When residents of God’s own country visit Navi Mumbai

When residents of God’s own country visit Navi Mumbai

Koparkhairane’s Shri Sastha Samaj Ayyappa temple had organised a grand procession on December 18, keeping in mind the mandala puja season and the temple’s pratistha day (establishment day). More than 100 artists had been invited from Kerala to showcase their state’s culture. According to members of the temple, the main purpose to invite the Keralites to this two-km-long rally was to highlight the distinct aspects of their homeland. The procession began at 7pm from the area’s Shiv temple. The artiste gave excellent performances to portray the art and culture of Kerala before a large number of devotees. Their well-defined gestures, hand movements and traditional attires showcased the birth of Lord Ayyappa. Devotees proceeded along the various sectors of the area and at regular intervals the artists presented a different dance form. One of the members of the temple, Raddhakrishnan Nair, said, “The three-day puja and celebration is specially exclusive this year because the artistes from Kerala are imparting knowledge about the state and its culture to devotees who have come from across the state. Also, the hymns were chanted in praise of Lord Ayyappa during the procession.” Around 800 devotees from the neighbouring areas gathered for the puja. “Throughout the programme, devotees offered archanas to Lord Ayyappa. The samaj serves annadanam and Kerala dishes are relished by all devotees in the form of prasadam on all the three days. Keralites presented dance forms such as Kavdi, which is performed to invoke Lord Murugan. Other dance forms included Thaiyyam, Chendamela, and Panchvadyam. Each art form had a distinct touch of our state. Fascinated by the cultural dance performance, pedestrians also took part in the procession,” one of the volunteers and a member of the temple said. Some performances were a combination of all dance forms.