152

CHAPTER V

SOCIO – GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS OF FESTIVALS –

A CASE STUDY OF PUSEGAON AND GONDAVALE

5.1 PUSEGAON FESTIVAL – A CASE STUDY

1) LOCATION:

Khatav partly in the center and partly in the east is bounded on the north

by Phaltan and Man, on the east by Man and Atpadi, on the south by Khanapur

and on the west by Karad and Koregon taluka. It has an area of 1129.66 square

km. 141 villages consist in the Khatav taluka. Pusegaon (Pusevadi) is the one

of holy and religious village In this taluka having 8591 population, in 2001. It

is famous for the festival of Shri sevagiri Maharaj rathotsav in Maharashtra.

The pusegaon village is located on the 17o .0' north latitude and 74

o .20'

east longitude. It is situated on the river bank of Vaedavati. It’s old name isher

– Pusevadi. It is apart of Dandakaranya in Ramayan period. In east side of

pusegaon, Katgun village, the birth place of Mahatma Jyotirao Fule is situated.

In the west side Vardhangad fort, South words Rameshwar Mountain, in the

north side Nher tank, which is build by British in 1870.

2) PHYSIOGRAPHY:

Pusegaon is situated on the plain land of Khatav sub-division. It is the

drought prone area of the Satara district. It is situated on the River Yerala

basin. Its bed is sandy and banks of river are eroded. This part is the dry land

part of the district.

3) CLIMATE:

The part, in which the Pusegaon is located, is one of the dry parts of the

district. The annual rainfall is about 300 mm and the mean temperature is about

280 c. The rainy season which spread from June to September experiences

scanty rainfall, dry spells and very irregulariety. Droughts are common.

The pusegaon Devasthan trust has been done a lot of social work for the

water supply to the people of Pusegaon and surrounding so it called a

‘Devasthan of water storage’ in the Satara district and Poona division. Nher

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tank, Karanjole tank, wells and river Yerala are the main source of water

supply to Pusegaon village. They have done water conservation project in that

region.

4) POPULATION -

Table: 5.1

Population of Pusegaon

Year Population

1961 3,43

1971 3,801

1981 5,302

1991 6,806

2001 8,591

Source – District Census hand book of Satara.

It is seen that the in 1961 the population of Pusegaon was 3,143 and it is

increased upto 8,5,91 in 2001. It means that the Pusegaon is big village in

Khatav tahsil.

5) HISTORY:-

Shri Sevagiri Maharaj trust was established after the death of Shri

Sevagiri Maharaj in 1972 by it’s second mathadhipati Shri Hanumagiri

Maharaj. The Sevagiri trust was registered under the register No-E 274 Satara

dt. 30.8.1972.

Six trustiees was elected by the Pusegaon villagers in the year 2005 and

they formed a body. Now this body of trustees working very successfully in the

whole process of development of Pusegaon. The trustees have six members.

One is the Chairman and others help him for well doing. The villagers of

Pusegaon also take part in this procession.

The devotees of Shri Sevagiri Maharaj came from the through out

Maharashtra and also from the state of Gujrat, Karnataka, Andhrapradesh etc.

All devotees of Shri Sevagiri Maharaj donates more than 25 lakh rupees every

year at the time of Rathotsav. With this earrning of donation sevairi trust

154

planned and worked various social activities for the devotees and people of

Pusegaon under the guidance of the trustees, Mathadhipati an Management.

6) SOCIO – ECONOMIC AMENITIES OF VILLAGE PUSEGAON

Pusegaon is a developing village in this area because of the Shri

Shevagiri Maharaj. The trust has been done a lot of social work in this area so

the maximum socio-economic amenities are found in this villages. There is

good educational facilities from primary to higher and profesional education.

There are Medical facilities are also. Drinking water facilitiry consist Tap

water, well water, Tank water, Tube well water, River water and Lake water

are available in Pusegaon. Post Office, Phone Service, Bus Stop, Pucca road

and Electricity for all purposes is found in this village. Market day of Pusegaon

is Sunday.

Table :5.2

Amenities in Pusegaon village

Sr. No Amenities Sub – types

1 Education P,M,H,PUC,C,Tr

2 Medical PHC, RP, FPC, NH

3 Drinking water T,W W, TK, TW, R, L

4 Post office Po

5 Telephone Phone

6 Bus stop Bs

7 Pucca read PR

8 Electricity EA

9 Market Day Sunday

Source – District Census Hand Book of Satara distirict.(2004-05

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7) DISTRICTWISE PILGIMS IN SHRI SEVAGIRI FAIR.

