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Chaturmas 2024: Dates, Rituals, Food Restrictions, and Spiritual Significance

Chaturmas is a sacred period of four months in the Hindu calendar. It begins with Devpodhi/ Devshayani Ekadashi (Ashadhi Ekadashi) and concludes with Devuthi Ekadashi (Kartik Ekadashi). The months included in Chaturmas are Shravan, Bhadrapad, Ashwin, and Kartik. According to the beliefs, God Vishnu goes into a deep meditative sleep called Yog Nidra during Chaturmas. He wakes up after four months, marking the end of Chaturmas.

In 2024, Chaturmas begins on 17th July with Devpodhi Ekadashi and ends on 12th November with Devuthi Ekadashi. The first auspicious date for ceremonies after Chaturmas is 16th November.

Chaturmas is reserved period of the year for penance, austerities, fasting, bathing in holy rivers and religious observances for all. Devotees resolve to observe some form of vow, be it of silence or abstaining from a favourite food item, or having only a single meal in a day.Let’s explore Chaturmasya and its importance through this interesting article.

The rutus (seasons) of Varsha (monsoon), Sharad (autumn) and Hemant (winter) fall in the period of Dakshinayan (the southernly declination of the sun). In these three seasons the days of Holy festivals are relatively more, especially in the monsoons.

Due to the rains, the incidence of diseases is high, hence more attention needs to be paid to health. The Holy festivals result in occasional fasts and consumption of sattvik food, in addition to a restriction to a certain extent on outside food. According to Spirituality, lesser availability of sunlight in the rainy season increases the strength of negative energies, thereby increasing the Tama component. This increase in Tama component is harmful for us and hence, to counter that, we need to increase our Sattva component. Celebrating festivals helps in increasing the Sattva component. Also, the period of Dakshinayan is otherwise unfavourable from sattvikta point of view. Hence, in the name of Holy festivals we in fact get an opportunity of increasing sattvikta.

‘Chaturmas’ is the period of four months from Ashadh Shukla Ekadashi (Eleventh day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Ashadh) to Kartik Shukla Ekadashi (Eleventh day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik) or Ashadh Pournima (Full-moon day) to Kartik Pournima.

1. Time and Deities
One year of man is equivalent to one day and night of the Deities. ‘As one travels from one dimension to another, the scale of measurement of time changes’. This has been proven by the experience of astronauts who have returned from the Moon.

Shri Vishnu & Mahalakshmi

Dakshinayan is the night and Uttarayan (summer solstice) is the day of Deities. On the occasion of Kark Sankrant (passage of the sun into the zodiac sign of Cancer), Uttarayan is completed and Dakshinayan, that is the night of Deities begins. Kark Sankrant falls in the month of Ashadh. Hence, Ashadh Shukla Ekadashi is called Shayani Ekadashi because it is believed that on this day the ‘Deities go to sleep’. On Kartik Shukla Ekadashi the Deities wake up from their sleep. Hence, it is referred to as Prabodhini (and also Bodhini, Devotthani) Ekadashi. Actually since Dakshinayan consists of six months, the nights of the Deities too should last for six months. However, only four months are completed till Bodhini Ekadashi. This means that the Deities wake up and begin their activities when one third of the night is still remaining.

‘While the work of ‘Nav-shrushti-nirmiti’ (Creation of new world) of Deity Brahma is going on, the Sustainer, Shrivishnu is inactive; hence the four months of Chaturmas are referred to as the Vishnushayan (sleep of Shrivishnu). It is said that at that time Shrivishnu sleeps in the Kshirsagar (Celestial ocean). Vishnushayan is celebrated on Ashadh Shukla Ekadashi while Vishnuprabodhotsav is celebrated after Kartik Shukla Ekadashi, that is on the Dwadashi (Twelfth day).

2. Importance of Chaturmas
During this period of sleep of the Deities, demons become active and begin harassing humans. The scriptures say that, ‘to protect oneself from these demons each one should undertake some vrat (Vowed religious observance)’. A quote says –

वार्षिकांश्चतुरो मासान् वाहयेत् केनचिन्नरः ।
व्रतेन न चेदाप्नोति किल्मिषं वत्सरोद्भवम् ।।

Meaning : Every year during chaturmas, we should undertake some vrat otherwise we will incur the sin of samvatsarodbhav (having missed the opportunity that year).

