An ancient community celebrates its culture

Pathare Prabhus, one of the oldest communities of Mumbai, concluded a four-day festival celebrating their culture and history on Sunday in Lonavala.

- Manoj Ramakrishnan

The Pathare Prabhus have a history in Mumbai tracing back to 1296 CE when they are believed to have settled down in a place called Mahikavati, which according to historians is present-day Mahim. Mahikavati was the capital of the Yadava king Bimbdev. During their eight centuries of presence on the islands that later became Mumbai, the small community played an influential role in the area's culture, politics, architecture, art and religion.