City gears up for Ganeshotsav

PREPARATIONS ARE in full swing for the celebration of weeklong Ganeshotsav festival in Varanasi from August 27. The volunteers of different clubs and committees are engaged in giving final shape to their preparations.

PREPARATIONS ARE in full swing for the celebration of weeklong Ganeshotsav festival in Varanasi from August 27. The volunteers of different clubs and committees are engaged in giving final shape to their preparations.

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Sharda Bhavanam, which has been organising this festival for the last 78 years, will celebrate several functions including cultural events, religious events, debate competitions, discourses, seminars and dramas during Ganeshotsav.

Coordinator of the festival Vinod Rao Pathak said that an idol of Lord Ganesh would be set up at Sharda Bhavanam on August 27 amid recitation of Vedic mantras, which will be followed by religious peach on Ganesh Purana by Dr Parmeshwar Dutt Shukla. He said Brigadier Vijay Anant Natu of 39 Gorkha Training Centre (GTC) and assistant director of Silk Board Lalji Rai would be the special guest on the occasion.

Pathak said that a drama ‘Vasiyat Dikhaye Sabki Asaliyat’ would be staged on August 28, which would be followed by Vanasant Puja. He further added that a debate competition on reservation and discourse on Lord Ganesh would be organised on August 29 in which Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeth vice-chancellor Prof SS Kushawaha will be the chief guest.

“Similarly, debate competitions in Sanskrit Language on different subjects will be organised on August 30. SSU V-C Prof Ashok Kalia would be the chief guest of the function,” he said.

Pathak said noted musicians including, Archana Mahaskar (vocal singer), guitar player Sunil Pavagi from Lucknow and Ganesh Prasad Mishra (vocal singer) will enthrall the audience on August 31.