Page 1 2 3

Contents:

• Vasant-Navaratri Mahotsava - April 9 to 18, 2005
   

• Uttaranchal Basket Ball Championship 2005
   

• Annual Function of Omkarananda Saraswati
  Public School, Ganga Sangam, Deoprayag
  on 19th April 2005
   

Vasant-Navaratri Mahotsava - April 9 to 18, 2005

Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, Muni-ki-reti, celebrated Vasant Navaratri Mahotsava between April 9 to 18, 2005, with full dignity and great devotion. Six Pandits conducted this celebration meticulously.

The auspicious rituals began in the morning of April 9th at 7 a.m with Panchanga Pooja and Kalasha Sthapana, in which the holy Kalasha was installed with chanting of hymns. It was followed by Devi Maha-Abhishekam followed by Mandapa-Devata Pooja, Yantra Pooja, Chandi Pooja and Guru Pooja. The last ritual of the morning session was Chandi Parayana by the priests. The morning programme concluded with Arati, Bhog and distribution of Prasadam.

In the evening, Pooja was conducted for all Deities. Mahaganapati Hawana was performed after Agnimukham.

From April 10 to 17, daily in the morning at 8 a.m. Panchanga Pooja, Devi Maha-Abhishekam, Yantra Pooja, Durga Saptashati Parayana were conducted followed by Arati, Bhog and distribution of Prasadam.

In the evenings, after the Poojas for all the Deities, a special additional Hawana was conducted, every day for another Deity, on April 10 a Mahalakshmi Hawana, on April 11 Rudra Hawana, on April 12 Chandi Hawana, on April 13 Durga Hawana, on April 14 Guru Hawana, on April 15 Navaavarana Hawana with Lalita-Trishati-Namavali, on April 16 Devi Hawana with Lalita-Sahasra-Namavali and on April 17 Ganapati Hawana.

April 18, the concluding day of the Mahotsava, was celebrated with Sarva Devata Pooja, Devi Pooja, Agni Mukham, Sarva Devata Hawana, Navaavarana Hawana, Chandi Pooja and Homa, Maha Poornahuti, Kanya Pooja and Devata Visarjana. The Hawana on this day lasted for hours and was very powerful. Swami Vishweshwarananda, Swami Satchidananda, Swami Narasimhulu, Kumari Somashekhari and others took part in it. Swami Vishweshwarananda, President of Omkarananda Ashram, did the grand Purnahuti with greatest devotion.

After completion of the Purnahuti 9 small girls, or Kanyas, were worshipped as Goddesses with Puja, Arati, Prasadam etc.

Great care was taken by the Ashram to give most beautiful and exquisite gifts to the 9 Kanyas to make them very happy. The gifts were presented by Kumari Somashekhari.

In the end everybody received the Prasadam, which was offered as a Bhandara and served to the participants.



Uttaranchal Basket Ball Championship 2005

 

The first Uttaranchal State Junior (U-13) Basket ball Championship for boys and girls, which was scheduled for three days, started on 10th April 2005 at 4 pm. Boys and girls from different districts of Uttaranchal came to participate. The sports function was held on the playground of Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam in Muni-ki-reti. Among crowds of children, students and onlookers, the Chief Guest, Dr. Murugesan, Superintendent of Police, Tehri Garhwal, cut the ribbon for a great start of this tournament. The Chief Guest was accompanied by the President of Swami Omkarananda Saraswati Charitable Trust, Swami Vishweshwarananda, and followed by the Principal and Organizer, Col. D.L. Sachdeva. Present from the School Management were also Mr. K.N. Kothiyal, Mr. R.S. Rawat and Swami Narasimhuluji.

Before the match started the Chief Guest and Swami Vishweshwarananda were introduced to both the teams as well as to the referees.

District Tehri Garhwal, represented by the students of Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam, and District Haridwar, opposite, started the great game. Haridwar proved initially very strong, whereas Tehri lost many golden chances. When the first few balls went through the basket, making Tehri stronger, the situation changed. Finally, Tehri, represented by Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam, won against Haridwar.

After this match, the Principal invited the honourable guests for tea and coffee in his office, whereas the game went on.

