The list of contestants (son/daughter/ daughter-in-law) of Mahayatra:
1. Vishal Kunder
2. Pulkit Prakash
3. Meenu Moyal
4. Iqbal Singh
5. Paree Bharat Kava
6. Ranjeet Singh Chauhan
7. Akanksha Juneja
8. Karan Malhotra Family
9. The Dixits
10. Rishi Kartik
11. Riddhi
12. Shweta Lalwani
VISHAL KUNDER
NAME: Vishal Kunder
AGE: 27
CITY: Thane (W)
PROFESSION: Team Leader, Knowledge Process Outsourcing
DESCRIPTION
He is a graduate in Science and is originally from Mangalore. He believes he is a religious and visits temples once a month. He started believing in god after he met with a massive accident on the highway on his bike and survived it. He loves travelling and would like to visit all the four Dhams. He believes in lord Ganesha. He wants to take his parents on a Char Dham Yatra as they have always wanted to do so. He enjoys badminton and adventure sports such as river rafting etc. He is also a talented dancer. He is afraid of the dark. Both parents are bankers, has two elder sisters. Likes reading, likes watching formula1, plays badminton, likes working out, parents are into stock market. Parents are very religious. Mom prays everyday and keeps various fasts. He doesn't have that much savings to take his parents to the Char Dham Yatra. And so he thinks this is the best opportunity. They are fit as well so this makes it even better. He doesn't travel much cause of work so wants to experience how travelling with people is. Family has gone through ups and downs but the family bonding is so strong that they overcome it very calmly. God has given their family a power to overcome situations. Has a lot of Havans at his place. He thinks hard work is god. He goes to the temple once a month because he is happy. But he believes that god helps those who help themselves. He makes people comfortable around him. He wouldn't have come to this show if this wouldn't have involved his parents. He never asks anything from god because he feels he's being selfish. Money is very important in his life. He knows he can make his parents comfortable for which he wants money. He believes in discussions and not in arguments. Everything happens for a reason is what he feels. Mom thinks practically and dad reacts aggressively.
BALU KUNDER
NAME: Balu Kunder
AGE: 62
CITY: Thane (W)
PROFESSION: Retired Bank Officer
DESCRIPTION
He has been a banker for the last 37 years. He is a religious person and visits temples once every week. He also believes in fasting. He became a believer of miracles after his wife recovered from partial blindness. He enjoys travelling and visiting new places. He has been to Vaishno Devi and golden temple in the past. He would like to visit all the Char Dhams. He believes in lord Ganesha. He believes he is supremely competitive. His strengths are his confidence and patience. Have 3 kids, Banker, used to work together in a bank where they fell in love with each other. He has given his son full permission to marry whomever he wants. Son doesn't get angry in front of dad but he does in front of mom. He is like a friend to him. Dad scolds the son whenever he watches too much of TV. He is friendlier to his mom but he is happy with the relation he has with his dad. He was ready for the show the moment Vishal asked him to. They believe in a Devi in their village. He asks for mannat every Thursday and Saturday.
NIRMALA BALU KUNDER
NAME: Nirmala Balu Kunder
AGE: 62
CITY: Thane (W)
PROFESSION: Retired Bank Officer
DESCRIPTION
She is a religious lady and visits temples every week. She enjoys playing chess and has remained a chess medallist. She is a banker. She had a love marriage. She was losing her eyesight but she recovered by gods grace. She used to do Tapasya and came out of it. She felt that every night whenever she went to sleep somebody would come and tell her "go and get your check up done". Her husband was very supportive and emotional. Worships lord Ganesha. She will be happy if the son would take her in the show.