Table: 5.3

Pusegaon Festival : Districtwise Devotees Visited (Sample Cases)

Pilgrims Sr. No Districts

In number In percentage

1 Satara 278 29.70

2 Pune 161 17.20

3 Solapur 101 10.79

4 Sangli 98 10.47

5 Kolhapur 61 06.51

6 Ahmadnagar 32 03.41

7 Thane 31 03.31

8 Mumbai 29 03.09

9 Osmanabad 22 02.35

10 Beed 19 02.02

11 Nashik 13 01.38

12 Aurangabad 08 00.85

13 Jalana 08 00.85

14 Parbhani 08 00.85

15 Latur 08 00.85

16 Ratnagiri 08 00.85

17 Raigad 07 00.74

18 Sindhudurga 07 00.74

19 Viajapur (Karnataka) 07 00.74

20 Belgaon (Karnataka) 07 00.74

21 Ahmadabad (Gujrat) 06 00.64

22 Surat (Gujrat) 06 00.64

23 Badoda (Gujrat) 04 00.42

24 Gulbarga (Karnataka) 04 00.42

25 Bidar (A.P.) 03 00.32

Total 936 99.88

Source: Based on fieldwork.

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District wise pilgrims or devotees in Shri Sevagiri fair, above table,

shows that out of 936 pilgrims maximum pilgrims 278 (29.70 percent) came

from native district place. 161 (17.20 percent) pilgrims came from

Pune,followed by Solapur 10.79 percent, Sangli 10.47 percent, Kolhapur 6.51

percent, Ahmadnagar 3.41 percent, Thane 3.31 percen, Mumbai 03.09 percent,

Osmanabad 02.35 percent, Beed 02.02 percent respectively. Study reveals that

pilgrims from Vijapur, Belgaon, Gulbarga (Karnatak State), Ahmadabad, Surat,

Badoda (Gujrat State) Gulbarga and Bidar (Andhra Pradesh state) also

participate in this.

8) SEX AND MARITAL STRUCTURE OF PUSEGAON DEVOTEES

Table 5.4

Pusegaon Festival : Sex and Marital Structure of Devotees

Devotees Nature of Pilgrims

In number In percentage

Sex structure

Male

Females

679

257

72.54

27.45

936 99.99

Marital Structure

Married

Unmarried

801

135

85.57

14.42

936 99.99

Source: Based on fieldwork.

In the Pusegaon festival, sex structure of pilgrims shows that 72.54

percent of the total sample pilgrims in the fair are males while only 27.45

percent pilgrims are the females.

On the other hand the present study show that 85.57 percent of the total

sample pilgrims of pusegaon are married people while only 1.42 percent are

unmarried.

157

9) AGE STRUCTURE OF DEVOTEES OF PUSEGAON FESTIVAL

Table 5.5

Pusegaon Festival : Age structure of Devotees

Devotees Sr.

No.

Age group of Pilgrims

(in years) In number In percentage

1 Below 18 138 14.74

2 18 to 35 247 26.38

3 35 to 60 498 53.20

4 Above 60 53 05.66

Total 936 99.98

Source: Based on fieldwork.

Age structure of pilgrims in Pusegaon festival shows that 14.74 percent

of the sample total pilgrims are below the age group of 18 years. Maximum

53.20 percent pilgrims who visited Puegaon are in the age group of 35 to 60

years old followed by 18 to 35 years age group while the pilgrims in the age

group of above 60 years old are about only 05.66 percent of the total pilgrims.

Sample finding shows that the 79.58 percent of the total pilgrims of Pusegaon

are in the age group of 18 to 60 years. This means that the younger age group

of pilgrims has facilitated interaction with hosts.

10) EDUCATIONAL STATUS OF PILGRIMS IN PUSEGAON

FESTIVAL

Table 5.6

Pusegaon Festival : Literacy and Educational status of devotees

Devotees Literacy and Educational

status of Pilgrims In number In percentage

Literacy Status

Literate

Illiterate

881

55

94.12

05.87

936 99.99

158

Educational Status

Primary School Educated

Secondary School Educated

Highly Educated

217

539

180

23.18

57.58

19.23

936 99.99

Source: Based on fieldwork.

