“Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare!
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare!”
In our school, on the fine evening of Tuesday, 27th Aug, we celebrated the two important functions ‘Gokulashtami’ and ‘Raksha Bandhan’. Lord krishna’s birthday is celebrated all across India as well as amongst Hindus overseas as ‘Janmashtami’ or ‘Gokulashtami’. Janam means birth and ashtami is the eighth day in the Hindu calendar. Raksha bandhan is celebrated on the full moon day of the lunar month shravan, which also coincides with Upa-Karma. The festival is also called as Rakhi Poornima, nariyal Poornima and Karaji Poornima in different states.
The celebration was started with an invocation song by our VI std students. It gave us the divine blessing of God.
Next, the welcome address was give by Nivethitha Bharathi of IX std student.
As a child, Krishna was the naughtiest and most mischievous kid in the whole village. His childhood and teenage years were spent amongst the cowherds and village belles, also called gopis for whom Lord Krishna was the supreme mate. The importance of the day was delivered by Preethi of VIII std student. She shared her views about Lord Krishna.
Music is essential for each and every one’s life and it is the easiest way to reach God. The students of VIII std sang a sweet song praising Lord Krishna.
In our midst, we had an eminent personality ‘Srimath Swami Chaithanyanandaji Maharaj, President of Hindu Dharma Vidhya Peedam, Vellimalai as our Chief Guest. He preaces spiritual classes and Deepa Pooja is organized by him in Tamilnadu and Kerala. He is one of the leaders of Sir Rama Krishna seva sangam and rendering scholarships and medical facilities for the poor and down trodden pupils. He is one of the disciples of srimath Maduranandhaji Maharaj, who was the founder of Hindu Dharma Vidhya Peedam.
Next, the honorable Chief Guest addressed about the importance of the day. He told the story ‘The Lion and the Sheep’ and encouraged the students to be courageous. ‘Each Soul is potentially divine’ the thought of swami Vivekananda was explained by the Chief Guest. He insisted us to read the Bhagavath Gita daily.
Then he talked about ‘Panja Maha Yagnam’ named as (i) Deva yagnam (ii) Rishi yagnam (iii) Pithru Yagnam (iv) nara Yagnam and (v) Bootha Yagnam. He gave the detail explanation about each Yagnam.
The sacred thread which represents love and sublime sentiments is called ‘Raksha Bandhan’ means ‘a hand of protection’. The holy thread called Rakhi is tied and they pray God for their good health and long life. Aarthy of XII std student tied the sacred thread for the Chief Guest, the Special Guest and the Pricipal.
Next, our special guest sri. Deepakji, Secretary of the Central Office, Vivekananda Kendra addressed the audience. He talked about shri. Eknathji, the founder of Vivekananda Kendra. Next he told that “we should be inspired by worshipping and inspiration should be an event in ourselves”.
Next, our Special Guest Shri. Deepakji presented the memento to our honorable Chief Guest.
Uriyadi is a traditional ‘handis breaking game’. Manoj of IV std student disguised as little Krishna and Balwadi and I std students disguised as Krishnas and gopikas. The sweet song was sung by VII std students.
Abinisha of IX std sudent proposed the Vote of Thanks.
The Celebration was concluded by Kendra Prarthana.
