Dubai: UAE’s first ever public Ganesha Utsava celebration by the Kannadiga community of UAE enthralled all devotees and was successfully conducted and celebrated with grandeur. A traditional Chende band, tiger dance, singing from Bhajan troupes, a beautifully decorated stage, made the Ganesha Utsava a memorable celebration for all devotees.
The Maargadeepa Cultural Committee, UAE, in association with Precious parties and entertainment services LLC and all the Kannada & community based associations of UAE, organized this grand event for the Kannadigas residing in the Emirates. Former Karnataka State Power minister and current MP Shobha Karandlaje, Former minister of the Govt. of Karnataka, Krishna Palemar and Bureau chief of Udayavani, Manohar Prasad were the guests of honor.
The program started with the traditional lighting of the lamp by the members followed by Pooja rituals. A beautiful Lord Ganesha statue, specially brought for the occasion, was prayed upon with traditional prayer services which included the Sankalpa, Pratishtapane, Mahamangalaarathi, Maha Prasad and Pravachana.
The Chief of Marakada Matt, Shri Shri Yogeshwareshwara Swamiji presented a wonderful Pravachan and blessed all the devotees. Many bhajan troupes sang beautiful Bhajans and helped all the devotees to participate in the Pooja rituals more effectively.
Speaking at the occasion Manohar Prasad, expressed his views about family values and concluded saying, “We should come up in life with moral values, humanity and humility”. He was addressing the gathering after being honored by the Ganesha Utsava Samithi.
Krishna Palemar, Former minister, Govt. of Karnataka, was also honored by the committee at the event. He congratulated the organizers for celebrating Ganeshotsava publicly and with such grandeur. He then wished the organizers and said that he hoped that they would continue this tradition in the coming years.
Shobha Karandlaje said, “We Indians love our work land the same as our mother land. The efforts of the NRI’s have made changes in the Indian society and lifestyle of our families back home. As of now, UAE is a safe place. But many neighbouring countries are facing internal and external threats, which have spoiled the peace and harmony”. She called upon all the devotees to pray for peace in the world and that all types of conflicts in the world be resolved at the earliest with the grace of Lord Ganesha.
The Ganesha Utsava committee members honored Shobha Karandlaje for her service towards Karnataka and India. The President and main sponsor of the public Ganesha Utsava celebration Praveen Kumar Shetty, MD of Fortune group of Hotels welcomed all the guests. President of Maargadeepa cultural committee UAE Prabhakar Ambalatere explained the vision behind the public celebration and requested the honorable MP to raise the problems faced by the NRI’s in the parliament of India.
President of Abudhabi Karnataka Sangha Sarvottam Shetty, Managing Director of ACME building materials Harish Sherigar and owner of Chilly Willy food products Sateesha Venkataramana were also were present on the dais. Iranna Moolimani and troupe presented a beautiful classical music session. Devotees too presented a variety of cultural programmes which was enjoyed by all present.
Concluding the event, a grand procession of Visarjan was held. Traditional Huli Vesha and Chende band were the added attractions. At the end, Prabhakar Ambalatere thanked every one who had helped and supported the celebration to become a grand success.