Study of pilgrims of Pusegaon festival in connection with their literacy

shows that 94.12 percent of total sample pilgrims of Pusegaon festival are

literate people. While only 05.87 percent pilgrims are illiterate.

The educational status of Pilgrims reveals that 23.18 percent Pilgrims

are taken primary school education while majority pilgrims are having

secondary school eduction (57.58 percent) and 19.23 percent people are highly

educated who attend this festival.

The present study shows that the pilgrims who visited Shri Sevagiri

Rathotsav festival are mostly literate and educated people. On the other hand,

However, one needs to point out that the important characteristics of the

devotees or pilgrims of Pusegaon is that 76.81 percent people are having upper

secondary level exucation.

11) OCCUPATIONAL STRUCTURE OF DEVOTEES IN PUSEGAON

FESTIVAL

Table 5.7

Pusegaon Festival : Occupational Structure of Devotees

Devotees Occupation of

Pilgrims In number In percentage

Agriculture 341 36.43

Agricultural labourer 251 26.8

Service 311 33.22

Trade 33 03.52

936 99.98

Source: Based on fieldwork.

159

Above table shows the occupational structure of pilgrims in the

Pusegaon festival. It is clear that 36.43 percent of Pusegaon pilgrims are

farmers. 26.81 percent people are agricultural labourer. While 33.22 pecent are

having service in various fields and only 3.52 percent pilgrims are working in

trading occupation.

Present study clearly reveals that pilgrims visited Pusegaon festival are

63.24 percent working in agriculture and 36.74 percent are having service or

business mens.

12) SOCIAL WORK OF SHRI SEVAGIRI DEVASTHAN TRUST –

PUSEGAON.

i) Reneuation of Sevagiri Maharaj temple and construction of Bhakta

Nivas

Earlier there was a old wooden pendal opposite the Sevagiri Samadhi

temple. Now a days trust has renewed this wooden pendal in attractive and

decorative RCC pendal. The sealing of this pendol is decorated with fancy

glass and the flooring of Samadhi temple is of granite tiles. The frame of Shri

Datta mandir temple is or silver coating. Very attractive row of lamps is being

made in front of the temple. Flowers and ornamental Plants are planted in the

surrounding of the temple.

Now a days trustees has constructed five flour sarai or Dharmashala for

devotees to south of the temple. Very modernized narayangiri Maharaj

devotees residence has constructed by trustees infront of Shri Sevagiri Maharaj

temple.

To west side of temple trustees has constructed a ghat on the bank of

Vedavati river and a very beautiful “Shri Savagiri Maharaj Garden” is

developed near this Ghat by trustees also from parlement fund chariot route is

constructed by the trustees.

ii) Religious work :-

Various religious activities are organized by Shri Sevagiri Maharaj trust.

From Ashvin full moon day to Kartik full moon day, in this period various

160

programmes like- Kakadarti, parayan, Harinam Saptah, Ganeshotsav, death

anniversary of Shri Sevagiri Maharaj, Shri Narayangiri Maharaj and

Hanumangiri Maharaj, gokulastami, Datta Jayanti, Tukaram beej are

enthusiastically celebrated by the trust.

iii) Death Anniversary of Shri Sevagiri Maharaj –

Every year on the day of Margashirsh vadya chaturthi, the death

anniversary of Shri Sevagiri Maharaj is being celebrated. On this occasion

chariot procession of Shri Sevagiri Maharaj is being held in Pusegaon. Near

about 7 lakh devotees came for this holy occasion from the entire state of

Maharashtra as well as from Karnataka, Gujrat and Andhra Pradesh. Various

activities like oxcart racing, shooting, Volly boll competition, and wrestling

competitions are organized. Winners of this competition are facilited with

various prizes, members, workers, villagers are take care of devotees and their

health. Trustees of Shri Sevagiri, workers and Villagers take all kinds of effort

to organize these activities.

iv) Agricultural Exhibition :-

Twise in a year agricultural exhibition is been organized on large scale

by trust. The main purpose of this exhibition is to highlight various modern

techniques applied in agriculture. Thousands of farmers visit to this exhibition

without fail every year because this exhibition is very useful for farmers.

