Vinayaga Chaturthi Celebration at VKV Vallioor

Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu Prant, Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya Vallioor (VKV-Vallioor), celebrated Vinayaga Chathurthi in a grand and devotional manner from 21st to 28th August 2025 in the school premises. A total of 809 students and teachers participated in the celebration. Vinayaka Chathurthi, one of the most revered and popular festivals of the Hindu tradition, is observed annually to honour Lord Ganesha.

The idol of Lord Ganesha was prepared with the involvement of students from Classes VIII, IX, and XII. Each day during the celebration, students worshipped Lord Ganesha by offering flowers and prasadam, while chanting mantras during the pooja. After the pooja, prasadam was distributed to both students and staff.

On the concluding day, 28th August 2025, the final day pooja was conducted in a grand manner by students of Classes X, XI, and XII. Following the rituals, the idol of Lord Ganesha was taken in procession for Visarjanam with devotion and enthusiasm. The entire celebration was conducted with great fervour and concluded on an auspicious note with the blessings of Lord Ganesha.

International Day of Yoga celebration at RJ Public School in Bengaluru

Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, through all its branch centres across Bharat, celebrated the International Day of Yoga 2025 with great enthusiasm, aiming to bring forth Yoga in its true essence—as a way of life based on the vision of Oneness.  As a part of the celebrations, Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, Karnataka Prant, RT Nagar Branch organized a Yoga session at RJ Public School, Vasanth Nagar, Bengaluru from 11 a.m. to 12 noon. A total of 229 participants, including 197 students, 27 faculty members, and 5 Karyakartas, took part in the celebration.

The session was conducted following the Common Yoga Protocol issued by the Ministry of AYUSH, incorporating āsanas, prāṇāyāma, and guided relaxation. The event aimed to promote awareness about holistic health and well-being through the practice of Yoga.

The school management expressed heartfelt gratitude for organizing the IDY programme and conveyed their interest in hosting more Vivekananda Kendra activities for the benefit of the students in the future.

 

Gokulashtami and Rakshabandhan Celebration at VKV Vallioor

Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu Prant, Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya Vallioor (VKV-Vallioor), celebrated Gokulashtami and Rakshabandhan on 19th August 2025 in the school premises. The programme, attended by 807 students and 96 parents, commenced at 10.30 am with Shri Ganapathi, P.A. to the District Collector (Retd.), as the Chief Guest. The Correspondent and the Principal also graced the occasion.

The celebration began with a prayer song rendered by the Kindergarten students, followed by the traditional lamp lighting by the Chief Guest, Correspondent, and Principal. A warm welcome was extended by Kum. Shaini of Class IX. Students chanted verses from the Bhagavad Gita, and a graceful dance performance depicting the divine charm of Lord Krishna added vibrancy to the occasion.

Teachers Smt. Mari and Smt. Subbulakshmi delivered insightful speeches in English and Tamil respectively on the significance of Krishna Jeyanthi and Raksha Bandhan. A cultural programme highlighted Krishna’s playful spirit through dance, and the traditional “Uriyadi” (pot-breaking) was enacted, adding authenticity to the celebrations. Disguised Krishnas and Radhas were appreciated with compliments, and Lord Krishna symbolically distributed snacks to the gathering.

The Raksha Bandhan ritual was observed as students tied rakhis to their brothers and sisters. Prizes were awarded to winners of various competitions conducted earlier. The Chief Guest delivered the felicitation address, sharing valuable thoughts with the gathering. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by B. Sudiksha of Class IX, followed by Kendra Prayer. Parents actively participated and appreciated the celebration, making the event memorable.

Gokulashtami and Rakshabandhan Celebration at VKV Kanyakumari

Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu Prant), celebrated Gokulashtami and Rakshabandhan on 18th August 2025 at 2.00 p.m. in the school ground. A total of 1,320 students actively took part in the celebration.

The programme was presided over by Aadharneeya Radha Didi, Tamil Nadu Prant Sangathak, VRM & VK, with Sri. N. Neelakandan ji, Retd. Headmaster, Kottaram Govt. Hr. Sec. School as the Chief Guest. The programme was compered by Kum. Saranya of Class XI.

The celebration began with an invocation song by students of Classes VI and VII, followed by a welcome address by Sri Mathivathan Gaurav of Class VII. A devotional Krishna song presented by the girls of Classes VII and VIII filled the atmosphere with divinity. The importance of the day was highlighted in Tamil by Kum. D. B. Shobana of Class VII, who explained the cultural and spiritual significance of both Gokulashtami and Rakshabandhan.

The Chief Guest, Sri. Neelakandan, then addressed the gathering with an inspiring speech. He emphasized the spiritual and cultural values of the festivals and advised students to cultivate discipline through spiritual learning. Quoting Swami Vivekananda, he reminded everyone that true education includes both academics and values. He narrated stories from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the life of Lord Krishna, also sharing insights from the Krishna Bhakti Movement (ISKCON) in London. He explained that devotion makes life smooth, comparing bhakti to a boat that helps us cross the ocean of life with ease. He further highlighted the significance of Rakshabandhan, recalling the divine bond between Subhadra and Lord Krishna. His words left a lasting impression on the students and audience.

The Rakhi tying ceremony followed, where Kum. T. N. Ritu of Class XI tied Rakhi to her younger brother Saravanan of Class VII, symbolizing love and protection. Students also tied Rakhi to the dignitaries, making the occasion memorable. Aa. Radha Didi then greeted everyone, urging them to pledge to protect the Nation and Culture while developing themselves. She reminded the students to face challenges like Lord Krishna, with courage and positivity.

The programme gained festive vibrancy with the Uriyadi celebration. A boy dressed as Krishna, accompanied by girls as Radha, performed graceful dances. The highlight was the joyful breaking of the pot by “Krishna,” symbolizing victory and devotion. This was followed by the prize distribution ceremony for academic toppers, announced by Smt. Menaga Devi, teacher of VKV. A memento was then presented to the Chief Guest by Aa. Radha Didi.

The celebration concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Kum. Harshithasri of Class VII, followed by the chanting of the Shanti Mantra, leaving the gathering with a sense of devotion, festivity, and cultural pride.

Sri Rudra Homam and Abhishekam at Thoothukudi

Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu Prant, Thoothukudi Branch conducted a spiritually vibrant Sri Rudra Homam and Sri Rudra Abhishekam on 17th August 2025, Sunday at Sri Saradha Nursery and Primary School. The puja, held between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., was dedicated to invoking the blessings of Lord Rudra for the smooth progress of Vivekananda Kendra’s activities across the country and for the well-being of society.

The event drew nearly 80 participants, including Karyakartas, devotees, and well-wishers, who gathered with devotion and reverence. The rituals began with the worship of Sri Mahalingeshwarar, performed with eleven rounds of Abhishekam using sacred substances. This was followed by the chanting of the Trishati Archana, in which the 300 names of Lord Shiva were recited with faith and dedication, creating an atmosphere charged with devotion.

A notable part of the ceremony was the installation of twelve Kalasas, symbolizing purity and divine presence. Students from Kathirvel Veda Agama Patashala led the puja with disciplined chanting of Vedic mantras, lending solemnity and spiritual intensity to the proceedings.

The Rudra Homam, performed with the precise intonations of the Sri Rudram from the Yajurveda, invoked the protective and transformative energies of Lord Rudra. The combination of fire offerings and ritual chants was seen as a means to dispel negativity, purify the mind, and inspire inner growth.

The day’s program concluded with annadanam served to all attendees, reflecting the spirit of harmony, sharing, and service that forms the foundation of the Kendra’s activities.