AVG Anaikatti celebrated its 28th anniversary on Nov 4, 2018. Around 100 devotees attended.

GURU &  ISVARA ANUJNA: The celebrations begun with Guru and Isvara’s anujna at Gurutiritha.

GURU PADAUKA PUJA: Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati’s murti and paduka were reverentially worshipped at Gurutirtha.

THIRUMURAI RECITAL: The anniversary celebrations were held in the lecture hall.  Thirumurai Seva Maiyam  presented a soul stirring Thirumurai recital on Thevaram and Thirupugal.

INAUGURAL PRAYER: The programme commenced with prayer by Smt. Shanti Subramanian.

WELCOME ADDRESS: Swami Shankarananda, Paramount Executive Trustee and Acharya,  welcomed the gathering. He introduced Padmashri awardee Dr. H. R. Nagendra, Chancellor, S-VYASA University, Bengaluru. Dr. Nagendra, Ph D worked in NASA, USA. He left that job and joined Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari. Later he started S-VYASA University. The university conducts many courses especially on Yoga from beginner’s level upto Ph D. They create Teachers who work for physical wellness, mental wellness and emotional wellness. Dr. Nagendra is the President of Indian Yoga Association. What Pujya Swamiji has done for Vedanta, Dr. Nagendra has done for Yoga.

GURUKULAM REPORT: Sri Kailasanathan, General Manager, presented the Gurukulam Report. He said that with the guidance of Swami Omkarananda, the Mahakumbabishekam of Sri Medha Dakshinamurthy temple and Sri Kalyana Subramaniaswamy temple at the Gurukulam were successfully completed on June 17, 2018. The 40 days mandala puja were also preformed as prescribed by the Sastra. Pujya Swamiji’s birthday and punya tithi were celebrated.  During the year 10 spiritual retreats and 19 spiritual camps were conducted  with the participation of 3,088 students. The entire campus of Anaikatti Gurukulam has been renovated.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Dr. H.R. Nagendra, Chancellor, S-VYASA University gave the key note address. He said that Pujya Swamiji guided the jnana yoga programmes of S-VYASA University. Anaikatti Gurukulam is role model for all institutions. Karma yoga helps one to grow to great heights in ethics, integrity, morality and equanimity. Moksa is a state of absolute freedom from  all stress and bondage of mind, emotions, intellect and the body. S-VYASA has brought the ancient knowledge of Rishis for a holistic life to the University. Sanskrit is a compulsory subject in S-VYASA. As suggested by our Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi, United Nations has declared June 21 as International Yoga Day. Our Prime Minister has taken steps to bring Yoga in the regular school education system and in Universities. Yoga is a compulsory subject in the Schools and Universities in BJP ruled states. S-VYASA is working with Ministry of Ayush in prevention of diabetes,  control of cancer and promotion of positive life. S-VYASA is planning for online digital learning with learning support centres in many places. With Swami Jagadatmananda as Dean, S-VYASA proposes to start a department in Medical Astrology.

ANUGRAHABHASHANAM:  Swami Sadatmananda, Paramount Trustee and Chief Acharya gave the anugraha bhashanam. He said that with gratitude and reverence, namaskara to Pujya Swamiji, due to whose grace this wonderful place was created. Only due to his blessings this 28th anniversary is celebrated. Arsha Vidya Gurukulam is a place of learning the wisdom of Vedas. There are popular misconceptions. They wrong view is that that Vedanta is a theory. One should practice mystic sadana and gain mystic experience. The correct view is Vedanta is a means of knowledge to know the truth about oneself. The wrong view is that Vedas are scientific. The correct view is that Vedas are independent means of knowledge which need not be confirmed by any other means of knowledge. But science has to proved by observation, experiment and testing, The wrong view is that Vedanta takes away devotion on the Lord. The correct view is that Vedanta makes one’s devotion mature. The wrong view is that Vedanta makes a person dry. The correct view is that Vedanta makes a person compassionate. Pujya Swamiji was an embodiment of compassion. Vedanta reveals the true nature of oneself. Arsha Vidya Gurukulam is an honest attempt to provide the environment to study Vedanta. May we continue this vision and get  blessed by Arsha Vidya in our life.

VOTE OF THANKS: Sri M.Kathiravan, Manager proposed a vote of thanks.

The celebrations concluded with maha prasadam.

Report by N. Avinashilingam