3. Special characteristics of Chaturmas
A. Because of the rainy season during this period, the appearance of earth is different.

B. Travelling is difficult because of the peak rainy season. Hence, the custom of undertaking Chaturmasya vrat while stationed in one place became prevalent.

C. During this period, our mental state also undergoes a change. Various systems in the body, such as the digestive system, operate in a different manner. With due consideration to this fact, it has been advised that food such as tubers, brinjals, tamarind etc. be forbidden during this period.

D. The characteristic of the Chaturmasya, is performing acts which are conducive for Spirituality and avoiding those which are harmful to life.

E. The month of Shravan (Hindu lunar month) included in the Chaturmasya is of special significance. In the dark fortnight, in the month of Bhadrapad (Hindu lunar month), Mahalay shraddha (Rituals to appease departed ancestors’ subtle bodies) is performed.

F. Reason for a large number of festivals and vrat during Chaturmasya: During Chaturmasya, that is, the months of Shravan, Bhadrapad, Ashwin and Kartik, a greater proportion of the Tama-predominant Yama frequencies reach the earth. To be able to bear the effect of these, it is essential to increase the Sattva component in ourselves. Since festivals and vrat help increase the Sattva component, they are celebrated in larger numbers during the Chaturmasya period. In his research, Prof. Dr. WS Koeger, Gynaecologist at the Chicago Medical School, found a greater incidence of uterus related problems in women, particularly in Bharat, during the four months from July to October.

G. A vrat should be undertaken in the four months of Chaturmasya.

4. Vrat undertaken in Chaturmas
Average people undertake vrat during Chaturmasya. One should follow some rule when taking a meal from the various patterns of meals, such as parna-bhojan (eating on a leaf), ek-bhojan (eating only one meal), ayachit (eating only what is provided), ekavadhi (eating only one helping of food) or a mixed meal (eating food served once, after mixing it) etc.

Several women undertake the vrat known as ‘dharne-parne’ in the Chaturmasya. In this, one should eat and fast on alternate days for four consecutive months. Many women sustain themselves on one or two types of food grains during the Chaturmasya. Many subsist on only one meal during the day. Various patterns of conduct during Chaturmasya are seen depending on the region.

ચાતુર્માસ 2024: તારીખો, ધાર્મિક વિધિઓ, ખોરાકના પ્રતિબંધો અને આધ્યાત્મિક મહત્વ

ચાતુર્માસ એ હિંદુ કેલેન્ડરમાં ચાર મહિનાનો પવિત્ર સમયગાળો છે. તે દેવપોઢી/દેવશયની એકાદશી (આષાઢી એકાદશી) થી શરૂ થાય છે અને દેવુતિ એકાદશી (કાર્તિક એકાદશી) સાથે સમાપ્ત થાય છે. ચાતુર્માસમાં શ્રાવણ, ભાદ્રપદ, અશ્વિન અને કારતકનો સમાવેશ થાય છે. માન્યતાઓ અનુસાર, ભગવાન વિષ્ણુ ચાતુર્માસ દરમિયાન યોગ નિદ્રા નામની ગાઢ ધ્યાનની ઊંઘમાં જાય છે. તે ચાર મહિના પછી જાગે છે, ચાતુર્માસના અંતને ચિહ્નિત કરે છે.

2024 માં, ચાતુર્માસ 17મી જુલાઈએ દેવપોઢી એકાદશીથી શરૂ થાય છે અને 12મી નવેમ્બરે દેવુતિ એકાદશી સાથે સમાપ્ત થાય છે. ચાતુર્માસ પછી વિધિ માટે પ્રથમ શુભ તારીખ 16મી નવેમ્બર છે.

