DhanRajHastVikraYuvak Mandalwas founded in 1980AD ( VikramSamvat 2037 )

Though officially founded and named in 1980 AD, roots of DhanRajHastVikraYuvak Mandallie way back in mid 70s.

During late 70s, local talents of the area – i.e. singers, harmonium players, tablaplayers etcformed an in-house, informal band and celebrated the navratrifestival in the ground -surrounded by adjoining co-operative societies DhanLakshmi, Hastinapur and Vikramnagar. They used to sing and play garba. Making the resident part of the celebration and enjoying the Garba Utsav. The group also celebrated the Ganeshotsav, arranged fun-fares, sport competitions etc.

During this time, an additional Housing society also got constructed -Rajgiri in adjacent ground.

The young generation of these major foursocieties and nearby area decided to formalize the social and cultural activities and decided to found a Mandal. An apt name was to be given to the Mandal and the members searched for a suitable name. It was decided to relate the name with the location of the activity – the play ground, the worship place- surrounded by four major societies. And it was named :Dhan Raj Hast VikraYuvak mandal.

Garba Utsav and ShriGaneshotsavbeing chief activities at the ground, the place became a place of worship and faith. Also, during the same time, in 1982, in HastinapurSociety ,Mataji’sbig temple was founded. This added to the religious flavour in the area and gave an impetus to the Yuvak Mandal to organize the NavratriUtsav on a further larger scale. The Matajee’s templesthapnawas a mega show -a grandeur - suiting the auspicious occasion.

Today the passion has not receded a bit, rather it is getting enhanced and enriched with each passing year. Navratri and Ganesh Mahotsav are being celebrated with a touch of modernisation. The newgeneration has aptly taken the responsibility from the previous mentors, while they still keep seeking guidance from the seniors at various junctures of managing the event.

The younger generation started a frenzy navratri celebration backed up by DJ system, in 2002, and named it Chhel Chhabilo Garba Mahotsav. The Chhel Chhabilo Garba Mahotsav has picked up excellently with the mass in the local and surrounding area. Garba players and music lovers from far corners of Vadodara also come here to play and listen, as this being a peaceful, decent and un-chaotic place for playing / listening. The mandal has kept Entry-pass ( click here to see this year’s entry pass ) for male /female entry to have a check on the garba players and avoid any nuisance during the worship of matajee. The passes are free , but one needs a reference from the local area to avail the pass and have an access to the playground.

Fancy dress competition has been a penchant of the DhanRajHastVikra Garba since almost three decades.Today, at Chhel Chhabilo Garba Mahotsav, this event of Fancy Dress competition onDurgashtami has become a hallmark and pinnacle of the event. Participants form all age groups take part with zeal and arrive in weirdget-ups, or under a hood of a celebrity, or a God or a comic book character or an animal, and what not. They put their imagination at best and see that they perform excellently in front of Mataajeeon the auspicious day of Ashtami.

There are prizes for best participation, but the basic idea is to enjoy and add richness to the Festival by contributing on individual level.

Like the fancy dress competition, the DandiaRaas is also a trademark of DhanRajHastVikraYuvak Mandal since decades. DandiaRaas reflect the glory of the event and intersected players rush to Garba Ground to participate in the fun and frolic of DhanRaajHastVikra’sRaas. The trend continues and ChhelChhabilo Garba Mahotsav invariably incorporates the Raas events on most of the nights to facilitate the Khelaiyaas to have the zest and dynamism of the DandiaRaas.