BHAGAVATHA SAPTAHAM

Seven days Bhagavata Saptaham started on 9th March with chanting and explanation of the Mahatmyam or the glory of Srimad Bhagavatam by the Acharya, Brahmasree Kurumballoor Hari Namboothiri. His assistants were Kunambilli Narayanan Namboothiri and Brahmasree Puzhalipuram Krishnan Namboothiri.

Ma. Didi's 83rd birthday was celebrated on 13th March with a sumptuous meal for all who had come to meet her and for those who were attending the Saptaham. 14th morning being our Ganapathi pratishtha divas, there was Ganapathi homam and Sree Chakra Puja apart from the usual Saptaha prabhashanam. 

On the 16th it was the concluding day.All those who attended the saptaham were captivated by the lucid accounts of the 'puranic kathas' of Srimad Bhagavatam,narrated by the Acharya. 

VIVEKNANDA JAYANTHI

12^th JANUARY-National Youth Day

 Samatva Yoga Sangamam started on dot at 6 a.m on 12 th January at Anandadham. Dr. M.V. Natesan Professor from Sri Sankara Sanskrit University, Kalady, Dr. Vivekanandan Retd Major General and Man. Lakshmi Didi were on the dais for the program. The program started with Vedic Hymn setting the tone of the program, followed by Ma. Lakshmi Didi’s welcome address. While talking to the students of yoga she highlighted Swami Vivekananda's concept of yoga and Ma.Eknathji contribution, making yoga as the core of Vivekananda Kendra in all its activities.

The talk by the distinguished Professor let the tune for the flow of Samatva yoga. He did it effortlessly filling the minds of Samatva yoga students and made them feel the necessity for making yoga as part of their life, by giving number of similes. Given the minimum time for him, he did justice and filled their minds with inquisitiveness.

The bonus came from retired Major Gen. Vivekanandan who  spoke from his rich experience and encouraged one and all to make yoga a part of their being.

This was followed by Samuhika Surya Namaskar led by Sri Joshi. To the tune of the ambience that was set by the distinguished guests, he created the tune of Samatva yoga and made everyone follow with breathing practices and Surya Namaskaram. The atmosphere was filled with vibrations of pranava chanting.285 members constituting yoga satra, varga, tailoring unit students and parents and students of Sandeepani Sishuvihar, took part.

 On the same day, Swamiji’s Jayanthi celebrations at Ananda dham, Kodungallur was planned at 10 am. Dr. Lakshmi Piyush, HOD of Sanskrit department, Sri Krishna College, Guruvayur was the Chief Guest. She inspired the prize winners who had come for the celebration, with her fiery speech. Talking to the parents and teachers, she said that giving the powerful thoughts of Swamiji and other inspiring thoughts vibrating with truth to their wards right from their childhood, it could mold their wards’ characters, thereby making them good citizens. Prize winning students were awarded. This time Amrita Vidyalayam received the rolling trophy for patriotic group song whereas the Trophy for folk group song was shared by Shantiniketan International School and GUPS Konathukunnu. Eleven poor but meritorious students of GGHSS Kodungallur, five of them from class X and five from the XIth class were awarded scholarships worth Rs 500/- each and Kum.Nasreen of class Xi received the Sridevi Namboodiripad memorial scholarship worth Rs 1000/- for being best in studies. As usual prasadam(sumptuous lunch) sponsored by Mr and Mrs Murali, our close wellwishers, was distributed to all after the programme.

On the 13^th January Sishuvihar children along with SamskarVarga children celebrated Swami Vivekananda Jayanthi in their own special way.

Dr. Sukumaran, an ayurvedic physician and a longtime associate of Kendra, was the Chief Guest. All we're blessed to have the august presence of a Swami from Ramakrishna Math Sri Satyatmakananda to bless the children. The program started with prayer and lighting the lamp by Ma Lakshmi Didi and Chief guest and little Ananth dressed as Swamiji. Didi addressed the parents emphasizing the need to sustain the values that are nurtured in Sishuvihar. Dr. Sukumaran too stressed the need for cultural education to be preserved for posterity.

Rev Swamiji too gave his blessings. He appreciated the efforts taken by the parents and teaching staff in dressing up each kid as symbolic characters from the puranas e.g, Siva-Parvati, Rama-Sita Devi and Lakshmana with Hanuman, a dedicated farmer and his wife’s dinacharya, Sri Krishna,Sri Sankaracharya and so on.

A Tableau by Samskara Varga children was highly appreciated by all. The theme was jala pralayam and the relief work by the voluntary organizations. Then each child presented their talents by uttering the sayings of Swamiji. The efforts taken by the parents and teaching staff was highlight of the day. The program ended with Shanti mantra.