******************************************************************************************************************
PULKIT PRAKASH
NAME: Pulkit Prakash
AGE: 23
CITY: Mumbai
PROFESSION: Student
DESCRIPTION
He is a student and has two sisters. The elder sister is married. He likes adventure sports, traveling and exploring new places. Wants to be ithe new Shravan Kumar of this show. He has participated in this show even for fame, money and traveling. He is interested in film direction. He thinks he will get good experiences when he meets people and come to this show. In future when he comes as a director people would recognize him. Mom said that he can do whatever he wants to do but do not overdo it and do not spoil your career. Mother is a religious person. He went to Assam and there a tarot card reader told him to believe in lord Shiva. He never used to believe in god before, his friend is a tarot card reader and she told him that there is a lot of negativity in his life, so once he started believing in lord Shiva things in his life changed quite a bit. He looks at anything around and imagines lord Shiva and he becomes calm. His mother worships Ganesha. He has a habit of going for long walks alone. He is from mass media so he will be able to interact well with people. He can be very kiddish at times. He goes to house of charity in Juhu. He is not uncomfortable with people who don't look good. He talks to mom & dad in Hindi.
MADAN PRAKASH
NAME: Madan Prakash
AGE: 61
CITY: Mumbai
PROFESSION: Sound Engineer
DESCRIPTION
Has been a sound recordist since 41 years and worked in many films. Purpose to come on this show was because his son wanted to come. He had done a film called Jai Baba Amarnath after which he started believing in god. He has had many miracles in his life. Many incidents in his life make him believe in destiny. Everyday this belief is growing. If he shoots near a temple then he would go to that temple but otherwise he believes in god. He is a Gold medalist from FTII in Pune. He was the youngest to pass his 10th grade (12 years). Before going to FTII he had just seen one film, Mughale Aazam. He had absolutely no knowledge of his work. He likes singing. He is very satisfied in his life. He used to neglect his son little before and give his daughter more preferences. His son had a face plastic surgery. He owes a great part of his success to his wife. He thanks nature and his wife for what success he has gained in his life.
KRISHNA PRAKASH
NAME: Krishna Prakash
AGE: 48
CITY: Mumbai
PROFESSION: Housewife 022-65056848
She wants to come in this show to guide her son. She feels that this show would help her son to experience and see the things practically so that would help in a better manner. Today's kid would realize and know how these rituals happen with the help of these shows. There is so much exposure that it's difficult to pull the kid to the temple. She just went to Vaishno Devi with Pulkit. She also believes in miracles. She also has stories to narrate. Her son is very open to his mom. She likes her son's honesty. She believes that her son would do well in his work. All are friendly in the family.
*******************************************************************************************************************
IQBAL SINGH
NAME: Iqbal Singh
AGE: 29
CITY: Mumbai
PROFESSION: Web Developer
DESCRIPTION
He is a Desi guy. He is here in this show to do something for his family. He has never done anything for them till now. He wants to be their Shravan. The parents have always been doing something or the other for him. He doesn't want to miss this opportunity to travel to these places. He's spent 120 days in the army camp. He believes that whatever god does is for good. He knows everything as he is from village like cooking food, picking up cow dung and he feels if he has done all these things then he can do anything. His name is a mixture of Muslim, Hindu and Sikh religions, he says that's advertising "jo dikhta hai who bikta hai" his name being unique makes him noticeable. He likes trying out things. He's been curious since childhood. He sings a Himachali song. And then tries to translate the song, forgets and then again tries and finally tells the gist of the song.
OMKAR SINGH
NAME: Omkar Singh
AGE: 59
CITY: Oona (H.P)
PROFESSION: Farmer
DESCRIPTION
He tells his son to do something, make an identity and then get married. He's a farmer. He's the Mukhiya of the village. He has 3 sons and a daughter. Iqbal is the eldest son. He wouldn't have ever got a chance to do so much of travelling, but due to god's grace he's got this chance where he can come on this show. Hard work is what he does in his village so he won't have problems doing this show. He believes the most in Shivji Bholenath. Tells the story why he named his son Iqbal. They never fight in their family. He believes that we come in this life once, if life has selected me then why not it live to the fullest. He says that whatever he says his wife has to agree. All his kids also follow whatever he says. He never thought in his life that he would board a plane and come to Mumbai ever in his life.
