Taking Nagpur’s iconic 145-year-old cultural tradition to the global stage, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has finalised arrangements for the Marbat Mahotsav, scheduled for Friday, September 11. Addressing a press conference on Wednesday at the Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Memorial Standing Committee Hall, Mayor Neeta Thakre announced that a dedicated civic budget has been allocated to celebrate the festival on a large scale. The civic body’s main ceremonial stage will be erected at Gandhiputla Chowk, accompanied by welcome arches and greeting pavilions across key intersections, including Golibar Chowk, Bharat Mata Chowk, Shaheed Chowk, and Kotwali Chowk. The event will witness the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, and Minister of State Ashish Jaiswal, alongside film personalities Subhash Ghai, Jai Mehta, and Jackie Shroff.

 

Dignitaries from abroad, including the Consuls General of France, Italy, Finland, and Norway, will attend the festivities. A specialised viewing gallery atop a building at Nehru Putla Chowk has been designated for the foreign envoys to witness the iconic milan (confluence) of Kali and Pili Marbat. Mayor Thakre shared that 1075 bookings has been recorded till date on online application for the specially designed t-shirt for the marbat festival. Additionally, a two-day vintage photo exhibition is being hosted at Exhibition Hall (Ground Floor) at Suresh Bhat Sabhagruh on September 10 and 11 from 10 am to 8 pm. The exhibition will be inaugurated on September 10 at 10 am by Mayor Thakre. Whereas, the students across civic and private schools are spearheading a citywide plastic-collection drive to champion an eco-friendly festival. 

 

To ensure international dignitaries fully appreciate the socio-cultural essence and historical folklore of the 145-year-old event, dedicated language translators will accompany the visiting Consuls General. The interpreters will narrate the folklore behind Kali-Pili Marbat and Badgyas, explaining the symbolic eradication of social evils so foreign delegates can seamlessly engage with and enjoy the procession.