History

More than a century ago, Lohana community members migrated from Saurashtra’s Halar, Ghogha, and the Kutch-Sindh region and settled in Kalyan, making it their home. In 1915, there were around 50 families in the community. In 1928, under the leadership of Sheth Shri Dharmshi Kheraj, Shri Kalyan Lohana Mahajan was formally established. Under the guidance of the Lohana Seva Mandal, activities aimed at community upliftment were undertaken. In 1946, Matushri Shambai Morarji donated a plot worth Rs. 31,000/- to the Lohana Seva Samaj for the construction of the Kalyan Lohana Mahajanwadi. With the generosity of the benevolent donors of Kalyan, the construction of Matushri Shambai Lohana Mahajanwadi began. At the same location, through the dedicated efforts of Shri Ratilal Bhagwandas and Shri Dwarkadas Bhagwandas, brothers of the Beldi family, 8 rooms worth Rs. 15,000/- were built by Sheth Shri Ramjibhai Khimjibhai Kesarwal in memory of his wife, Smt. Nanduben, and donated to the Mahajan for the benefit of the community members. The Matushri Shambai Lohana Mahajanwadi Trust, comprising 29 members, came into existence and was registered in 1953 under the REGISTRATION OF PUBLIC TRUST ACT 1950. Shri Kalyan Lohana Mahajan Trust was also registered immediately thereafter in 1953.

The permanent office of Shri Kalyan Lohana Mahajan started functioning at Matushri Shambai Lohana Mahajanwadi in 1975. Since then, the annual Lohana community gathering and Shri Jalaram Jayanti festival have been celebrated for all Lohana community members residing in Kalyan. On the occasion of weddings held at the Mahajanwadi, the groom and bride are presented with a floral garland and a congratulatory letter from the Mahajan. The practice of sending condolences and letters of consolation to the community members in times of bereavement was also started.

Under INCOME TAX ACT 1961 – SECTION 80G, Shri Kalyan Lohana Mahajan obtained a tax exemption certificate from July 21, 1980, and collected donations of Rs. 9.5 lakhs from generous community members in Kalyan to construct the first floor of the Mahajanwadi. Shri Hiralal Chotalal Karia, Shri Gordhandas Vitthaldas Karia, Shri Kantilal Harilal Mrug, and Shri Ajitbhai Valjibhai Karia, along with the Agasi Mandal, made significant efforts in this regard. Active members of the Mahajan collected another Rs. 2.5 lakhs to complete the construction of the second floor. Thus, the unparalleled and magnificent Mahajanwadi of Thane district was established.

In 1979, the Shri Kalyan Lohana Mahajan Yuva Samiti (Youth Committee) was established. In response to the appeal of the parent organization, Shri Lohana Mahaparishad, during the Morbi train disaster, the Mahajan contributed Rs. 1501/- to the Raghuvanshi Rail Relief Committee. In times of natural and man-made disasters, the doors of the Mahajanwadi have been opened to people from all walks of life in Kalyan and surrounding areas, regardless of caste or creed, offering shelter and providing all kinds of assistance. The Yuva Samiti has initiated the ‘Saraswati Samman’ to honor talented and bright students from the community. Since 1985, the Yuva Samiti has also started distributing notebooks at subsidized rates to needy students from the community.

In 1985, the Mahajan organized the first mass Yajnopavit Sanskar ceremony, in which 55 children participated. Inspired by the resolution of Shri Lohana Mahaparishad to eliminate unnecessary expenses incurred during wedding receptions, the Mahajan started a practice where community members who renounced wedding receptions were provided with the Mahajanwadi free of cost. As a result, the practice of expensive wedding receptions in Kalyan was almost eradicated. This was emulated by other Mahajans in Kalyan, resulting in positive outcomes.

The Shri Kalyan Lohana Mahajan has initiated a commendable ‘Ideal Marriage’ scheme, where marriages are conducted by the Mahajan at a very nominal cost. This includes the Mahajanwadi, mandap decoration, puja materials, and arrangements for the priest, all provided free of cost. The wedding ceremony is completed within five hours according to all religious rituals, with a meal for 50 guests from both sides. Dowry and other such practices are discouraged. The ‘Ideal Marriage’ scheme has been a blessing for community members of modest means.

At the historic Fifth Convention of Shri Lohana Mahaparishad held in Kolkata in 1989, the Mahajan delegation attended and contributed Rs. 15,001/- to the Shri Raghukul Arogya Nidhi established at the convention. During the Fifth Convention, the newly elected President, our inspiring and true Karmayogi, the Honorable Shri Haribhai Dreswala, said, “Mahajanwadis should not merely be places for earning a living but should become true centers of culture…” His words served as a source of inspiration for us, and Matushri Shambai Lohana Mahajanwadi has always been a vibrant center of socio-economic activities for the betterment of the community.

To unite the Lohana community members residing in Kalyan and its surrounding areas and carry out community welfare activities collectively, a convention of Kalyan, Dombivali, and Bhiwandi Mahajans was held in Kalyan on February 18, 1990. With the aim of organizing joint activities through discussions and exchanges of ideas, Mahajans from Thane and Navi Mumbai also joined the convention held in Bhiwandi on June 18, 1990. At the convention held in Dombivali on October 2, 1990, It was decided to organize a ‘Parichay Milan Samarambh’ (Introduction and Meeting Ceremony) and a mass wedding and Yajnopavit ceremony under the auspices of the five Mahajans’ organization. Accordingly, the first mass wedding and Yajnopavit ceremony was organized on February 18, 1991, in Kalyan under the aegis of the organization. The organization established under the leadership of Shri Kalyan Lohana Mahajan flourished and became a banyan tree-like ‘Shri Lohana Samaj Sangathan’ (Konkan Division), which includes Mahajans from Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts.

