DIDI’S SATABHISHEKAM- PUBLIC FUNCTION

The well-wishers of Vivekananda Kendra Kodungallur deemed it a great privilege and honour to celebrate the Shatabhishekam (84^th Birthday) of Dr M.Lakshmi Kumari, Director of VK Vedic Vision Foundation. As is well known, she is a person who, sacrificing her career as a scientist in the prime Agricultural Institution of India, IARI, Delhi had dedicated her life for furthering the activities of Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari and spreading the message of Swami Vivekananda for the spiritual upliftment of the society. For the last 22 years she had been heading the VKVVF here at Kodungallur at Anandadham and has rendered yeomen service to the society. Here is a brief report of the celebration that has left an indelible mark on our society. Many scholars, sanyasis and and leaders attended the Shatabhishekam and blessed Didi and Vivekanda Kendra on this auspicious occasion.

    The public celebrations were from 6^th to 8^th March 2020 which included:

1.     Vishnuprayaga: -

Acharya Sabha on 6^th from 10 a.m. to 11.30. Sishuvihar children sang the prayer beautifully bringing the Vishnuprayaga to full form. All India Sanyasi Sabha Secretary Srimad Prabhakarananda Swami was the Chief Guest. He gave an overall view of Sanatana Dharma in general and Shatabhisheka in particular. Others who spoke were Sri P. Vishwaroopan (M.D. Janam TV), Dr M.S Muralidharan (Hindi Prachar Sabha) and Ka. Ba. Surendran (Bharatiya Vichar Kendra). Sri O.P. Suresh welcomed the gathering and Sri Shally gave vote of thanks

2.     Rudraprayaga: -

In the afternoon, there was a meeting of members from Dharmacharyas of Vaidika Tantrika Kshetras. Brahmasri Koru Asan Vaidika Kendra members offered prayers. Chief Guest was Dr Karumatra Vijayan, who gave a call to purify the temples and make them relevant by introducing Sanatana Dharma Coaching classes in every temple. Dr M.V. Natesan also emphasized this aspect in his talk. Kunnath Madam Parameswaran Unni Adigal and Brahmasri Bharatan Tantri were honoured. Sri Jayan welcomed the gathering and Sri Lalappan offered the vote of thanks. It was heartening to note that many temple authorities from different parts of the district added to the grace of the occasion by their active participation. Ladies group presented a Thiruvathira Kali as the finale of the programme.

3. Nandaprayaga: -

The programme on 7^th bore the name Nandaprayaga. Brahmasri Narendra Adigal performed the Ganapati homa early in the morning followed by Narananeeya Parayana by Sri Durga Naraneeya Samithi, Pullut. Nandaprayaga was centered on an assembly of Acharyas which brought together some of the distinguished acharyas on the same stage. Students of Sri Sai Vidya Bhavan received Sampujya Chidananda Puri Swamiji of Kolathur Adwaita Ashram with Vedic chantings and Poorna Kumbha. The programme was then inaugurated by Sampujya Chidananda Puri Swamiji. Swami Purushothamanandaji of Vivekananda Ashram, Cherussery presided. Well-known Bhagavatacharya Srimad Swami Udith Chaitanya was the main speaker, who called upon the people to wake up to the call of Swami Vivekananda Uthisthata, Jagrata, Prapyavaran Nibodhata. Srimad Theja Swaroopanandaji of Kapilashram, Triprayar gave his benedictory address.

4. Karnaprayaga: -

The fourth congregation bore the name Karnaprayaga. Its main programme was Yoga Sanjeevani in which our YCC and YIC students presented yoga in attractive ways. Sri Premnathji, Saha Samparka Pramukh and yoga coordinator welcomed the gathering. Sri Sudhakarji gave the key note address. Yoga pyramid by the students of Sri Sai Vidya Bhavan, P Vemballur at the beginning was a noteworthy feature. Smt Jaya Sadanandan gave vote of thanks. 

5. Deva Prayaga:-  

March 8^th being International Woman’s day, women dominated the session Deva Prayaga. Sri Nanda Kumar, Tantri from Ala, started the day with the usual Ganapati Homam. The programme was rightly a Matru Sangamam emphasising the role of women as wives and mothers, home makers in the society.

The Matru Sangamam was blessed by Sampoojya Avyaya Prana Mataji of Sri Sarada Math, Ernakulum by lighting the lamp and giving the benedictory address. Sri Jayalakshmi Sadanandan welcomed the gathering, predominantly women. Much to the delight of the audience five year old Kumari Aradhya of Sishuvihar introduced Ma. Didi without missing one word from her beautifully prepared speech. Smt. Usha Verma, Samyojika of Rashtriya Sevika Samithi presided and spoke about the problems present day women face in the society. Next came the key note address by Dr. Lakshmi Shankar, Head of Sanskrit Department, Sri Krishna College, Guruvayur, who is a very dear disciple of Mata Amrithanandamayi and also one very close to Lakshmi Didi. Women and family was the subject wonderfully dealt with by Dr. Lakshmi. The renowned artist Sri Davinchi Suresh offered felicitations. Kumari Bindu, longtime associate of Vivekananda Kendra Kodungallur, gave the vote of thanks.

Earlier in the morning there was Gopuja and chanting of Lalita Sahasranama etc. led by some fifty mothers.

6. Keshavaprayaga:- 

The sixth session was Keshavaprayaga.  Which was a  Kavya Sadas in which some of the well-known poets from Kodungallur were honoured. Sri Nandakumar welcomed the gathering. Mahakavi Sri Thayyapparambil Gopalan Kutty Menon, Sri P.S.S. Kaimal and Sri T.K Velu were honoured. Prof. Padma Devi, Sri Sopanam Unnikrishnan, Smt. Saji Madhu and Smt Anitha made the hall reverberate with their poetic presentations. Advocate Smt. Lisha Jayanarayan proposed the vote of thanks.

        The finale of the three days programme was indeed grand and soul filling. Ma. Didi was the central figure in the Nama Japa procession from Ananda Dham to Dr. Panicker’s hall. Panchavadyam and namajapa added to the dignity of the occasion. In the public meeting that followed Maj. Gen. Dr. Vivekanandan presided. Sri M. S. Muralidharan, the Chairman of the celebration committee welcomed the gathering. Srimad Swami Adyathmanandaji of Sambodh Foundation lighted the lamp and offered benediction. Sri P.E.B. Menon delivered the inaugural address. The Chief Guest was Sri J. Nandakumar (Prajna Pravaha of RSS) who spoke at length about the contribution of Didi as also about the great role that Vivekananda Kendra is playing since its inception 50 years ago. Felicitation was offered by Dr. Vasudevan Panicker.

In the reply Ma. Didi summarized the important landmarks in her long life, especially as a dedicated worker of Vivekananda Kendra. She thanked the organisers of the programme for the wonderful way they have honoured her. Last but not the least, she wounded up her speech by announcing two important  projects dear to her, namely installing a statue of Swami Vivekananda in Kodungallur and of building two houses for two poor sisters badly in need of shelter. This was much appreciated by the audience. With vote of thanks offered by Sri Pramod the three days programme came to a memorable conclusion.