Padmashali Community Marks Raksha Bandhan With 78-Year-Old Procession In Bhiwandi
The Padmashali community in Bhiwandi celebrated Raksha Bandhan on August 28 with their traditional annual chariot procession, palanquin ceremony, and handloom procession, continuing a 78-year-old cultural tradition across localities including Padmanagar and Kasarali.
As part of the celebrations, handloom-woven clothes were ceremonially offered to the community’s revered deity, Markandeya Mahamuni. The Padmashali community, traditionally associated with weaving, traces its roots to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with members having lived in the powerloom hub of Bhiwandi for several generations.
According to community belief, Markandeya Mahamuni once wove clothes for Lord Brahma. Following this heritage, community members worship thread and traditionally change their sacred thread on Shravani Purnima, coinciding with the festival of Raksha Bandhan.
Organised by the Akhil Padmashali Samaj Sanstha, Bhiwandi, the chariot procession began at the Swami Ayyappa Temple in Padmanagar and proceeded through Dhamankar Naka and Mandai before culminating at the Markandeshwar Temple in Kasarali. The organisation has conducted the procession continuously for the past 78 years.
A separate Markandeya Mahamuni Palkhi ceremony was arranged by the Shri Shivbhakt Markandeya Temple in Kamatghar-Bhagyanagar and the Shri Markandeya Mahamuni Vachanalaya Committee. Another handloom chariot procession commenced from Padmanagar Balaji Vyayamshala, while additional processions were held from Sangampada and Kombadpada.
After the various processions and palanquins reached the Markandeya Temple, the handloom garments offered to the deity were put up for auction following traditional rituals. Community members participated actively in the bidding, with offers running into lakhs of rupees.
The celebrations were attended by thousands of community members, alongside Akhil Padmashali Samaj president Ramakrishna Pottabetini, BJP group leader Santosh Shetty, corporator Sumit Patil, RPI city president Mahendra Gaikwad, Malleshm Konda, Ravi Merugu, and other office-bearers of the organisation.
