Clarifying public misconceptions, Standing Committee Chairperson Shivani Dani-Wakhare affirmed that admission to the Marbat procession is completely free, with zero ticketing. She clarified that official commemorative T-shirts and wristbands are strictly optional merchandise, urging citizens to rely solely on NMC’s official channels rather than social media rumors. Marking the commencement of Nagpur’s historic 145-year-old cultural tradition, Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Adv Ashish Shelar performed the ceremonial pooja of the revered Kali and Pili Marbat on Sunday, launching the civic body’s campaign to elevate the festival to national and global prominence. The Marbat procession will be held on Friday, September 11.

 

Emphasising the festival’s significance, Adv Shelar noted that Marbat embodies the collective resolve to eradicate social evils, diseases, and negative tendencies (‘Ida, pida... gheun ja ge Marbat’), reaffirming the state’s commitment to preserving participatory cultural heritage. Mayor Neeta Thakre highlighted that the festival symbolises positive transformation, driving the city toward progress through co-ordinated civic and police efforts. The occasion featured a commemorative Heritage Walk tracing the cultural lineage between the Kali and Pili Marbat shrines. Architect Mandira Neware was felicitated for leading the walk, alongside Rahul Jambhulkar, who was honoured for earning a doctorate on the Badgya tradition. Later, Mayor Thakre, Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangre Patil, and Municipal Commissioner Dr Vipin Itankar conducted a joint inspection of the procession route from Nehru Putla Chowk to Pili Marbat Chowk.