PHRT 182-Christmas day Celebration and picnic

Date : 25th Dec , 2008
Venue : Fort Jadhav Gadh Heritage Hotel
Event : Christmas day Celebration and picnic
Attended by : 10 tablers along with wives and 15 twinklers
Fellowship Report
Since we were planning our picnic on Christmas Day , we decided to also have a Christmas Day celebration especially for the twinklers . So on 25th Dec , everyone assembled at ten in the morning to proceed to Fort Jadhav Gadh . Situated in the rolling hills of Saswad and located 22 kms from Pune at a height of 2511 feet above sea level , Fort Jadhav Gadh takes your breath away once you arrive . This unique project , brainchild of Vital Kamat, to enable us to experience the Maratha history ensconced in luxurious comfort. Infact , the moment you enter the fort gate and walk up the paved pathway , there is a feeling of having entered the pages of history .
Tour of the Fort
We were greeted by trumpet bearers and soldiers from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’ s period . We first started with the museum tour which showcases traditional artefacts that were part of homes during that period . We were then led by the hostess dressed in a typical Maharashtrian nine yard sari for a walk around the property . After all the restorations and additions, what has emerged is an eclectic mix of contemporary and traditional architecture. After we saw the luxurious rooms, we decided that we needed to come again for an outbound here. During the tour of the fort, it’s history unfolded before our eyes. The story of Jadhavgadh started from the grandson of Chhatrapati Shivaji, Chhatrapati Shauji, who built the fort in 1710 as a place of residence and safe haven. Built on a hilltop it is a fine example of Maratha craftsmanship .
We were first taken into the dungeons which were secret underground pathways to escape in times of war. One of these is more than 17 km long and runs across the ghat. The passages through the fort were narrow and took sharp turns to make the task of enemy troops cumbersome and giving precious time for those inside to escape through the dungeons. After the forbidding dungeons, it was a relief to come to the poolside and spa and then we were shown the multi level presidential suite which was in the process of getting completed. We were then taken to the watch towers at the top most level where we had a view of the entire surroundings. We could also see the houses of the descendants of Shivaji who own the fort and more than 25 acres land surrounding the Fort .
Tour of the Fort Photo Gallery
Christmas Day Celebrations
After the tour we started our Christmas day celebrations . There was a major surprise in store for all the little ones as Santa himself was there to entertain the kids and distribute Christmas presents . While the guys ordered beers for themselves , Santa started with some games for the children and mothers . Soon after all the fathers joined in with their children with Santa’s version of musical chairs . With all the fathers running to Santa jingling, it was great fun . Finally , what all the children were waiting for . Santa had bought Christmas presents individually for all the children . One by one he distributed them and all of them got what they had wished for . After this it was time for a late lunch followed by some more fun and games .

Prepared By
Vikas Agarwal
Chairman – PHRT 182