IF ALL goes to plan, actor and dancer Hema Malini will stage a dance performance during the mega Navratra festival that will be organised to commemorate 200 years of the Shri Mata Mansa Devi temple. The nine-day fest will start from October 1. The Mansa Devi Shrine Board has sent an invite to the dancer. “Actress Hema Malini performs the Mahishasura Mardini dance. We are hopeful that she will accept our invite to perform at Shri Mata Mansa Devi temple,” said V G Goyal, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Mansa Devi Shrine Board. Invites have also been sent to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Civil Aviation Minister P Ashok Gajapati Raju as well. Invitations have also been sent to Bollywood playback singers. “Pankaj Udhas and Kavita Paudwal have also been urged to preside on one of the cultural events held during the Navratras,” added the CEO. The budget for the Navratra fest which is usually Rs 40 lakh, has been increased to Rs 2 crore. “It is a special occasion since the temple will be completing its 200 years,” said Goyal. Maharaja Gopal Singh of Manimajra had constructed the present main temple of Mansa Devi in Panchkula, during 1811-1815.
