GITA JAYANTHI CELEBRATION
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| Master Ananthu -Class I |
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| Master Abhijit LKG |
Apart from Sandeepani Sishuvihar, other school children too participated.
Ma.Didi explained the importance of chanting in Sanskrit, how it purifies one's speech. Pronouncing Sanskrit words brings clarification of speech. Hence in modern days Sanskrit chanting is used as a tool in speech therapy .
SPIRITUAL RETREAT-18TH DEC TO 21ST DEC 2019
Four day Spiritual Retreat was organised at Vivekananda Kendra Vedic Vision Foundation, Kodungallur from 18th December to 21st December. Srimad Swami Hari Brahmendrananda Tirthapadaji from Somashram, Uttarkashi was the Acharya and he spoke exclusively on Vibhuti Pada and Kaivalya Pada of Patanjali Yoga Darshan. Apart from that Man. Lakshmi Didi took two sessions. 30 people attended out of whom 18 of them stayed in the campus. The classes were conducted in Malayalam. Swamiji in his unique style of teaching in a gurukula style made the participants glued to the classes with rapt attention. Ma. Lakshmi didi took couple of sessions on Indian culture and Dr. Natesan M. from Kalady Sri Sankara University conducted classes on the fist two padas of yoga darshana. In all thirty participants took the benefit of the retreat. During the one-hour question- answer session during evening hours, Swamiji tried to satisfy all by answering all the questions that came to the participants mind by giving practical and in-depth explanations based on his experience. All participants left the campus with a vow to meet again in the next year along with their friends.
ARAVINDA KEERTI MUDRA AWARD FOR DIDI
Aravinda Keerti Mudra Award was conferred to Ma.Lakshmi Didi on 19th December for her extensive selfless service for the upliftment of the common masses especially women. The award was conferred by the Aravinda Charitable Society, Palikkathodu,Kottayam. Swami Sadananda,Acharya of Chinmaya International Foundation Piravom who was the - Chief Guest , presented the award in the presence of other dignitaries like Dr K.P. Kylasanatha Pillay -Senior advocate of Supreme Court of India , Sri Anirudhan-librarian of M.G University and the Principal Smt Kavitha R.C of Aravinda Vidya Mandiram. The function was held in the mentioned Higher Secondary school run by the Society at Palikkathodu.The award consists of a gold medal and a momento.
VANAPRASTHA
Divinisation of human life has beena pet theme of Indian seers.In every generation newer and wewer attempts are made by thinkers and social reformers to realise this highly meritorious ideal a living practice. Sri K.V.Dayal, concerned about the falling standards in human life -nature interaction has created a package of 20 formulae to rectify our mistakes in agriculture practices,food habits education and inter human relationships.On 15th evening Sri Dayal presented his ideas to a discerning audience at Vivekananda Kendra Kodungallur and invited them to participate in his 20 lecture course.Through a full day exposition he will deal with the problems connected with the above four major concerns of an individual's life so as to help one to de addict oneself from the wrong approaches and strive for happiness in personal and family life, reestablish sustainable agriculture- rectify the mistakes in the field of education and evolve newer and healthier practices in our food habits.
More than 50 people participated in the Introductory services of ' Vanaprastha' as Sri Dayal calls it. With reactions and eagerness many have come forward to participate in his wholesome programme of Divinisation of life.
MATRUPUJA-SANDEEPANI SISHUVIHAR
As a part of the regular annual programme Sri Sarada Devi's birthday is celebrated with Matru Puja or worshipping their mothers and grandmothers by the Sandeepani Sishuvihar children.
This year too Matrupuja was conducted on 14th December from 10 a.m to 11.30 a.m. The parents and children started coming to Anand dham by 10 a.m. Prior to that arrangements were made for all the children to sit and do the wonderful yajna. Ma Lakshmi Didi while addressing the parents emphasized the need for inculcating the values in their children by themselves living those values. She explained to all the mothers present that to please Mother Lakshmi they aught to dress themselves up modestly, so that the children adore them, to please Mother Saraswati Devi they should consciously use sweet words and never use abusive language and to please Goddess Parvathi Devi they aught to live happily taking all the members of the family just as the goddess does with all her children their Vahanas( Peacock, mouse,snake,bull etc).Then and then only can they become 'Sri-Matas'
All the children performed the puja with devotion as guided by Lakshmi didi. The programme ended with Shanti Mantra after offering the arati and feeding the children with prasadam. 25 children took part.
