At Nizamabad’s Ganesh Shobha Yatra, Aghori Dancers Enthrall The Crowd

Telangana’s Nizamabad is a vibrant and culturally rich city. It holds an extravagant event called the Ganesh Immersion Parade or Ganesha Shobha Yatra during the 10-day festivities of Ganesh Chaturthi. This year, this event grabbed the headlines for leaving a lasting impression on the crowd that gathered here and witnessed the true fusion of spirituality with art and tradition.

The Vaishya Ratna Ganesha Mandal, located in the Nizamabad district headquarters, has been enthusiastically celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi and organising it for the past several years. This year, the Mandal marked a significant milestone, as they completed a century for their utmost devotion to Lord Vighanharta. On this occasion, they decided to commemorate it uniquely, leaving crowds in awe and surprise. It was the Aghori dance that blew the minds of the spectators and added a touch of mystique.

The Aghori dancers are generally known for their eccentric practices and this became the highlight of the event. They were all distinctly dressed with elaborate head gears, long hair, foreheads covered with ashes, garlands and rudraksh malas around their necks and their unique costumes. A few also drew Lord Shiva’s third eye on the forehead. Their striking makeup and religious accessories along with their dance left the crowd intrigued. For the localities, the addition of Aghori dancers to the celebrations of Vinayak Chaturthi was captivating.

The Aghori dancers were the crowd pullers of the evening as it drew throngs of spectators. The event began at 10:30 pm on September 28th, the day of ritualistic Ganesh visarjan or immersion. As the residents were unfamiliar with Aghori performances, it further added a sense of wonderment and made the day memorable for everyone who witnessed it.

Apart from the Aghori dance, there was also a special performance by the Uma Band, that further elevated the spirit of the festival and with the music it added more excitement amongst devotees. Their energetic musical performance along with rhythmic dance was the perfect accompaniment to the mystical and spiritual night.

A member of the Aghori dancer’s crew also expressed his happiness. He said, “Our team has come from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. This is our team’s first visit to Nizamabad city. Our performance brings immense joy to everyone.”