On 3^rd February, Swamiji Jayanthi was celebrated jointly by Sri Ramakrishna Math Thrissur and Vivekananda Kendra Vedic Vision Foundation-Kodungallur at Vivekananda Vijnana Bhavan, Punkunnam Thrissur.

The programme started at 4pm.with Vedic prayers followed by deepa prajwalanam by Rev Swami Nandatmajananda, Dr Jijin Krishna and Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi.

 Dr Jijith Krishnan (Associate Professor of Medicine, Govt.Medical College, Thrissur) was the Chief Guest. Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi presided over the function.Sreemad Swami Nandatmajanandaji gave the benedictory address.

In her presidential address Lakshmi Didi introduced Vivekananda Kendra and its activities and thanked Sri Ramakrishna Math for giving an opportunity to start the activities at Thrissur. She drew the attention of the parents and teachers in inculcating the values in the students so that strong foundation is laid down in them.

 The Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Pottore school children who presented an excellent patriotic song we're the first prize winners in patriotic song competition. Dr. Jijin Krishna, Asst. Professor at Thrissur Medical College, gave an inspiring speech drawing number of incidents from Swamijis life, gave titbits to mould the life so that all can become worthy children of Swamiji.

Second prize winners .Sandeepani Vidya Niketan, Thrissur presented their song to the accompaniment of  by music instrument which  was appreciated by one and all

Paramekkavu Vidya Mandir was in the third position.

The winners of Quiz competition were Paramekkavu Vidya Mandir in the first position, Chinmaya Vidyalaya in the second position and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Poochatty in the third position. The best all round rolling trophy for the best performing school went to Paramekkavu Vidya Mandir.

While giving his benediction Sw. Nandatmajananda encouraged the children to adopt the teachings of Swamiji and mould their life so that they become ideal children of Mother India.

SAMARTHA BHARAT PARVA

As a part of Samartha Bharat Parva, the YCC participants planned to conduct a number of Satras to prepare the students from December for Samuhika Surya Namaskar programme for the 12^th of January. Sri Joshyji conducted 3 satras at Kara D.J.Hall, Kirtoli D.J.Hall and at Paramkulangara N.S.S.hall, totaling 30 members in all. Besides the 3 satras 25 ladies and 15 Sishuvihar parents were also trained by Joshiji.Smt Suja conducted 3 satras with 13 students at Valsalayam, 10 members at Edavilangu and 6 members at Thrissur. Smt Mani conducted a satra with 32 members at Elthuruthu. Sri Udayan conducted a satra at Vinayakapuram with 6 members.

Folk and patriotic group song competitions were held for the junior and senior students of various schools of Kodungallur, on 4^th January 2019. 50 students from six schools participated.

As part of spreading the activities  of Kendra to Thrissur town this year. In collaboration with Sri Ramakrishna Math we organized the patriotic song and quiz competition on the eve of Swamiji Janma Thithi.

The Patriotic group song and quiz competitions were held on 25^th January for schools at Thrissur. 12 schools took part. 150 students along with their escort teachers were present on that day. The competitions were held in Vivekananda Vijnana Bhavan, Punkunnam Thrissur.

SADHANA DIVAS

On 18^th November both elderly QCI students and Samskarvarga children paid their homage to Ma. Eknathji by pushparchana. Jeevanvrathis, Su. Nilakshididi from Odisha Prant and Sri Srinivasji from Andhra and Telengana Prant were present on the occasion. Sri Sudhakarji spoke to the members about the nature of the ‘ leader’in Ma. Enathji.

On 19^th November which is regarded as Sadhana Divas, our Yoga satra and Yoga varga participants celebrated Ma Eknathji’s 104 th birthday by offering floral tributes in front of his portrait, after their regular practice of yoga in the early morning and after a short talk by Didi. Ma. Lakshmi Didi while talking to them explained the efforts taken by Eknathji in building the Rock Memorial and Vivekananda Kendra, with the spiritually oriented service mission. Knowing the importance of yoga in one's day today life, he made arrangements for getting trained all the jeevanvrathis way back in 70s. She encouraged all to hold on to this kamadhenu, the maha mantra’ jeevane yavadadanam syat pradanam tatodhikam’ and make their lives purposeful and joyful.

Ma Eknathji’s Birthday was also celebrated on the same day by Sandeepani Sishuvihar too. The parents, tailoring unit students, yoga varga members assembled at Dakshina hall of Ananda Dham to celebrate the event. All Children were well prepared to play their own role.

Bindu teacher, inmate of Anandadham, welcomed all the above for the function. The programme started with the prayers by all in unison. Master Arav and Agneya set the tone of the function with their brilliant performance former dressed as Ma. Eknathji and the latter as Swamiji. All the children were dressed as Ma.Eknathji, supported them with their part, reciting from memory, short paragraphs from the Sadhana Oru Tapas (Sadhana of Service –Malayalam version). Ma Lakshmi Didi in her talk explained how Ekanathji made an impossible task possible and built the Memorial in short span of time an encouraged all who were present visit Kanyakumari to have firsthand experience. The programme concluded with paying floral tributes to Ma. Eknathji and chanting of Shanti Mantra.