Agriculturalists, Industrialist, economist and government offices are

participated and spred knowledge about agricultural innovation with the help of

this exhibition.

v) Arrangement of Collective-mass Marriage Ceremony with

Minimum Expenditure :-

The trust provides the facility of low cost marriage ceremony. For this

marriage ceremony function trust provide meeting hall, Temple, Sarai

residency, Pendol etc for the people. Thus trust has done big social work by

providing such facilities for the poor peoples.

161

vi) Religious Books Library:-

The trust started this library for the people, devotees. The main purpose

of this religious library is to give religious Knwoledge to the devotees. This

library consists various religious books like Dharma Sindhu, Nirnay Sindhu,

Ramayan, Mahbharat, Bagwat Geeta etc. This books are free to all for reading

withought any cost. People, devotees take benefit of this free of cost religious

library.

vii) Mahaprasad or offerings :-

Trust of Shri Sevagiri Devasthan provides offering of sweets on the

occasion of festival for the devotees. Near about two lakh devotees take benefit

of this offering. This type of offering also given on dark moon day and on

every Thursday. Trust also organize meal for saints and devotees every day in

the Shri Sevagiri Maharaj temple.

viii) Pusegaon to Pandharpur Palkhi and Dindi ceremony :-

Pandharpur is one of the famous pilgrimage centre in Maharashtra.

Pandurang and Rukmini of Pandharpur is the holy deity of Maharashtra,

Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh people. Palakhi and Dindis of various saints

came of Pandharpur from many years. Palakhi and Dindi of Shri Sevagiri

Maharaj also visit to Pandhaprur every year.

ix) Stalls of photos, other commodities of Shri Sevagiri Maharaj

Stlls of Photos, other commodities of Shri Sevagiri are being started by

the trustees in the campus of the temple. They sold various things in this stall in

very low cost. Devotees purchase keychain, Pen, CD’s, books and other

commodities from these stalls.

x) Musical service week and series of speeches :-

Musical service week organized by the segvagiri Devasthan trust in

every year of Akshay Trutiya. Renounced artists and singers, Bhajani mandal

perform their arts in this occasion.

The series of speeches are also organized on the death anniversary of

Shri Hanumanjiri Maharaj. Lot of devotees attend this series of speeches. This

162

is one of the most effective means of social awareness and service provide to

the humanities.

xi) Educational Work :-

Devasthan trust of Shri Sevagiri Maharaj helped various educational

units of Pusegaon. They founded Shri Sevagiri Shikshan prasarak madal and

Shri Sevagiri vidyalay, Pusegaon, for the students. Trust has donated 44 hectors

land and 350,000 rupees cash to the government Vidyaniketan institute of

Pusegaon.

Earlier where the place of fair organized by the people and trustees, now

that place is aquired with villagers houses. So they have problem of open land

for the fairground. But the trust demanded open land to the government and

government sanctioned 2.5 hectors open land for the fairground.

Trust has decided to encourage sport activities among the students, for

that, Devasthan trust built sport complex in the Vidyaniketan and also they

helps poor students and encourage them for education.

xii) Social Work -

Trust had donated money for the earthquake affected people of Gujrat

state. Trust has also organized medical camp under the guidance of expert

doctors. Trust helps and provide medical facility free of charge for poor people.

Trust has also constructed primary health centre building, veterinary hospital

building in Pusegaon. Trust has contributed some funds for the local water

supply system of Pusegaon village.

xiii) Annadan :-

In view point of Shri Sevagiri Maharaj trust, they are doing a lot of

religious and Social work for the devotees and people. Apart from this work

trust has also given food for the devotees and hungry people who visited the

Sevagiri Maharaj temple. This better work has been started on 14th

February

2004 and that is continuously going on everyday.

163

xiv) Environmental Awareness Work –

Environment and development are inter-related and interdependent to

each other. In recent time, awareness about environmental protection is

increasing day by day. For above purpose Shri Sevagiri Devasthan trust Planted

trees and conserve it in barron land every year for the green revolution in

Pusegaon and the surounding areas. The trust has organized seminar workshops

on environmental conservation to the students and villages.

xv) Devasthan of Water Storage –

In the area of Pusegaon, drought condition was created in the year of

2005-2006 due to the lack of rainfall. Because of this adverse condition,

agriculture was in danger, drinking water was not adequate for people and

animal. In this critical position Sevagiri devasthan trust decided to provide

drinking water by tanker in Pusegaon and the surrounding areas. The trustee’s

decided to solve this problem permenantly. So that they have done water

conservation project in that region with the help of villagers. They renuew and

increased water storing capacity of Nher-tank, Karanjole tank and other small

tanks of this region.