SADHANA DIVAS
On this auspicious day, the morning's programme started with a short prayer. Ma.Lakshmi Didi addressed the group of 20 participants.While narrating the story of the Rock Memorial, Ma.Didi stressed on how one can do wonders if one has intense faith in oneself, determination and the love and regards for the purpose or mission of one's life.Ma.Ekanathji's mission of life was Man Making and Nation Building through the path shown by Swami Vivekananda. Thus the construction of His Memorial was just the first phase and an organisation bearing Swamiji's name, became the second phase. His intense love for Swamiji and his faith in himself lead him to succeed in his Mission in spite of innumerable hurdles that came on the way.All of those present paid their homage to Ma.Eknathji by offering of flowers before the portrait.The programme ended with Shanti Mantra.
In the forenoon the Nivedita Swasraya Tailoring unit group of 15 ladies including the 2 teachers gathered in the Dakshina Hall. 19th November proved to be a special occasion for VKVVF as this day was chosen to expand our self help venture for women into a self help Commercial Activity.With 10 sewing machines ad more than 30 trained ladies we thought that we should expand their self help idea into a more tangible income earning project.
Each of the 15 ladies who were present including the teachers contributed whatever they could from Rs 1000/- to Rs 5000/- and embarked on a project of stitching bags , skirts , nighties, churidars etc, and selling them at reasonable rates . This is sure to bring them decent monthly income in addition to utilizing their time profitably and fruitfully,which otherwise would be washed on TV serial shows or gossiping . Coming to Kendra also indicates in them an attitude of surrender, power behind 'nishkama karma' and much needed spiritual awareness. With this hidden agenda we have offered our new venture of Nivedita Swasraya Tailoring Unit as our Smarananjali to Ma.Eknathji on his 105th birthday.
Ma. Didi and Sri Sudhakarji spoke to them. All the participants offered flowers before the portrait of Ma.Eknathji. The meeting ended with Shanti Mantra.
14 TH NOVEMBER SHISHU DINAM ( CHILDRENS DAY)
SHRAMA SAMSKAR ON SISHU DINAM
MANORAMA THAMPURATTI AWARD FOR MA.. LAKSHMIDIDI
She was also the contemporary of (Dharma Raja) Sree Karthika
Thirunal Balarama Varma Maharaja of Travancore (1724–98), who had the title
'Dharma Raja', meaning 'the king of righteousness'. During the time when
Malabar was invaded by Tipu Sultan of Mysore, she stayed in exile at
Travancore. It was during her exile at Travancore that the king completed the
treatise on dramaturgy viz. Balarama Bharatham and Manorama Thampuratti offered
her comments and suggestions, leading to its fruitful completion. Her
correspondence with king Karthika Thirunal is of historic importance.
Commemorating the unique
contributions of scholarly Princess of Samoodri clan ,in Manorama thampuratti name
an award was instituted by the Zamorin of Kozhikode way back early fifties.
This year the award was given to Dr M Lakshmi Kumari, Director, Vivekananda.
Kendra Vedic Vision Foundation, Kodungallur.
Revathi Pattathanam is an annual scholars meet, organised by
Revathi Pattahthanam Samitiunder Tali Mahadeva Temple.
On Sunday, 10th November , the meet was organised
at the Zamorin HSSchool. The programme began with a special pooja at Tali
MAhadeva Temple , followed by a procession of Thalappoli, panchavadyam and kalaripayattu beginning from the temple premises to the Pattathanam Sala arranged at the Zamorin’s School.Zamorin KC Unni Anujan Rajais the Chief patron of Revathi PAttathanam. The Manorama Thampuratti Award was handed over to
Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi by ZamorinKCUnni Anujan Raja. The inaugural session was
followed by Rigveda Samhita presented by KMKM Jathavedan Namboodiri and Kothamangalam Vasudevan Namboothiri.M.P.MK Raghavan was the Chief Guest.MLA KNA
Khader also presided.
CHANDI HOMAM AT ANANDADHAM
Chandi yagam was organised on the 9th November, at Anandadham, in coordination with Antarastriya Hindu Parishad (AHP) workers.This Homam is done for the benefit of society.The programme started with Ganapathy Homam, in the early morning hours. After this Chandi Homam started by 9.30 a.m. Ten pujaries led by Dr Karumatra Vijayan and Sri Shivanji as the acharya performed the 3 hour yaga . The whole atmosphere was charged with the chanting of Devi Mahatmyam and Lalitha Sahasra namam. Nearly 400 people attended.
VIDYARAMBHAM & VIJAYA DASHAMI
Literally the small children are very happy during these 3 days since there is no one to force them to study . They are not supposed to read or write.
The children out here in and around Anandadham campus, from toddlers to teenagers , all come with their mothers and other relatives during these 3 days and sing bhajans in front of the bommakolu every evening for an hour. They leave after taking the prasad offered before Devi.This year too there was a good crowd especially on Mahanavami day.55 students had kept their books for blessings of Devi.