On February 4, 1990, a tragic incident occurred at the Mahajanwadi during a wedding ceremony when a cooking gas tank exploded. Several brothers residing in the Mahajanwadi’s residence were injured, and one community member lost his life. At that time, the Mahajan’s workers arranged for their treatment and livelihood. Upon appealing to the parent organization, Shri Lohana Mahaparishad, for assistance, a substantial amount of Rs. 75,000/- was received.

On October 21, 1990, during the community gathering, Shri Raghuvanshi Polyclinic was inaugurated at the Mahajanwadi by the esteemed Shri Harilal Bhagwanji Dreswala, President of Shri Lohana Mahaparishad. Expert doctors from Kalyan provided medical treatment free of charge. In the 1990-93 executive committee of Shri Kalyan Lohana Mahajan, women were given representation for the first time. On October 20, 1990, the ‘Raghuvanshi Recreation Center’ operated by the Shri Kalyan Lohana Mahajan-Yuva Samiti was inaugurated by Shri U.P.S. Madan, Commissioner of Kalyan Municipal Corporation.

On April 21, 1991, the monthly magazine of Shri Kalyan Lohana Mahajan, the mouthpiece ‘Raghuvansham’, was launched. It was released by the respected senior journalist of our community, Shri Vrajlal Vasani. Shri Jayeshbhai Trambaklal Karia, who has been actively involved with ‘Raghuvansham’ since its inception, continues to serve as the editor even as it enters its 15th year, ensuring its smooth operation and regular publication. Our mouthpiece is distributed to the Lohana community across the country every month. Especially, ‘Raghuvansham’ receives praise from all quarters for its insightful editorials. Our editor, Shri Jayeshbhai Karia, is the founding editor of the parent organization Shri Lohana Mahaparishad’s mouthpiece ‘Shri Raghukul Vishwa’, which the Mahajan is proud of.

On August 8, 1992, a meeting of the executive committee of the parent organization Shri Lohana Mahaparishad was held at the Mahajanwadi under the auspices of Shri Kalyan Lohana Mahajan.

The old constitution of the Mahajan, which was framed in 1960, was amended and updated to suit the changing times and social conditions, and the new constitution of Shri Kalyan Lohana Mahajan came into effect from November 22, 1992.

On Sunday, April 23, 2006, the newly created ‘Population Register’ of Shri Kalyan Lohana Mahajan was released by the esteemed Shri Jayantibhai Kundaliya, President of the parent organization Shri Lohana Mahaparishad. A ‘Population Register’ had been prepared in 1993, which was still in existence.

For various outstanding community welfare activities among Lohana Mahajans worldwide, Shri Kalyan Lohana Mahajan was awarded the ‘Ideal Mahajan’ prize of Rs. 51,000/- sponsored by the late Shri Mangubhai Dattani Memorial Trust. As per the trust’s rules, the prize money was to be used for community welfare. Generous donors from Kalyan, including the family of the late Shri Hiralal Chotalal Karia, the family of the late Shri Madhavjibhai Harjibhai Tanna, the family of the late Shri Ratilal Thakarsibhai Suchak, the family of the late Shri Vitthaldas Meghjibhai Karia, the dedicated Shri Krishnadas Mathuradas Adhia family, the family of the late Shri Mansukhlal Chunilal Popat, and the family of the late Shri Kanhaiyalal Jamnadas Tanna, each contributed substantial amounts ranging from Rs. 17,000 to Rs. 25,000. The total amount was placed in a fixed deposit, and the interest is used to organize the seven-day ‘Shri Raghuvanshi Lecture Series’ sponsored by the late Shri Mangubhai Dattani Memorial Trust every year. This year marks its tenth year.

Similarly, generous donors from Kalyan, including Shri Manharlal Laxmidas Vadera, Shri Prabhudas Maganlal Makhecha, Smt. Kantaben Ratilal Suchak, Shri Dilipbhai Mohanlal Suchak, and Shri Dipakbhai Babulal Karia, each contributed Rs. 5,000/-, and the total interest from this amount is used to organize regular educational lectures for S.S.C. students in collaboration with Shri Bruhad Gujarati Education Society, featuring expert teachers of the respective subjects.

Through the generosity of Shri Dilipbhai Suchak and Shri Kamalbhai Adhyita, free cataract surgeries were arranged for about 50 patients. The commendable efforts of the Yuva Samiti volunteers, under the valuable advice, guidance, and planning of Dr. Bipinbhai Vasani, were appreciated.

Shri Kalyan Lohana Mahajan has annual permanent schemes, including feeding pigeons for Rs. 1/- per day (Rs. 361/- annually) and sponsoring a student for Rs. 1000/- per year. With the cooperation and support of the Shri Kalyan Lohana Mahajan sub-committees, namely the Senior Committee, Women’s Committee, and Youth Committee, Matushri Shambai Lohana Mahajanwadi remains a hub of community welfare activities. Festivals like Shri Jalaram Jayanti and Shri Daryalal Jayanti are celebrated with great enthusiasm every year.

To provide a platform for community artists to showcase their talent, a grand cultural program, ‘Gurjari Kala Mahotsav’, is organized every year.

Finally, all Lohana community members residing in Kalyan and its surrounding areas are requested to become registered members of Shri Kalyan Lohana Mahajan and to become life members of the Mahajan’s magazine ‘Raghukulam/Raghuvansham’ for a fee of just Rs. 101/-.

Information about visiting the Lohana Mahajanwadi and other details can be found on the notice board. The Mahajan provides medical, educational, and financial assistance to needy community members. Anyone seeking assistance at the Mahajan’s premises is helped according to their needs.