1. સમય અને દેવતાઓ
માણસનું એક વર્ષ દેવતાઓના એક દિવસ અને રાત સમાન છે. ‘એક પરિમાણમાંથી બીજા પરિમાણમાં મુસાફરી કરતી વખતે, સમયના માપનનું માપ બદલાય છે’. ચંદ્ર પરથી પાછા ફરેલા અવકાશયાત્રીઓના અનુભવ દ્વારા આ સાબિત થયું છે.

શ્રી વિષ્ણુ અને મહાલક્ષ્મી

દક્ષિણાયન એ રાત્રિ છે અને ઉત્તરાયણ (ઉનાળુ અયન) એ દેવતાઓનો દિવસ છે. કર્ક સંક્રાંત (સૂર્યનું કર્ક રાશિમાં પ્રવેશ)ના અવસર પર ઉત્તરાયણ પૂર્ણ થાય છે અને દક્ષિણાયન એટલે કે દેવતાઓની રાત્રિ શરૂ થાય છે. કર્ક સંક્રાંત અષાઢ મહિનામાં આવે છે. આથી અષાઢ શુક્લ એકાદશીને શયની એકાદશી કહેવામાં આવે છે કારણ કે એવું માનવામાં આવે છે કે આ દિવસે ‘દેવતાઓ સૂઈ જાય છે’. કાર્તિક શુક્લ એકાદશીના દિવસે દેવતાઓ તેમની ઊંઘમાંથી જાગી જાય છે. તેથી, તેને પ્રબોધિની (અને બોધિની, દેવોત્થાની) એકાદશી તરીકે પણ ઓળખવામાં આવે છે. વાસ્તવમાં દક્ષિણાયન છ મહિનાનું હોવાથી દેવતાઓની રાત્રિઓ પણ છ મહિના સુધી ચાલવી જોઈએ. જોકે, બોધિની એકાદશીને માત્ર ચાર મહિના જ પૂરા થયા છે. આનો અર્થ એ છે કે જ્યારે રાત્રિનો ત્રીજા ભાગ બાકી હોય ત્યારે દેવતાઓ જાગી જાય છે અને તેમની પ્રવૃત્તિઓ શરૂ કરે છે.

‘જ્યારે દેવતા બ્રહ્માનું ‘નવ-સૃષ્ટિ-નિર્મિતિ’ (નવી દુનિયાની રચના)નું કાર્ય ચાલી રહ્યું છે, ત્યારે પાલનહાર, શ્રીવિષ્ણુ નિષ્ક્રિય છે; તેથી ચાતુર્માસના ચાર મહિનાને વિષ્ણુશયન (શ્રીવિષ્ણુની નિદ્રા) તરીકે ઓળખવામાં આવે છે. એવું કહેવાય છે કે તે સમયે શ્રીવિષ્ણુ ક્ષીરસાગર (આકાશી મહાસાગર)માં સૂતા હતા. વિષ્ણુશયન અષાઢ શુક્લ એકાદશીના રોજ ઉજવવામાં આવે છે જ્યારે વિષ્ણુપ્રબોધોત્સવ કારતક શુક્લ એકાદશી પછી એટલે કે દ્વાદશી (બારમા દિવસે) ઉજવવામાં આવે છે.

2. ચાતુર્માસનું મહત્વ
દેવતાઓની ઊંઘના આ સમયગાળા દરમિયાન, રાક્ષસો સક્રિય થઈ જાય છે અને મનુષ્યોને હેરાન કરવાનું શરૂ કરે છે. શાસ્ત્રો કહે છે કે, ‘આ રાક્ષસોથી પોતાને બચાવવા માટે દરેક વ્યક્તિએ કોઈક વ્રત કરવું જોઈએ’. એક અવતરણ કહે છે –

માણસે ચાર મહિના સુધી વાર્ષિક ઢોરને વહન કરવું જોઈએ.
જો તે વ્રત કરીને વર્ષના પાપોની પ્રાપ્તિ ન કરે

અર્થ : દર વર્ષે ચાતુર્માસ દરમિયાન આપણે કોઈક વ્રત કરવું જોઈએ નહીં તો સંવત્સરોદ્ભવનું પાપ (તે વર્ષે અવસર ચૂકી જવાથી) ભોગવવા પડશે.

