All India Spiritual Retreat was held in Vivekanandapuram, Kanyakumari from 08th to 15th February 2016.
The reporting day was 7thFebruary and most of the participants had arrived and reported during the day. 62 participants from thirteen different states viz, Maharastra (27 participants), Karnataka (6 participants), Tamilnadu (6 participants), Delhi (4 participants), Assam (4 participants), Gujrat (3 participants), Haryana (3 participants), Kerala(2 participants), Bengal (2 participants), Bihar (2 participants), Udisha(1 participant) and Telangana (1 participant) reported. There was a participant from Vietnam also. On the same day the participants attended the Bhajansandhya and Introductory session, wherein the participants were given orientation for the camp. On 08th morning, Retreat was inaugurated by Mananeeya Angirasji (Mamaji), Very Senior (1973) Life-Worker .
The medium of the camp was in Hindi and English. The 59 participants were organized into six different groups named as Santosh, Samanvay, Samyam, Samatva,(Hindi), Seva and Samskar (English). The seven day camp had Morning Prayers, Gita-Pathan, Yogabhyas, Omkar Dhyan, Shram-Samskar, two Lecture sessions, Manthan, Geet-Abhyas, Cyclic Meditation, Bhajansandhya, and concluded with Preranase Punrutthan. The lecture sessions were on the topics of: Concept of Spirituality, Kendra Prarthana, Shrimad Bhagwad Geeta, Karma Yoga Shloka Sangrah, Upanishad, Swami Vivekananda, Ekanathji, Story of Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Vivekananda Kendra-A Thought Movement, Kendra Activities and Purposeful Life. During Manthan, Participants discussed over different Chapters from Sadhana of Service and Rousing Call to Hindu Nation. During Shram-Samskar, participants took care of the cleanliness, arrangement and management of the premises, accommodation, class rooms and dining hall displaying team-spirit and selfless service. They also cleaned ground behind Satyakam building. During Preranase Punrutthan, participants sang songs, performed dance/drama, played different games. One night they were shown films on Construction of Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Ekanathji. In the six sessions they were narrated the Life and Works of Thakur Ramakrishna Paramhans and Mata Sarada Devi. Hanuman Chalisa was chanted everyday. During the Camp, Participants visited Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Kanyakumari Amman Temple, Wandering Monk, Vivekananda Pictorial, Gramodaya and Gangotri exhibitions and details of the Exhibitions were explained. One day participants also enjoyed the sunrise on the beach.
The Retreat went on well in a congenial and spiritual atmosphere with good discipline. Many of the participants have expressed their willingness to devout their time and energy for the Service of the society through Vivekananda Kendra. Several enrolled as Patrons thus joining the large family of Vivekananda Kendra. Maharashtra Prant Team took the responsibility for organizing, managing and executing the Spriritual Retreat.
