First Sanatani Samaj and Construction of Hostel at Dhansura

To earn a livelihood, Patidars of Kutch bid farewell to their motherland Kutch and took the path of the world. In which a large class accepted the profession of agriculture and settled in Sabarkantha, Kheda region. In which the class accepting Sanatan culture given by saints worked by making a separate Sanatani organization. Which was connected with the Gurugadi of Ishwar Ashram Vandhay. At the time of the last phase of the country’s independence, in the year 1943, the awakened brothers of this area called a conference at Rampura Kampa (Aniyor Kampa) and at the end of discussion and deliberation, formed Shri Kutch Kadva Patidar Sanatan Samaj (Gujarat), Dhansura. As its first president Shri Hansrajbhai Naran Pokar and as secretary Karshanbhai Pachan Divani were appointed.

Members residing in this society but Satpanthi at heart ran a campaign to make Piranapanthis of Vadali and other areas members of this society in large numbers in 1977-78 and created a ruckus to remove the word Sanatan from the name of the society. In this matter, Modasa court case was filed and about 17 adjournments occurred. When it seemed that the verdict of the court is going to come in favor of Sanatan, then as per the habit of Piranapanthi, to adopt the path of compromise on the strength of sweet and idealistic talks requested the leaders to hold a meeting. At the end of the meeting with the then staunch Sanatani leaders of Mumbai, it was decided that there will be no change in the name of the society. Thus, Shri Kutch Kadva Patidar Sanatan Samaj (Gujarat), Dhansura society-like Sanatani Victory Pillar is waving in this Kampa area till date.    

Santshri Dayal Dasji Maharaj‘s decade of wandering for religious awakening resulted in awakening, as a part of which during 15 to 17 April-1954 a three-day convention was held at Hirapur Kampa in the presence of Pujya Santshri Odhavram Maharaj with a huge presence of caste members. In which leaders like Ratansi Khimji Khetani, Rajaram Dholu associated with the work of Sanatan Dharma awakening outside Gujarat also remained present. Emphasizing on education as the basic foundation of the progress of the society of Maharajshri, inspired to build a boarding of the caste at a central place of Kampa region and for that collected a substantial amount of Rs. 60,175/- in the meeting itself (Editorial Note: The self-witness of this incident, former General Secretary of Dhansura Samaj elder Shri Becharbhai Bhavani, of Motisari Kampa has mentioned about Sant Odhavram Maharaj raising funds by standing on one leg in point 150.34 of Volume 1 of this book, which is not in the published report). Gave the gift of the first education abode (Kumar Chatralay) to the society. After that in 1968, the first girls’ hostel of the caste was constructed at Dhansura.

Thus, due to the awakening of education in the society with the blessings received by saints, high schools were established in many Kampas like Takhatgarh, Ranjitpura, Motesari, Amlai, Ramapir Kampa, Vajepura Kampa. Shri Odhav Vidya Mandir was started in 2001 in memory of Pujya Odhavram Maharaj at Dhansura.

25 years (2024) of Sanatani mass marriage festival celebrated every year on Vasant Panchami by the youth wing of Dhansura Samaj are going to be completed.       

            Thus, Kampa region initiated Sanatani organization and education abode through the construction of the first Sanatani Samaj and Boarding in the country. Going forward, the beginning of waving saffron across the country started.     

Jagruti  Monthly  Mouthpiece

With the establishment of the institution for education, with the wisdom of the elders and youth friends of the society, with the good intention of bringing awakening in the society through revolutionary thoughts, it was decided to publish “Jagruti” monthly in the year 1965. As its first editor Shri Shamjibhai Naranbhai Dholu (Talod-currently Goa) was appointed. The propaganda and spread of Jagruti monthly did not remain limited to Sabarkantha but its readers and subscribers were registered all over India. After that Shri Kantibhai Khimjibhai Patel of Timba Kampa-Harsol also did beautiful work as an editor for a very long time. Finally Jagruti monthly was run well till the year 1983. In the last two-three years, Shri Akhil Bharatiya Kutch Kadva Patidar Yuvaksangh also tried to keep Jagruti monthly published. Still, due to financial constraints at that time, it was closed and dedicated to the society.

Thus, as the works and articles of Sanatan Dharma awakening were constantly published in this Jagruti monthly issue, today it is becoming useful by becoming a witness with proof of historical events.

First Contemplation Meeting of Sanatan Dharma Awakening – Dhansura

As the controversy between Sanatan – Satpanth regarding trust formation for Umiya Mataji temple construction at Modasa reached its peak, with the aim of awakening and organizing Sanatan Dharmis, following the representation of Sanatani brothers of Modasa section, under “Safai Abhiyan” (Cleaning Campaign) the first contemplation meeting of Sanatan Dharma awakening was organized at Dhansura under the chairmanship of President of Dhansura Sanatan Samaj Shri Shivdas Ratna Mavani. In this meeting, the spirited speech of the trio of Himantbhai Khetani, Rameshbhai Waghadia and Premjibhai Kesharani strengthened the Sanatani spirit in all members.

Thus, Dhansura region again became the torch of Sanatani consciousness. After that, this Sanatani trio like Lal, Bal and Pal spread Sanatani light in the entire caste through about 66 Sanatan Dharma awakening meetings across India.