Sri Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti at Madurai

 On the auspicious occasion of Jagatguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya Jayanthi, Vivekananda Kendra Madurai organised an online lecture program on 17/5/21 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. About 67 people joined this event through Google Meet.

The program started with three omkars and Shantipat. Madurai Chinmaya sisters sang Totakashtakam and an enchanting Guru bhajan. After that Smt. S. Geetha, Sampark Pramukh, TN Vibhag conveyed the aim of the program briefly and Sri. Prabhakaran ji, Sah Nagar Pramukh, VK Madurai gave a short introduction of the speaker.

Mananeeya Sri. Hanumantha Rao ji, All-India Vice President, VRM & VK delivered his lecture on the topic ‘Adi Shankaracharya – bestower of Spiritual Awakening’ in which he said that Jagatguru Adi Shankaracharya was an incarnation of Lord Shankara himself and he was an embodiment of Shruti, Smriti & Purana. He also elucidated the core teachings of Adi Shankaracharya that we are Akhanda Ananta Saswata shakti and realising this is spirituality. He added that spirituality is not just concepts or philosophy; it has to be put into practice. Also, he quoted some shlokas of Sri Adi Shankaracharya and explained his contributions towards national integration as well as spiritual awakening of the world. The program was concluded with happy address and Shanti mantra.

Shri Ram Navami at Madurai

On the occasion of Shri Rama Navami (21/04/21), Vivekananda Kendra Madurai organised bhajan sandhyas at T.V.S. Nagar (Ram Vistar) and Balaji Nagar (Murugan Vistar) Karyalayas. Totally 26 karyakarthas were present.

At T.V.S. Nagar, bhajan sandhya was conducted from 6.30 p.m. to 7.15 p.m. in which 13 karyakarthas (11 Anandalaya children and 2 Acharyas) were present. After bhajan sandhya, all went to nearby Ramar temple and had a dharshan of Shri Godhanda Ramar. Children enjoyed both the bhajan and the darshan and elated with the spiritual experience.

At Balaji Nagar, bhajan sandhya was conducted from 6.30 p.m. to 7 p.m. In which 13 Karyakarthas (10 Anandalaya children, 2 elders and an Acharya) were present. All the children experienced the joy of chanting Shri Rama’s name and felt the grace of Shri Rama.

“…Shri Ramachandra must be worshipped in every home. Therein lies your welfare, therein lies the good of the country—there is no other way.” – Swami Vivekananda

Karyakartha Prashikshan Shibhir at Madurai

 Vivekananda Kendra Madurai conducted Monthly Karyakartha Prasikshan Shibir (Residential) on 22nd and 23rd January 2021 at Swami Vivekananda Vidya Mandir, Harveypatti. Total number of 15 karyakarthas participated and took the training.

All the karyakarthas reported by 3 p.m. on 22nd January 2021 and the camp started with Samskarvarga at 4 p.m. In the Inaugural session Sri. Prabhakaran Ji, Saha Nagar Pramukh shared the practical wisdom from the story of VRM and the life of Ma. Eknathji. On the same day, there was an interactive session with Ma. Radha Devi Didi, Dakshin Prant Sangathak on the topic ‘Qualities of Karyakartha’. Didi emphasized that each karyakartha should feel Kendra as their family and she added that our love and affection with each Karyakartha will lead us to the goal "Man making & Nation building".

On 23-01-2021, the other sessions were ‘Anushasan’ by Sri. Saravanakumar Ji, Karyakartha and ‘Team Work’ by Smt. Geetha amma, Tamil Nadu Vibhag Sampark Pramukh. The Manthan was on the topic ‘Team Work’ based on Ma. Nivedita Didi’s letter for Sadhana Diwas 2020. The karyakarthas were given training also on Yoga, Mantra and Geeth during the camp. The camp was concluded with Ahuti Satra by Ma. Sumitra Didi, Madurai Nagar Sangathak.

