Adelaide Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav 2016 Year 5
This year (ASG 2016) marked 5th year celebration of this popular festival in Adelaide. From the modest beginning of 100-150 attendees and two hour celebration in 2012, this festival has grown in to almost 2000 attendees over two days in last five years.
To accommodate ever increasing number of attendees, this year we hired George Creswell Hall of Unley High School. Huge stage, better sound system (which we hired) and sitting capacity of 1200 people catered to the needs of all performers, artists and attendees. This event’s structure, cultural programs and stage shows were excellent as always. More than 2000 people attended the event over two days. More than 150 devotees participated in religious segment “Aavartan – Chanting of Atharvashirsh”. Politicians from both sides (Labor and Liberal) also attended this event and praised this initiative and work (especially charity work) ASGS is involved with.
Our mission of fund raising for an orphanage in India was again a huge success. We donated Rs. 177000.00 (Rupees One Hundred and seventy seven thousand only) to the Palghar (Maharashtra, India) based orphanage “Swami Aadharvardhini”. Like last year, two members of our committee Mr. Sushil Hegishte and Mr. Shashi Salunkhe personally visited the orphanage at their own expenses to hand over the funds.
Adelaide Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav 2015 Year 4
To accommodate increasing number of attendees, this year we hired both halls of Goodwood Community Centre. This event’s structure, cultural programs and stage shows were excellent as always. More than 1200 people attended the event over two days. More than 150 devotees participated in religious segment “Aavartan – Chanting of an Atharvashirsh”.
The new initiative of fund raising for an orphanage in India was a huge success. We donated Rs. 90050.00 (Rupees Ninety Thousand fifty only) to the Nashik (Maharashtra, India) based orphanage “Adhartirth Adharashram” . Two members of our committee Mr. Sushil Hegishthe and Mr. Shashi Salunkhe personally visited Adhartirth Adharashram at their own expense to hand over the funds.
Adelaide Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav 2014 Year 3
This year we celebrated this festival at same venue with increased number of attendees and cultural programs.
The highlight of this year’s event was “satkaar”(felicitation) of two of the most senior members of our community Mr. Dilip Chirmule and Dr Sadanand Limaye for their services to the community. This gesture of gratitude towards these two gentlemen was an example for our younger generation to show them how we always honour our elders in Indian culture.
Adelaide Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav 2013 Year 2
To gain the unlimited access to all government and public sector services, we decided to become an incorporated organisation.
Popular demand of bigger venue and two day festival encouraged us to move to Goodwood Community Centre. This was a fantastic venue, well connected by public transport service. We also organised a charter bus service for families and elderly persons who wanted to attend this event. Along with other cultural programs, performance of Indian drum band- Shivgarjana, Punjabi bhagda dance and Saturday’s Gujarati Garba night proved to be popular among attendees.
Adelaide Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav 2012 Year 1
Adelaide Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav was first started in 2012 on a small scale by a small group of enthusiastic Maharashtrian families. Their aim was to make this festival truly sarvajanik i.e. public in Adelaide by incorporating various Indian regional communities as well as local Australian public in this celebration. Australian born and brought up children of an Indian origin would also be given platform to participate in the various activities like cultural programs, anchoring etc. and showcase their talent.
This year we celebrated one day festival at Windsor Garden Community Centre. About 200 people attended this event. The feedback of this event was very positive. Most attendees suggested that this is what they were missing for a long period of time and that we all should organise this event next year (2013) for two days at bigger venue.