Sunday, September 26, 2010

Bidding Adieu to Lord Ganesha

Harmonized with unusual blend of festive fervor (Ganesh Chaturthi) and academic persuasion (Trial Exams), students of Atmiya Vidya Mandir were once again set to pray and procure the benediction. The pious prayer hall of school became the ad hoc holy abode of lord Gnash when an imposing idol of this elephant headed deity was placed on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.

Throughout the five days of the celebration of the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesh, during the evening prayer, the prayer hall area of the school was conspicuous with the sight of students, teachers, housemasters, didis and other members of Atmiya family, giving off a general aura of faith and fun. They remained engaged in observing and witnessing with folded hands - the rituals being performed by the Sanskrit teacher Pushpak Sir who was chanting Vedic Mantras in front of the idol.

Besides its religious sanctity, this five day festival played an important role as students were able to perceive impeccable harmony while participating in daily prayer, aarti and bhajan. They were all set to take fresh spiritual resolves and pray to Lord Ganesha for inner spiritual strength to attain success in all their undertakings.

Each day in Atmiya Vidya Mandir brings a new experience with a new learning. Rejoicing with such festive celebration students get an opportunity to understand culture through religious ceremonies and adopt holistic development with a spurt of balancing act while walking on the tight rope finely woven with academics, values and convictions.

Students find the much celebrated form of the Lord Ganesha intriguing with an elephant head and a with a pot belly. During the evening prayer, through Vedic Mantras, their Sanskrit teacher Shri Pushpak Joshi explained them the inner meaning of Lord Ganesha's form - the elephant’s head is considered to be the biggest which teaches to become broad minded. The small eyes inspire far sightedness. The big swaying ears conveys message of being a good listener. The strongest yet sensitive trunk teaches to be strong towards our beliefs but at the same time be gentle to other people’s emotions. Above all, Lord Ganesha is symbol of a devotional, responsible and an ideal son.

Despite long period of studies, festivals retain their uniqueness in Atmiya Vidya Mandir and are celebrated with deep devoutness. Throughout these five days of Lord Ganesha’s birth anniversary celebration, students participated in daily pooja of the elephant headed God which offered them an insight that religious rites and rituals have created connections to universal truths that are shared in every culture.

This five day festive fervor put to hold with immersion of the idol of lord Ganesha into a nearby holy river. Students, teachers and entire Atmiya family congregated to see off the lord back to His eternal abode, with a wish for His early and sure return. On this auspicious occasion let’s pray-

May the blessings of Sri Ganesha be upon us all!


May He remove all the obstacles that stand in our spiritual path!


May He bestow on us prosperity as well as renders stillness to the mind enabling us to be choicest children of the eternal father!!!

Written by: Seema Madam

1 comment:

Manish said...

Lord Ganesha represents starting something new. May the lord of good beginnings assist every student and teachers in making their wishes and aspirations come true.

Ganapati Bappa Morya………..