Rons Bantwal
Vadodara, Sep 9: The Gujarat Billawara Sangha (GBS) celebrated the 172nd Jayanti of Brahmashree Narayana Guru with great devotion and enthusiasm at the Shree Baidyashree Cultural Auditorium in Alkapuri on Sunday. The celebration featured a blend of religious, formal, and cultural programmes.
Under the guidance of Vedamurti Dhananjay Shanti from Mumbai, various religious rituals were performed, including Abhisheka to the idol of the Guru, Guru Pooja by the Gayatri Parivar, and Maha Mangalarati. Later, Dhananjay Shanti and his team presented a Harikatha on the story of 'Bhakta Prahlada'.
The formal stage programme was held under the guidance of GBS honorary president Dayanand Bontra (Belman) and was presided over by GBS president Harish V Poojary Madyar (Deralakatte). Prior to the stage programme, the dignitaries offered arati to the idols of Goddess Gayatri Devi, Koti-Chennaya, and Brahmashree Narayana Guru.
During the event, the dignitaries distributed education funds and scholarships to deserving students.
Dignitaries present on the dais included Karnataka Samaj Ahmedabad president H V Bennur, Shree Kshetra Gejjegiri Development Trust president Sanjeeva Poojary Birwa, Billawar Association Mumbai women's wing chairperson Shakuntala Kotian, Shree Kshetra Gejjegiri honorary presidents Jayanth Nadubail and Peetambar Heraje, president Ravi Chilimbi, Tulu Sangha Baroda's Pramila Shashidhar Shetty, Karnataka Samaj Ahmedabad vice-president Rajendra Naik, Tulu Isiri Vapi honorary president Balakrishna Shetty, and Patla Foundation Gujarat president Ajith Shetty.
GBS chief convener Vasu V Suvarna, former presidents Manoj C Poojary, Vishwanath G Poojary (Bardoli), and Manoj M Poojary (Ahmedabad), along with GBS Vapi branch honorary president Sadashiva Poojary, convener Ramesh Poojary, Surat branch convener Prabhakar S Poojary, women's wing president Chandrika Ashok Kotian, and secretary Santosh Salian were also present.
Sangha members, women, and children presented a variety of cultural programmes. A significant highlight of the event was the younger generation performing 'Pada Pooja' to seek blessings from their parents.
The programme commenced with a prayer by Shamitha Somnath Poojary, Nishmitha Nagesh Poojary, Bhavya Raghu Poojary and their team. Soumya Prabhakar Poojary welcomed the gathering, while Soumya P Poojary delivered the introductory remarks. Revathi Rohidas Poojary read out the list of scholarship beneficiaries. Aruna Salian compered the formal stage programme, Sarita Somnath Poojary hosted the cultural event, and Santosh Salian proposed the vote of thanks.