The tradition of Shobhayatra or the processions taken out on the occasion of Gudhi Padwa has brought a new definition of the celebration of the new year. It has become a cultural icon for Hindus of all hues
Devidas Deshpande
A number of women, young and aged alike, appear in the nine-yard saris, their traditional attire. They are bedecked with the jewelleries of all sorts. The “nath”, a genuinely Marathi jewellery worn in the nose, is especially conspicuous. A saffron headgear in true Maharashtrian style adorns them all. However, they are not standing with a tray carrying lamps and vermillion in it – as is the picture associated with the women in such clothing. They ride on motorbikes, some on as high-end brands like Harley Davidson and Royal Enfield, in hordes.
Men, again in traditional attire and saffron head gears, numbering in hundreds follow the file of these women. Chants of Jai Shri Ram and saint poetry resonate in the air. This is a scene commonplace in all the major cities in Maharashtra every Gudhi Padwa day. Before the commencement of shobhayatras, the celebration of the New Year meant partying all the night on December 31, consuming alcohol and exchanging the greetings. The younger generation had no other idea than this for the start of a new calendar. With the Gudhi Padwa processions, things have changed a lot. Now they have their own new year that is firmly entrenched in an age-old tradition.
Gudhi Padwa marks the beginning of the New Year for the Hindus and falls on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada.It is known as Yugadi or Ugadi in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The Shakas defeated the Huns on this day and Shalivahan vanquished his enemies. That is why Shalivahan Shak or the new calendar starts from this day. The Gudhi representing Brahma’s flag (Brahmadhvaj) is hoisted on every house as a symbolic representation of Rama’s victory and happiness on returning to Ayodhya after slaying Ravan. These traditional methods are now accompanied by the processions. While former rituals were meant for a family to follow, the new tradition has unveiled in the societal pathway.
The tradition of the Shobhayatra or the processions taken out on the occasion of Gudhi Padwa has brought a new definition of the celebration of the new year. It has become a cultural icon for Hindus of all hues. These processions, also called as the Nav Varsh Swagat Yatra, have become a hallmark of the Marathi culture.
In fact, Dombivali boasts of the distinction of hosting first such procession way back in year 1999. The procession was taken out on the Gudhi Padwa but seeing its potential of consolidating the Hindus, similar events took place on other significant days like Diwali, Ganeshotsav and Navratri. As the trend started from Dombival, it later spread to adjoining Thane and then other cities of the state.
They have turned into social occasion to unite the community – one of the chief aims of organising the Ganeshotsav by Lokmanya Tilak during the British Raj. While the Ganeshotsav, aimed at preparing the common people for an uprising against the oppressive rulers, the objective of the Shobhayatra has been subtle one – to arise and make aware the Hindus of their glorious past and take pride in it.
Many children can be seen enacting historical characters such as Chatrapati Shivaji, Jahnsi Ki Rani and Freedom Fighters. Even someone dressed as Bhagwan Shiva riding a motorbike is not an uncommon sight. Various social organisations and political parties also take part in the event with the social messages like water conservation, environmental awareness, dental care and need for unity in the society. Besides the large number of the participants, who walk with the
procession, there is a big number of spectators who witness these processions on the street. Women welcome these near their homes or simply watch from
their balconies.
Abasaheb Patwari was the one who initiated the tradition of processions on the Gudhi Padwa. He along with his colleagues from the Ganesh Mandir Sanstha thought of organising such processions.
In its first year, the organisers expected a crowd of 7 to 8 thousand. However, they were pleasantly surprised to see a turnout of about 50 thousand.
Two years ago, in line with the Swach Bharat Abhiyan of the government, the procession in Dombival gave the message of ‘Clean Dombivali… Beautiful Dombivali’. As many as 150 organisations took part in it. Use of plastic cups and plates was prohibited while distribution of leaflets was also forbidden to reduce the garbage. The Gudhi, the mark of the victory of Hindu king Vikramaditya, was erected in every square of the city.
A prominent feature of these processions is the women leading the charge of the procession. Women in their traditional attire participate in large numbers in the procession. Patwari says that when the procession was started in 1999, the middle-aged individuals had a large share in the participants. Nowadays, the young generation is participating overwhelmingly.
Like the Ganeshotsav processions, the shobhayatras have also become a vehicle of the social enlightenment. Every year, the volunteers and participants come up with the theme-based floats. Topics like 400th birth anniversary of Saint Tukaram, 125th anniversary of Veer Savarkar’s world-famous jump at the Marseilles port, cleanliness drive and electricity saving were some of the themes that have been handled till now.
Some years ago, the conservancy staff members of the Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation were in tears when they were felicitated during a procession.
The conservancy staff is not considered a part of the elite and high-brow society. However, they have the key role in keeping the city clean. That is why they were rewarded for their work with a special note on the occasion of one of the biggest festivals of Hindus.