NARESH RANI
NAME: Naresh Rani
AGE: 49
CITY: Oona (H.P)
PROFESSION: Housewife
DESCRIPTION
She was happy that Iqbal called them for the yatra. She also believes Shivji. She loves all her sons. She says that Iqbal does what he wants and she gives him liberty to do so. She is the Pradhan of the Mahila Mandal. She tells in detail about the entire functioning of this mandal.
RANJEET SINGH CHAUHAN
RANJEET SINGH CHAUHAN
NAME: Ranjeet Singh Chauhan
AGE: 24
PROFESSION: District Informatics Officer
DESCRIPTION
He works out regularly, inspired by Salman Khan. He is From Katapatthar near Dehradun. His Dad couldn't study much cause of financial conditions. His Dad has struggled a lot to complete his studies. He learns a lot from his father. His father has taught him to do hard work. He always scored well in his studies. He had to study in a Hindi medium school because of the financial issues. He wanted to be an engineer. So he started learning dance from his friends who were good. His parents were not happy with this decision of his so he could not be in this line. He is working because his parents wanted him to but he doesn't enjoy his work cause he completely wanted to be on television. Now his parents are ok with him coming on television, because he has proved himself in the educational field. He is honest. He gets angry very fast. He wanted to make an identity in his college also. Explains in detail how he managed his college days. He is ready to leave his job if he does not get a leave. He craves for fame. Parents now want to do whatever he wishes to do in life. Now there is a lot of support from his parents.
MAHENDRA SINGH CHAUHAN
NAME: Mahendra Singh Chauhan
AGE: 60
CITY: Dehradun
PROFESSION: Retired Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force Personnel
DESCRIPTION
He had left his house and started living separately. He has struggled a lot to complete his schooling. He wants to travel the country, has worked a lot in his life. He has bathed in Badrinath and Gangotri where he had his duty when he was in the army. But he has gone alone, now he wants to take his family along. He got stuck in Ladak for 13 months, his skin got burnt. He tells his entire experience of Ladak. He is fit even after retirement. He says that now he has no problem with his son coming on TV. His wife is very supportive. If he gets a chance to ask something to god, he would ask for a good life for his son.
SUSHILA CHAUHAN
NAME: Sushila Chauhan
AGE: 51
CITY: Dehradun
PROFESSION: Housewife
DESCRIPTION
She wants to come to the show because the son wants them to come. She says that all her family members think alike. Prays everyday at home and goes to temple on Mondays. She worships Lord Shankar and Sai baba. She is illiterate. She has brought up her kids all alone. She has been staying alone with her kids till last 3 years, because her husband was in army. If the son wouldn't have to go for the show, still she would go. She gets angry very often. She always follows her husband. She has never been out of Uttarkhand. She had to take care of her kids. She wants to go to Shirdi and Vaishnodevi. If given an option to go abroad or a religious place, she would prefer the religious Yatra. She is fine with Ranjeet getting married on his own.
KARAN MALHOTRA
NAME Karan Malhotra
AGE 26 years
EDUCATION PG Diploma in Radio and TV Journalism
CITY Delhi
PROFESSION Singer
DESCRIPTION
His major occupation has been singing devotional songs and has shared the stage with Narendra Chanchal, Gulshan Kumar and Anuradha Podwal. Began singing at the age of 3 with Shwetambari Jains to whom he was introduced by his maternal grandfather. He has also spent time on and of with spiritual guru's like Asaramji Bapu. Currently, is working with a BPO but has put down his papers and is serving a notice period at work. He wants to make a career in journalism or singing. He is inclined towards politics too. This journey is very important to him as he has always wanted to take his parents on a world tour.
He and his family have extreme inclination towards religious the Vaishno Devi Shrine. He visits Vaishno Devi very regularly, almost twice thrice and year. When was 10-11 years old, had taken a mannat when his mom was on the death bed that if his mom is saved he will always visit Vaishno Devi naked feet. He maintains this mannat still. He fasts during Navratri, Shivratri, and twice a month on Ekadashi's.
