We are glad to inform you that “ASTANAGA / NAGAYAKSHI  KALAM  PATTU ‘ was successfully performed on April 24th ,2018 at Adi Sankara Nilayam  from 7 pm onward.

This exotic and spectacular ritual performance is generally conducted to appease the snake gods and thereby to bring prosperity to all human beings.The Nagas represent divinity, eternity, life and death, and time as well as timelessness.

 The  ritual  begin with Ganapati Puja at 6 pm followed by Koora vitanam (decorating the temporary  constructed  Temple with a red cloth ).After that Kalam ezhuthu started . Sarpa kalam is drawn with herbal powders like ,vaka podi,turmeric powder, rice powder etc    to draw Ashtanaga’s and Nagayakshi Amma  in a temporary thatched hut (Pandal) and the pandal decorated with lamps ,Nirapara ,coconuts, betal leaf,arecanut etc.

The Ashtanaga’s are Anantha,Vasuki,Thakshaka,Karkodaka,Shankha, Gulika ,Padma and Mahapadma.After completion of the drawing , Kalam Puja and Muram Puja  commenced  around 8.30 pm which concluded by 9.30  pm. Kalam Puja  is a special Puja offered to Nagayakshi Amma and Ashtanaga’s.Muram Puja is  performed to appease Garuda Bhagavan.Several puja’s were done for Nagaraja and Nagayakshi in the Temple.

 Devi Nagayakshi was invited from the shrine to the Kalam with Thalappoli and  Panchavadyam .After this , a puja called “Thiriuzhichil” which is also a kind of ritualistic dance  performed around the Sarpa Kalam holding a torch (flambeau).The dancer (oracle) will be a male , he dances to the rhythm of Pulluvan kudam (a kind of musical instrument)  In the end ,everyone who present were allowed to offer archana and pradakshina to the Kalam and  offered dakshina to the performer.

Around 2 am , starts the Kalam pattu, the Pulluvan and his team starts singing and playing Pulluvan veena , Kudam and Kaimani (cymbal The theme of the songs are the stories (Charitam’s) of Naga devata’s.The initial lines of the songs will be of Ganesha ,followed by other Gods.Then the Thala or beat changes along with the song. At a certain point, two Kanya  are called to the venue They will perform  the dance with holding  a cluster of arecanut flower.Later part is dedicated to Serpent gods and the Kanya’s sitting in the Kalam.The Kanya’s  start enter into a trance like state and starts  dancing as if the Devatas which is drawn on the floor has come alive. Once the ritualistic ululation is over and finally they will erase the Kalam.

The performer’s  dancing is conceived as Nagaraja (Snake King) and Naga Yakshi (Snake Goddess).

The Oracles informed that the Naga Yakshini and Nagas accepted the ritual and are contended. They promised the protection and prosperity to CIF and all devotees .

Then the Dakshina was given to the team of artist who came and performed the ritual in a befitting manner.

The whole ritual ended around 3 am.

The Pulluvar’s performed the ritual are:

1. Sri.Shamjith
2. Sri.Muralidhran
3. Sri.Unni
4. Sri.Rajagopal
5. Smt.Usha
6. Smt.Sunitha
7. Smt.Sujatha

Kalathil Kaimal (Priest )

1. Sri.Dhanil
2. Sri.Dasan  & Rajesh

Kanyaka

1. Ms.Aswathi
2. Ms.Sanila

Temple construction.

1. Sri.Unni
2. Sri.Sathyan.

As Sevaks and Sevikas, our Mission motto that has been instilled into us through Vedantic teachings, devotional gatherings and the Seva we put our hands up to render, – “maximum happiness to maximum people for the maximum time”… which we then pass on to our students, through the countless classes we run right through the year, year after year, YET AGAIN – found the most BEAUTIFUL expression IN KIND today!

Our entire strength of Shishu Vihaar, Balavihar, JChyk and Chyk students from age 5 all the way through to age 35 came together, like never before, with an overwhelming show of generosity on ALL LEVELS to provide gift hampers of toiletries, fruits and delicious Indian sweets, to close to 700 TRANSIENT WORKERS who, having left their families behind in their home countries, come in search of bare minimum wages here to Singapore and tirelessly build the fancy condos we live in, construct the air conditioned public transports we roam around in, keep Singapore squeaky clean for us to enjoy our life in – for who, these bare essentials, which we, the privileged lot take so for granted, are but coveted luxuries – and what an exchange it turned out to be!

An avalanche of Gratitude from our side to give and give and give and tearful appreciation from them to receive in quite frankly a stupefied awe and simmering reverence.

Honouring our beloved Pujya Gurudev Chinmayanandaji’s Vision in life – to learn, to spiritually grow, to love and to endlessly serve – TODAY, we the Balavihar Team of Chinmaya Seva Centre – Singapore, along with our students and their wonderful parents, commemorated Gurudev’s 102nd BirthDay – just how He would have liked it best!

A heartfelt Thank You to ALL involved and we eagerly look forward to having you all join us.

NV Chinmaya Vidyalaya – Shegaon, is proud of Kumar Prajwal Lalit Chandak, their Std 3 student. Prajwal participated in the Asian Aerobics Championship 2018, organized by Asian Aerobics Federation (AAF), in Pattaya city, Thailand. 12 countries participated, and Prajwal won the Gold Medal, in the under 12 category.

Aerobics needs high stamina to test ones cardiorespiratory fitness. When a very active child is guided by the Vidyalaya & implicitly followed by the conscientious parents – the result is an achiever like Prajwal. Prajwal has shown his skills of body-mind balance, focus and concentrated practice.

The Director of the Vidyalaya, Swamini Ujjwalananda, along with the Principal, Shri PRS Chakravarthi, congratulate Prajwal and his supportive parents.

From 17^th to 22^nd April 2018, Swami Ramakrishnananda taught Life Management and Leadership Lessons from Valmiki Ramayana to 20 campers at Chinmaya Vibhooti Vision Centre. The camp was also attended by many Chinmaya Vibhooti and Chinmaya Naada Bindu Gurukula team members.

Swamiji took great efforts to impart life-orientated topics and values that are essential for not just one’s career but also for one’s life in general. Through various episodes of the epic, Swamiji shared thought-provoking insights into the subtlest of nuances of Sage Valmiki’s masterpiece. During the camp, On A Quest was screened, as well as some Upanishad Ganga episodes.

Adi Sankaracharya Jayanti was celebrated on 20^th April at Swanubhooti Vatika, the enlightenment park at the Vision Centre. 90 pracharaks of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) also attended the programme, which included short talks by Swamiji and Shri Suresh Soni of RSS. Shri Mohan Bhagwat (Sarsanghchalak or Chief of RSS) joined Swamiji in performing aarti to the majestic statue of Shri Adi Sankaracharya.

This and also the rest of the camp had a heartfelt feel to it, thanks to the presence of Swamiji, whose clarity and creativity was appreciated by all campers. 

Another beautiful set of memories of another beautiful Day of Remembrance celebrated at Chinmaya Seva Centre – Bhagawan Sri Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti along with Pujya Gurudev’s Paduka Puja.

May the blessings and Grace of our Guru Parampara keep us on the path of virtue courage and wisdom, bound to each other as one family as we join hands and hearts to serve their people – the highest service of all!