Hansi: On the occasion of the 54th Shri Shyam Mahotsav, thousands of female devotees had the name 'Shyam Baba' applied as *mehndi* (henna) on their hands at the Shri Shyam Temple complex in Hansi on Monday. The event was presided over by Sunita Jain (wife of Kuldeep Jain and mother of Vinay Jain and Gaurav Jain), who participated in the program alongside her family.
Jagdish Mittal, President of the Shri Shyam Mitra Mandal, stated that there is immense enthusiasm among devotees regarding the festival. On Monday, hundreds of women had *mehndi* designs featuring Shyam Baba's name applied by *mehndi* expert Abhimanyu and his team while singing praises of the deity. He added that the Shri Shyam Temple Trust and the Shri Shyam Mitra Mandal have decorated the city and the ceremonial entrance gate (*toran dwar*) with colorful lights.
President Mittal noted that the 54th Shri Shyam Mahotsav commenced on June 14 with the lighting of the *Akhand Jyot* (eternal flame). He mentioned that a grand *Kalash Yatra* (procession with sacred pots) would take place tomorrow, Tuesday, followed by a *Nishan Yatra* (procession with sacred flags) on June 17. On June 18, the Lord Jagannath *Rath Yatra* (chariot procession) will be held in the city; devotees from ISKCON Bahadurgarh, Rohtak, and Hisar will perform *Sankirtan* (devotional singing) at Hariram Nagar during the procession. The Shri Shyam *Rath Sawari* (chariot procession) is scheduled for June 19.
A grand electric fireworks display will be held from the temple premises to the ceremonial gate during the chariot procession, and a massive 'Shri Shyam Jagaran' (night-long devotional gathering) will be organized on June 20 at the PCSD School grounds. Artists including Saurabh Sharma (Kolkata), Rajni Rajasthani and Abhishek Nama (Jaipur), and Shreshth Dixit (Delhi) will sing praises of the deity during the *Jagaran*. Additionally, on June 21, Ms. Nikunj Kamra will enthrall devotees with her songs during the event titled 'Ek Shaam Sanware Ke Naam' (An Evening Dedicated to the Dark-Complexioned Lord).