Nagpur: The Rani Laxmibai Durga Utsav Mandal has announced an 11-day Navratri celebration featuring music, theatre, poetry, dance, historical presentations and traditional religious ceremonies from October 11 to 21. The festival will bring together renowned artistes from Maharashtra and beyond, offering visitors a different cultural experience each evening.
The programme will feature performances by Maithili Thakur, Humsufi Band and The Bansuriwala Collective, alongside theatrical productions, poetry sessions and dance presentations. Traditional events, including Ghatasthapana, Navchandi Yagna, Dussehra Milan and Visarjan, will form an integral part of the celebrations.
One of the key attractions will be ‘Panhala Gad to Pawankhind’, a presentation depicting the courage, loyalty and supreme sacrifice of Baji Prabhu Deshpande, the trusted lieutenant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The performance will recreate the historic journey from Panhala Fort to Pawankhind and highlight the spirit of sacrifice associated with the Maratha struggle for Swarajya.
Other major programmes include ‘Khaau Gappa Aani Kavita’, featuring Vishnu Manohar and Mukund Deshpande; ‘Uttara’, a dance presentation by Soniya Parchure and her team from Mumbai; and ‘Hi Dosti Tutaychi Naay’, featuring Chinmay Sumeet, Amruta Bane, Shubhankar Ekbote and Sumeet Raghavan.
Maithili Thakur’s Bhajan Sandhya on October 18
The festival will offer a mix of cultural entertainment and devotional programmes. Humsufi Band will perform on October 14, followed by The Bansuriwala Collective on October 15. The theatrical presentation ‘Hi Dosti Tutaychi Naay’ is scheduled for October 16, while the dance performance ‘Uttara’ will take place on October 17.
A major devotional attraction will be Bhajan Sandhya by Maithili Thakur on October 18, expected to draw devotees and music lovers. The Navchandi Yagna and Mahaprasad will be organised on October 19, followed by Dussehra Milan on October 20. The celebrations will conclude with Visarjan on October 21.
From a Local Initiative to a Major Navratri Celebration
Founded in 2006, the Rani Laxmibai Durga Utsav Mandal has grown from a local community initiative into a prominent Navratri celebration in Nagpur, attracting visitors from across Vidarbha.
Over the years, the Mandal has presented programmes highlighting historical events and socially relevant issues, including India’s freedom struggle, illiteracy, autism and child labour. The celebrations have also attracted prominent personalities, including actor Asha Parekh, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and former Rajya Sabha MPs Ajay Sancheti and Vijay Darda.
According to the Mandal, the festival has recorded footfall of more than 50,000 visitors a day. Around 50 volunteers, comprising young people and senior members, work together to coordinate the celebrations and manage the various programmes.
Community Service Beyond Navratri
Beyond the annual festival, the Mandal is involved in several community welfare initiatives. Its volunteers support Matoshree Old Age Home near Adasa and assist orphanages by providing books and educational materials.
The organisation also arranges artificial immersion tanks in Laxmi Nagar to encourage environmentally responsible celebrations and reduce pollution in natural water bodies during idol immersion.
Prasanna Mohile, president of the Rani Laxmibai Durga Utsav Mandal, along with the organising team, said the objective of the celebrations is to bring culture, tradition, history, devotion and community participation together on a common platform.
The Mandal president and team will also brief the media about this year’s festival, its theme and the initiatives being undertaken as part of the celebrations.
Rani Laxmibai Durga Utsav Mandal: Full Festival Schedule
| Date | Programme | Time |
|---|---|---|
| October 11, Sunday | Ghatasthapana | 7 pm |
| October 12, Monday | Khaau Gappa Aani Kavita – Vishnu Manohar and Mukund Deshpande | 7 pm |
| October 13, Tuesday | Panhala Gad to Pawankhind | 7 pm |
| October 14, Wednesday | Humsufi Band | 7 pm |
| October 15, Thursday | The Bansuriwala Collective | 7 pm |
| October 16, Friday | Hi Dosti Tutaychi Naay | 7 pm |
| October 17, Saturday | Uttara – Soniya Parchure and team, Mumbai | 7 pm |
| October 18, Sunday | Bhajan Sandhya – Maithili Thakur | 7 pm |
| October 19, Monday | Navchandi Yagna and Mahaprasad | 9 am |
| October 20, Tuesday | Dussehra Milan | 6 pm |
| October 21, Wednesday | Visarjan | 7 pm |
For further information, contact Anand at 9923084400.
The 11-day celebration aims to make Navratri a platform for devotion, artistic expression, historical awareness and community service in Nagpur.
