155 members of the Pallod family on their family trip to Gujarat / Courtesy: Vijay Pallod

One hundred and fifty-five members of the Pallod Pariwar journeyed across the state of Gujarat to create memories and fulfill the final dream of our late great-grandfather, Rajgopal Pallod, to bring the entire family together to complete the Char Dham Hindu pilgrimage.

The Char Dhams are important to Hindus, as they strengthen our faith, connect us to powerful divinity, and provide a sacred experience in some of India’s most sacred locales.

This tradition of large family trips began in 1996, with a trip to Badrinath (the first Dham), initiated by Padma Gattani to fulfill a promise from her brother, the late Jaiprakash Pallod. Since then, the family journeyed to Rajasthan in 2004 to visit our ancestral roots in Nagor as well as complete the Mundan ceremony of my uncle, Ansh Pallod. After that, we caravaned to Northeast India in 2010 to see Jagannath Puri, the 2nd Dham.

In 2017, we ventured to Kerala to complete the third dham at Rameshwaram. Fast forward to present day, and we came together once again to complete the final Dham. It was not only the completion of a religious pilgrimage but also a celebration of our continued togetherness and a way to honor those who were no longer with us but had inspired these trips in some shape or form.

Members of the bloodline gathered from worldwide to make this dream a reality

Our journey began by train from Hyderabad, the headquarters of our family, to Baroda. From there, travelling in four buses and three cars, we discovered not only different cities but also one another.

As such a large group with many new faces, we dedicated an evening to introductions—the Lahotis, Rathis, Malanis, an endless list, and most importantly, the Pallods—the seed from which this flourishing family tree grew.

From major achievements in cricket and university admissions to lighthearted jokes, the night concluded with smiles, laughter, and pride. Several speeches inspired us deeply and reminded us how fortunate we are to belong to such a strong and supportive community.

In this trip, we covered a span of four generations: Purushottam Pallod, being the oldest at 81, and the youngest was three-year-old Shiven Pallod. We had six relatives who required a wheelchair but were still able to make the utmost of their trip. We also had eight family helpers, who played a tremendous role in making the trip as seamless as it was. A special fact is that one of the helpers had been on all the trips and was happy to have completed the four Dhams with us as well.

All aboard - Kids and youngsters enjoy the bus journey / Courtesy: Vijay Pallod

Religion. Entertainment. Family growth.

The trip kicked off with a trip to the Statue of Unity, where the family reveled in the size and stature of Sardar Patel. During the Gir Safari, we witnessed nature at its finest: sleeping lions, lazing leopards, nocturnal owls, dancing deer, and cunning crocodiles.

Moments by the beach, playing with the waves while the younger ones built sandcastles, volcanoes, and deep holes, made us feel truly united. Staying up until 1 a.m. and waking up at 7 a.m. was exhausting, but entirely worth it.

Even the transportation aspect of the trip was special—as family members had the option to take advantage of the sleeper buses and rest or play card games and made humorous reels, capturing memories that will last a lifetime.

Knowing how our very Maheshwari family is, the organizers made sure the snacking options on the bus were ample and delicious, so much so that family members would eat a full meal at a stop and still look forward to opening up the nashta options!

The spiritual moments on this trip were cherished. We visited several temples for darshan and sang bhajans together—Poicha Neelkanth, Somnath, Girnar, Nageshwar, and finally Dwarkadhish Temple, the one my great-grandfather had always wished we would visit together. The crowds were immense, especially during the holiday season, and the queues seemed endless. Yet, in the presence of family, those inconveniences felt insignificant.

An evening of meaningful dialogue and shared wisdom / Courtesy: Vijay Pallod

One unique aspect of this trip compared to the ones before was how different family members stepped up to plan engaging evening events. The events ranged from a vibrant Rasleela night, where it felt like we were transported to Vrindavan and were surrounded by gopis, to a nostalgic school sports day, where regardless of their age, everyone got to embrace their inner child and bring out their competitive spirit.

Another meaningful highlight was Rise and Shine: Generations Edition, where members of our own family shared wisdom as finance experts, community contributors, relationship guides, and physical and mental health specialists.

Gaining life lessons and varied perspectives was inspiring and made me grateful to be surrounded by such wise individuals.
In Bhuj, some of us visited the Earthquake Museum, while in Rajkot, others toured the Star Pipes Foundry.

Equipped with helmets, masks, and goggles, we explored the site and witnessed the complete manufacturing process from molding and lost foam casting to the induction furnace that produces fittings, joint restraints, and bolts. It was a truly irreplaceable experience, and we were even given souvenirs to remember it by.

We concluded our vacation amidst the magic of the Rann of Kutch. The shimmering White Rann was breathtaking as we watched the incandescent sun set for the final time of the year.

The luxurious tents here were another “wow” moment for the trip, as we got to unlock a new form of accommodation. For our last night, we got to bring in the New Year together, dancing the night away. We often celebrate with friends, but how often do we welcome a new year with our entire extended family?

Immense effort went into planning this trip. The main organizing committee first sent an expedition party, comprised of Laxminaryan Karwa, Kamal Pallod, and Kunj Pallod, to Gujarat to scout out the journey and vet the potential hotels and venues.

After that, it was Excel spreadsheets and meetings galore to nail down all the logistics. My uncle, Kunj, at 18 years old, took a big role in coordinating the trip, so much so that it was basically a full-time job along with his studies!

The organizers were special in how they selflessly devoted time and effort over many months to make a special experience for each individual in the family. During the trip, they greeted us warmly every morning and wished us good night each evening, peppering their greetings with a “chalo chalo” when we were starting to stray from the schedule.

As Jugal Malani stated, “What stood out was the Pallod family’s deep respect and affection for everyone, from the elders, whom they treated with such honor and love, to the youngers, whom they cared for with equal attention and joy. Seeing the balance of respect and affection across all generations was truly beautiful.”

This has been one of the best experiences of my life, spending time with people I barely knew before, across all ages. I am grateful to be Hindu. To be Indian. To be part of the Pallod Pariwar.

I feel motivated and ready to break barriers and to begin the year on a high note. I wish this trip had never ended; the thought that it may be the last brings tears to my eyes. Yet, I eagerly await the next celebration where we will reunite once again.

(Author Anika Sharda is a sophomore at New English School, Kuwait.)

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