Mangal Kalash Yatra held ahead of 67th Kalidas Samaroh:Procession begins from Shipra River, reaches Mahakal Temple

Ahead of the grand Kalidas Samaroh, the traditional Mangal Kalash Yatra was taken out on Friday morning from the sacred Ramghat on the Shipra River. The procession, marked by music, dance, and devotion, culminated at the Kalidas Academy complex, marking the formal beginning of the city’s most revered cultural festival. Cultural performances from three states Artists from Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh added color and vibrancy to the Yatra with their captivating cultural performances. Folk dancers, traditional musicians, and groups carrying decorative tableaux joined the procession, reflecting India’s diverse artistic heritage. Rituals at Ramghat and Mahakal Temple The event began with the Kalash Puja at Ramghat, where dignitaries, including Kalidas Academy Director Govind Gandhe, Dr. Shailendra Kumar, Shree Pad Joshi, Rajesh Kushwah, and Roop Manani, performed the rituals. After the puja, the Yatra moved toward the Mahakal Temple, where the sacred Kalash was offered prayers and blessings were sought from Lord Mahakal for the successful organization of the festival. Procession route and grand welcome The Mangal Kalash Yatra traversed through key points of the city — Gudri Square, Gopal Mandir, Nai Sadak, Chamunda Mata Square, Tower Chowk, and Teen Batti Square — before reaching Kalidas Academy. The entire route was lined with welcome platforms, where residents greeted the yatra with flowers, music, and cheers. School children and cultural troupes from various states also joined the procession, presenting traditional dances, band performances, and regional tableaux, showcasing India’s unity in diversity. 67th All India Kalidas Samaroh to begin November 1 As per tradition, the 67th All India Kalidas Samaroh will officially begin on Dev Prabodhini Ekadashi, November 1, continuing Ujjain’s legacy of celebrating classical art, literature, and culture in honor of the legendary poet Kalidas. Evening programs at Kalidas Academy The evening segment will feature multiple cultural and academic events. At 5:00 PM, an exhibition of ancient coins and a publication sale counter by Kalidas Academy will be inaugurated. The event will be graced by Divisional Commissioner Ashish Singh and DIG Navneet Bhasin. Later, at 6:30 PM, under the ‘Nandi’ program, over 1,100 students will perform a Mangalacharan (auspicious invocation). The evening will also include a Sanskrit orchestra performance by students from Gogate Jogalekar College, Ratnagiri (Maharashtra), directed by Dr. Kalpana Athlye, adding a classical touch to the grand celebration. The Mangal Kalash Yatra not only marked the spiritual beginning of the festival but also showcased the cultural richness and artistic unity that define the spirit of the Kalidas Samaroh — a festival where devotion meets art, and tradition meets timeless literature.