Saturday, May 19, 2007

Swadhyaya Parivar Plans Huge Youth Convention in D.C.

EDISON, NEW JERSEY, May 17, 2007: The nation's Capital will witness a massive gathering of young minds on June 16, 2007. Swadhyay Parivar of North America (Devotional Associates of Yogeshwar), in a press release on Saturday, announced that it will be organizing its 7th North American Divine Gathering (Vayastha Sanchalan) at the Verizon Center (formerly MCI Center) in Washington, D.C. The event aims to spread cultural awareness among the youth and leverage their energies for the cause of human dignity. The program also aims to inculcate a sense of love and respect for one's culture, and propagate the importance of good morals, ethics, gratefulness, unity and peace in society. The visionary who conceived this vision was Revered Pandurang Shashtri Athavale - also known as Dada, meaning elder brother. He is the recipient of the coveted Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 1996 and the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion in 1997.

The Swadhyay philosophy, based on Bhagawad Gita, has transformed the lives of millions in India across all cross sections of society, and is influencing millions globally. Swadhyay, which means "study of the self" in Sanskrit, is neither a movement nor an organization: it is a family (parivar) of millions working selflessly in the interest of both individuals and the society at large. Swadhyay Parivar's ultimate objective is the promotion of human dignity and moral values. Swadhyay Parivar transcends the limitations of impermanence of a movement; rigidities of an organizations; and fanaticism of sects and creeds. Its members have been conducting cultural- and character-building activities in North America for the past 28 years. More then 20,000 people regularly attend its weekly self-development sessions.

Swadhyay Parivar has also made its presence felt in North America with its hugely popular Vayastha Sanchalan and Youth Rallies - a gathering of mature, strong, powerful and established youth. More then 15,000 young minds attended each of its rallies, including those at Rosemont Horizon Stadium in Chicago on Sep 10, 1988; All State Arena in Chicago on May 11, 2002; Arrowhead Pond in Los Angeles on May 18, 2002; Madison Square Garden in New York on May 26, 2002; Air Canada Center in Toronto on June 14, 2003; and Toyota Center in Houston on June 12, 2005. Preparation for the Vayastha Sanchalan in Washington, D.C. started two years ago. Thousands of volunteers from various parts of the US and Canada have been reaching out to the residents of Washington, D.C. and the surrounding 100 miles.

Message of Trikaal Sandhya is being conveyed during these selfless devotional visits (Bhaktiferi) by the volunteers. Trikal Sandhya, a prayer expressing gratefulness towards God and His active involvement in our life, is portrayed by remembering God three times a day - when we wake up in the morning, at mealtime and before we go to sleep. It is the awareness of this divine presence in all (indwelling God) and the resultant sacred relationship, which can bring man closer to man, with selfless awareness for one another, and can succeed in bringing about the much needed harmony among various classes and groups in society.

The current head of the Swadhyay Parivar, Mrs. Dhanashree Talwalkar (affectionately known as "Didi"- meaning elder sister) will grace this occasion.
(www.swadhyay.org)

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Tamil Hymns Ordered Allowed in Chidambaram Temple

CUDDALORE, INDIA: T. Pichandi, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Commissioner, has passed an order permitting the devotees to recite hymns from Thevaram and Thiruvasagam in the Thiruchitrambalam Hall of Sri Nataraja temple at Chidambaram. The order was issued on April 30, 2007, following a representation made by the septuagenarian Saivite U. Arumughasamy about six months ago, seeking permission to recite Tamil hymns right in front of Thiruchitrambalam. The Podhu Dikshitars, who are managing the affairs of the temple, had voiced strong opposition to any devotee getting on to Thiruchitrambalam, near the sanctum sanctorum to recite the hymns. The then Joint Commissioner of Mayiladuthurai in an order prohibited any devotee from getting access to Thiruchitrambalam for reciting hymns.
(www.hindu.com)

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