Rome wasn’t built in day. And neither was Mumbai’s first edition of Karma Kitchen. Even months before this happened, there was a lot of planning and talk surrounding it. A week before it was due, frantic phone calls were made to people about handling the food section and the photography section and a million other things that probably my mind is too small to be able to comprehend.

On the D-day, the prevalent thought in my head as I made my way to Karma Kitchen on Sunday was that I was always late. It didn’t matter how well I planned it, I would always find myself being 15 minutes late. Or worse, 30 minutes late. For better or worse, I got there. And as I climbed the steps to Hari Om Nanumal Bhojraj, I reassured myself saying that it was better late then never. As I started climbing the steps to the location, I walked amongst flowers that adorned the steps that I was climbing. And I realised I was in the right place. From the 'Kindness table', to beautiful artwork across the restaurant with rangolis, to everyone serving with love, to washing plates and a meal cooked with love, it was a gathering that came alive through the smallest acts of kindness. Powerful conversations were manifesting in every corner of the space.

Drishti put it very beautifully when she shared and I quote “ It was such a joy seeing each and every one giving themselves selflessly to this space. Each and every volunteer brought their unique presence and soon there were no volunteers but only family members celebrating joy and abundance of generosity . As one of our dearest brother would always say it really takes a village to be able to pull it off! :) A village so large and invisible, that it's not even possible for me to list out everyone's names on this blog post.”

A beautiful opening circle was hosted by Sachi and Raju Bhai. One by one we all expressed our joy and gratefulness at being present to serve and experience gratitude. Sheetal Bhai shared how as a community everyone from mumbai had gone to the karma kitchen in Pune and so time for the people in Pune to serve next.

Soon, guests started pouring in. You could see their happy smiles and shining eyes as they were served. Soon, before I could realise the transformation, a family started to form before my eyes. It was as if we weren’t serving guests anymore but our very own. Tables mingled and formed a large group. Powerful conversations started taking place across the room and a vibrant energy could be felt through each and every person. It didn’t take long for the shy and the subdued to come out of their shells and dance along with the rest to their own rhythm. While I witnessed this, the kitchen held a miracle of it’s own. Shaila-ji, Ranjana-ji, Mala-ji, Asha-ji, Varsha-ji and Niti-ji accompanied by the ever bubbly Trupti, were creating magic with their own hands. Not able to sit in a silent kitchen, someone suggested that Bhajans be sung ‘taaki mahol bane’. Seeing how selflessly the mothers were cooking and serving, moved all of us. It is such a beautiful thing to be in the space of a mother, no matter where you are in the world. It brings a beauty of its own.


That day truly showed that if people come together with one goal in mind, and perform small acts, truly, a bigger project gets completed. That day, strangers and friends along with guests came together and left as one, as a home.

Finally, I leave you with Tejal-ji’s sharing.

“कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
'You have the right to work only but never to its fruits'

As I washed the dishes or helped with frying puris or passing the dahi wada plates to the serving team not knowing who the receiver was, I felt my head-hands were fully focus on the karma in front of me and heart filled with deep deep gratitude for the friend in that stranger who enabled me to 'be' and to do my karmas without any expectation.
It's wonderful to see the tree of Karma Kitchen growing and it's roots spreading so deeply. Blessed to have been able to give and receive :)

Thank you everyone for your joyful presence.”

Posted by Aditi Bhatt on May 24, 2016 | permalink