The Bhakti Shakti Railway Commuter Bhajan Competition 2025, was successfully organized for the second consecutive year at CIDCO Auditorium, Vashi. The event saw participation from railway commuter bhajan groups from across Central, western and harbour railway lines.
During the event, the commuter bhajan groups submitted a memorandum highlighting their concerns and suggestions to the chief guest Ganesh Naik, Minister of Forests and Guardian Minister of Palghar.
The event was organized with the initiative of Navi Mumbai Punarvasan Samajik Sanstha founder and former opposition leader Dashrath Bhagat, in collaboration with Chhatrapati Shivray Bhajan Mandal, Vashi, Sant Tukaram Maharaj Railway Commuter Bhajan Mandal, Vashi, and Navvidha Bhakti Seva Samiti, Harbour Line.
The event commenced with a prayer service of the CST-bound train at Vashi Railway Station, along with an honorary felicitation of the motorman on Sunday. Following this a grand Dindi (spiritual procession) was carried out from Vashi Railway Station to CIDCO Auditorium.
Through the memorandum railway administration was asked to ensure the preservation of their long-standing Bhajan recital tradition. “ the participants requested the allocation of a dedicated "Sadbhavana Bogie" (Harmony Coach) with at least 25 reserved seats in the last compartment behind the motorman’s cabin, officially recognizing it under this name.
The memorandum also called for legal protection to safeguard the rights of these bhajan groups and for railway authorities to provide designated storage spaces at railway stations for their musical instruments and other materials,” said an organisor Shailesh Ghag.
Acknowledging the issues raised, Minister Naik assured the organizers and bhajan groups that a meeting with senior officials from the Central and Western Railways would soon be arranged at the railway headquarters to address these concerns.
Present at the function was organisor and former opposition leader of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, Dashrath Bhagat. He explained the essence of these railway commuter bhajan groups. “Primary goal of the 261 Bhajaj groups functioning on all the three railway lines is to ensure a peaceful and pleasant journey for all passengers. They also pray for the safety of railway staff and female commuters while providing moral support to railway police in their duties. Through devotion, they have promoted positive thinking, de-addiction, and railway cleanliness while creating a spiritual shield for the entire railway system,”said Bhagat.
The event saw the presence of notable dignitaries, including event coordinators Nishant Bhagat and Sandeep Bhagat, along with prominent figures from commuter bhajan groups including H.B.P. Hanumant Maharaj Tawre, Anil Maharaj More, H.B.P. Ram Maharaj Ranjane, Vinay Maharaj Dhadwe, Shankar Maharaj Kadam, Rajesh Maharaj Palkar, and Shivaji Maharaj Patil.
The competition was judged by Navi Mumbai-based music experts H.B.P. Purvatai Patil, a Sangeet Visharad and vocal guru, and H.B.P. Kiran Maharaj Patil, also a Sangeet Visharad.
Dombivali based Shree SantDynaeshwar Mauli Bhajan Mandal was declared the winner. Likewise awards were given to 11 other teams from Virar, Vashi, Diva, Mankhurd, Titwala and Thane under various categories like best chorus, best singer etc.
