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.

Eka Bharatam Vijayi Bharatam for the month of November 19

Ebvb November by vedicvision99 on Scribd

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

Dressed as Chacha Nehru was little Aradhya,in  Swami Vivekananda 's attire came little Adwaita , as Sister Nivedita was little Padma, and little Badrinath    Mananeeya Eknathji  , Tiny Abhijit as Caccha's friend and the others dressed in their sports dress, our Sandeepani Shishuvihar tiny tots arrived sharp at 10a.m.along with their mothers and grandparents, to do seva by cleaning the surrounding of their school and Kendra campus. They worked so sincerely that within an hour they had cleaned the whole campus so neatly. Even the inmates of Kendra , their teachers and their  grandparents took part in the 'Swachata programme'. What can be a better contribution on Children's' day.

After Shramasamskar, all gathered in the Dakshina Hall to listen to their short sweet speeches , songs and poems.This was followed by a grand lunch in the honour of the tiny tots!  

MANORAMA THAMPURATTI AWARD FOR MA.. LAKSHMIDIDI

Manorama Thampuratti was an 18th century Sanskrit Scholar. She belonged to Kizhakke Kovilakam of Kottakkal, a branch of the Zamorin dynasty of Kozhikode. Being a member of the royal family, she was fortunate to get a traditional Sanskrit education, which was not common for women at that time. She mastered the language and so got access to the treasure of knowledge on various shastras at a young age. She composed several verses in Sanskrit and was known all over Kerala as a gifted poet. However, except for few shlokas, not much is available of her work.

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, 10^th 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. 

  

Vishwabhanu Aug'19 - Sep '19

Vishwabhanu_Aug'19 - Sep'19

Ekabharatam and Vijayi Bharatam by vedicvision99 on Scribd

VIDYARAMBHAM & VIJAYA DASHAMI

 Navratri started from 29th September. On the 7th day was Saptami. This day all the students place their books in front of Mother Saraswati in the evening,to receive her blessings.They are to collect the books on the 10th day or Vijaya Dashami after writing the name of Ganapati on uncooked rice placed on brass plates in front of the Devi.
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

" God make my life A little light,
  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 !!

Examining a hot cup of coffee

Acchu loved listening to flute

Playing with the G.S of Kendra-no fear!

Helping the inmates in watering the plants

Evenings- playtime with ball

Ball and Acchu

Balloons were his favorite

Acchu loved company

Glued to his new ball

Along with this years YCC/YIC batch