Spiritual Retreat 25th February to 3rd March 2013, Kanyakumari

Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari has been conducting Camps – Yoga Shibirs and Spiritual Retreats for the last more than 35 years at Kanyakumari and many other places in the country to propagate the Yoga way of life. This year’s first Spiritual Retreat was conducted from 25th February to 3rd March 2013 at Vivekanandapuram, Kanyakumari. It has a special significance as this is the 150th years celebration of Swami Vivekananda’s birthday.  From across the country 130 participants participated in the week long program. The reporting day was 24th February and by then most of the participants had reached and reported for the camp. Of the 130 participants, 68 were brothers and  62  sisters.  Many a Indian states were represented in the camp : Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Assam, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh. One participant was from Romania.

For the smooth functioning of the event, the participants were divided into seven groups named after the sacred rivers of India:  Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada, Sindhu, Kaveri, Saraswati and Godavari.

The day of the camp started with Pratahsmaran, followed by Gita Chanting, Yogabhyas, Breakfast, Sharm-Sanskar, Lecture sessions, Geet Abhyas, Lunch and Rest, Tea, Lecture session-2, Meditation, Towards ocean, Bhajans, Supper and concluded with Happy Assembly where in the participants shared their talents and unwinded.

Lectures were held on: Concept of Spirituality, Kendra Prarthana, Swami Vivekananda’s Life and message,  Story of Vivekananda Rock memorial, Vivekananda Kendra thought movement, Vivekananda Kendra activities, Upanishads, Purposeful life and Sardh Shati Samaroh.

During the camp, Participants visited Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Devi Kanyakumari Temple, Saint Tiruvallur Statue, Gandhi Mandapam, Wandering Monk Exhibition, Vivekananda Pictorial Exhibition, Gangotri exhibition and Bharat Gramodaya Darshan Park Exhibition. Also the Sunrise and Sunset.

In all the event went on smoothly, with moderate discipline and congenial atmosphere. Many a participants have expressed their desire to work more intensely for the society and make their lives more happy, useful and meaningful.