On 8th,Vijaya Dashami day, all the children came in the morning to take back their books .Many toddlers had their Vidyarambham from Ma.Didi's hands.Other small children including LKG and UKG tots sat on the laps of Ma.Didi and Sri Sudhakarji to write the name of Ganapathi, on rice before taking their books back.
Everyone of them received prasadam. Around 100 people including the children and elders attended
ACCHU KUTTAN 'S PASSING AWAY- MEMORIES
Within the world to glow,
A little lamp that burneth bright
Wherever I may go"
That was what our Little Acchu was born for.Acchu was brought to Anandadham when he was hardly a month old. Since then he had become a part of the Kendra family, sharing and caring, affectionate and playful. His presence gave everyone so much joy.His pranks would keep all happy and joyful. Entertaining visitors was his duty, he felt.His love for balls and craziness for balloons was unimaginable. Evenings were for playing with ball. By turns each of the visitors would carry a ballon for him and he would go crazy with joy after he got the balloon not allowing anybody to touch it.
To save the lives of all in Aanandham, Achus chose to risk his . On that fateful night of 5th January, Achu got bitten by a Viper while trying to kill it. He fought a lot till the last but the venom had spread and within 12 hours he breathed his last.
Shraddhanjali to our beloved Acchu. May he get Mukti !!
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| Examining a hot cup of coffee |
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| Acchu loved listening to flute |
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| Playing with the G.S of Kendra-no fear! |
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| Helping the inmates in watering the plants |
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| Evenings- playtime with ball |
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| Ball and Acchu |
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| Balloons were his favorite |
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| Acchu loved company |
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| Glued to his new ball |
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| Along with this years YCC/YIC batch |
NAVARATRI BOMMA KOLU DECORATION
Bommakolu.Keeping a Bommakolu(arrangement of dolls), an essence of Navarathri celebrations in the South, has its own significance too.To project the fact that the same 'Shakti' or energy flows through every object on earth, animate or inanimate. Thus kolu represents the idea or is the personification of the Mother of the Universe.
UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD DAY CELEBRATION
On the 23rd ,Art and Painting competition was conducted for the L.P, U.P and High School students, i.e. from class II to class X. 72 students from eight different schools were present.
On 24th elocution( getting by heart and delivering thespeech of Swamiji) competition in English and Malayalam based on Speech of Swamiji's for the students of Junior ( classes VI-VII) and Senior ( Class VIII to X) sections. 48 students participated for the English elocution whereas 58 of them in Malayalam from 12 different schools participated in toto.
On 25th September a quiz contest was conducted in which 5 schools with 5 students in a group , participated.
26th September morning from 10.30 to 1.30noon , was the concluding function. Dr Smt Sumathy Achuthan,Director of the Shantiniketan International school, was the Chief Guest. Mrs Sumathy in her lecture cautioned the students against misuse of mobile which could even be fatal.Swamijis messages was a power house of beauty and energy. This time Gurushree Public School Chapara, bagged the first prize in Quiz and also won the rolling shields for highest points in English and Malayalam elocutions.
EBVB MEETING
35 people attended.The Rock Memorial story was read , discussed and clarified by Sri Raghuji.
SAMSKARVARGA PRASHIKSHAN WORKSHOP
NEW SAMSKARVARGA
This time the yoga Varga participants especially the mothers of Valsalayam and Kindi bazar area expressed their wish to start a Sasmkarvarga for their children. Hence on 9th September nearly 25 children and some of the mothers gathered on the terrace of Smt Laya's ( yoga varga member) house to formally start Sanskar Varga there. It was decided that every Sunday evening they would gather at the same place and participate in the Samskarvarga under Smt Suja's guidance. ONAM CELEBRATION
RAMAYANA PRASHNOTTARI
As a part of the concluding celebratiof Ramayana month (which was delayed because of the flood in August ), a Ramayana quiz was conducted for the samskarvarga children of Edavilangu, Karumatra, Vinayakapuram and VKVVF 's Anandadham. Only selected children from all the areas who had already appeared in their own areas for the Ramayana written test and succeeded, participated in the Quiz competition held on 1st Septmeber.
Edavilangu group topped , Karumatra group was in the second position and Anandadham group got rthe 3rd position. Smt Rema Shali was adjudged as the best mother trainer of Ramayana for her children.All the groups were presented with tokens of appreciation by Ma.Lakshmi Didi. 50 people along with the participants attended.SRI KRISHNA JAYANTHI
The Campus of Anandadham was crowded with tiny tots of Sisuvihar and slightly bigger children, and even toddlers from around our neighbourhood.Some were dressed as radhas, some as gopikas and the rest as Sri Krishnas.The stage was full with the tablo of these children posing in different ways. Judges were there to spot the good, better and best poses and prizes were there for everyone who participated. There were Krishna bhajans by budding singers. The whole atmosphere Anandadham was filled with 'Ananda'.51 children in all participated and parents of each of them, along with teachers inmates of Anandadham were all present to witness the grand show.