Shri Sevagiri Maharaj Devasthan trust of pusegaon has constructed 27

cement K.T. wares, 125 soil K.T. wares, 3 village tanks, 3 wells and boars. Due

to above attempt done by the trust, the result is that nearly 70,000 cubic feet

water storage has been increased. Water level of wells has been also increased

up to 15 to 25 feet. The work of 36,00,000 rupees has been done by the trust

with the help of villagers.

xvi) Other remarkable Social and Welfare work –

Sevagiri Maharaj Devasthan trust, Pusegaon from the year of 2005.

1) Reneuation of village deity of Maruti temple.

2) 12 toilets built for women.

3) Distribution of School uniforms, tables, chairs to the students.

4) Distribution of chairs and table to 7 Anganwadis.

5) Donation of soyabeen for students.

164

6) Organization of Yoga camps for people.

7) Construction of Karnajala – Pusegaon service road.

8) Build cemetery from pilgrimage development fund.

9) 42 lakh 19 thousand rupees expend for the planned meals house from

‘B’ grade pilgrimage fund.

10) Medical service provide for economically backward people of Pusegaon.

xvii) ‘B’ Grade Pilgrimage Centre –

Above all religious, social, economic work done by the Sevagiri

Devasthan trust of Pusegaon. Government of Maharashtra has noted all social

and religious work of Shri Sevagiri Devasthan trust and awarded ‘B’ grade

pilgrimage center to the Shri Savagiri Maharaj Devasthan. This announcement

has been done by the previous Chief Minister Mr. Manohar Joshi of

Maharashtra State.

The state government of Maharashtra honoured Sevagiri Devasthan by

giving “Mahatma Jyotirao Phule land and water conservation award” of first

prize in Pune division and Satara zone in year 2003-04.

Shri Sevagiri devasthan trust has now modernized computer office in the

campus of temple. Avinash Deshmuk is working as a Secretary in this office as

well as 9 peons and 2 watchman’s are permanent servent of Devasthan.

13) FUTURE PLAN OF SHRI SEVAGIRI DEVASTHAN TRUST -

Shri Sevagiri Maharaj Devasthan trust has been prepared planned layout

of rupees 4 crore 99 lakh, 80 thousand for future development. Near about 7 to

8 lakh devotees attend for Rathostav ceremony at Pusegaon. Shri Sevagiri

Maharaj Charriot procession continuously going on for 12 to 14 hours in

Pusegaon. For the safetiness of devotees and for fulfill the needs of pilgrims,

the devasthan and Govt. of Maharashtra has worked out for perspective plan of

the centre. The general breakup is as follows.

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Table 5.8

Pusegaon Festival : Development Plan

Sr. No. Commodities Amount

1 Water purification centre of Nher Tank

distribution and storage of water. 1 crore 75 lakh

2 Development of fair place electricity 75 lakh

3 Broadness of Road Construction 74 lakh

4

Drainage system of Pusegaon, Pacca Road in

Pusegaon and surrounding Bridge on Yerala

river

75 lakh 80,000

5 Management expenditure, social welfare,

Education purpose 1 crore.

Source – Shri sevagiri Devasthan Trust

5.2 GONDAVALE BK. FESTIVAL – A CASE STUDY

1) Location -

Gondavale Bk is located on 170north latitude and 73 ا24

0 east ا58

longitudes, lies in Man tahsil. The Godavale Bk is situated on a motorable road

which runs form Satara – Pandharpur road. It is also connected to Dahiwadi the

tahsil headquarters of Man tahsil by a motorabale road. For administrative

purposes it is consist in Phaltan sub division and 65 km. from the Satara district

headquarter.

2) Physiography -

Gondavale Bk is situated on the plain land of Phaltan sub division. It is

the drought prone area of the Satara district. It is situated in the Man river

basin. This village is the centre part of the Man tahsil. Man river runs in a

general south- esterly direction and It’s bed is sandy and it’s banks are highly

eroded in this region.

