Dubai: On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Shri Varamahalakshmi Seva Samithi UAE, ‘Varamahalakshmi puja’ was organized at the Indian Academy School, Al-Qusais, Dubai. The event concluded in a grand manner witnessing participation of thousands of devotees.
The puja program started with lighting the lamp in the traditional way with ‘sumangalis’ or married women. Puja formalities continued with ‘poojasankalpa’, ‘ashtakasthotra’, ‘Shri Varamahalakshmi ashtotthara’ and ‘pushparchane’. Members of different groups sang devotional bhajans and helped devotees to participate in the puja formalities. Madhura Sangeetha presented by MadhuraVishwanth and Sangeetha Rajesh and team enthralled devotees.
The puja rituals concluded with ‘Maha Mangalarathi’ along with ‘Sumangali Aradhane’, ‘Kannikaaradhane’ and ‘Bhrahmaaradhane’. Raghu Bhat along with other purohits carried out the puja rituals and devotees received blessings of Goddess Varamahalakshmi. Behalf of all devotees Jagannath and Deepa offered prayers to Goddess Varamahalakshmi.
Various cultutal events were also organised as a part of the celebration, which included recitation of Bhagavadgitha, devotional singing competition, Rangoli competition, mime act and others.
Bharatanatyam performance by Jasmitha Vivek and Anjali and ‘Bhramarambike’ act by Varamahalakshmi Samithi members was widely appreciated by the audience.
The main attraction of the program was a Yakshagana play ‘Panchajanya’, presenteted by UAE’s Yakshagana artists along with child artists. The play was historic in its own way because Kavyashree Ajeru was the ‘Bhagavath’ for the show, thereby becoming the first woman Yakshagana Bhagavata to perform in the Gulf region.
Along with Kavyashri, Chende artist Divyashri Sullya, Mayur, makeup artist Gangadhar Shettigar was honored by Varamahalakshmi Samithi. The direction and other responsibility of Yakshagana presentation was lead by Shekhar Shettigar.
The organizers too were honored for toiling to make the vent a grand success. Chief coordinator of Varamahalakshmi Puja Samithi Suvarna Satish was honored for her efforts and continues dedication for organizing the puja rituals from past ten years. Ganesh Rai and Rajesh Kuttar compered the program. Puja prasada and Mahaprasada was distributed to all devotees.
