Nagpur’s iconic 145-year-old Marbat festival was celebrated with fervour on Friday. It is one of the city’s most distinctive cultural traditions, drawing thousands of people to the streets for colourful processions filled with music, traditional chants and slogans. Known for its colourful processions and satirical effigies, the festival targeted Pakistan-backed terrorism, NEET paper leak, unemployment, and local civic issues this year. The 142-year-old Pili (yellow) Marbat of the Tarhane Teli Samaj and the 146-year-old Kaali (black) Marbat of the traders’ community were taken out after rituals from Jaganath Budhwari and Bardana Market. Pili and Kaali Marbats met at Nehru Putla in Itwari, following police directives—a poignant milestone widely captured by onlookers. Made from materials such as bamboo, paper and cloth, the effigies are used to highlight contemporary social concerns and convey messages against practices considered harmful to society. Alongside the towering Marbats, dozens of thematic Badgyas (smaller effigies) with messages acclaimed by citizens throughout the route.

 

The celebrations stood out for their heightened geo-political tone, including a giant effigy of Field Marshal Asim Munir denouncing the terror incidents took place in Pahalgam in 2025 after his speech in Pakistan, which was paraded through the streets. The effigies highlighted a mix of international, national, and local concerns. Committees also highlighted issues like youth drug addiction, smart electricity meters, and environmental conservation. The processions pass through different parts of Nagpur amid enthusiastic participation from citizens, turning the festival into a unique combination of folk culture, public expression and social awareness. This year, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) made special arrangements and allocated a special budget of Rs 2 crores to elevate this local tradition to international level. The procession commenced from Gandhi Putla chowk.

 

NMC decorated the procession route and erected welcome stages at key junctions including Kumbharpura chowk, Golibar chowk, Bharat Mata chowk, Shaheed chowk, Tanga Stand chowk, Kotwali Chowk and opposite of Maskasath Chotelal Halwai. To showcase this heritage globally, high-profile dignitaries including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, actor Jackie Shroff, film director Subhash Ghai, Indian cricket player Umesh Yadav and Consul Generals from France, Finland, and Norway were present as guests. A special viewing area was set up at Nehru Putla Chowk for guests and foreign diplomats to witness the iconic meeting (‘milan’) of the Marbats. Dayashankar Tiwari, Mayor Neeta Thakre, Shivani Dani Wakhare, Leela Hathibed and other dignitaries were also present. The festival concluded with ritual worship and the symbolic burning of the Marbats and Badgyas, marking the triumph over evil.