166

3) Climate -

The part, in which Gondavale Bk is located, is one of the dry Parts of the

district. The annual rainfall is about 35 cm and the mean annual temperature is

about 330 c. The summer season is period of continues increase in temperature.

May is the hottest month. December is the coldest month of the year. The

Gondavale Bk experience warm to dry climate throughout the year.

4) Drainage and Water Supply -

Man river is the main source of water. Some wells, tanks and Tubewells

are found in this region wells are the main source of drinking water.

5) Population of Godavale Bk

Table 5.09

Population of Godavale Bk

Year Population Growth Rate in %

1961 3,105 00

1971 4,327 39

1981 5,058 62

1991 6,607 112

2001 6842 120

Source – District Census Hand Book of Satara.

It is seen that the, in 1961 the population of Gondawale Bk was 3,105

and it is increased upto 6842 in 2001. it means that the Gondavale Bk is big

village in Man tahsil.

6) History :-

Godavale Bk is famous for Shri Brahmachaitanya Goondavalekar

Maharaj and Shri Appa Maharaj Samadhi temple. It is newly developed

religious centre in Man tahsil. There are a number of temples i.e. Ram Mandir,

Shani Mandir, Datta Mandir, Hanuman Mandir, Vittal Mandir etc. in and

around Samadhi parisar. It is a Samadhi place of “Shri Brahma Chaitanya

Godavalekar Maharaj and Gondavelkar Maharaj math. Gondavalekar Maharaj

was devotee of the God Rama. He spent his life for teaching a importance of

167

peace. He showed the path of devotion of God Rama to the thousands of

devotees of Gondavale and surrounding areas. He taught the slogan of “Shri

Ram Jay Ram Jay Jay Ram. Thousands of devotees visited Gondavale every

month. The trustees of that Math as take care of devotees.

7) Worship in Gondavale Math -

Gondavale is very famous religious centre. It get crowded on every

Pournima, Ramnavami, Gurupournima, Gokula Ahtami, Dasnavami. Lakhs of

devotees visited Gondavale at this time. It is a very systematic religious centre.

The Samadhi place of Brahma Chaitanya Gondavalekar Maharaj Samadhi is in

the basement of the temple, Shri Gopal Krishna temple is on the first floor.

The first pooja begings early in the morning from Bhoopali, Kakad arti,

Trikal Puja, Abhishek, Naamjap, Vishnu Sahastranam, Panchpadi, Bhajan and

sejarti performed daily in the Samadhi temple. The annual festivals are held in

Shri Ramnavami, Gurupournima, Gokulashtami and Dasnavami.

8) Socio- Economic amenities in Gondavale Village -

Godavale Bk is a developing village in this area because of religious

importance of Gondavalekar Maharaj Math. Because of the trustees work of

Gondavale a lot of economic amerities are found in this villages. There is good

educational facility up to higher secondary school. Medical facilities are also in

good position. Drinking water facility of this village consist tap, well River

water. Post office, Phone service, Bus Stop, Pucca road and Electricity for all

purposes is found in this village very well. Market day of Gondavale Bk is

Thursday.

168

Table 5.10

Amenities in Gondavale Village

Sr. No. Amerities Sub - types

1 Education P,M

2 Medical - 5

3 Drinking water W.T.R.

4 Post office Po

5 Telephone Ph

6 Bus stop Bs

7 Pucca road PR

8 Electricity EA

9 Market Day Thursday

Source – District Census Hand Book of Satara district.

The researcher has conducted survey of visitors to calculate their

impression, satisfaction and their expectation from the devasthan and

management. Some important collection are as follows.

9) Sample Devotees vist to Gondavale

Table 5.11

Gondavale Festival : Districtwise Devotees Visited (Sample Cases)

Devotees Sr. No. Districts

In number In percentage

1 Satara 207 28.43

2 Pune 165 22.66

3 Sangli 87 11.95

4 Solapur 78 10.71

5 Kolhapur 56 07.69

6 Mumbai 36 04.94

7 Thane 28 03.84

8 Nasik 27 03.70

9 Ahmadnagar 17 02.33

169

10 Ratnagiri 08 01.09

11 Riagad 08 01.09

12 Akola 05 00.68

13 Belgaon (Karantak) 06 00.82

Total 728 99.93

Source: Based on fieldwork.

