Unique Navratri Festival in Mali Colony, Lake City: Group Hanuman Chalisa Recitation with Garba Every Night

Udaipur: The Garba celebrations at Krishna Vatika in Mali Colony, located in Hirann Magri Sector 3, are truly special. Perhaps this is the only Garba event in Mewar that begins with a Devi Aarti and includes a collective recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa during the intermission.

Kapil Paliwal, founder of the Divine Group and organizer of the Navratri festival, shares that this tradition has been ongoing for the past 16 years. The Garba festivities were inaugurated by Ravindra Shrimali, former president of UIT and a noted social worker. He mentioned that every night, thousands of devotees from the city and surrounding villages attend to enjoy the Garba celebrations.

The Garba kicks off with the chant "Jai Adya Shakti" followed by praise of the Goddess through the Siddha Kunjika Stotra and seed mantras from the Durga Saptashati. After the devotional segment, Gujarati and Rajasthani Garba dances commence, with young men and women dancing energetically. During the intermission, everyone removes their footwear and sits on the ground to recite the Hanuman Chalisa together.

Paliwal highlighted the active support of Rohit Patni, Ishaan Paliwal, Manali Chugh, and Ravi Raj from the Divine Group in organizing these events.

### Distribution of Helmets as Prizes

Paliwal also mentioned that more than a dozen prizes are awarded each day to the best Garba performers in various categories. To ensure safety, helmets are distributed as prizes, aiming to bless participants and winners with longevity and accident-free journeys through divine grace.

### Grand Aarti with 501 Lamps on Ashtami and Navami

On the occasion of Mahashtami and Durga Navami, the festival will feature a grand Aarti with 501 lamps, expected to be a major highlight. Thousands of residents, dignitaries, and Garba dancers will be present for the event. Additionally, a donation box for cow service has been set up to impart traditional values to the youth participating in the Garba. The collected funds will be used for the care of sick and needy cattle.