Devotion, wish to serve society keeps bhandara organisers going
LUCKNOW: The city looks forward to Bada Mangal celebrations every year. While people enjoy the bhandaras, not many pause to think of those who set up these pandals. Who are they? And what inspires them to organise bhandaras?
HT introduces you to some of these people, all of whom have a few things in common -- a deep devotion for Lord Hanuman and the desire to do something for the society during the hottest days of the year. Gajendra Singh and Deependra Singh started a bhandara near the Hanuman temple on Vikramaditya Marg in 2002. Today, this pandal is considered to be among the best. “Deependra and I have always been Lord Hanuman devotees. We organise the bhandara to serve people and don’t take any contributions,” said Gajendra, who is personal secretary to former CM Akhilesh Yadav. “Without Akhileshji’s blessings we could not have done anything. He has always been a religious person,” he added.
Gajendra said they keep changing the menu on every Bada Mangal. “All items are cooked hygienically and the highest quality ingredients are used,” he said, adding that chairs and tables were also provided for devotees, especially senior citizens.
Bachche Lal and his son Basu Lal have been organising the bhandara in front of Indore hospital near Munawwar Bagh for many years. “The credit of starting goes to Basu who had taken the ‘mannat’ to organise it. Since then, we have been organising bhandaras every year,” said Bachche Lal. Basu, a caterer, added, “Since I started organising the bhandara, my business has grown manifold. Lord Hanuman has blessed me.”
Sadar businessman Aditya Singh, 35, started setting up bhandaras because of his brother -- a Hanuman devotee. “But after 15 years, I feel that whatever success I have, is because of Lord Hanuman. I am a middle-class man, but Lord Hanuman has been generous to me. I try to feed the poor throughout the ‘Jyestha’ month Tuesdays. At this time, the sun is very harsh. We try and bring some relief with food and water,” he said. Trader Mohan Lal Agarwal organises the bhandara near the Samajwadi Party office. “I started because I wanted to feed pilgrims and common people,” he said. Meena community members also organise a bhandara. This old bhandara set up near Munawwar Bagh is known for participation of all communities . Harimohan Meena, head of the community, said, “We have been organising this bhandara for 30 years, and will continue till any member of Meena community is alive in the city.”