Distirctwise devotees or pilgrims in Godavale festival, above table,

shows that out of 728 pilgrims or devotees, maximum 207 (28.43 percent)

came from native district. 165 (22.66 percent) devotees came from Pune

followed by Sangli (11.95 percent), Solapur (10.71 percent), Mumbai (4.94

percent), Thane (03.84 Percent) of Maharashtra state. Some devotees came

from Belgaon district of Karnataka State (0.82 percent) also.

10) Sex and Marital Structure of Godavale devotees –

Table 5.12

Gondavale Festival : Sex and Marital Structure of Devotees

Devotees Name of Devotees

In number In percentage

Sex structure

Male

Female

348

380

47.80

52.19

728 99.99

Marital Structure

Married

Unmarried

648

80

89.01

10.98

728 99.99

Source: Based on fieldwork.

In Gondavale festival, sex structure of devotees shows that 52.19

percent of the total sample devotees are females and 47.80 percent devotees are

males.

170

On the other hand the present study shows that 89.01 percent of the total

sample devotees of Godavale are married people while only 10.98 percent are

unmarried.

11) Age structure of devotees of Gondavale festivals.

Table 5.13

Gondavale Festival : Age structure of devotees

Devotees Sr.

No.

Age group of devotees in

numbers In number In percentage

1 Below 18 72 9.89

2 18 to 35 198 27.19

3 35 to 60 317 43.54

4 Above 60 141 19.36

Total 728 99.98

Source: Based on fieldwork.

Age structure of devotees in Gondavale festival shows that 09.89

percent of sample total devotees are below the age group of 18 years.

Maximum 44.54 percent devotees who visited Gondavale are in the age group

of 35 to 60 years old. Followed by 18 to 35 years age group (27.19 percent).

Sample finding shows that the 62.90 percent of the total devotees of

Gondavale are in the age group of 35 and above. This means that the matured

devotees are interacted toward the Gondavale.

12) Educational status of devotees in Gondavale festival -

Table 5.14

Gondavale Festival : Educational status of devotees

Devotees Literacy and Educational

status of Pilgrims In number In percentage

Literacy Status

Literate

Illiterate

709

19

97.39

02.60

728 99.99

171

Educational Status

Primary School Educated

Secondary School Educated

Highly Educated

68

217

443

9.34

29.80

60.85

728 99.99

Source: Based on fieldwork.

Study of devotees of Gondavale festival in connection with their literacy

shows that 97.39 percent of total sample devotees of Gondavale festival are

literate people. Shile only 2.60 percent devotees are illiterate.

The educational status of devotees reveals that only 9.21 percent

devotees of Gondavale are taken primary school education, shile 60.85 percent

devotees are highly educted persons who attend this festival.

The persent study shows that the 90.65 percent of devotees of

Gondavale are taken above secondary school education. This means that

educated peoples are visited Gondavale festivals.

13) Occupational Structure of devotees in Gondavale festival

Table 5.15

Gondavale Festival : Occupational Structure of devotees

Devotees Occupation of devotees

In number In percentage

Agriculture 97 13.32

Agricultural labourer 39 05.35

Service 407 55.90

Trade 185 25.41

Toatal 728 99.98

Source: Based on fieldwork.

Above table shows the occupational structure of devotees in the

Gondavale festival. Is is clear that only 18.67 percent of total devotees are

farmers and agricultural labours. While 55.90 percent devotees are having

service and 81.56 percnet devotees are service men or working as a trades men.

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14) Social and Religious Work of Gondavale Trust –

i) Social work -

Gondavale trust has constructed Bhakta Nivas (accomdation) for

devotees at the campus. That is madernised accommodation for devotees.

Every day “annadan” facilities for the devotees who visited the

Gondavale. Devotees of all kinds are taken benefit of this “Annadan” facilities.

ii) Religious Work:-

Every day there a pooja, Bhoppali, Kakad arti, Tilak Puja, Abshishek,

Namjap, Vishnu Shashastranam, Panchapadi, Bhajan and Shejarti organized by

Gondavalekar Maharaj trust. Every year festivals are held on Ramnavami,

Gurupournima, Gokulashtami and Dasnavami in Gondavale. Thousands of

devotees are attending this festival enthusiastically. Trust provides offering of

sweets on the oceassion of festival for the devotees.

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