3. ચાતુર્માસના વિશેષ લક્ષણો
A. આ સમયગાળા દરમિયાન વરસાદની મોસમને કારણે પૃથ્વીનો દેખાવ અલગ હોય છે.

B. સૌથી વધુ વરસાદની મોસમને કારણે મુસાફરી કરવી મુશ્કેલ છે. તેથી, એક જગ્યાએ બેસીને ચાતુર્માસ્ય વ્રત કરવાનો રિવાજ પ્રચલિત બન્યો.

C. આ સમયગાળા દરમિયાન, આપણી માનસિક સ્થિતિમાં પણ બદલાવ આવે છે. શરીરમાં વિવિધ પ્રણાલીઓ, જેમ કે પાચનતંત્ર, અલગ રીતે કાર્ય કરે છે. આ હકીકતને ધ્યાનમાં રાખીને, સલાહ આપવામાં આવી છે કે આ સમયગાળા દરમિયાન કંદ, રીંગણ, આમલી વગેરે જેવા ખોરાકની મનાઈ કરવામાં આવે.

D. ચાતુર્માસ્યની લાક્ષણિકતા, આધ્યાત્મિકતા માટે ઉપકારક એવા કાર્યો કરવા અને જીવન માટે હાનિકારક હોય તેવા કાર્યોને ટાળવા.

E. ચાતુર્મસ્યમાં સમાવિષ્ટ શ્રાવણ માસ (હિન્દુ ચંદ્ર માસ)નું વિશેષ મહત્વ છે. અંધારાના પખવાડિયામાં, ભાદ્રપદ (હિન્દુ ચંદ્ર મહિનો) મહિનામાં, મહાલય શ્રાદ્ધ (મૃત પૂર્વજોના સૂક્ષ્મ દેહને પ્રસન્ન કરવાની વિધિ) કરવામાં આવે છે.

F. ચાતુર્માસ્ય દરમિયાન મોટી સંખ્યામાં તહેવારો અને વ્રતનું કારણ: ચાતુર્માસ્ય દરમિયાન, એટલે કે શ્રાવણ, ભાદ્રપદ, અશ્વિન અને કારતક મહિનામાં, તમ-પ્રબળ યમ આવર્તનોનો મોટો હિસ્સો પૃથ્વી પર પહોંચે છે. આની અસર સહન કરવા માટે, આપણામાં સત્વ ઘટકને વધારવો જરૂરી છે. તહેવારો અને વ્રત સત્વ ઘટકને વધારવામાં મદદ કરે છે, તેથી તે ચાતુર્માસ્ય સમયગાળા દરમિયાન મોટી સંખ્યામાં ઉજવવામાં આવે છે. તેમના સંશોધનમાં, શિકાગો મેડિકલ સ્કૂલના ગાયનેકોલોજિસ્ટ પ્રો. ડૉ. ડબલ્યુ.એસ. કોએગરે જુલાઇથી ઑક્ટોબરના ચાર મહિના દરમિયાન, ખાસ કરીને ભારતમાં, સ્ત્રીઓમાં ગર્ભાશય સંબંધિત સમસ્યાઓનું પ્રમાણ વધુ જોવા મળ્યું.

G. ચાતુર્માસ્યના ચાર મહિનામાં વ્રત કરવું જોઈએ.

4. ચાતુર્માસમાં ઉપવાસ હાથ ધરવા
ચાતુર્માસ્ય દરમિયાન સરેરાશ લોકો વ્રત કરે છે. ભોજનની વિવિધ પેટર્નમાંથી ભોજન લેતી વખતે અમુક નિયમનું પાલન કરવું જોઈએ, જેમ કે પર્ણ-ભોજન (પાંદડા પર ખાવું), એક-ભોજન (ફક્ત એક જ ભોજન ખાવું), અયાચિત (જે આપવામાં આવે છે તે જ ખાવું), એકાવધિ (ખાવું). ખોરાકની માત્ર એક જ મદદ) અથવા મિશ્રિત ભોજન (એકવાર પીરસાયેલ ખોરાક ખાવું, તેને ભેળવ્યા પછી) વગેરે.

