Hey guys,
The last couple of days have been full of excitement and I have managed to strike two important things off my bucket list:
i) I have traveled with a bhajan mandali in a local train
ii) I went on a helicopter ride
And you know, you can get the opportunity to do both of these things.
Hindustan Times has partnered with the Aarti Mandali to bring some joy into our daily commute. The Maurya Mandali travels in local trains at peak hours to sing bhajans and aarti for passengers who end up missing it at their home owing to work. These groups travel in the local trains at peak hours to offer prayers to Ganesha. This group changes trains daily and you will find them performing between 8 am to 12 pm and 4 pm to 6 pm in the Central and Western Railways.
For somebody who commutes to work every single day, I know how irritating it can be to travel in a crowded train where squabbles and fights are waiting to begin. But the presence of the Aarti Mandali and their chants seems to have a calming effect on people. As the passengers join in, you can feel a sense of happiness in the entire compartment. A few people lean in from the other side to get a better look, I have spotted a few college girls make a video and some people are simply curious to see what is happening.
So, if you spot them in your train, join in, clap along and soak in the joyous atmosphere that a loud “Ganpati Bappa Maurya” brings. Don’t forget to click a photograph and upload it on Hindustan Times’ website because …..
Drumrolls…..
15 lucky winners have the opportunity to enjoy the Ganpati Visarjan from a helicopter on 6th and 12th September.
I was given the opportunity to go on a ride on the 6th September and trust me, the view from above was beautiful. Imagine watching flying over skyscrapers and see the waves crash to the seashore from above. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for sure 🙂
So, join in the festivities and you may just get a chance to win a helicopter ride.
We remember the day seven years back when were travelling in a Mumbai local trying hard to come up with a name for our blog when struck us; Khushboo was always called a Jack of all Trades. The name stuck (with a slight modification, of course) and Munni was born.
Six years, over 100 collaborations, lakhs of readers and several awards later; our love for blogging continues to grow. We continue to write on an eclectic range of topics from the funniest autorickshaw signs that we have spotted in Mumbai to how to bathe an elephant. We are true blue Munni of all Trades and we hope to continue on this joyride with our fellow Munnis and Munnas.
Congratulations.
I would like to have a trip too, will follow up as mentioned by you,
Ye bahut hi accha laga aur bhajan mandali wala bhi kitna khubsurat kaam kiya 👍👍
Helicopter ride , super wow….so happy for you 😍😍
Wish ki main bhi mumbai me rehti per maine apni ek friend Manisha Garg ko bataya hai is barey me
This is fabulous. However I dont really often travel my train to spot them. This helicopter ride is on my Bucket list.
Helicopter ride looks so adventurous! I’m definitely gonna try once!
Love Mumbai I wish even I could be the part of the helicopter ride looks amazing.
Yes, travelling in local trains for work can be quite frustrating at times. Listening to Article at that time can be quite calming. Wish they do something like this in the local trains of Kolkata as well.
I have always wanted to see Ganpati Puja in Mumbai. Getting a view of the visarjan from helicopter is just amazing! You must show me pictures of this.
Really, once in a lifetime opportunity.
Wish I was in Mumbai, I would have tried my luck to win.
I want the ride too 😍😍. Must be an amazing experience.
Helicopter ride.. Ganesh arti, such a superb feeling.. Would love to try this soon
This is so cool. I too would love to explore Ganpati Visarjan from a helicopter. That would be awesome to say the least!
http://www.rahulprabhakar.com
Wow, that’s really so cool,
Homage to the elephant God from the skies.
I read about the Bhajan mandali, it’s such a joyous idea to begin with! And top it, some people got an opportunity to witness the Ganpati Visarjan from a helicopter, that’s really something!