By Vivek Anand, Team Mangalorean - Dubai

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Dubai: Beautiful decoration, traditionally dressed  Sumangalis and large crowd that had gathered made  Shree Varamahalakshmi Pooja 2012 a unforgettable event, which will cherish in the memory of many  people.

Fifth year of Shree  Varamahalakshmi  Pooja  was held  at  JSS  International  School, Dubai on 27th July 2012  and was celebrated traditionally by the members of Shree Varamahalakshmi Committee,Dubai with the support of all the devotees in and around Dubai.

The Pooja began at 03:30 pm with the lighting of lamp by Sumangalis.The priest chanted prayers after which Sumangalis moved towards the Pooja area in a well disciplined procession holding a lighted lamp in their hands.After placing the lamps around the Pooja area, the sumangalis proceeded to be seated for chanting Vishnu Sahasranamam which was followed by the chanting of various slothras.It was followed by Abhanga Bhajan performed by members of Padmashaali Committee ,UAE led by Ravi Shettigar; Mogaveer’s UAE led by Balakrishna Salian; Bhuvaneshwari team led by Usha Anand Salian,Team led by Suma Narayan,Vishwakarma Seva Samithi led by Rajendra Pejavar and Narayana Seva Samithi,UAE.

Organisers of Saathwik Living, Sampada and Parvathi preached on the importance and procedure of Saathwik Living.Meanwhile Balasatsang was arranged for children under the guidance of Keerthi Sharavu, Suchithra Ganesh and Parvathi Manjunath which included instilling in them values of our culture including prayers,meaning of various shlokas, ways of respecting elders, preparation of greeting cards and colouring of God’s sketches. Children’s work was then displayed for public viewing..

A dance drama titled “Mahishasura Mardhini “, the concept developed by Rajesh Kutthar , and beautifully choreographed by Jasmitha Vivek was enacted by the members of VML committee.This programme attracted all the devotees present and was appreciated by all.

The Pooja Mantap decorated with colourful flowers which attracted all the devotees was beautifully structured by Rajesh Kutthar and his team of volunteers. A mandal drawn showing the Goddess was colourfully made with nine coloured powder, fruits, flowers and ornaments by Shivaraj Rao.The Pooja was spiritually performed by Gururaj Udupa Niddodi and Raghuraj Bhat. Anand Salian and Usha Anand Salian represented the VML committee and performed the Pooja with utmost devotion. Kannika Araadhane was held for three female children and sumangalee items were distributed to all the sumangalis who attended the Pooja.Under the leadership of Suvarna Sathish Poojary and the core committee members Uday Kumar Kateel, Jayashree Sudhakar, Sudhakar Poojari, Sathish Ullal , Jagannath Bellare, Ramanand Belapu and Rajesh Kutthar the whole event proved to be very well-planned and in a systematic manner with the active participation of seventy Sumangalis who are the members of VML team.

The representatives of various media including Mangalorean.com was felicitated for their media support.The team leaders of the bhajan troupes, Kishore Gatty who provided assistance for make-up and the choreographer of dance drama “ Mahishasura Mardhini” Smt.Jasmitha Vivek were also felicitated by the members of the core committee.

Finally the Mahaprasadam provided by Divesh Alva of WoodSide restaurant was served by the sumangalis to all the devotees.

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