Team Goemkarponn
MARGAO: Ashadhi Ekadashi was celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm at Shri Hari Mandir, Margao, with hundreds of devotees taking part in a day-long programme of religious and cultural events.
The celebrations were organised by Shri Hari Mandir Devasthan with the support of the Department of Information & Publicity, Government of Goa, the Department of Tourism, Lokmanya Cooperative Multipurpose Society, and Goa BJP State President Damodar Naik.
The festivities commenced early in the morning with a traditional Dindi procession led by school students. The temple premises resonated with devotional chants of Lord Vitthal as devotees enthusiastically joined the procession.
The programme continued with Aarti, Bhajans and the distribution of Mahaprasad, creating a spiritually uplifting atmosphere throughout the day.
A major attraction of thes celebrations was the evening devotional music programme, “Nachu Vitthalache Rangi.” Budding Goan singers Rishikesh Dhawalikar and Deepti Gawas captivated the audience with soulful renditions of popular abhangas, including Majhe Maher Pandhari, Kanada Raja Pandharicha, and several other timeless compositions dedicated to Lord Vitthal. Their performance received a standing ovation, with the programme being extended by 15 minutes following repeated requests from devotees.
The celebrations concluded with the Maha Aarti and the distribution of Prasad. Shri Hari Mandir Devasthan President Suhas Kamat, along with committee members, trustees, volunteers and devotees, played a key role in ensuring the smooth conduct of the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Suhas Kamat said the Goa Government’s continued focus on promoting spiritual tourism has strengthened the celebration of traditional festivals at religious centres across the State. He noted that with the support of the Goa Government and the Department of Tourism, the Ashadhi Ekadashi celebrations at Shri Hari Mandir have grown in scale and participation over the past two years, attracting devotees from across Goa and beyond while showcasing the State’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage.