ઘણી સ્ત્રીઓ ચાતુર્માસ્યમાં ‘ધરણે-પર્ણ’ તરીકે ઓળખાતું વ્રત કરે છે. આમાં, વ્યક્તિએ સતત ચાર મહિના સુધી વૈકલ્પિક દિવસોમાં ખાવું અને ઉપવાસ કરવું જોઈએ. ઘણી સ્ત્રીઓ ચાતુર્માસ દરમિયાન એક કે બે પ્રકારના અનાજ પર પોતાનો નિર્વાહ કરે છે. ઘણા દિવસ દરમિયાન માત્ર એક જ ભોજન પર નિર્વાહ કરે છે. ચાતુર્મસ્ય દરમિયાન આચારની વિવિધ રીતો પ્રદેશના આધારે જોવા મળે છે.

Janhavi Dadarkar | We SHOULD Have Confidence in Modi’s Government | Oxford Union. UK

Urgent Action needed for protecting villages from rising sea levels because of Global Warming (Sea Barrier Conservation Project)

A. Introduction

An extensive portion of the land alongside the sea at Dandi and further south along the coastline in the Kantha Vibhag area has a problem of sea erosion and sea water overflowing into agricultural lands and over time this area has become unusable because of the saltiness of the land (know as Khanjar). This will continue to be a bigger problem because of rising oceans. Seasonal Monsoon flooding is another problem that has to be addressed, flooding in the villages during the rainy season disrupts life and it takes months to recover, proper draining and preparedness for the annual rains will alleviate the issue.

There is now an increasing need to protect the coastline and inner areas of our gams from sea water and erosion, especially because of rising waters due to global warming. Sea Water that has been flowing into the Khanjar areas over the years has been turning good arable farm land into unusable land caused by salty sea water and sea erosion. This can readily be reversed by erecting natural sea barriers where sea water overflows into the land in the form of sand and rock barriers and mangrove vegetation. Fish farmers who currently use sea water can continue doing so by piping sea water to the required pond areas.

Any solutions implemented should take into consideration monsoon rains together with the problems of drainage and runoff of much needed fresh water into the sea, it may be desirable to store this water perhaps in a lake. A feasibility study of all possible solutions should be presented before any project is started, this will all be done with the help and collaboration of the regional government departments.

As part of the Tree Planting Project, thousands of trees should be planted on the Dandi coastline as protection against natural calamities like cyclone, hurricane, Tsunami, etc.

B. Key Issues

– Severe sea erosion problems in some areas on the beachfront and further inland
– Sea levels rising every year due to climate change
– the solution of P.P. Gabions is not suitable
– Protection by using tetrapod mays be part of the solution, though high cost may be an issue
– If protection work is carried out by larger size stones, Gabions, Tetrapods, Beach will loose its
natural beauty
– a study needs to be conducted before a solution is implemented
– requires a permanent long term solution
– time is of the essence, if the government is unable to help with a timely solution then a community funded solution will be the only alternative.

C. Potential Solutions and Opportunities

The one solution is to put up barriers that will prevent sea water from overflowing into land areas, these barriers should be as high as the height of the highest watermark during high tide multiplied by two, this will ensure a permanent long term solution. Routine maintenance has to be planned on a periodic basis, perhaps quarterly to ensure that the barriers are not compromised due to soil erosion and wave action.

Land Reclamation – preventing sea water from overflowing into the area and reversing the saltiness of the Khanjar area will suddenly make hundreds of acres of land available for farming and other non-agricultural uses.

D. Challenges

1. Currently, sea water is used by the fishing industry in ponds, continuation of this supply is necessary by providing piping from the coastal area to the inland ponds on a limited basis.
2. Funding for the project
3. If nothing is done then there is a threat the entre Kantha Vibhag area may be overrun with sea water and it will result in loss of farmland and habitat.

