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.