RAKSHABANDHAN
Ma Didi explained to them about the significance of the celebrating Rakshabandhan. Didi explained to them that in order to understand the great concepts of our rishis eg.'Vasudhaiva kutumbakam' or the whole universe is one family,in our Indian culture several celebrations are are there. Raksha Bandhan is one such celebration. All the 26 children, their parents teachers and inmates of Anandadham were present. Didi and Sri Sudhakarji in turns tied rakhis round thechildren's wrists. The children were thrilled!
RAMAYANA MONTH
17th July
marked the beginning of
Ramayana month, “Karkatakam”.
This month is totally
dedicated to
parayanam of the Adhyatma
Ramayana of Ezhuthacchan.One of
our project activities is to popularize this habit
of parayanam or reading through house visits.
Su Bindu, one of the inmates of Anandadham
has been meticulously carrying on the
programme for about 10 years.
GURUPURNIMA UTSAVA AT DIFFERENT PLACES
On the auspicious day of Guru Purnima, a few programmes were held at Anandadham and outside also.Early morning there was Ganapathi Homam and Sri Chakra puja by Sri Shivan Thanthrikal and his assistant.
At 6 a.m to 6.30 a.m there was the regular Yoga varga class.60 participants attended. After the chanting of Guru Stotram,Ma. Didi while speaking to the participants,stressed on the importance of this day. That on this auspicious day one should remember their first Guru -one's biological Mother who is the greatest Karmayogi, then all those who have shown them the path to knowledge must be revered. She mentioned about Vyasa Maharshi the 'Vishaala buddhe' who enlightened the whole universe with his vast knowledge and who was born on this day.She also mentioned about Maharshi Patanjali who stressed on 'pranava' or 'Omkara' as the symbol of Ishwara.Pushparchana in front of the Omkara was performed by all the participants one by one while the 'Guru Paduka Stotram was being chanted. Programme concluded with Shanti Mantra and then prasada sponsored by one of the yogavarga members Sri Radhakrishnanji.
At 10.30 a.m Sandeepani Sishuvihar students, Nivedita Tailoring class students, YCC and YIC students and new participants willing to enroll themselves for the Yoga course, celebrated Gurupurnima Utsavam. Chanting of Guru Strotram in the lead and follow way, Didi's speech on significance of this day and pushparchana were the main items of the programme.It was mesmerising to listen to Ma.Lakshmi Didi who had to pass on he message of Gurupurnima toa mixed crowd consisting of tiny tots from 3 years onwards to the young , middle aged students and old people -the grand mothers and fathers of the tiny tots. She could amazingly engage the tiny tots to the elders with her enlightening message, enjoyed and grasped by all age groups.
7 tailoring students who got through their practical exams, received the pass certificates from Didi's hands.Also 4 of them out of the 7 received sewing machines.A total of 55 people including the tiny tots were present.
Evening at 3 p.m the Bhagavad Gita class group of 12 ladies of Methala area, celebrated Gurupurnima in their own way. Apart from chanting of Guru Stotram, Sri Sudhakarji spoke to them on the significance of the day. Pushparchana followed by Shanti mantra, concluded the one hour programme.
Smt Suja's (Saha Yoga varga Pramukh) students from Kara, Edavilangu and Valsalyam around 42 of them , celebrated Gurupurnima at Kara Hall.Here too the chanting of Guru Stotram,followed by a talk by Sri Sudhakarji.Importance of a Guru and significance of Gurupurnima was explained. The participants had brought from their homes , homemade delicacies which was served as prasadam after the Shanti mantra.BALAGOKULA HONOURS MA.. LAKSHMI DIDI
On the occasion of 44th Annual convention of Balagokulam Kerala, they decided to felicitate 9 jewels of Thrissur who have contributed to Sanatana Dharma. The function was organised at Paramekkavu Vidyamandir, Thrissur on 13th July, 2019.
Dr P.R Krishna Kumar,the Chancellor of the Avinashilingam University, Coimbatore, inaugurated the programme.
Sri Harindran Master, introduced the Acharyas in his unique style highlighting the contribution they made in spreading the traditional knowledge.
The nine jewels are Sarvasree P.Chitran Namboodiripad, Kalamandalam Gopi Ashan, Peruvanam Kuttan Marar, Dr.M Lakshmi Kumari, Kanipayyur Krishnan Namboodiripad, Madambu Kunjukuttan and Advocate K.K Nair. Sri Ramachandran and Sri Kalyanaraman could not attend the programme.
Responding to the felicitation Sri Peruvanam Kuttan Marar thanked the organisers on behalf of all the facilitators.
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