AHMEDABAD, July 9, 2013: Where are the biggest kitchens of the city located? At this time of the year, there is only one answer - Saraspur. The locality of around 50,000 feeds people triple its number every year on rathyatra day. As the preparations for mega meals started on Monday, TOI sneaks peek at what goes behind one of the biggest annual feasts in the state.

"Ranchhodraiji Temple in Saraspur is what Gundicha Temple is to deities in Puri and thus the area proudly proclaims it to be 'Mosal' of the Lord Jagannath, Balram and Subhadra. The tradition of feeding the participants of the yatra is perhaps as old as the yatra itself as the mahants of Jagannathji temple and Ranchhodraiji temple were gurubhais. They had decided to provide a halt to the yatra at Saraspur when the citizens eagerly accepted to feed the devotees," said Dhirubhai Kapadia, trustee of Ranchhodraiji temple.

Traditionally, nine pols in the area - Luhar Sheri, Kadiavaad, Limdapol, Amblivaad, Gandhi ni Pol, Saalvivaad, Gopallalji nu Mandir Vad vaas, Panchal Sheri and Vankar Sheri - play host to specific class of participants such as 'khalasi' pulling the chariot, mahants, akhada members and bhajan mandalis. However, there are no watertight compartments.

Luhar Sheri, the biggest host, will miss Mohan Maharaj this year. The chief chef was at the helm of the affair for 30 years before his demise last year soon after the yatra. Pravin Soni, a resident of the sheri, said that Maharaj had a knack of preparing for thousands without any glitch year after year. "One could swear by the taste as he oversees food preparations for 20,000," he said.

The area has kitchens running at full steam that would continue till early Wednesday. "Goods like mohanthaal and laddu are prepared first as they are easy to store whereas vegetable preparation is kept last," said Kapadia.

 

From akhadas to gyms

Ahmedabad: The sweat they invested in the grounds of traditional akhadas are raking in moolah for many youths who are now working as trainers in city gymnasiums and health clubs.

"One would not be able to imagine rath yatra without the youth and men flexing their muscles and showing the martial moves. It has been integral part of the procession for long and we are happy to continue the tradition as it is the day when we get millions of spectators to showcase our skill. However, one has to see that in the western city parts, gymnasiums rule the roost. Thus, I decided to go over and start imparting training and tips," said Hasmukh Vaghela, a member of Saraspur Sarvajinik Akhada and a trainer at a city-based gymnasium chain.

Similar is the case of Rupesh Chauhan. "My understanding of how to develop body naturally without supplements got me favours from some of the gym-goers who recommended me and got me placed. While I still practice regularly at akhada, I go to the gym every morning and evening where I train 10 to 15 clients," he said.

What is the basic difference between the two worlds? Vaghela said that the difference comes when cardio and modern exercising techniques come into picture. "The two sets train very differently but with almost similar exercises in different setup. The major difference comes about the approach as akhada is more like guru-shishya relationship whereas in gym, the other person is your client," he said.

Source: The Times of India, DT. July 9, 2013.