Sinhgad 2009

Nandni & Kunal Nanda, our family's new member, Muskan Akshay Dodeja's brother and sister had come for overnight stay. 26th being republic day holiday, we decided to have early morning picnic at sinhgad fort. It being an before sunrise outing, many dropped. But Akshay - Muskan - Kashyap - Myself - Sharat - Nandani - Kunal and Ramu, all made up a good company.
Early morning drive was pleasant, fast and smooth. Van and Ramu's Karisma bike.


Reached before sunrise, and watched with awe, sun coming out gently from the womb of the earth, slowly, throwing its glow and warmth all around, bathing everything in its beauty. As it made its journey to heavens, birds welcomed it with its chatter, trees swayed, swished and we all marvelled at natures beauty.

Clicked plenty of photographs. Our new bahu gets very much excited in front of the camera. Also I had all other young good looking boys and girls ready to pose. So it was click time and fun time. After plenty of focusing and shooting, we took tea, had local food as lunch.

Normally it is very excellent, this time I found food, dull and not attractive. Why? No inkling. By 1.0 pm we were all tired. So trekked back to our vehicles. As we walked down, we acknowledged our wisdom of coming early. The parking lot, entrance, the whole place was crowded and jam packed! We thanked our stars and returned with pleasant memories.
by P G Dodeja

Marriage's are made in Heaven, We make it in Mahableshwar.

Wow! What a wedding. Sounds arrogant, but frankly I am overwhelmed and forced to say again, Wow! what a wedding.

To say that it was our hard work, attitude, dedication, planning etc was responsible for success of wedding, will be stretching it, but of course this played its part. For that our family deserves the applaud. The unity helped us a lot and every one contributed in big way. All deserve the award. For Vedhi Fotos Click here.

But briefly with what I will remember the wedding?

• The marathi words in our letter, "Akki Chi Jhali Nakki".
• "I thought you will not be able to better Avi's wedding, but you have done that. What next?" Jyoti Nichani
  
• "The smile pasted on face during welcome, stayed till the end." Deepika's comment.
• "In my life span of 75 years I have attained numerous weddings, this is the best wedding." Arjanlal Dodeja.
• "Fanta-boulus." [Whatever it means] Bhagwan Dodeja
  

• The welcome Part, (Moni-Deepi-Deepak-Deep-Dhawani-Lali-Kash-Mili-Myself) was roaring success. The guest were great and participated with gusto. This set the mood for the wedding in big way.

• The FUN Mood. It was the basic concept, have a Fun filled wedding, and believe me, it was all the way, Fun filled.
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• The almighty was biggest help by providing excellent climate. Cool enough to enjoy. Warm enough to stay out of Shawl's.
  

• Location, just mind blowing. Everyone was apprehensive, but when they reached destination, they were on cloud nine.

• Skit, I heard a guest saying, "Very sexy and decent. Wow, bollywood stuff." No better compliment can be given to Chawla girls - Kash - Meet - Deep and their friends.

• Chillam Chilly function was marred by drab section of Mimicry & Love Poem by Manish and Tina. However, Kash & Sharat saved the day by great performance. The awards recipients were surprises lot, wish we had given it more time.
  

• The Groom and Bride looked out of this world. Specially on engagement night. Class. Dress designer [Khushboo] must have received many many compliments. Well, being parent it will be biased opinion, so I will be posting few pics.
  

• Morning tea with all oldies smiling and enjoying get together was sight to behold. Mummy - Rajkumari -Moti - Madan - Pushpas - Sanjay - Lali - Bhagwan - Maya and many many more.
  

• Thappa food was greatest add on. The best food ever. Thanks to Thappa. Irony is that very few of the family members relished his food. Every one was busy taking care of guests, looking after them.
  

• The timing were perfect, with no lull in the ceremonies and function. The ride kept rolling for all 56 hours with bare minimum sleeping time of few hours. Dodeja attitude of sticking to fixed time frame was big help in success of the whole program, be it arrival, Engagement, Food on table, starting of Vedhi, Departure etc.
  

• And our thanks letter with Dodeja Doing DVD was cherry on the cake. Umesh Valecha specially send me thanks message!
  

