Processions to celebrate the New Year to have a dash of cricket added to them to commemorate India's win in the World Cup
Processions to celebrate the New Year to have a dash of cricket added to them to commemorate India's win in the World Cup
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With India becoming World champions, Gudi Padwa celebrations will bleed blue this year. Shobha yatras that are organised every year in the city to welcome the Maharashtrian New Year will have a mixed theme of cricket and tradition.
Women wearing nine yard sarees make merry to the sounds of the lezim during a gudi padwa procession
Every year for Gudi Padwa, the city sees several shobha yatras with political parties like Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena carrying out processions displaying Marathi culture and tradition.
However, this year shobha yatra processions will be different.
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Shiv Sainiks from Andheri who conduct the shobha yatra procession from Andhericha Raja Ganpati Ground to Versova Village, are planning to add the World Cup theme to their yatra.
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"With India becoming the world champions, we want to congratulate them and wish them a happy and prosperous new year. And what better way than through the shobha yatra," said Sudhakar Ahire, a Shiv Sena office bearer.
Ahire also added that they would have a group of 20-year-olds replicating Saturday's scene of the team carrying the trophy after winning. "Eleven to15 boys will wear the team's jerseys and carry a replica of the trophy in the procession."
Another procession carried out by the Bhartiya Vidhyarti Sena (BVS), Shiv Sena's student wing, will see several posters of Sachin with dedications to him.
"Sachin Tendulkar's dream of holding the World Cup has come true and that is why we have decided to have cricket mixed in with the festivities," said Shashwat Hulwan from BVS.
Bringing good luck
Also known as Ugadi, Gudi Padwa is celebrated on the first day of the Hindu month of Chaitra.
On Gudi Padwa, people clean their houses and decorate the entrance with intricate rangoli designs and mango leaves and marigold flowers.
They also raise a gudi (banner) with a swastika-marked pot and silk cloth at prominent places in front of their houses.
The gudi is viewed a symbol of victory and to ward off evil forces. It is supposed to invite prosperity and good luck into the house.