Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, Odisha Prant, Jyoti Vibhag, Rourkela Branch, celebrated Guru Purnima on 21st July 2024 at two locations: Vedvyas and Rourkela. A total of 110 people participated in the events.
At Vedvyas, the program was held at Vedvyas Sanskrit College, with 30 participants, including the organizing team and students from the Gurukul. Dr. Umakant Panda ji, the Principal of Vedvyas Sanskrit College, and Sri Rama Krishna Gouda ji, Junior Assistant Professor at the Government Autonomous College, graced the occasion.
The celebration began with preparations for the yagna, which involved setting up the sacred fire pit and gathering materials. Dr. Umakant ji performed the rituals, followed by Sri Rama Krishna ji. Attendees offered flowers to Swami Vivekananda and Bharat Mata while reciting prayers dedicated to the deities. They also took vows to practice regular meditation, maintain discipline, and walk the path of their Gurus. After the rituals, students sought blessings from their teachers, and Prasad was distributed. The event concluded with an informal discussion on the significance of Guru Purnima.
In Rourkela, a program was held at the GRP Training School, starting at 2 p.m., with 80 attendees, including students and parents. Esteemed Chief Guests, including Sri Radhakant Maharana ji, Sri Rohit Singh ji, and Guest of Honour Sri Rama Krishna Gouda ji, graced the occasion.
The event began with 3 Omkars, Shanti Pat, and a Guru Shloka. The Chief Guests inaugurated the program with Deepa Prajwalan (lighting of the lamp). Sri Abhimanyu ji introduced the Chief Guests to the audience. The highlight of the event was the Guru Puja, where students washed their parents’ feet, performed puja and sought their blessings. The Chief Guests spoke about the significance of Guru Purnima, emphasizing that the day allows us to express gratitude for the profound impact of Gurus in our lives. They also highlighted that “a Guru is more than just a teacher; they are a source of inspiration and wisdom.” Prasad was distributed to all attendees after the programme.
