Honoring a Legacy of Dharma and Leadership: Ahilyabai Holkar

The 300th Birth Anniversary of Rajmata Ahilyabai Holkar Celebrated in Atlanta

Rajmata Ahilya Bai Holkar’s 300th Birth Anniversary was celebrated with reverence and grandeur at the Indian Consulate at Atlanta on May 31st 2025. A visionary ruler, a devout Hindu, and a timeless symbol of strength and compassion, Ahilyabai’s legacy as a beacon of dharmic governance was brought to life in an uplifting community event that highlighted her incredible achievements as well as her profound humility.  From music and poetry to dance and motivational reflection every element of the program echoed Ahilyabai’s message of strength, service, and celebrated her unshakable faith in Hindu Dharma that guided her every single action.

The event was made possible with the efforts of volunteers of Ahilya Bai International, VHPA Atlanta Chapter, Hindu Women’s Network, Ambaji Shree Shakti Mandir, HSS and other local organizations.  Guests were also treated to a traditional vegetarian lunch, generously provided by Ambaji ShreeShakti Mandir, adding warmth and fellowship to the day’s festivities.

A Tapestry of Devotion and Culture

The program opened with a melodious Ganesh stuti by Janani Raghunathan, invoking auspicious blessings for the event.  Shridhar Venkat  of Ahilya Bai International delivered a warm welcome speech. As a representative of VHPA Atlanta chapter and the Hindu Women’s Network, I was honored to emcee this momentous celebration, and to get an opportunity to reiterate HWN’s unwavering stand that “women empowerment’ was a western concept and that the women of Bharat and  Bharateeya origin were born empowered, Ahilya bai being a shining example of this legacy of empowered women!

The celebration took off to a grand start with a powerful  Ganesh Vandana “Tandava Nritya  Kari”, by Pragnya Rampalli with Abhignya Vuppu as “Vinayaka,” students of  Sri Dutt Raga Dance Academy. This was followed by an address from the Consul General of India, Hon’ble Consul General  Shri Ramesh Babu Lakshmanan who spoke eloquently on Ahilyabai Holkar’s remarkable life  – her ethical leadership, her invaluable contribution to temple architecture and her highly successful policies that increased economic activity and brought prosperity to her people.  He also reemphasized that Bharateeya tradition has always honored and revered women, that they are, indeed, empowered. He noted that the Govt of India has numerous programs that aim to bring about development with women in the lead.

Students from Sangeet Bitan School then offered a series of devotional bhajans and  beautiful patriotic songs transporting the audience to a space of devotion and warm memories of Punya Bhumi Bharat.  Rikhia Saha and her students Anushka Saha, Arin Sammaddar, Shaina Das, Sharayu Aher, Debasmita Dutta, Shourya Chippa, and Shivanya Kar, in their melodious voices captured the spirit of the woman they came to honor—a ruler who began every day with prayer before taking up matters of state. While Ahilya Bai was the Queen of Malwa, her work restoring and building Hindu temples across the length and breadth of Bharat, made her a true daughter of Bharatmata.

Smt. Geetha from Chinmaya Mission provided deeper context through a thoughtful talk on Ahilyabai’s life. She traced the queen’s life through a series of inspiring stories – from a young child growing up in a small village to the sovereign of Malwa, her unflinching resolve to defeat adversaries, her all women unit of army, her tireless temple-building efforts across the Indian subcontinent, and her compassionate and ethical rule from a simple wooden throne.

Adding a musical dimension to the celebration was a stirring performance of  a powerful song  on Ahilyabai Holkar, sung by Sripriya Srinivas and Jyotsna Rao. Sripriya, an accomplished classical singer, and Jyotsna, a certified music therapist with diverse training, lent their voices to a moving tribute that brought Ahilyabai’s story to life through melody.

Dr. Dilawar Singh, President of International Business Council of Australia and President of the International Shri Ram Vedic and Cultural Union, leading the construction of the largest Ram Mandir in the world spoke briefly on the life and legacy of Ahilya Bai, and also shared his vision of the Ram Mandir and cultural center being built in Australia.

A high-energy Kuchipudi dance followed, presented by Aadya Ketireddy of Sri Dutt Raga Dance Academy. Dancing to the hymn “Bho Shambho”, Aadya embodied Ahilyabai’s devotion to Lord Shiva—the divine presence that guided the queen’s reign. The choreography, rooted in classical precision and expressive storytelling, was both spiritual and striking.

The program then shifted into reflection and inspiration with a motivational talk by Rekha Radhakrishnan, a life coach, singer, and speaker. Rekha ji offered a modern interpretation of Ahilyabai’s message, urging today’s women and youth to lead with empathy, resilience, and purpose—qualities that defined the queen’s legacy.

Ahilya Bai Holkar, a devout Hindu, led an administration  guided by Dharma. She understood the profound role dharmic institutions and symbols play in building a strong community and made it a mission to restore temples and sacred river ghats across Bharat. In a lyrical tribute, Preeti Gupta and Dr. Vasudha Mishra,  educators and dedicated volunteers of VHPA Balvihar, engaged the audience with  powerful poetry on Ahilyabai’s life. These verses celebrated her exemplary life, marked with bravery, diplomacy and a profound sense of service.

Singer Janani Raghunathan returned to the stage, enthralling the audience this time with a heartfelt bhajan, “Bho Shambho.” Her soulful rendition resonated deeply, celebrating the queen’s unshakable spiritual foundation—one that saw Hindu Dharma not just as belief, but as a lived truth.

The event’s cultural crescendo came in the form of a captivating Bharatanatyam performance, presented by Prarthana and Nandita Bharadwaj, students of Kalaivani Dance Academy, who presented “Anand Natmedum” praising the many attributes of Shiva. The  dance was a fitting final homage to the queen, who was known for her benevolent rule, much like the Shiv Shambho she worshipped, who could never turn a devotee away!

A Moment of Gratitude and a Call to Action

The program concluded with a warm Vote of Thanks from  Jayant Daftardar, VP Seva,  VHPA, who extended heartfelt thanks to the Consul General and CGI staff for their support, Shreedhar Venkat whose initiative made this event happen, and Ambaji Shree Shakti Mandir for the delicious food. He closed the day with sincere appreciation, acknowledging every speaker, performer, volunteer, and partner organization.

As attendees enjoyed the delicious lunch prasad, conversations flowed around the enduring power of Ahilyabai Holkar’s story. Her simple words—“Dharma is the foundation of true leadership. A ruler must serve, not dominate”—felt especially poignant in our times. Whether in civic life, social service, or the quiet leadership of the home and heart, the message was clear: we are all capable of leading with compassion and purpose, our actions rooted in Dharma.