Dabhol visit: An unforgettable experience - Shashi Balsekar
Fishermen are not even distantly related to Chitrapur Saraswats. The only connection between the two is many of us relish seafood and rely on fishermen for the same. One fisherman family (Shirgaonkars) from far off Dabhol happened to attend Parivar function at their acquaintances’ house in Nerul a couple of times and they were so awestruck that they invited Parivaris with Swamiji to Dabhol at their place. Their invitation was not from the lips but from the heart.
Parivaris decided to respond to their invitation and go there at least once and that’s how the last year”s visit materialized. 16 Parivaris visited Dabhol with Parijnanashram Swamiji’s Padukas and their experience can not be narrated. It has to be experienced. It was unforgettable. Shirgaonkars were so overwhelmed by the atmosphere generated by the presence of Holy Padukas that they humbly requested Parivaris that visit of Swamiji be made annual.The reception accorded to Swamiji by Prakashdada ,Pratikshavaini Shirgaonkar and others was so touching and their devotion for Swamiji ( whom they have never seen) was unparalleled. So Parivaris could not say no to their standing invitation and promised them to come there every December.
This year the number was increased. From last years no. 16 it rose to 27 this year. Reception even at midnight was overwhelming. All the members of the host family were awake and eagerly waiting for Swamiji. They were overjoyed to receive Anandashram Swamiji along with Parijnanashram Swamiji. They were taking care of every Parivari individually. By the time we had food and went to bed it was 3.30 a.m. In the morning they had organized Satyanarayan Pooja . They insisted that a couple from our group should be yajman to perform the pooja. Mrs.Sheetal & Shri Ramesh Gokarn were given this honour. In the evening Bhajan Mandali consisting of teenaged girls regaled the crowd with beautiful bhajans for over 2 hours. There was one more surprise in store. One Mr. Mahadik is training the kids to sing and play harmonium. Everyone in that group sang , playing harmonium. Really the pains taken by Mahadikkaka in molding those raw voices into singing voices was clearly evident. A small boy of less than 4 years playing taal captured everyone’s attention (caught everyone’s imagination). The dedication and the sincerity of those small kids was amazing.
Next day’s Naukavihar program was an icing on the cake. Both the Padukas along with all the Parivaris were taken in a boat. Padukas were taken in 4 different boats belonging to Shirgaonkars’ and their relatives and aarti was performed in every boat. Then we were taken for a long boatdrive in the river Vashishti. It was a most enjoyable part of the entire trip. Then came the parting , most touching moment. The love and affection showered by them compelled everyone to promise them that they would come every year. They all accompanied us to Chandika Temple and then they bid adieu to both the Swamijis and Parivaris with heavy hearts. All of us considered ourselves lucky to be part of this unforgettable trip cum pilgrimage.
Parivar Activities 
