This year too several prominent mandals are expecting huge crowd on all the days; tighten security at their premises.
As soon as Navratri begins, both men and women will be seen at prominent dandiya venues dancing away wearing ghagra cholis, kediyas and pyjamas.
Knowing that Navi Mumbaikars are a zealous lot when it comes to dandiya nights, prominent dandiya venues are expecting a huge crowd this year.
The Shree Utsav Mandal in CBD Belapur organises a dandiya night under the Cosmos Cricket Club and it witnesses the biggest crowd every year. In its 30th year of celebration, this mandal is expecting more than 5,000 people to converge at the ground near the shopping centre in sector 30, CBD Belapur.
“We start with the Devi’s puja as it os an auspicious beginning.
Apart from dandiya, we will have fancy dress competition and dance competition for kids followed by prize distribution. Dandiya particiapnts will also be judged for best solo dancer, best couple among others,” said Ramesh Shetty, president of the mandal. He added that Annadanam also will be organised for around 1,500 people.
Nerul’s Bhagwati Seva Mandal is all set for the dandiya night that will take place in front of their 4-feet idol of the goddess.
“A team of 10 volunteers will be patrolling the premises to keep a check on the participants. Around 300-400 people join the dancing revelry. As per our tradition, we will not be immersing our idol this year, but will install it in a devotee’s house,” said Ramesh Vasoya, secretary of the mandal.
Since most of the venues are open grounds, there is always a possibility of rains playing a spoilsport. However, mandals do not have any option but to stop the dance in such an eventuality.
“We will have to stop the festivities if it starts raining, but since it is a two-hour night we are hoping it will go smoothly,” said Vasoya.
Dandiya night in Gujarat Bhavan in Vashi has been on since 1999 and in a secure manner. “We have around 32 CCTVs installed across the premises. And, so we do not have to worry about inconvenience caused due to rains. Also, people enter via a metal detector with security guards present,” said Hasmukh Bhai Kanani, secretary.
He added they always have a tape recorder that plays traditional garba songs. “One of our members, Kaushik Patel, who has gone to Gujarat will be buying cassettes of Gujarati songs.”
A close-knit dandiya night with only society residents taking part is what FAM Society Utsav Mandal in Koparkhairane is well-known for. The society compound with an area of 30000 sq. feet has more than 2,000 residents participating every year.
“We have a separate bifurcation for women and men so as to avoid untoward incidents. With people of all cultures participating in the dandiya night, it is multi-cultural in a true sense,” said Ramesh Bhanushali, president of the mandal.
He added, “Another special aspect is the ashtami havan we organise every year. A total of 11 couples sit for the havan and break their ashtami fast after the puja is over. It will be conducted by two priests.”
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