Event Coverage
Ayodhya Mandir Mahotsav hosted by Jimmy Mistry at Della Adventure, Lonavala
Mumbai: After nearly 500 years, Lord Ram returns to his original seat in Ayodhya which marks a remarkable milestone in Indian history. To commemorate this consecration, Jimmy Mistry, chairman & founder of Della Group, has exuberantly announced a grand celebration ‘Pran Pratishtha Samaroh’ at Della Adventure & Resorts, Lonavala on 22 January 2024 that will attract 3000 attendees rejoicing on this joyous occasion.
Preparations are in full swing with divine activities planned namely Ram Ratha Yatra that will witness the locals of Khandala, Lonavala, Pune and nearby villages on the route from Lonavala, Bhangarwadi via Kunegaon with the final destination as Della Resorts. With vibrant flags and bellowing voices chanting ‘Jay Shree Ram’, the streets leading to Della Resorts will be a sight to behold. To further set a sacred tone for the Pratah Samaroh, a Maha Yagna with 21 Brahmans will be performed from 11 am to 12 noon. A LIVE telecast of the Pran Pratishtha from Ayodhya (12 pm to 12.30 pm) will thereby heighten the spirits followed by Bhajans & Kirtans. All devotees will receive blessings of the deity via an exclusively curated Maha Prasad offered at 1.30 pm.
The spiritual journey will continue into the evening session, Sandhya Samaroh (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM), where the atmosphere will be aglow with the Sahastra Deep Prajwalan – a ceremony that will bejewel the skies with fireworks and light up the soil with an exhibit of 3000 Lamps in the shape of ‘Jai Shree Ram’. On this auspicious occasion, young children from Della ZP School will present an inaugural performance in the form of Ganesh Vandana followed by a patriotic musical showcase by the military band, ‘Bombay Sappers’. This occasion marks a landmark in the life of Founder, Jimmy Mistry, a patriotic Indian who will speak about the Indian values deeply embedded in his entrepreneurial journey and the impact of Lord Ram. The evening will culminate with insights from distinguished speakers, including Dr Mickey Mehta, celebrated TV panellist, Anand Neelakantan, noted author of Ramayana TV Series as featured on Sony Television, and E.S.P. Guru Deepak Rao, offering a holistic experience for all attendees.
Founder Jimmy Mistry invites one and all to partake in this historic event, an embodiment of spiritual fervour, cultural richness, and communal harmony.
Event Coverage
Anime India announces Amazon MX Player as co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata 2026
MUMBAI: Riding high on the success of its blockbuster Mumbai debut, Anime India is accelerating its nationwide expansion with the announcement of Amazon MX Player as the co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata. The partnership marks a significant step forward in the festival’s mission to deliver large-scale, accessible, and fan-first anime experiences across the country.
Scheduled for 14 and 15 February 2026 at the iconic Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan, Anime India Kolkata will launch the first regional chapter of what is set to be a year-long, multi-city tour. As the curtain-raiser for the 2026 circuit, the Kolkata edition aims to fuse the energy of global Japanese pop culture with India’s fast-growing community of anime, manga, and pop-culture fans.
A household name in digital entertainment, Amazon MX Player brings unmatched reach and cultural relevance to the Anime India platform. With its expanding focus on anime and youth-driven content, Amazon MX Player’s involvement as co-presenting partner reinforces Anime India’s vision of making anime culture more inclusive breaking barriers of language, geography, and accessibility to connect with fans nationwide.
Anime India Kolkata 2026 will showcase cosplay competitions, interactive zones led by the Indian Gunpla Community, India-39 Vocaloid Community, The Japan Curry, and Adda-o-Otaku by The Otaku Guild. Fans can join tournaments across fighting games, Pokémon VGC, and more. Acclaimed Japanese director Susumu Mitsunaka (Haikyu!!) will attend as guest of honour, appearing in panels and live sessions. Positioned as an immersive celebration of fan culture and industry collaboration, the Kolkata edition marks the beginning of Anime India’s nationwide expansion.
Sharing their perspective on the partnership, Amazon MX Player director Aruna Daryanani expressed, “Anime in India has evolved from a niche interest into a mainstream cultural movement, driven by an increasingly engaged and passionate fanbase. At Amazon MX Player, our focus is on expanding access by bringing anime to audiences across the country for free and in multiple local languages. Our association with Anime India reflects our commitment to supporting the growth of anime in India and deepening connections with fans, while continuing to build Amazon MX Player as a trusted destination for free, high-quality entertainment.”
“Anime India Kolkata is a celebration of how anime has grown beyond entertainment into a powerful cultural and creative force. By bringing fans, creators, and industry leaders onto one shared platform, the festival is helping define the future of pop culture in India,” said Anime India co-founder and director Neha Mehta.
The debut edition of Anime India 2025 in Mumbai attracted over 29,000 fans, quickly cementing its status as a landmark celebration of anime and Japanese pop culture. Riding on this overwhelming response, the Kolkata chapter is projected to draw more than 40,000 visitors across two days, positioning it as one of the biggest anime conventions ever held in eastern India.
Anime India is focused on bringing together fans from across the country to create a truly pan-India celebration of anime, manga, cosplay, gaming, and Japanese culture. With plans to expand into four key metropolitan hubs in 2026—east (Kolkata), north (Delhi), west (Mumbai), and south (Hyderabad)—the festival seeks to deliver globally benchmarked experiences while supporting and uplifting creators, artists, and fan communities throughout India.
