Shrirampur | 15th September | Shafiq Bagwan
Religion The 76th Matmauli pilgrimage festival at Sant Tereza Matmauli Bhaktisthan in Harigaon was celebrated with great devotion, with the presence of over 6 lakh devotees. The pilgrimage began at 8:30 AM with the recitation of the rosary and a formal worship ceremony led by prominent spiritual leaders such as Father Dominic Rosario, Father Francis Ohole, Father Santan, and Father Pramod Makasare. The festival was inaugurated with a ceremonial crowning of the sacred statue of Mother Mary with a silver crown by Father Dominic and Father Santan.
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From early morning, thousands of devotees could be seen walking from Harigaon Phata to the church. Along the route, various amenities like breakfast, tea, and drinking water were provided for the devotees. The church premises and surrounding roads were filled with shops, toy stalls, and restaurants. However, the State Transport (S.T.) service, which was supposed to facilitate the devotees, proved to be inconvenient this time. Traditionally, the bus stop was located near the post office, but this time it was moved to Brahmangav Phata, causing great inconvenience to the elderly, disabled, women, and children, who had to endure hardships to get a glimpse of the deity. There was no proper lighting at the new bus stop. In a peace committee meeting attended by the Tehsildar, it was decided to keep the bus stop near the post office, but the administration faced the dissatisfaction of the devotees. Although parking was arranged at the Phata, many vehicles, despite the police presence, directly entered the village from another route.
The festival had commenced on July 6, after nine consecutive Saturday Novenas, with a flag hoisting ceremony on 4th September by Mahaguruswami Lurdes Daniel. From the 5th of September until the festival, different spiritual leaders delivered sermons on the life of Mother Mary. On the day of the pilgrimage, at 4:30 PM, Nashik Diocese Mahaguruswami Rev. Dr. Barthol Barreto led a Holy Mass and Sacrifice on the life of Mother Mary, attended by thousands of devotees.
Several prominent leaders, including MLA Lahu Kande, former MLA Bhausaheb Kamble, former MLA Bhanudas Murkute, former Mayor Anuradha Adik, Hemant Ogle, Arun Pa. Naik, Director Karan Sasane, Babasaheb Dighe, Sachin Gujar, Dnyaneshwar Murkute, former Chairperson Vandana Murkute, Sunita Gaikwad, Chairperson Sudhir Navale, former Chairman Suresh Galande, Director Viresh Galande, Rajendra Paulbudhe, Pawan Paulbudhe, Amol Naik, Subhash Bodhak, Jitendra Golwad, Milind Gaikwad, Bhimraj Bagul, Ganesh Mudgule, and others, attended the festival and extended their greetings to the devotees.
The festival will conclude on Sunday with a sermon by Father Bhausaheb Sansare in the morning. A state-level Kabaddi competition will also begin on Sunday. All have been invited to participate in these events, according to an announcement made by the main spiritual leader, Father Dominic Rosario, and the assistant spiritual leaders.
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