Bhonsle Family’s Ram Navami Procession Marks 301 Years of Tradition Nagpur will witness the continuation of a centuries-old tradition as the historic Nagpurkar Bhonsla royal procession unfolds on March 26, coinciding with Ram Navami. The event, which dates back to 1725, is believed to have originated from a divine vision of Lord Ram experienced by Shrimant Raje Raghuji Maharaj Bhonsle (I). According to historical accounts, the ruler dreamt of idols of Lord Ram submerged in the Sur river and was guided to retrieve and install them at the Ramtek fort temple. This act is considered a pivotal moment in the establishment of the Bhonsla dynasty in the region, with Lord Ram revered as the family’s kuldaivat (family deity) ever since. The procession, held annually on Ram Navami, is the culmination of a nine-day festival that begins with Gudi Padwa. Central to the event is a traditional ‘palkhi’ (palanquin) carrying idols of Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman, borne by devotees through key areas of the old city. This year, the procession will start at 4 p.m. from the Senior Bhonsla Palace in Mahal, passing through Kotwali Chowk, Badkas Chowk, Chitar Oli, and Gandhi Putla before returning via the same route. To commemorate the 300-year milestone, a special welcome ceremony has been planned at Gandhi Putla on Central Avenue by the Sarang Cultural Foundation. The foundation, which has organized the event for 22 years, will conduct rituals and prayers as part of the program. Descendants of the Bhonsla royal family, including Shrimant Raje Raghujirao Bhonsale (V), Shrimant Raje Mudhoji Bhonsale (III), and Shrimant Jaising Raje Bhonsale, are expected to attend and be honored. The event will also feature a fireworks display and the distribution of prasad (sanctified food).#ram_navami_procession #bhonsle_family #nagpurkar_bhonsla #sarang_cultural_foundation #shrimant_raje_raghujirao_bhonsale
