NASHIK: To commemorate Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav, i.e., 75 years of India’s Independence, District Collector, Nashik, State Archaeological Department, and Nashik History Research Board jointly organised a Godavari festival that was inaugurated with a heritage walk on the banks of river Godavari started yesterday. This festival will continue till December 21. In the morning, the heritage tour started from Devmamaledar Maharaj temple at Godaghat.
After the walk, Pooja Nilesh showcased her calligraphy skills through a sample of Nadistuti Sukta (a hymn in praises of the river). Prof. Surekha Bortrahade presented a one-act play about the Godavari river.
Surekha depicted the river’s journey from its origin to the ocean in just 15 minutes. After the play, painter Ramesh Jadhav put up his exhibition of more than 150 paintings at Gajanan Maharaj Temple, describing Goda Ghat. The Collector and the Commissioner of Police appreciated all the art forms. Mandhare even praised his photo book on freedom fighters and announced that the district administration shall publish his book.
Mrs. Mandhare, Commissioner of Police Deepak Pandey, Deputy Director of Archeology Aarti Ale, Deputy Director of Tourism Nitin Mundavare, President of Nashik History Research Board Yogesh Kasar Patil, Pakshimitra Anand Bora, Panchavati Senior Police Inspector Dr. Sitaram Kolhe, and Sarkarwada Police Inspector Sajan Sonawane were present at the occasion.
“Godavari river and its heritage sites are considered as valuable asset of Nashik. We should protect and preserve our heritage. Our special love for the Godavari has strengthened our relationship with Nashik. We also should respect Godavari River and keep it neat and clean.” – District Collector Suraj Mandhare
Heritage Tour
Dewang Jani, an activist for the Godavari, spoke about the Kundas on Godaghat and their history. He gave a presentation through the map while explaining about the Kundas on the Godavari. Jani said that encroachment on the Godavari river is destroying the natural flow. Government agencies should take initiative to ensure that there is no encroachment on the river basin. He added that Nashikites can preserve the river’s natural flow if they protect the ancient Kundas in the river basin. He even stated that the concerned authorities should study if the kundas can be rebuilt in the future. During the two-hour tour, the participants visited Devmamaledar Temple, Dutondya Maruti, Ahilyaram Temple, Muralidhar Temple, and Naroshankar Temple.
Lecture by Dr. Prajakta Baste today
River expert Dr. Prajakta Baste will give a lecture on river culture at Darbar Hall, Sarkarwada, Saraf Bazaar today (December 16) from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Godavari cleaned only on special occasions
On Sunday, if one travels from Raviwar Karanja to Sarkarwada via Godavari river, he/she knows the real struggle to pass through the rush. Fruit, flower, and vegetable vendors flood the road, and passers by face a hard time travelling. However, due to the festival, vendors were strictly forbidden to sit on the roadside. The roads were cleaned and decorated with rangoli. The area was clean and free from encroachment till 10 a.m. These actions depict the occasional cleaning of the Godavari River to maintain the administration’s image.
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