Bal Vidya Mandir
Annual Day, June 16, 2023

Bal Vidya Mandir at Sri Lakshmi Mandir, Ashland, MA,  held its Annual Day on Friday, June 16, 2023. Children, families, volunteers and devotees assembled in the main Mandapam of Sri Lakshmi Mandir. The event started with a welcome by emcee Kripa Karunakaran, followed by a brief Saraswati Pooja by the Temple priest, Shri Krishna Battar. This was followed by Bhajan Sandhya, in which the students, some as young as 5 years old, sang bhajans. Several students led the bhajans, with all others following them. Emcee Kripa conducted this part of the event, introducing each bhajan. She seamlessly led all the young bhajan participants through the hour, calling out the lead singers and explaining the bhajans. They were accompanied on the tabla by Shri Rama Bhaskar, ably supported by Neha Pandey and Sonali Awasthi who played the manjeera (cymbals). All the parents and devotees also followed along, adding to the ambience.

The children then moved to the Auditorium, where Murali Pasumarti took over as the emcee. This segment started with a slide show recalling the past year’s highlights. Smt. Padma Chellappa then led a fun and lively quiz based on the Ramayan and Srimad Bhagwatam, which the children had been learning all year. They enthusiastically showcased their knowledge of the subject by their quick thinking and prompt response to all questions. They all agreed that this was the most fun they had. This was followed by a much-awaited award of certificates and gifts. All the teachers were also felicitated by the Temple committee for their seva.

Dr. Abhaya Asthana addressed the children and inspired them with explanations of the Universal Prayer and its meaning, and how it related to their life. In spite of it being an ancient prayer, he explained how it was relevant even today. Next the YCEP chair Sri Rama Bhaskar, Temple President Shri Ganesh Krishnan, and Temple Chairman Smt. Geetha Ranga addressed the gathering, blessing the children and inspiring them to continue to excel and imbibe good values taught to them by their gurus and parents.

After the Closing Prayer and Bhojan mantra, all children were treated to a special dinner catered by the Mandir. Everyone agreed that this was a very special day, which they thoroughly enjoyed. Despite the lateness of the hour, even the youngest children had so much fun, they managed to stay awake long past their bedtime.

Devotees said they thoroughly enjoyed the evening. One devotee said he had planned to leave for another commitment, but stayed till the end because he enjoyed himself so much, he was amazed at the skill of the children. He wanted to soak in the ambience and not miss any of the activities.

Another devotee commented that he had come in a little late, and as he entered the temple the halls were resounding with the young voices singing beautiful bhajans, creating a divine atmosphere. He was so enchanted he wished he had come earlier and was sorry to miss even one bhajan. He said this will stay with him for a long time.

As the evening drew to a close, all the children said they were sad to see the BVM close for the summer, that they would miss their friends and the weekly classes, especially the games, but there was the satisfaction of a year well spent in a fun and learning atmosphere. They were looking forward to starting again in September.

To participate in next year’s Bal Vidya Mandir, please contact V.S. Sankar or Anshuman Krishna through BVM@SRILAKSHMI.ORG.

|