DAD: Mr MALHOTRA
NAME Mr MALHOTRA
CITY Delhi
PROFESSION Retired Railway employee. Currently working with a pvt firm in his free time.
DESCRIPTION
Is basically from undivided India (Pakistan). By virtue of being in railway dept has travelled a lot, to holy places too. Have three children besides Karan being the youngest, a daughter and a son, both married now. In 1962 sent a letter to Vaishno Devi through an acquaintance who was visiting the shrine. In letter he wrote that if he gets a good job he will become the goddess's devotee. In 1963 he claims he got multiple government job offers and he took the railway job where he got to travel a lot. From then on he has been visiting the shrine twice or thrice a yr. Once when Karan was 1 years old and was suffering with acute pneumonia, he got him discharged from the hospital and took him to Vaishno Devi and lowered him in ice cold water in spite of his health. He got cured they say.
His son in law visits Vaishno Devi every month. His two wishes that remain now are Karan's marriage and his stable career.
MOTHER: Mrs MALHOTRA
NAME Mrs MALHOTRA
CITY Delhi
DESCRIPTION
She was a teacher for 18years. Then she quit her job to be a home maker since then. Has gone thorough many traumatic experiences in life but has bounced back due to extreme faith in Vaishno Devi. She had wanted to be a singer but couldn't because of her instable maiden family.
She is the eldest daughter of the three siblings back at maternal home. Her mom died giving birth to the youngest sibling prior to which her mum had visited when she was 9 months pregnant. Dad remarried and then the three siblings had a very bad life with their step mom and dad. Since then she has been a devotee of Vaishno Devi, who, she says, helped her sail through then. Said, when she was getting married, when said even if the husband is unable to provide for two square meals, should be able to let her keep her faith in Vaishno Devi.
She repeated history for herself, she had this belief that if she doesn't visit VD during her third pregnancy, she too will die. So when she was 9 month pregnant, she convinced her husband to take her till Katra, but then duped him and went uphill to Vaishno Devi alone. Thought there she fainted midway and had had many post natal complications.
She was on death bed once when she suffered from a post surgery complication of kidney stone where a 'pipe' was left in her stomach for two years and she kept getting high fever. That's when Karan took his mannat to Vaishno Devi.
*******************************************************************************************************************
Rishi Karthik . age 20
T.S.Rajan . age 49
Sarasa Rajan age: 47
The family is fun loving and are very practical in their approach to everyday life, they try to spend a lot of time together and to cherish every moment good or bad. both of Rishi's parents were classmates and ended up loving and marrying each other.
A mechanical engineer from Bits pilani, with an interest in management , his main aim in life is to enjoy every second as it comes and to take life with all its challenges head on living on the edge. To quote him "I also want to become a popular/powerful/respected individual as i gain experience in the field i pursue." Holding a keen interest in poetry, creative writing and a deep interest in English as a language he loves to meet new people ,
A highly jovial father who is always smiling and is happy and always tries to make others around him happy. An MBA and a management consultant by profession, has taken his voluntary retirement from government service and at present totally dedicated to social service and religion. his motto apparently in life is "dont worry be happy".
Bsc hons chemistry and an MBA from Sri Krishna devaraya university, ananthapur. he has wroked with the Andhra Pradesh Industrial and Technical Consultancy as a senior management consultant.
Mother of her two sons highly ambitious, gregarious, social friendly but slightly high on the emotional front. A BCOM ,MBA with 10yrs or corporate and 13 yrs of teaching experience and is a professor of management. She has a high bent of academic mind, a good singer , dancer and a poet with excellent communication skills and a multi linguist, the only ambition in her life currently is to be the best mom in the world. she is highly religious and is a very staunch disciple of Sai baba and she never starts/does or ends her work without his blessings.
comment:
p_commentcount