Dubai: Vishwakarma Community Observes 9th Puja Anniversary with Grandeur
Report: Shodhan Prasad
Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Pics: Vivek Anand
Dubai, Sep 18: Sree Vishwakarma Seva Samithi, Dubai celebrated its eighth anniversary with 9th Puja Mahotsawa ably conducted by well-known astrologer, vaastu consultant and gem specialist of Vishwakarma, Ashok Purohit who flew all the way from Mumbai to perform this puja ceremony. Every year he dedicates this day to be associated with the Samithi and be part of the celebration in UAE.
Vishwakarma community members in vast numbers witnessed the programme which was held Friday September 16 at Karama Centre, attended by various other community leaders. The puja mantap was well decorated with flowers, fruits with colourful lights.
The programme started at around 9.30 am with ‘Kalasha Prathishte’ and continued with Bhajans from 9.30 am onwards. There were various Bhajan groups who sang praises of Lord swinging and dancing with true devotion. The entire devotees felt the positive vibration surrounding them with the sound of drums, bells and tala. Soon after the bhajan was mangalaarathi and distribution of prasada. People queued and accepted the prasada attaining darshan of Lord Vishwakarma.
After the mangalaarathi was ‘Anna Santharpane’ Mahaprasada distribution and all those who witnessed the programme happily received this prasada and waited eagerly for the cultural programme scheduled for afternoon.
The afternoon session started with felicitation to Ashok Purohit and Alevoor Yogish Acharya, president, Vishwakarma Okkoota, DK and Udupi districts and who is also a managing trustee of Shri Kalikaamba Temple, Barkur. Samithi also felicitated K Mahabaleshwara Acharya, retired administrative officer, health and family planning department, government of Karnataka and Jayaram Acharya, owner of R C Con Builder. They were all honoured with shawl, fruits, flowers, mememto etc, by the Samithi.
Ashok Purohit called upon the youth to come forward and start the preparation for the 10th anniversary programme well in advance. He requested everyone to put their maximum efforts in making the 10th anniversary programme a memorable one so that all other organisations of Vishwakarma worldwide should cite the example of Dubai Samithi. His announcement was so powerful that many youths instantly came forward voluntarily to be part of the preparation headed by Prashant Acharya of Lama Tours who gave a vibrant powerful speech which added strength to the Samithi in creating the team. It was not only a group of 25 male volunteers but 25 women volunteers too who enthusiastically came forward to create a strong team to work on the coming 10th anniversary programme.
Ashok Purohit also gave the team his full assurance that he will put all his effort in the overall management to make it a success. He also hinted that the Samithi can decide to have a one-day or a two-day event but with the sole purpose of having the event with lots of traditional activities blended with true devotion which should lead towards progress in uplifting the members of the community
Kiran hosted the programme in a lively manner and the cultural programme started later with Vande Maataram song lively presented by Abu Dhabi Group (Gopal Achar) with live drums, kicking off the cultural programme. Karaoke singing by various singers followed. It was Akhshata Rao, winner in her school for singing, who won the hearts of the audience with her flawless duet performance as well as solo. Yet one more member child was Sanjana Vivek, contestant of Just Dance competition Dubai audition of Star Plus who gave two beautiful dance performances, one semi classical and one western, which were well appreciated by the audience. Abu Dhabi groups represented by Amrit Raj, Deeraj, and brothers presented maximum participation with floor tapping dance numbers rocking the stage.
The day long programme went on till 6.30 pm with raffle draw conducted by Shantaram Achar in the presence of Ashok Purohit, Shodhan Prasad and Vishwanath Shetty. Ganesh Ullal who sponsored the Jet Air tickets was present on the stage to handover the air tickets. All the members were present till the end of the programme cheering and applauding.
The programme went on well with the able leadership of president, Rajendra Pejavar, vice-president Shodhan Acharya, secretary Vasundar Acharya, treasurer, Sadashiva Acharya and founder president, Shantaram Achar.
At the end was vote of thanks wherein all the sponsors, bhajan groups, participants and the members were thanked for their whole hearted support. The results of the raffle draw can be viewed in www.shrivishwakarma.org.