All in all great stuff, the stuff which makes the all hardships faced to keep family together, worthwhile. Chawla - Bajaj - Dodeja - Kash Friends - Bathija, Thanks to all. Only missing thing to my mind was absence of youth from the Girl Side. They were, I feel over whelmed and awed by everything, so they kept to them self.

by P G Dodeja

Shadi Ke Shad Mane [Dodeja - Wedding]

Akshay & Nikita finally said yes to each other! Frankly, they had said 'YES' long long time back. But being in India, the family yes also counts. The family 'YES' took its own time and after years of wait the day came.
Just one day before 'Shradh' month's start, Roka (Formal 'YES') ceremony was performed. Very close family members, Dodeja's - Chawlas - Nandas were present. The full program was planned in Pune. However, due to our 'fun' attitude in all matters, at last minutes suggestion that lets do the Roka in Khandala (It being very cool and cloudy) was considered very seriously. Mummy was not happy, but accepted our suggestion. However, after confirming, the plan was dropped as, no Hotel was ready to provide food for 40 odd people at last minute.
Currently I am going through the happy phase of wedding. The planning. As travel part is always best in a trip, so is the planning part of wedding. Daily, Lali - Myself and Avi consult, discuss and work on small part of event. The every 2nd day, late night meeting and discussion and observations and plans are held either at KK or at Sacred Heart. All said and done, real fun time. The tensions, the problems and issues will come just 5 days before the event, till then, I am Loving it.
But then, every possibility is that tensions, the problems and issues may not surface at all! So, god bless.
To start with, wedding is planned in Mahableshwar, a hill station, 210 Km from Pune. So the planning part is very crucial and delicate. We have dispatched the invitation letter, 2 months in advance. The letter was received with many compliments. The passing comment by maharashtrian friend of Sharat, 'Akki chi Jhali Nakki' was gleefully pouched and used in letter. Every one liked it and this letter is being refered to as 'Nakki' letter!

by P G Dodeja

Jai Jhulelal

Jhulelal Mandir in Wanwadi, Pune

This mandir has taken a place of honour for the Sindhi's of Wanwadi, Pune. The grand temple has along with huge Jhulelal morti, has morti's of Radhe-Kishen, Shiv Parvati, Ram-Sita, Gautam Budh, Sai Baba and Ganpatiji. Also there is additional shiv lingam installed.
More then this, this mandir has become a social activity place also. Bahrana - Art of living discourses - Yoga classes - Cheti Chand Mela etc are also celebrated in big way. Not only old, but young genertion participates in all functions.
For this Sindhi's will always be greatful to Thakur Family of Bangkok. They shifted from Pune way back in 70's, but still are in touch and have created this place of worship for Pune.
by P G Dodeja

In recent times I think, this is the best photograph clicked by me. I would like to have your oppinion about this. And yes, what should be the caption for this one?

by P G Dodeja

Sinhgad in Monsoon

On 22nd June, the monsoon had send feelers that it is on its way. The sky was pregnant with heavy clouds, wind was sweeping and dancing around. With nature being so 'Meherban', few of us decided to skip cozy sleep in early Sunday morning and go for 'Sinhgadh' trek. Our first trek of this monsoon.
This place is for Punities a great de-stressing center. The 40 minitues drive and you are literally high in clouds. As you move from one corner to other, the gentle wind suddenly caresses your hair and brings a stupid smile on your face for no reason at all.
Luckily you have no choice of food. Eat 'Kanda Bhaji' and local dish of 'Bakri Roti', curd in mud-cup and Dal. No options, and believe me, it is worth five star hotel rates, but at Rs:5/- per roti, it is heavenly food and at super-heavenly rates.
Sprinkling of Rain - Kanda Baji - Bakri Roti - Zooming Fog - Gentle wind - screeching wind - Panormic views - cool cold.
Wow, what more can you ask?

And for more pictures click below...

http://photos.ibibo.com/photos/viewphotolistonepage/0aae7906e7b7913fe836618c168c230b42-v1/1

by P G Dodeja

Chillam Chilly Club

[Dodeja/Bathija Club]

3C's. Chillam Chilly Club. Well during one of our picnics we decided to form a club. And what a odd lot we are. Chinky being the youngest and myself being the oldest. Gap of more then 2 decades! Be it rainy day picnic, journey to Pune or hill stations like Mahableshwar or Yerkad or Matheran, attending the Engagements or Wedding, participating in the Marriage functions, or simply going for ice cream drive, if half of the members get together, it is gala time for all of us, without fail.
Why we gel very well? Why this group brings a smile for no reason or rhyme? What makes us click? Well for that I have no answer. This just happens. Yes, nowadays the gap between 'Fun Time' is growing. Earlier our 'fun time' averaged at least 20 times a year, now it has come down to 12 times or maybe less. For that main reason being our shifting to Pune.

by P G Dodeja