple in Bajaj Nagar, followed by the distribution of mahaprasad and mementos at Nutan Bharat Vidyalaya.
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Cultural Treat Continues
July 4: 'Paaule Chalati Pandharichi Vaat' at Suresh Bhat Auditorium, Resimbagh at 6.30pm
July 5: Warkari Dindi with 1,500 school students, starting 9am from Savarkar Chowk to Dnyaneshwar Temple, Bajaj Nagar
July 6: Devotional musical programme by singer Amar Kulkarni and troupe at Tatya Tope Hall, 6.30pm