Preserving Culture and Tradition Is Our True Wealth: Shivendra Raje Bhosale

• Grand Khandesh Public Kanbai Mata Festival 2026 concludes on an emotional note in Pimpri-Chinchwad

PIMPRI : The three-day Grand Khandesh Public Kanbai Mata Festival 2026, organised to preserve and pass on the rich culture, traditions and religious heritage of Khandesh to future generations, concluded on an emotional and devotional note in Pimpri-Chinchwad.

Addressing the gathering, Public Works Minister Shivendra Raje Bhosale said that festivals such as Kanbai Mata Utsav play an important role in passing the history, traditions and cultural values of Khandesh from parents to their children.

“Preserving our culture and traditions is our true wealth. It is essential to pass our heritage and history on to the next generation. This festival is doing that beautifully,” Bhosale said, while extending his greetings to the devotees and organisers.

The festival was organised for the third consecutive year for the Khandesh community residing in Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune. The celebrations witnessed enthusiastic participation from thousands of people and featured religious rituals, traditional processions, cultural programmes and musical performances.

Pride in preserving Khandesh culture in urban areas : Sanjay Savkare

Textile Minister Sanjay Savkare said it was a matter of pride for people from Khandesh to preserve their culture and traditions even while living in urban areas.

“Kanbai Mata is the family deity of the Khandesh region. Keeping her traditions alive and introducing the younger generation to her significance is commendable. The people of Khandesh have made a significant contribution to the development of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, while continuing to remain connected to their roots,” Savkare said.

MLA Shankar Jagtap urged families to preserve the Ahirani language and pass it on to their children. He noted that Marathi has received the status of a classical language and Ahirani also has an important place as the community’s mother tongue.

Ministers join Ahirani folk celebrations

The cultural and musical programmes featured devotional songs dedicated to Kanbai Mata and traditional Ahirani songs. The enthusiasm reached a high point when Ministers Shivendra Raje Bhosale and Sanjay Savkare spontaneously joined the celebrations and danced to Ahirani folk songs, adding to the festive atmosphere.

The concluding procession began at 8 am from Shubham Garden and proceeded towards Jadhav Ghat, Ravet, accompanied by traditional musical instruments and Shirpur’s ‘Golden Band’. Women participated in traditional fugdi and garba, while chants of “Kanbai Mata Ki Jai” reverberated across Ravet.

The idol was given a ceremonial farewell after the customary puja and Uttar Puja at the immersion site, leaving devotees emotional.

The festival began with the traditional Saptah Pujan (wheat grinding ceremony), followed by the arrival procession from Tuljabhavani Temple in Shivnagari to Shubham Garden, Walhekarwadi, and a series of musical programmes.

Several public representatives and dignitaries attended the celebrations, including MLA Uma Khapare, MLA Amit Gorkhe, city president Shatrughna Kate, Deputy Mayor Sharmila Babar, Standing Committee Chairman Abhishek Barne, Rahul Kalate, Vitthal alias Nana Kate, Leader of Opposition Bhausaheb Bhoir, and several other social and political representatives.

The festival was successfully organised with the active participation of various Khandesh community organisations, including Khandesh Maratha Mandal, Maratha Patil Samaj Mandal, Gujar Sneh Vardhini, Kedareshwar Pratishthan, Khandesh Tilwan Teli Samaj Mandal, Leva Patidar Samaj Mandal, Khandesh Mali Mahasangh, Sant Sena Maharaj Khandesh Nhavi Mandal, Bharatiya Bahujan Vikas Samiti and Kanbai Seva Foundation (Khandesh).

The celebrations concluded with a pledge to organise the festival with renewed enthusiasm next year, reflecting the unity, cultural pride and spirit of the Khandesh community.