V'dara witnesses grand wedding procession

Devotees join Narsinhji no varghodo and Tulsi vivah

Devanshi Joshi & Pratik Shah/ DNA.Vadodara
13th November,2008

The Sanskari nagri of Gujarat was all booming on city's landmark event of the wedding procession of Lord Narsinhji

on Dev Diwali. To Vadodara Narsinhji no Varghodo is what the Rathyatra is to Ahmedabad.

Amid tight security, the event marked ceremonial wedding procession of Lord Narsinhji who went to marry Tulsiji. Thousands of devotees from city and outside participated the marvellous procession.

Narsinhji no varghodo has become an identity Vadodara is the only city in Gujarat where Lord Narsinhji's procession has been taken out for over 125 years. the idol of Lord Narsinhji was taken out from Narsinhji ni pole at Mandvi and ceremoniously and taken to tulsivadi. Hundreds of devotee joined the residents of the Narsinhji ni pole in the procession as the relatives of the groom.

Devotees clad and rich traditional attire and kids in the fancy dresses fire crackers, music bands and devotional songs all were some of major attraction of annual fete. The varghodo started at 5:30 PM from Narsinhji ni pole reached Tulsivadi around 9:30 PM.

As the tradition goes, Lord Narsinhji, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu weds Tulsiji on Kartiki purnima, which is celebrated as Dev Diwali. The Lord's wedding ceremony was performed with traditional rituals which continued till the early hours of next day. After the wedding Tulsiji comes at Narsinhji ni pole along with Lord Narsinhji.

The police took all pain for the smooth passage of the procession. Before the procession began, the dog and bomb squads had undertaken security checks at every nook and corner of the procession route.

Narsinhji no Varghodo attracts NRGs and foreigners alike

The event has been a grand celebration for people of Vadodara

Devanshi Joshi. Vadodara/DNA
Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Narsinhji no Varghodo at Vadodara has its own identity as it is the only procession where Lord Narsinhji goes to marry Tulsiji on the day of Dev Diwali.

'Narsinhji no varghodo' in Vadodara has been a grand celebration for Barodians for more than 125 years but NRIs and foreigners also make it a point to come to Vadodara on the day of Dev Diwali to see the auspicious Narsinhji's customary procession.On Thursday, many non-resident Gujaratis participated as barati in Narsinhji no Varghodo.

Ajay Mehta, an NRG from Britain has been to the city especially for Narsinhji no Varghodo. Ajay said, "Every year I come to India and make it a point to come during Diwali time, so that I can celebrate the diwali as well as attend 'Narsinhji no varghodo'. Being Barodian, I have very good attachment and memories with 'Narsinhji no varghodo' as I have been participating in the procession since my childhood. Now the time has changed and I don't live in the city but 'Narsinhji no varghodo' is the celebration, which makes my visit to India definite every year."

Suketu Shah a student and an NRG from US visited 'Narsinji no varghodo' for the first time. Suketu said, "Being born and brought up in US, I have not seen Indian rituals much. This time fortunately my visit to India during the time of 'Narsinhji no varghodo' gave me an opportunity to become a part of Lord's auspicious wedding moments. I had been told by my grandfather to see the 'Narsinhji no varghodo' who also told me the religious importance of procession."

Not only NRIs but foreigners also visited 'Narsinhji no varghodo' with great surprise of seeing God's grand wedding followed by rituals ceremony. Michelle Clinston, a foreign visitor said, “India is a land of cultural values and its versatility always attracts any foreigners. I and my friends are enjoying our trip to India especially the colours of Indian culture and variety. My friend from Vadodara told me about the Narsinhji procession and we planned to visit Vadodara to see the procession. It is surprising to know that in India God's wedding is being celebrated with grand procession and the wedding season starts after Narsinhji's wedding.”