Aakar Charity Pratishthan

Aanganewadichi Jatra Feb'12

Every year Bharadi Devi Jatra is so flooded with activities for us that I thought of posting two separate blogs on Bharadi devi jatra and Aakar Charity Pratishthan.

We started our trip to Malvan via Kolhapur. Expressway travel was so beautiful experience. First we started with Mahalaxmi Temple. No rush in the morning. Laxmi Darshan was very pleasant. Then we went to Jyotiba Temple. Everybody was colored with Bhandara. Next stop was Raghu Jaitley's house. He arranged tasty lunch for us in his village home.

Mahalaxmi Temple - Kolhapur

Jyotiba Temple - Kolhapur

Colored with Bhandara

We were all so tired after playing cricket in the evening. Got up early in the morning. Ramesh prepared the 'Chool' to heat the water for bathing. It was very cold in the morning 3 o'clock. Everybody was very punctual to get up early and be ready to go for Bharadi Devi Jatra. We left at 4.30 in the morning and reached there after about an hour. As usual heavy rush even at that time.
Every year we decide to go early to not have rush but every year there is so much of it that we feel overwhelmed by the devotees.

Who says Cricket is for Peace! At least we end up with a quarrel!!

Kanda Bhaji, Vada Pau, Cut Vada Usal

Bhaji Khauchi Tar Narayanachya Hatchi

Luckily we managed to get the darshan quickly. No photos taken. Not allowed and possible in that crowed. Then time for breakfast. 'Kanda bhaji' 'Cut Vada Usal' and 'Vada Pav'. Thats all every malvani would die for anywhere in the world (not to forget 'Garam Chai'). Time for shopping. To be honest not much of a buying we do in that Jatra. Well we left at about 10 in the morning as crowed was growing fatter and fatter.

Then we went to Sonawade. Our Kuldaivat Aarya Durga Devi Temple. Everybody must offer their prayers to kuldaivat once in a year at least. On the way we visited Nagada Maruti Temple.

Kuldaivat Aarya Durga - Sonawade

Nagada Maruti

Never forget Golvan 'Shabara' Temple. Our 'Garhane' specialist Mangesh does his job perfect. We all listen to him carefully and get so excited with his wordings.

Shabara - Golvan

Garhane Specialist - Mangesh

Next stop was Malvan Aatye's house. The only village feel we get is that place. Morning smell of Cow dung, smoke from the 'Chool', Chickens singing, cows staring at you like strangers, walking bare feet,  everything is so perfect there.

Real Village Feel 1 - Malvan Kolumb

Real Village Feel 2 - Malvan Kolamb

I am sure all these things force us to leave the city life at least once a year and visit the roots, get refreshed and join the uncared fast life of city again.

Strength of ACP

Lighter Moments

Aamche Preranasthan - Our Inspiration

Aakar Charity Pratishthan Feb'12

That time of the year again, Charity!

When most of us were falling behind in our efforts, some of the key members of the pratishthan like Ramesh, Mahesh, Sanjay Dhadve, Sudhir Garibe really took the daunting task and made it possible this year, again. 

The question was what to give. We wanted to give something that will be used by all the students of the school. Not notebooks again! This is when we decided to give sports material directly to the school. This way it will be used by majority of the students. To our surprise, when approached the shops to buy this material, one of the shop owner volunteered to give the material at very cheap rates. In fact some of the material free of cost. We were all overwhelmed by his generosity. That gave us a big boost to our efforts. 

Also we gave a hand driven cycle to one of the needy person in Osargaon village. After hearing the blessings from him, it was one such moment that I never want to forget all my life. 

I wish all the members of this pratishthan feel this and feel proud of themselves that they are doing something different. 

Aakar Charity Pratishthan - Feb'11

Its been a while since I was thinking about doing something different, special. Not alone. My strength is my 20 friends. What could I do with them?

Everyone from normal middle class family. Hand to mouth jobs. I always believed there is lot of potential in my friends. Only thing is someone has to ignite the urge of doing something special.

That is when I realized about doing something for the society. Giving. The thought of giving back to the society was the ignition. The friendly bonding got a boost and became more stronger by now.

We gave birth to AAKAR CHARITY PRATISHTHAN.

Pratishthan is not about helping poor. It is about GIVING.

People know us. They know every sunday we come together, chat and drink. Every year we go to Bharadi Devi Jatra. After the jatra what we do there, Drink. I wanted to change this image. We should not come together only for drinks.

We were not sure how to start. It was necessary to start our innings and then flourish as we move along.

The year 2010, we distributed notebooks (good quality), in my village in Nandos Katta. Only one donator in that year. The success of that program changed the whole scenario in next year.

The year 2011, 22 people donated. This time before deciding on what to distribute, we discussed with the school teachers of various villages. From that it was decided to distribute school bags, school uniforms, geometry boxes, essay books and exam pads. The expenditure was huge for this but our beloved donators came to our rescue. The program was a success again. We covered students from Arule Gaon, Osar Gaon, Nandos Katta and Golvan.

Our efforts were recognized in local leading newspapers. We don't want fame but this recognition will boost our moral to do something different, special.

I am confident that one day we will find the essence of giving.