Personality Development Camp at Vivekananda Kendra Madurai

 On 13th December 2020, Vivekananda Kendra Madurai organised a one day Personality Development Camp especially for Sanskaravarga children. Totally 39 children participated and the organising team consisted of 11 Karyakarthas. All essential COVID precautionary guidelines were followed throughout the camp.

The camp started with prayer at 10.30 a.m. and Sri. Mahaadev, Sanskara Varga Sikshak conveyed the aim of the camp in which he stressed upon the importance of developing holistic personality. After a patriotic song, aagnyas practice was given which were well received by the children. The participants were divided into three ganas namely Veer Savarkar,  Subrahmaniya Siva and Velu Nachiar.

In story session, Sri. Balaji, Yuva Karyakartha narrated few life incidents of Mahakavi Bharathiyar in which he unfolded the multi-dimensional personality of Bharathiyar. He also conveyed the importance and meaning of the poem ‘Puthiya Athichudi’ written by Bharathiyar.

Group discussion was done gana-wise on the topics Shraddha, Purity – Outside & Inside, Personality which was moderated by respective gana pramukhs and elders. The children enthusiastically participated and one from each gana presented the points discussed.

After bhojan, value based short videos were shown, which children enjoyed very much and took up valuable messages. All the children energetically got involved in both the indoor and outdoor games played in the camp. They also expressed team spirit and patriotic urge while playing those games.

In the concluding session, Sri. Pragaspathi, Yuva Karyakartha made the children recall all the things they have learned in the camp since morning. He also insisted that all those values must be followed throughout the life.  The camp was concluded with Sarve bavanthu and Kendra Prarthana by 3.45 p.m..

Guru Purnima at Vivekananda Kendra Madurai - July 4, 2020

On Guru Purnima Day (5th July 2020) Vivekananda Kendra Madurai organised Guru Purnima program through Google meet from 6.30 p.m. to 7.45 p.m. 28 Karyakarthas took part in the celebration.

The program started with 3 Omkar which was followed by Guru bhajan. Ma. Nivedita Didi’s letter was read in the program and a discussion was done based on that. All Karyakarthas shared what they learned from people and beings around us last year.  Karyakarthas took dayitva and did pushpanjali to omkar at their home. All took sankalpa that from people and beings around us, we shall everyday learn something. The program was concluded with Kendra Prarthana.

International Day of Yoga at VK Madurai - June 21, 2020

Vivekananda Kendra Madurai celebrated International Day of Yoga on 21.06.2020 from 6.45 a.m. to 8.30 a.m. The program was conducted through Google Meet. About 37 people took part in the program.

The program started with prayer which was followed by Yoga day song, Yoga abhyas and Pranayama (as per AAYUSH schedule). Ma. Nivedita Didi’s lecture on ‘Yoga – a way of life’ was translated into Tamil and broadcasted. The programme was concluded with sankalpa and prayer. All enjoyed doing yoga and took sankalpa to lead a yoga way of life!

COVID-19 Assistance by Vivekananda Kendra Madurai

As a part of COVID-19 Assistance, from 16.05.20 to 18.05.20, Vivekananda Kendra Madurai served food for corporation sanitation workers of Thiruparankundram and homeless people living around Thiruparankundram and Vel Murugan Nagar. 100 food packets were distributed each day for three days (16.05.20 to 18.05.20).

Fifteen Karyakartas were involved in this service activity and they all did this service  from the bottom of their heart.

VK Madurai Corona Relief Work

Vivekananda Kendra Madurai distributed ration items in bags containing

1. Rice - 5 kg
2.Toor dhall - 1 kg
3. Orid dhall - 1 kg
4. Rava - 1 kg
5. Sugar - 1 kg
6. Edible oil - 1 litre
7. Wheat atta - 2 kg

These items were distributed to 36 needy families in and around Madurai on 5th and 6th May.