Page 37 - MANN KI BAAT- ENGLISH

showcased the nation's unique devotees and 200+ artists
ability to honor its spiritual roots celebrating the eight forms of
while continuously pursuing Goddess Lakshmi. The opening
developmental goals. ceremony featured a spectacular
Divine Foundations: multimedia presentation on
Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav 2024 India's civilisational continuity,
The inaugural Ashtalakshmi followed by Vedic rituals
Mahotsav at Bharat Mandapam, conducted by 108 priests from
Delhi marked a watershed across the country.
moment in cultural diplomacy. It The first ever Ashtalakshmi
aimed to showcase the beauty, Mahotsav aimed to offer a
diversity, and promise of the eight dynamic stage for showcasing
states of Northeast India—Assam, Northeast India’s vibrant textile
Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, sector, tourism opportunities,
Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, traditional craftsmanship,
Tripura, and Sikkim. Known as and distinctive Geographical
the ‘Ashtalakshmi,’ these states Indication (GI) tagged products.
represent the eight forms of Key highlights included:
prosperity as embodied by the • A 3D-mapping show
goddess Lakshmi: Prosperity, depicting the evolution
Opulence, Purity, Wealth, of Lakshmi worship from
Knowledge, Duty, Agriculture, and ancient scriptures to modern
Animal Husbandry. temples
The three-day festival saw • An immersive exhibition
participation from over 15,000

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