E. Project Implementation

– All work that has to be done should be conducted with the help and permission of the relevant government authorities.
– A detailed project plan and timeline should be established
– Proper project management and controls to be in place

pdf 1. Download Kantha Vibhag Sea Barrier Project – English
pdf ?. Download Kantha Vibhag Sea Barrier Project – Gujarati
pdf 3? Download Kantha Vibhag Sea Barrier Project – Hindi

National Jal Shakti Abhiyan Project

*** Tree Planting Project
Tree Planting Project
pdf 1. Download Sanskrutik Vano – Gujarati
pdf 2. Download Sanskrutik Vano – English

*** Proposed Hotel and Supermarket Project
. Proposed Hotel and Supermarket Project

1. Download Gam Development Report – English

2. Download Gam Development Report – Gujarati

3A. Download Report – Kantha Vibhag Friendship Trust Report – English

3B. Download report Kantha Vibhag Friendship Trust Report – Gujarati

4. Download Brief History of Koli Samaj

5. Download Health and Healing, a series of articles on the Science of Health and Healing by Dr. Devananda Tandavan

1. Download Essence of Hinduism by Gandhi

2. Download 11 Vows of Gandhi

3. Download The Man Who Saved India – Sardar Patel (The Gospel of Selfless Action)

4. Download Gandhi’s book – From Yeravda Mandir

Download “We are Hindus” (illustrated) by Dineshbhai Patel (Swinden)

* Featured Sites:
. Green Message – Spirituality, Sanskrit and Nature
. Gujarat Online
. Gujarat State – NRI Site
. Divyabhaskar – Gujarati News/Samachar ePaper
. Divyabhaskar – Gujarati News/Samachar
. Gujarati One India News Site
. World Hindu News
. One India News Site
. Aksharnaad.com
. DeshGujarat.com
. India Barriers
. Gujarati Lexicon
. Gujarat Tourism
. Shodh Ganga – Reservoir of Indian Thesis
. PDF DRIVE – Download Free PDF Files
. News India Times
. The Better India
. State of the Planet

* Astrology:
. Ask Ganesha
. Drik Panchang (all year)
. Daily Panchang
. Vedic Calendar
. Download iCal, Outlook and Google calendar format Vedic Calendars
. Gujarati Calendars – Vikram Samvat Hindu Tithi Calendar

Old Banyan Tree – Matwad

Purpose of the Website:

First and foremost, is to recognize our roots and rich culture and heritage and social and community practices which is prevalent in all our communities around the world.
Valuing and drawing upÃƒâ€šÃ‚Â existing knowledge, skills and talents of the members of the Mandhata Community Globally.
Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Networking with each other, helping and guiding members and affiliated associations to optimise their abilities in order to fulfil set objectives.
Addressing specific issues on their own merits and proven experiences.
Develop and enhance the quality of life in our village areas in India by promoting education and development in all spheres of life.
Record and Archive our roots and heritage and make it available globally.
Promote Hindu Religious, Spiritual, Cultural and Social Practices
Recognize and acknowledge achievements by our people around the world.
Network and share Best Practices to ensure a peaceful and sustainable future for our communities around the world by living in harmony with people and nature and to protect the environment.
Make positive contributions to society in general and to all the people and countries that we live in, around the world

[n.b. If you would like to contribute material for the site (photos or documents) or to become an Editor, please send a message to the email account [email protected].]

____________________________________________________________________

Mandhata Community – Who are We ???

Mandhata Community refers to all the Koli Patel Community people who originated from the Kantha Vibhag area in Navsari District of South Gujarat in India and also those who migrated to various overseas countries.

The first Koli Patel immigrants from Navsari District are recorded to have sailed for South Africa in 1860. Over the years since then many more joined them. Others traveled to Fiji and then to New Zealand as early as 1902. During the War years and later large numbers traveled to East Africa.

Initially they came to work on the plantations and to build roads and railways. As years passed the vast majority of them settled in the countries where they worked. The first immigrants were all young men who went back to their local villages to get married and return to be followed by their wives a little later.

It is these immigrants who identified themselves as Mandhata Community. It is estimated that they number over a hundred thousand. UK has over 40,000 settled mainly in large cities and are now involved in almost all professions and in every industry, as in other countries too.

A vast number of us settled overseas are now sixth and seventh generation. Even the later arrivals boast third and forth generation. Yet we have continued close relationship with our extended families in India. Most of us visit regularly and many have built homes on their ancestral land.

