Camping @Mahuli Fort: Part I

Class VIII had been the most memorable of all the school years. First of all we did not have a classroom of ours; we had to sit in the School hall on second floor. Only lucky ones get such a big classroom. We had picnic, excursions, visit to the blind school, camp, etc, etc. I was going through the old diaries and found these pages written in 2002.

Our school had arranged for a camp at Mahuli Fort, Shahapur, Asangaon; for three days and two nights, from 27^th Oct, 2002 to 29^th Oct, 2002 for students of Class VII and above. This was after our Semester exams. On 25^th, we were given all the instructions and a list of things to carry and also what not to carry. But “We Are We”. On 26^th, all the packing was done. We had to carry only fruits (no junk food). I was super excited!!! Starting the Teenage with such a thrilling adventure!!!

On 27^th, Papa and I left home at 4.30am. Mummy was constantly repeating the same lines, “Be with the group, do not roam here and there, do not go chasing the butterflies and stars, listen and follow the instructions, etc, etc”.  Ten minutes passed, we were not getting an auto. At last, Vartak teacher (Ranjana Vartak) gave us lift. On the way to school, we picked Hemlata teacher also. Three buses were arranged. We started our travel with “Jivdani Mate Ki Jai” and “Ganpati Bappa Morya”. We were engrossed in singing, dancing, mimicry, cracking jokes, playing cards and all that fun we usually do. The journey was of three and a half hours.

Day One: 27.10.2002

Our Camp-site

We reached the campsite. There was an old mandir and open ground. There were five tents; four for boys and one for our teachers. All the girls and some boys of Class VII and Class VIII had to stay in the mandir. The organizers had different tents. One of those was kitchen tent. All students were divided into groups. The instructor took extra care for not putting any of the best friends in same group. The name of my group was Sinhangad. It was led by Vartak teacher. As a kid (many say I am still a kid), I was inspired by the story of Kondana, renamed as Sinhagad for the bravery and valor of Tanaji Malusare. Jayalakshmi was in Torana, Mitalee in Ratangad, Nikhila in Kalsubai, others in Vishalgad, Purandar, Rajgad, Raigad, Shivneri, Pratapgad, Harishchandragad, Ruhida, etc. Our instructor must have read all stories of Shivaji; so the names.

All of us had to assemble on the ground. We were given instructions about everything. We had breakfast; upma and tea. Then we were given some free time; to change our uniforms, settle down with our groups in the allotted place and become fresh. A session was taken Mr. Venkatramani on Atomic Energy. He talked about the importance of using uranium instead of coal. He also gave information on Green House Effect. The instructor informed us that post lunch we will go for “Vanaspati Nirikshan”. We had lunch; rice, dal, baingan ki sabzi, pickle, papad and salad. We had to wash our own plates; it was fun but yes not to waste water.

All were divided into batches of three led by Mr. Venkatramani, Mrs. Kamala and their daughter Prabha. I was in Prabha’s group. Some of the information she shared is as follows:

Chiman Chara: Its the favorite food of sparrow

Silk Cotton Tree: It is white, red or yellow in colour. The thorns on the stem help to protect the tree.

Toddy Palm

Grass yellow butterfly

Common Sailor butterfly

Common Indian Crow butterfly

It was great roaming here and there in the jungle. All the groups assembled at a place and we had a quiz on nature. Four got all correct (includes me). Then we were back to camp-site and had tea. We were shown a clip on mountaineering and then given instructions on the equipments. 

Mountaineering Equipments

They also discussed about the schedule for Day Two. We were going to do Rifle-shooting, Rappelling, River-crossing, Zummering, etc. All the pre-instructions were given for the same and also the Tomato soup, which I just gulped down. Then we had the Sky Observation program. We were shown slides of all galaxies; information was given about the 27 Nakshatras, etc. It was like “Nehru Planetarium in the jungle”, without tickets. We had dinner; rice, dal, aaloo matar ki sabzi (my favorite), pickle, papad and salad. 

We had camp-fire and bourn-vita. The organizing team sang two songs, “Jai Jai Maharashtra mazha” and “Shur aamhi sardar aamhala kai kunachi bhiti”. Then the boys of Class IX sang a song made by them, “Sayonara Sayonara, Dadar Matunga Mahim Bandra…” Sorry I could not recollect further lyrics. We were told to arrange some songs, dance, and skit for the next night. Then four telescopes were arranged for the actual “Sky Observation”. But to our disappointment, the mandir had to be locked at specific time. So we (girls) had to go inside. Boys were enjoying outside and making us feel jealous. We had to get up at 5.30am. I was the night owl and not an early bird then. We had to sleep in rows. It was still good (though away from my cozy bed); could have been better if we had our own tent.  

Read next:  Camping @Mahuli Fort: Part II