I had gone yesterday with "Haribhakt Seva mandal" to organize a free food distribution program for the warkaris(See here to know more) near Shivri village during the Alandi-Pandharpur Ashadi wari near to Saswad and the atmosphere i experienced was just amazing.Unfolding what happened through my pictures and videos:
A brief overview:
Haribhakt seva mandal is just a group of common men from our regular
households who formed the mandal 8 years ago and oragnize free lunch for
warkaris at a place called Shivri(Taluka Purandar) near Saswad.The
people who are interested and dedicated to their cause donate and they
with all their workforce go to Shivri and host the program in a hall
called "Trimurti" which is leased for free to them by the owner along
with the workforce which includes cooks and helpers.The hall is in front
of the main road through which the Alandi palkhi travels.There is a
Yamai mata mandir on the other side of the road where the Alandi palkhi
and the dindi rests for around 2 hours before moving on towards
Pandharpur for the annual Ashadi Pilgrimage.My grandpa "Yashwant
Khirapate"is one of the active members and hence i had a chance to visit
and help physically towards their cause.The leader "Mahadev Koli" is
one of the great managers i have seen as i saw that managing food
distribution for this number of people(around 8000 people dined this
time) is really a hectic and difficult task.
A few Videos i took:
1.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO5YOtLlHjQ
2.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjCZR_K9TrU
3.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iBPHJ9zXjg
Here are a few pics:
The picture of Lord Vitthal with Sant dnyanweshwar,Sant Tukarametc
The gas cylinders used for cooking are all from the homes of the workers
The workers working alongside huge vessles (1)
The workers working alongside huge vessles (2)
Two workers cooking a sweet delicasy called Shira
A huge vessel used for cooking
The Warkaris walking down the road without any fear of rain,vehicles,thirst and food chanting the Lord's name
A group of warkaris taking a break.The building in the background is where the palkhi takes a rest
The Arti conducted by the mandal before starting the program
The Hordes of people flocking and the huge Line which can be seen for the food.IN the lower right corner you can see the food is being distributed.
The food being presented to hungry warkaris
The food being prepared live (2)
The food being prepared live (3)
The food being distributed to the warkaris (1)
The food being distributed to the warkaris (2)
The food being distributed to the warkaris (3)
My niece Sanvi doing her bit and trying to help out!
Me live on the scene(My responsibility was to check on the garbage and clear it as well as to keep a lookout on the food supply)
A Warkari Dining!
Sant Dnyaneshwar palkhi resting near the Temple
The padukas(Sorry for not getting a clear photo.The mob was pushing too much to get a good shot)
The Haribhakth Warkari Seva Mandal Family!
Fantastic!
ReplyDeleteWould love to do a photo feature on this.
A photographer of your calibre i am sure will be able to do a great job ! Mail me your number i would surely give you a call next year!
DeletePosting this in the name of Emil my dear skype friend who is not able to post it himself,
ReplyDelete"I am glad to see you took part in something that was just as noble as it was compassionate. And poor people giving to poor people is the real definition of generosity! You pictures and the whole thing really managed to warm my heart.
You could take pride in what you took part in! It's not the cheap pride that comes with money, or the things you buy with it, but a pride derived from who you are what you did!
And your photos are excellent and diverse! Real feast of colors!"
My name is Emil Simeonov
Nice coverage Tejas!! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you ktk!
Delete