Over 500 attendees gathered on the evening of Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Deesa’s Town Hall to participate in the folk dance and devotional music event titled ‘Ek Sham Gaumata Ke Naam’. Organized by the P.N. Mahi Foundation, this event was dedicated to raising funds and awareness for cow shelters in the Banaskantha and Patan districts of Gujarat.
Understand What ‘Ek Sham Gaumata Ke Naam’ Is
‘Ek Sham Gaumata Ke Naam’ translates to ‘An Evening Dedicated to Mother Cow’ and is a cultural initiative designed to support the welfare of cows through community engagement. The event promotes the preservation of Gaumata by generating donations for local cow shelters that provide care and protection to stray and abandoned cows. These shelters in Banaskantha and Patan operate under the supervision of the Gujarat Cow Protection Board, which supports animal welfare programs across the state.
The P.N. Mahi Foundation, headquartered in Deesa, has been actively involved in animal welfare for the past five years, focusing particularly on cow protection as part of Gujarat’s broader cultural and religious traditions.
Check Key Dates and Schedule
The event took place on March 9, 2024, from 7:00 PM to 11:30 PM at Deesa Town Hall, located near the Deesa Bus Stand, Banaskantha district. The schedule included:
- 7:00 PM – Inauguration and welcome address by P.N. Mahi Foundation’s president
- 7:30 PM – Devotional folk songs by renowned artist Kirti Daan Gadhvi
- 9:00 PM – Special discourse and blessings by Digambar 1008 Khushalbharti Maharaj
- 9:45 PM – Traditional folk dance performances by local groups
- 10:30 PM – Donation drive and community interaction
- 11:15 PM – Closing remarks and vote of thanks
Learn How to Register or Participate
Participation in the event was open to all local residents, cow devotees, and cultural enthusiasts free of charge. For future events, interested individuals can register through the P.N. Mahi Foundation’s office located at Gandhi Chowk, Deesa, or via their official website at pnmahifoundation.org. Registration includes providing contact details and willingness to volunteer or donate.
- Visit the official website or foundation office to fill out the registration form.
- Submit a nominal participation fee or pledge a donation towards cow shelters.
- Receive confirmation via SMS or email with event details.
- Attend the event at the specified venue and time.
Explore What to Expect at the Event
Attendees experienced a blend of Gujarati folk culture and spiritual devotion. Kirti Daan Gadhvi’s soulful renditions of bhajans dedicated to Gaumata captivated the audience. The presence of Digambar 1008 Khushalbharti Maharaj, a respected spiritual leader from the Patan region, elevated the event’s religious significance. Local folk dance troupes from Deesa and neighboring villages showcased traditional dances such as Garba and Dandiya, symbolizing community unity.
Additionally, the event featured a live donation collection drive, with transparent accounting to assure donors that all funds would benefit cow shelters directly. The foundation promised to publish detailed reports of fund utilization on their website within three months post-event.
Discover Why You Should Attend or Support
Banaskantha and Patan districts host over a dozen registered cow shelters that collectively care for approximately 1,200 cows, including elderly and injured animals. However, many shelters face funding shortages impacting feeding, veterinary care, and shelter maintenance. Events like ‘Ek Sham Gaumata Ke Naam’ provide essential financial support and raise public awareness about cow protection, which is deeply rooted in Gujarat’s cultural heritage.
By attending or donating, citizens actively contribute to preserving this tradition and improving animal welfare standards. The event also fosters community cohesion and offers a platform for cultural expression through folk arts.
For more updates on similar cultural and social events in Deesa, readers can also visit our coverage of the Grand Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Deesa or recent local news such as the Police Returning Missing Gas Cylinders in Deesa.
To support or participate in upcoming events, contact the P.N. Mahi Foundation at Gandhi Chowk, Deesa, or visit pnmahifoundation.org for registration details and donation options.