In Maharashtra, it is a tradition to make a mud fort during Diwali in honour of Shivaji Maharaj. This year, we thought of bringing this unique activity experience to balbharti and Kishore Bharti. All residents of our apartment were also invited to join in to guide the children or to enjoy making the mud fort or just to relive the memories of their own childhood when they must have made a mud fort.
Before beginning the actual mud fort making, Manishji (balbharti parent), told the children about Shivaji Maharaj and his courage and bravery.
Then, we split the group into two where balbharti children worked on the cutting and pasting task of pictures of Shivaji Maharaj and his foot soldiers (called mavle). Kishore Bharti children in the meanwhile began planning the fort with a reference picture that we gave them. Soon material like mud, bricks, tiles etc was brought and the kids started the fort making. Adults from the apartment were also present to help them and guide them. Even grandparents were present to guide the children. It was indeed a pleasure to watch three generations participating in the activity with such enthusiasm and working with great fervour.
As the children and parents worked on the fort making, one Kishore Bharti mother brought out refreshments along with tea and juice for everyone. After the fort was completed, all the people gathered around it and captured the wonderful memory in a group picture around the fort while loudly saying Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji and Har har mahadev.
This activity taught all of us a lot of things. Planning, coming together as a big group, spirit of unity, team spirit, creative thinking and problem solving while executing the mud fort. The fort had several features like a tunnel way for escaping, a wall around the fort with watch towers (called buruj in marathi), mahadwar, etc. and it also had Shivaji Maharaj, his mavle, and the saffron dhwaj of Hindavi Swaraj.
We have decided to take up this activity next year as well.
Before beginning the actual mud fort making, Manishji (balbharti parent), told the children about Shivaji Maharaj and his courage and bravery.
Then, we split the group into two where balbharti children worked on the cutting and pasting task of pictures of Shivaji Maharaj and his foot soldiers (called mavle). Kishore Bharti children in the meanwhile began planning the fort with a reference picture that we gave them. Soon material like mud, bricks, tiles etc was brought and the kids started the fort making. Adults from the apartment were also present to help them and guide them. Even grandparents were present to guide the children. It was indeed a pleasure to watch three generations participating in the activity with such enthusiasm and working with great fervour.
As the children and parents worked on the fort making, one Kishore Bharti mother brought out refreshments along with tea and juice for everyone. After the fort was completed, all the people gathered around it and captured the wonderful memory in a group picture around the fort while loudly saying Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji and Har har mahadev.
This activity taught all of us a lot of things. Planning, coming together as a big group, spirit of unity, team spirit, creative thinking and problem solving while executing the mud fort. The fort had several features like a tunnel way for escaping, a wall around the fort with watch towers (called buruj in marathi), mahadwar, etc. and it also had Shivaji Maharaj, his mavle, and the saffron dhwaj of Hindavi Swaraj.
We have decided to take up this activity next year as well.
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