Finishing of Tournament

The conclusion of the basket ball championship and prize distribution on 12. April 2005, was a very exciting moment. The ADM of Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam was the Chief Guest and the Guest of Honour was the Secretary of Swami Omkarananda Saraswati Charitable Trust, Kumari Somashekhari.

Both honoured the deserving playing candidates with their respective trophies and prizes. First prize went to District Dehradun, represented by students of Welham School and the first runner-up went to District Tehri, represented by the students of Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam. It is marked, that due to the excellent organizational skills of the Principal, Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam, Col. D.L. Sachdeva, a smooth functioning of the three-day tournament could be organised. The event was highlighted by newspaper and television media.

Annual Function of Omkarananda Saraswati
Public School, Ganga Sangam, Deoprayag
on 19th April 2005

The Omkarananda Saraswati Public School, Ganga Sangam, Deoprayag, is situated at the most beautiful and divine place, at the confluence of the holy rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi. At this sacred spot they join and continue to flow as Ganga River. Exactly here the famous Omkarananda Charitable Trust owns a beautiful house, which the Trust is giving since many years free of cost to the citizens of Deoprayag for running there a school. Over the years the school has been developed very nicely and it has become a real jewel among the many other Omkarananda Hill schools.

On 19th April 2005 Swami Vishweshwarananda Saraswati, President of Swami Omkarananda Saraswati Charitable Trust, and Shri Mantri Prasad Naithani, M.L.A. Deoprayag Constituency (Ex-Cabinet Minister Uttaranchal Government) were the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour of the school’s annual function. Under the able guidance of the Omkarananda School teachers the students gave beautiful and heart-touching cultural performances amidst the inspiring and elevating environment of the holy Ganga Sangam.

In his speech Swami Vishweshwarananda appealed to the Deoprayag Public to be grateful for having the opportunity to live in such a marvellous place and to do everything to keep this place always pure, great and attractive. Swamiji thanked the school teachers for giving best education to the children of this area, which is the aim of our adorable Gurudev Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati. Swami Vishweshwarananda also thanked Shri Mantri Prasad Naithani for coming here and extending his affection and promising full cooperation for even more facilities for the school children.

Swami Vishweshwarananda emphasized that all the credit for the establishment of the Hill Schools goes to our adorable Sadgurudev Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, and that it was always the keen interest of Gurudev Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati that the children of the Hill areas of Garhwal should get good education. Therefore, many Omkarananda Schools have been established all over the Hill area. Swami Vishweshwarananda said that the children of the Himalayan Hill Area have a very good potential and if they get good education they will make our Nation proud.

Swami Vishweshwarananda also mentioned that just near the Ganga Sangam at the Alaknanda River, the Omkarananda Saraswati Degree College Deoprayag was established in 1984 by the Grace of Gurudev and with hard work it was built up into a full-fledged Degree College, affiliated to the H.N. Bahuguna Garhwal University. This College benefits many students.

In his speech Shri Mantri Prasad Naithani expressed his great surprise and happiness to see such a beautiful and good school at such a marvellous and holy place. He thanked Swami Vishweshwarananda for establishing and maintaining such wonderful schools in the Hill-area and he promised his full support so that this school may get more and more facilities during the years to come.

Naithaniji described Swamiji as true disciple of His Holiness Swami Omkarananda Saraswati, who dedicated his divine life for the peace and welfare of mankind. He opined that it would be his pleasure to extend help to the noble work being done by the Omkarananda Public School. He thanked the staff and Principal of the School, Shri Bhatiaji, for their dedication and devotion in providing such a standard public school to the people of Deoprayag. At the end he distributed prizes to the successful students in educational and sports activities.

Shri D.K. Bhatia, the Principal of the school, presented the annual report of the school and thanked all the guardians, officials, Swami Vishweshwaranandaji and Shri Mantri Pd. Naithaniji for their valuable support and assistance to the school.

Shri Mahavir Singh Negiji, Shri K.N. Kothiyalji and Shri R.S. Rawatji were also present at the function on behalf of Omkarananda Charitable Trust.