NEW DELHI: For 25 years, ‘Delhi Ka Maharaja’ has brought devotees together in East Delhi. This year, the 12-day Ganesh Mahotsav to be held from September 14 to 25 at the DDA Mini Cricket Stadium in Priyadarshini Vihar, Laxmi Nagar, will look beyond faith.
The Silver Jubilee celebrations will use the familiar symbols of Ganpati to tell a larger story. It will trace India’s journey from its civilisational heritage to its ambitions in space, defence, artificial intelligence, robotics and semiconductors.
The theme this year is ‘Vighnaharta Se Vikasakarta’. It links the traditional image of Ganpati, the remover of obstacles, with the idea of a country seeking progress.
For the organisers, Shri Ganesh Seva Mandal, Delhi, the 25th edition is also a moment to look back at how the festival has grown over the years.
“For 25 years, ‘Delhi Ka Maharaja’ has been a symbol of faith and community participation in Laxmi Nagar. This Silver Jubilee is our tribute to that journey. Through the theme ‘Vighnaharta Se Vikasakarta’, we want devotees to experience not only our rich cultural and spiritual heritage but also the story of a new India that is confident, innovative and looking towards 2047,” said Mahendra Ladda, Founder President, Shri Ganesh Seva Mandal, Delhi.
One of the striking features this year will be Ganpati holding representations of a Made-in-India drone, the BrahMos missile and a semiconductor.
The organisers said the display is meant to bring together spirituality and India’s technological and defence capabilities.
The main pandal will have another strong religious focus.
It will be based on the 12 Jyotirlingas. The entrance will feature an artistic representation of the Kedarnath temple. The other Jyotirlingas will also be represented as part of the installation, said Mahendra Ladda.
The festival will also feature a six-foot idol of Vitthal Bhagwan and a five-foot idol of Rukmini Mata. Sant Dnyaneshwar, Sant Tukaram and Khatu Shyam Ji Maharaj will also find space in the celebrations.
The cultural diversity of the country will take centre stage even before the idol is installed.
A Kalash Shobha Yatra will be held on September 14. Its theme will be ‘Anekta Mein Ekta’.
The procession will showcase traditions from different parts of India. These will include Rajasthan’s Gangaur, Bihar’s Chhath, Gujarat’s Garba and Dandiya, Punjab’s traditions, Durga Puja, Maharashtra’s Wari and the Ramayana tradition of south India, said Mahendra Ladda.
Folk performances and dhol-nagadas will accompany the procession with women having a special role in the yatra. Fifty-two women will carry 52 Kalash, symbolically representing the 52 Shakti Peethas.
The festival will also take visitors through a visual account of India’s transformation. Installations will cover ancient knowledge traditions and the freedom struggle. They will then move to space exploration, defence, AI, robotics, semiconductors and digital technology.
Other displays will focus on Make in India, Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Digital India. Environmental conservation will also be part of the presentation.
A separate Silver Jubilee installation will document the 25-year journey of ‘Delhi Ka Maharaja’. It will connect the festival’s past with its vision for the future.
Maha Aarti will be held every evening at 8pm. Cultural programmes and bhajan sessions will follow, said the organisers.
The celebrations will conclude on September 25 with Chhappan Bhog, Maha Aarti and visarjan.
The organisers have also planned a public-health component. A free health check-up camp will be held during the festival. Mammography testing and a blood donation camp are also planned. Assistive equipment will be distributed to persons with disabilities and senior citizens.
