KOLHAPUR: Dasara in Kolhapur is still celebrated like it was in the princely state. The erstwhile royal family gathers at Dasara Chowk to kick-start celebrations. The members of the royal family, government officials and thousands of people gather in their traditional attire.This year too, the civic administration has geared up for the celebration, scheduled on Thursday evening. Traffic diversions have been announced by traffic police on roads leading to Dasara Chowk. Kolhapur Municipal Corporation and members of the Chhatrapati Devasthan Trust completed cleaning and patchwork of the road that will see the procession. Grounds at Dasara Chowk have been levelled. A pandal has come up for the traditional function.Members of the erstwhile royal family will arrive at 6 pm on Thursday to perform pooja at the Dasara Chowk. Descendants of aristocratic families will gather before the erstwhile royals arrive. Traditionally, the royals in traditional attire arrive for a Pooja of palanquins of Goddess Mahalaxmi, Goddess Tulajabhavani and Gurumaharaj that arrive from Mahalaxmi Temple on the evening of Dasara.Shahu Maharaj, descendant of the royal family, will perform the ritual of worshipping Apta tree and the three palanquins at sunset. People will later exchange leaves of the Apta tree, marking the beginning of Dasara celebrations.Roads from CPR Civil Hospital Chowk signal, Swayambhu Ganesh Temple and Titan showroom that lead to Dasara Chowk from three sides will be closed for vehicles from 3 pm on Thursday. Vehicles entering the city from Ratnagiri via Shivaji Bridge will be diverted to prince Shivaji statue. Vehicles entering from Bindu Chowk will be diverted to Venus Corner and Konda Line Signal Chowk.Traditionally, the Kolhapur royal family arrives at Dasara chowk in their vintage Maybach of 1932. After the rituals, the royals visit Panchganga Ghat and return to New Palace, their residence. Palanquins of the goddesses are also taken on the same route to the Panchganga Ghat and back to the Mahalaxmi Temple.

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