This site highlights the history and life of the Mandhata Patel Community.

Site Specifics

This site has been built using a web content management framework, this will enable many people around the world to contribute content without any programming skills, all that is required is basic computer skills, this will ensure that content is contibuted by our communities around the world and also will ensure independance, so that no one person is tasked with the responsibility of maintaining the site. If you’d like to become a contributor, simply send an eMail message to our group email address, mandhataglobal.com. (exclude the period).

The site has been kept as simple as possible. Anyone with a basic knowledge of computing and internet will be able to interact. We are aware that a large number of you have a fund of knowledge to contribute to this site so that it can become a comprehensive repository of our history and heritage illustrated in words and pictures. In years to come this site would develop into a resource that our coming generations would refer to learn about their roots. We invite you to volunteer yourself as an administrator.

This site will be bilingual. We shall use English and Gujarati to reach as many of our people as possible.

On this site you will be able to read shorter articles in full, and where need be a .pdf version to copy. Large articles and other printed material will be in .pdf format for copying and printing.

MigrationÃƒâ€šÃ‚Â History

Preamble

When in the quiet of the night the question arises in your mind as to who your forefathers were? Where did they come from? How did they live? And you desperately want to explore your roots, this website may help you..

Perhaps the obvious starting point of this inquiry could be our own first hand knowledge of the stories told by our fathers and grandfathers of their experiences in their villages and how they made it to the foreign lands all over the world.

From their own lips we have heard how a few young men from the villages found construction jobs building railways in Surat and other nearby cities. Back in village for holidays their offers of help led more youths to join them. At work they came in contact with other peoples and particularly the English who valued their construction knowledge. This broadened their horizon. When opportunities came their way to work for railways in East Africa, plantations in South Africa and New Zealand many volunteered and packed their bags.

My paternal and maternal grandfathers both came to Mombasa, in East Africa to work on the Railways in 1919/21. They were perhaps among the first there and in their own words life was terrible. They lived in tents and were always in fear of the wild animals. For the first year or two they survived on boiled lentils with some pepper and salt. Later they grew chillies and ginger. Apart from bhajan singing in the dim light of a lantern, other entertainment was zero. Life in South Africa or New Zealand was no different. This was soon after the First World War period. Political power struggle was intense among the European powers and British were digging in wherever they went.

Period prior to the Second World War was the 2nd wave of immigration for our people. Passports were easily available and hundreds of youths leaving their families behind boarded sea-going clippers and left in search of a better life. A number of them perished and for the many who made it, life was very, very hard in every respect. Homesickness gripped many.

Read further about our History in the articles below.

1A. Read/Download the story of India’s Historic People by Ashok U Patel – 2nd Edition (April 2021) – English

1B. Read/Download the story of India’s Historic People by Ashok U Patel – 2nd Edition (April 2021) – Gujarati

1C. Read/Download the story of India’s Historic People by Keshavbhai J Patel – 1st Edition (201)

2. Read/Download the Early Katha Migration in Gujarati by Maganbhai B Karadia

3. Read/Download ‘Our Finest Patriotic Years by Maganbhai B Karadia

4. Read/Download ‘Koli Samaj, a Historical Perspective’ by Dr. Arjun Patel

5. Read/Download ‘ History of Koli/Mandhata Patel People’

Sultanpur – Migrating Flamingos

Borifalia

Coastal Area near Dandi

Jalaram Bapa Mandir

Bridge near Aatgam

Karadi

Keshavbhai meeting school children

New Avdafalia Shiv Mandir (2017)

Karadi School

School Children during Assembly – Karadi School

School Children – Republic Day Celebrations

Youth Leadership and Educational Seminar

Shree Amratbhai Jerambhai Patel (in blue Shirt) And Shreemati Taraben Amratbhai Patel of Machhad are residents in USA. Both are generous donors of our Samaj. They visit Gam almost every year and sponsor a number of project in Machhad, other Kantha Vibhag gams. They are particularly interested in educational projects which we organise year after year. Their generous sponsorship help students with scholarships and various educational seminars for the students. This Leadership Seminar was hosted by them and was held on 12th April 2014.