Belapur: A leopard sighting in the neighbourhood days earlier had left residents of Sector 9, CBD Belapur, on edge. But on the evening of February 22, any lingering anxiety gave way to colour, music, and community spirit as Basantotsav 2026 unfolded beneath the open sky at the Agro Society Garden.

The annual spring festival, held across nearly one hectare of garden land developed by local residents beneath high-tension power lines, drew enthusiastic crowds from the moment its bamboo-arched entrance came into view. From 2 pm onwards, visitors explored stalls offering eco-friendly products, sampled food from sector-based entrepreneurs, and immersed themselves in creative workshops covering pottery, embroidery, nature photography, and folk dance. Participants painted on open grass while members of the Urban Sketchers group quietly documented the garden's scenic corners. A guided nature trail introduced visitors to flowering and fruit-bearing trees, butterflies, and the rhythms of the natural world.

As evening fell, the open-air stage, Tarangan, became the heart of the celebration. Children performed on drums, singers took the spotlight, and the ‘Vanyavani’ group delivered a stirring folk theatre performance, “Bharud – E Bibat”, weaving wildlife awareness into energetic music and sharp, witty dialogue. The Navi Mumbai Drum Circle brought the evening to a rousing close, drawing the audience into collective rhythm.

“Since 2012, Basantotsav has been celebrated once every year in Sector 9 of CBD Belapur at the Agro Garden, encouraging people's participation. The festival offers participants an opportunity to appreciate and experience nature in diverse and meaningful ways,” said organiser Juee Khopkar.

Participant Sneha Karnavat said, “It was a very encouraging evening, meeting so many like-minded and creative people. What really stood out was how deeply sustainability is rooted among the residents, who cherish and maintain the value of such a spacious garden with great care.”