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44th Mandalam Festival - December 2011
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Mandalam of 2010 gained momentum as each day passed, although
it started off in low key, due to recession. Public response was
fabulous. Spiritual functions were conducted during the day and
cultural programmes were in the evenings.
On Thursday, 15th December, Sampoorna Narayaneeyam by
Krishna Priya Group was a good response, with nearly 200 devotees
(mostly ladies) chanting together. On the same evening, children from
Padam’s Balagopal Bhajan Mandali, Vileparle, sang popular Bhajans.
On Friday, 16th, morning, we had devout Sri Sookta Homam and Sri
Devi Mahatmyam by Smt. Shanti Swaminathan and group. The best
came in the evening by way of Bhajans and Abhangs by Smt. Vidya
Sriram from Airoli, New Bombay. It was melodious and very
devotional, which the huge audience enjoyed thoroughly.
On Saturday, 17th, the early morning session started off with
Ayyappa Akhandanamam, which lasted till 6 pm. In the morning
session, there were Bhajans by Ladies Group, Thane and in the
second session in the afternoon, Sri Brahmanandamayi Group,
Thane gave a stellar performance in Bhajan singing.
The Samaj had invited children and wardens from two orphanages in
Matunga and Mankhurd. Over 300 children were given new clothes,
caps and colour pen sets. They were treated to sumptuous lunch by
the ladies. This year, the public responded splendidly by way of
maximum donations for this noble cause. In the evening, we had
scintillating Bhajans from twin brothers, Satish and Santosh.
On Sunday, 18th, we had Laksharchana and Pushpa Abhishekam.
The crowd response is to be seen to be believed ! Samaj Hall was
packed and devotees sat patiently and silently till final Aarati,
enjoying Pushpa Abhishekam. The final icing on the cake came in the
form of Grand Bhajans by our own Babu and his group. Everybody
who had attended the event, returned home with satisfaction, with
prasadam and happy memories. Thus came to an end another
successful Mandalam Celebration.