DIWALI CELEBRATION

 On 6th November, 25 children

                                from Sanskar Varga groups of Aripalam, Edavilangu, Sringapuram and  Sishuvihar kids of UKG class along with their mothers were present for Diwali celebration on 6th November in the evening at 4.30 p.m.Ma.Didi spoke to the children and mothers about the significance of this Diwali day. Home-made sweets were served to all of them . At  the end all the children and mothers went to light lamps around the newly constructed park named ' Sishuvihar Vrindavanam'. 

NAVRATRI CELEBRATION

This year Navratri started on 10th October,Wednesday. As usual a beautiful collection of gods and goddesses in the form of dolls 'bomma' were kept on the stage of the Dakshina Hall. Daily lighting of lamp and puja in the morning with the chanting of one chapter of 'Devi Mahatmyam' each day by the inmates of Anandadham was a regular feature.

 On the eighth day i.e. 'ashtami ' day to get the blessings of Mother Saraswati to the Goddess Saraswathi, all students place their books , pens, pencil   , instruments ( musical or any other) in front of the deity. The books are worshipped and they are allowed to take their things back only on the 10th or 'dashami' day. Children from the neighbourhood, Sishuvihar present students and ex-students totalling about 60 students all came to place their books in front of Mother Saraswati deity.

On the ninth day morning ('navami') 51 kumaris or girls of age 15 and below were worshipped ( kumari puja)by their mothers and inmates of Anandadhama. Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi guided in performing  of the puja.

UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD DAY CELEBRATION

The Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda's famous lecture at the World Parliament of Religions at Chicago, is celebrated by Vivekananda Kendra as Universal Brotherhood Day every year. This year is of special significance as it is the 125th year of Swamiji’s Chicago speech.

In this connection, a number of competitions were planned for the school children. 

Since most of the schools had been badly affected by the sudden floods, only the students of three schools viz. SN Vidyalayam- Chentrappinni, Amrita Vidyalayam and Shantiniketan International School- Kodungallur, registered their names.

On 6th September , there was painting competition for Junior( class Vto VII) and Senior groups( classes VIII to X ). 20 students participated.After lighting of the lamp, Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi spoke to students, encouraging them to perform with full vigour and concentration. Topic for the junior classes was'Scenes from Ramayana' and for the senior classes it was' Incidents from the life of Swamiji'.

On 7th September, Elocution Competitions (English and Malayalam) ie. getting by heart and delivering speech of Swamiji ( selected from the first and last speeches delivered by Swamiji in Chicago Parliament of Religions) were conducted. 33 students participated. While speaking to the competitors, Didi asked them to believe that while delivering the speech they should feel as if it was an offering at the feet of Swamiji because it was because of this great patriot saint that we are able to lead a dignified life today. It was because of Him that the world recognised the greatness of our culture.

On 11th September, the public function was held.Along with the prize distribution for the winners of schools, distribution of pressure cookers as the third phase of relief work for 400 flood affected people, was also held. 

Sri Piyush a young Vedantist from Thrissur as the Chief Guest along with Retired Major General Vivekanandan - a close well wisher of Vivekananda Kendra.and Ma.Didi were present on dias.

This time the winners of rolling trophy for Malayalam Elocution was Amrita Vidyalayam and that of English Elocution was SN Vidyalaya. After the Shanti mantra, all were given prasada. Overall 400 people attended the Universal brotherhood programme. 

After the prasad, the beneficiaries were given pressure cookers.

72nd Independence Day Celebrations

This time 15th August turned out to be the most memorable day in the history of Anandadham.

Early morning at 6.30 in spite of incessant rain, more than 60 yoga practitioners in uniform gathered in the hall to perform Samuhika Surya Namaskar and a few asanas. Due to rains national flag was hoisted in the hall.

All the students of Sandeepani Sishuvihar with their parents were present for the flag hoisting. Sri Sudhakarji hoisted the flag. The parents had planned for Onam Aghosham on that day. Fresh flowers of different colours were bought. A beautiful ‘Pookalam’ (design or rangoli with flowers) was created by the mothers. Lots of games for children were conducted by the parents. Prize distribution for the winners were given and prizes were all vegetables like corm(chena), Snake gourd, Pumpkin etc. wrapped in shining papers to look attractive. There was lots of laughter and jokes, dances and merry making with the children, their parents and teachers. Lunch followed after this. All kinds of delicacies brought by the mothers were served. After the nice sumptuous lunch all departed.

It was after the program that the inmates became aware of the rise in water level of the canal adjacent to our compound and by night the water had entered the compound! Beginning of a devastating flood unaware!