KDO SR.CITIZENS' DIGNITY CLUB TOURS: October 2011

21 Members of KDO Sr. Citizens' Dignity Club went on a Chaitya Paripati of KDO Temples in Karnatak from Saturday 17th Sept. to Sunday 25th Sept. 2011.

They landed at Solapur on Sunday Morning 18th Sept. They were welcomed by members of Solapur Mahajan and taken to the local Dharmashala for Bath and Changing of Dress for performing Puja at the Achalgachh Derasar. They performed Vandan of Pujya Sadhviji Mahapragnashriji & disciples. After having Naokarshi, the Yatriks did some shopping in Solapur & then proceeded by two Trax Vehicles to Bijapur where they were welcomed by the Members of Bijapur Mahajan who treated them to Lunch. Yatriks honoured Shri Laxmichand Visanji Dharamshi with Shawl & Garland. Then they changed to a 24 Seater Minibus and proceeded to the world famous Gol Gumaz and with Guide spent two hours inside the Complex admiring the Galleries, Ventilation Systems and Echo Points.

After tea, they proceeded to Almati Dam where they enjoyed the Musical & Multicoloured Fountains in the beautiful gardens there. Around 8 PM, they left for Bagalkot and our escorted by Shri Prameet Dharamshi to their spacious mansion there. They were welcomed by Shri Hukmichandbhai and Smt.Bhadraben Dharamshi, Shri Padamshi Visanji Dharamshi & family. The Yatriks were treated to a delicious dinner and then they proceeded to a Modern 4 Star Hotel where they stayed for 2 Nights in ten twin sharing rooms. The next day, Yatriks had breakfast with the Dharamshis and were escorted to Shri Vimalnathji Temple built & managed by them for Darshan, Puja & Chaityavandan. Then they proceeded to Ihole & Padakal for Darshan and had a Home cooked Lunch made by Smt.Bhadraben in the beautiful Garden. Then they went to see the famous Badami Caves with Shiva and Jain Carved statues on the small Hill. They had a tasty 4 star Dinner at the Dharamshi Bungalow. They honoured Shri & Smt. Hukmichand Dharamshi with shawl,garland & tilak, gave presents to Shri & Smt.Prameet Dharamshi & their children. They also donated Rs.2,000/- to their temple. After a heavy breakfast the next morning, they thanked and bid goodbye to the Dharamshis proceeding to Hampi and saw the Vijayanagar Kingdom palaces and temple ruins in Minibuses. They proceeded to Kopal, had darshan there and went to Hubli to have dinner with Mahajan Members. They stayed for two days at Hotel Natraj and met their KDO relatives staying in res.complexes nearby.

On the morning of Wed. 21.9.2011, the Yatriks went to Gadag, were welcomed by Mahajan President Shri Satishbhai Luthia who escorted them to their KDO Temple for darshan and the modern 106 year old KDO English medium High School with 1200 boys & girls managed by KDO Mahajan. They proceeded to Jeevan Sandhya -KDO Ashram for Sr. Citizens managed nicely by Major Donor Matushri Maniben Kantilal Maisery (Shah) where the President of the club was honoured by Gadag Mahajan and the Ashram Management. The Yatriks donated Rs.5,000/ to the Ashram and had lunch with the Inmates. In the evening, the Yatriks visited the beautiful Hubli

Glass House Garden and took a ride in the Minitrain around the Garden. They then visited the Hill Top Garden from whose top one could see the whole of Hubli City sparkling with multicolour lights. After taking dinner hosted by Hubli Mahajan, the Yatriks visited their relatives in Hubli.

The next morning, Yatriks had a sumptuous breakfast incl. Bajrani Rotli & Makhan ni Katti hosted by Shri Kiran Patel at his huge residence and they honoured him & his wife. They had darshan at Hubli's 103 year old KDO Temple, donated Rs.1,000/- and thanked the Hubli Mahajan Members.

They had lunch at Sirsi and then reached JOG Falls at 3.30 PM. They took many photos with bright Rainbow showing on the falls. They then reached Murudeshwar & alighted at RNS Highway Hotel.

Early morning, they had darshan at the famous Temple, saw the huge Shiva Statue and went up the 18 Storey Temple in Lift to view the beautiful surroundings from the Top & took many photos.

After Lunch they proceeded to Gokarna and then to Kumta to stay at Hotel Vaibhav. On the last day i.e. Sat. 24.9.2011, they performed Puja at KDO's Jain Temples of Kumta and Walgiri and after Lunch at Hotel Pandurang proceeded to the Railway Station to catch the Matsyagandha Exp. leaving for Mumbai at 4.45 PM.

Ratilal V.Khona