Aanganewadichi Jatra 19 Feb 2011

So another year to visit Bharadi Devi Jatra. Fourth year for me. Three cars and nearly 20 people again.

This year was something special. Besides jatra, we had lot of charity programs lined up. This was Aakar Charity Pratishthan's first year of Giving. Our first program was on 17th Feb in Arule gaon. The whole event was well organized by Karpe guruji. Local elderly people attended our program and gave us blessings. We were all overwhelmed. One thing was sure and that we are moving in the right direction.

The same day afternoon we did program in Osar Gaon. All pratishthan members were working till late evening with full energy. Thanks to Avi who worked really hard in blood group camp.

Next day we went to Nandos gram panchayat school. Our hearts were shaken when students sang special prayers for us. They expressed their thanks to us. Students wanted to hear my experiences of working abroad. Many of them wants to go abroad. Very ambitious students we have in our villages. They need our support!!

In the evening we conducted charity event in our house. The students from neighborhood attended our program.

19th Feb, the day of Jatra. We started early in the morning. Everyone got Devi darshan by 6:00 am. People turned up in huge numbers. They managed it well this year. It looks like this jatra is going to be a mess if not managed well in near future.

The last and final program in Golvan. Small number of students attended the event.

Aanganevadichi Jatra 06 Feb 2010

Third year in a row. Nearly 20 peoples. This time there was only one stranger. Avi's friend Mr. Raghu joined us. Later on he mingled so nicely that he was no more a stranger.

Mahesh and I went to village home earlier i.e. on Monday 1st Feb to prepare ourselves. Plenty of cleaning was done for the boys. First time we experienced 'Sankashti' on Tuesday in village home. We did very thrilling Aarti, good feeling.

All the boys reached home on Wednesday. Mahindra group had problem with their vehicle due to which they could not start and reach on time. On wednesday evening we had party in Mangesh Chavan's home in Golvan. Very nice arrangement. The trees that he planted year before are now grown up and looking well. He has made good surroundings. Friday afternoon we had another party.

All vehicles were prepared and ready to go at 04:25 in the morning for Devi darshan. Once we reached there we headed straight to Tula Bhar Queue. We had four passes. I did Tula Bhar of Mangesh and Sanjay. Bharadi Devi darshan this time was superb. Nice decoration all around. Devi was beautifully decorated. Very pleasant look. We all came out of temple by 06:30 in the morning.

This year again it was very good trip and hope to have many more trips to Baradi devil temple.

Aanganevadichi Jatra 20 Feb 2009

So... it was second year for me. My vacation allowed me to attend the ‘Aanganevadichi Jatra’ even this year. This time around we were not alone. Mahindra group, friends of Mangesh Chavan also joined us. Total three vehicles nearly 20 peoples together. I was so excited as the group was so big. Everybody was present. Nobody had any excuses for not to go. I would have liked Leena with me but new baby put some restrictions. Equipped with full stock – Antiquity blue and beers. Not to mention we had full 2 additional crates of beer free!!
We started on Tuesday evening 10 PM from Mumbai. All friends gathered at my house in Nerul and began the journey. It was pleasant journey. Mangesh had arranged Kaleji for the dinner. Some of us had drinks as well. We reached village next day 10 AM. That included breakfast in Kankavali at Hiru Mavashi’s house. Everybody got fresh quickly and we all went to our Mango farm in Varad. Daji had made nice arrangements like tent and water etc. Few other village guys helped him. We started our party with Mahindra strangers. That is when Mr. Pawar asked for intros of our guys. Later on self-introduction was so hilarious that nobody was stranger anymore. Evening was only for the rest.
We all woke up at 4:30 in the morning and got prepared for the Bharadi devi darshan and jatra. I was so much tense how to get inside the temple with so much crowed. To beat this crowed we decided to go early in the morning but when we went there we could not believe our eyes to see the crowed. Anyway as decided earlier we went in Tula bhar queue. Avi and I decided to do our tula. Later Avi opted for Sanjay. Somehow we managed to get inside and took devi darshan. We were all free by around 7 AM. Then some roaming around in jatra. From there we went to Rameshshwar temple and then to Kunkeshwar. Evening was filled with another party that will be remembered for long time to come. Everybody was singing. I noticed that all were recollecting their younger moments of life. I will never forget this party. I took this opportunity to turn my telescope towards Pleiades cluster, Orion nebula and Saturn as well. It wasn’t that good view of Saturn as the rings came edge on to our line of sight.
Friday we all went to Malvan- Tarkarli beach. I wasn’t impressed with this beach at all. I heard lot about this beach but it was downer to me. Anyway there was something to remember and that was our cricket match with Mahindra group. It was big quarrel game. After all cricket is a religion and nobody want to loose. In the end we defeated them!! Another party in the evening and again with songs.
Mahindra group decided to cut short their trip. They all started their journey back home on Saturday morning. It wasn’t event full day for rest of us. We discussed some family matters. We started our return journey on Sunday evening at 5:25 PM. Again nice travel. Prakash was bit low on spirit to drive during the night. He managed it very well. We all reached home by around 6 AM the next day.
Hope to attend Aanganevadichi Jatra next year again with full spirit and with more and more friends.