Gandhinagar: The Gujarat government’s Vadnagar Shravanotsav began on Thursday with a devotional and cultural programme centred around the historic town of Vadnagar. Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi inaugurated the festival at Sharmishtha Lake and flagged off the ‘Damru Yatra’, in which 108 artists performed on damrus.
The event brought together religious observance, local heritage and tourism promotion, with the yatra connecting several historic and religious sites in Vadnagar.
108 Artists Participate in Damru Yatra
The Damru Yatra began at Sharmishtha Lake and passed through:
- Arjun Bari
- Bhagatna Galla
- Juna Chachara
- Shri Swaminarayan Temple
- Gopalji Temple
- Shri Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple
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The procession concluded at the Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple, where Sanghavi offered prayers and performed puja. He also distributed prasad and Shiv Kits among devotees.
According to the Gujarat government, 108 artists participated in the damru performance during the procession.
Heritage Auto-Rickshaw Service Launched
Following the religious programme, Sanghavi launched the ‘Vadnagar Heritage Auto-Rickshaw’ service, aimed at supporting tourism in the historic town. He also travelled in one of the heritage auto-rickshaws.
The Deputy Chief Minister later reviewed development works in Vadnagar with senior officials.
Focus on Local Participation in Tourism
The festival is also being positioned as part of efforts to showcase Vadnagar’s cultural and heritage assets. The government said the event seeks to bring together devotion, art and the town’s historical heritage.
Vadnagar is among Gujarat’s important heritage destinations, with several archaeological and religious sites. The town’s heritage significance is also reflected in government records listing sites and monuments in and around Vadnagar.
Officials and Public Representatives Attend
The programme was attended by District Panchayat President Nitin Patel, Unjha MLA Kirit Patel, Mehsana MLA Mukesh Patel, Kheralu MLA Sardar Chaudhari and Vadnagar Municipality President Mitika Shah, among other public representatives and officials.
The event also saw participation from senior government officials and local residents.
