Saraswati Puja 2013 at Malbasey

The first thing I did after reaching home this time was meet my coolest and closest fren Subash and discuss about my plan. My plan was to celebrate Saraswati Puja in Malbasey Sai Mandir involving only the students and youths of Malbasey, my village. As expected he was also excited and our work began.

After getting permission from the Sai Mandali Convenor of Malbasey Mr. K.B. Bhandari to use the Sai Mandir, we organised a meeting with the young and enthusiastic students of Malbasey. I didn't expect that much of co-operation from them at first but was completely surprised the way they cooperated. I felt that all they need is an idea and some motivation. Banner and everything was finalized and everybody came up with their creative and helpful ideas.

Banner that was placed at the turning point of Malbasey [most happening place]

Coupons were printed for the donation collection and responsibility was assigned to the members. It was too good a feeling to see young students giving so much of effort for the programme. Within 3 days we had collected a sum close to 17000/- and that was a big sum since we were only students.

The real task then began from 12th of february when we had to clean and decorate the Sai Mandir premise. Going to shopping, getting bamboo and pine from the nearby forest, collecting all necessary things like syntax, electric stuffs, water supply pipeline, etc were really tough and it wouldn't be complete without the help of those volunteers. It wouldn't be fair if I don't mention the names of those students and others (whom we called 'karmath yoddha') who gave their hundred percent and were present there from morning to evening for those 3 days. 

• Amir Bhandari [Host]
• Subash Bhandari [Host]
• Roomi Subba
• Anup Bhandari 
• Jyoti Bhandari
• Meena Subba
• Sandhya Basnett
• Amir Karki
• Sandesh Bhandari
• Amrita Chettri
• Anuraj bhandari
• Anusa Karki
• Deepsana basnett
• Divya Chettri
• Prajwal Subba
• Pranita Chettri
• Prasanna Subba
• Rojaling Subba
• Ronita bhandari
• Rozie Subba
• Sabina Basnett
• Sabnam Chettri
• Unisha Bhandari
• And many others whose name I may have left behind.

The most hectic day of all was 14th of Feb. Me, Subash and all the members (instead of celebrating Valentine Day) without proper lunch were working the whole day in support of just some samosas orange juice that had been ordered for the volunteers. But that wasn't sufficient if one has to run to forest several times to collect bamboos and pines and then use it in making some borders along the premise, cleaning the kitchen, toilet, cleaning the overall premise, then decorating the inside and out of the mandir. Ufff..... no time for lunch!

And meanwhile the bad news came, the profile [mat] that we had ordered was lost in the way!! The driver who was supposed to deliver it didn't knew where did the profile go? Amazing na? We were startled and panicked a little... :P cause that costed us around 1000/- and everything was planned accordingly.

Anyways, the work had to move on. At night we were busy writing in chart papers and pasting it around the mandir and also giving some final touch to the decoration work. The most interesting part of the night was that it was not only valentines day but also happened to be the birthday of one of our friend Roomi and a tasty cake was came on the display. I nearly jumped of my feet when I saw the cake.... :)

Birthday Celebration of Roomi Subba [She never revealed how old she turned on that day.... :)]

I seriously don't know what they were doing with candle in their hand.... haha.... I was only focusing on the cherry on the top of the cake and hoping to get the biggest piece of cake (luckily I did because the birthday girl knew that I was a big khaideo). Though we (guys only) had decided to spend the night at Mandir but it was impossible as we seriously needed a rest as a big day awaited.

The next day (i.e. 15th February and Saraswati Puja Day) was the most unluckiest day for me as I had to go to Geyzing for Aadhar Card registration. I was too sad because I had been working and waiting for this day from day 1 when the plan was just on our mind but in the end I was unable to be present on the puja. I thought it was god's wish & went to Geyzing early morning hoping to be back as early as possible.

The puja as I heard from my friends and family went very well and lots of people in and around had been present (lot more than expected). People really supported us and the students were really excited.

Glimpse of puja attendees during the day.

The two priests from Thakurbari Madir, Soreng (renowned priests) also praised the management, planning and organisation of the puja by the students. Everyone was heard saying that though this place has seen many puja and celebration but this was something different. So well planned and organised and most importantly by the young students. 

Meanwhile our volunteers also didn't forget to have some fun around:

Anup, Anuraj & Sandesh (Do they look like volunteers? I doubt!!)

Our beautiful sisters & volunteers taking some rest and making fun of each other in which they are expert.

Sandesh, Amir Karki, Subash... Those without whom this puja wouldn't be sucessful.

The most important part of our puja was the "Shanti Paat (Peace Prayer)" which I forgot to mention earlier. After the Saraswati Puja Paat,the priests performed Shanti Paat of the Malbasey, Soreng where the priests performed havans and prayed to god to maintain peace in the nearby areas. Then it was followed by delicious prasadam (though i missed the hot ones).

Centre of attraction of our puja was Mr. Asha Subba Sir from Soreng who attended the entire puja and also entertained the people and students of malbasey by sharing his personal stories, stories of inspiration and also by singing some bhajans. In the evening, it was 108 dip prajjwalan program where we started lighting dip (diyas) from the older people first and slowly in descending order to the students. Then it was followed by bhajans.

What good is a program is there sin't some dance to end it. So, our sudents and specially ladies knew it well... :) So, there went a hustle and bustle of dance in some romantic bhajans of Krishna. It was fun. Then the final touch was given by Mr. Asha Subba Sir when he danced on the famous song "nai nabhannu la...". People were smiling and enjoying at the same time.

'Just Dance' :P

One man equal to all the ladies dancing.

"Nai nabhannu la...." Some say he teared his suruwal while dancing!! Only god knows!! :P

This way our long awaited programme was over. We knew it was just a beginning of the many things that we will be doing in the future in our place. This, though being a small programme was the first of its kind when some students had taken the initiative and executed it surpassing every expectation. It has left lots of memories in our mind, the cute and happy ones, the bonding and supporting ones, the smiles and jokes that we shared, the memories of happiness.

Hope in the coming days, we will again do something like this and enjoy doing so!!
Missing those days...

Pictures Credit: Subash & Anup

They are subject to copyright and use without permission is prohibited.