[GHHF] Round up of our Activities on the Ground Level from October 5 thru October 12 – Ghar Waapasi and Bala Samskar Kendras

13 Oct 2022 819 Views

Dr. K M Munshi (1887 - 1971)

"The Mahabharata is not a mere epic. It is a romance, telling the tale of heroic men and women and of some who were divine; it is a whole literature in itself, containing a code of life, a philosophy of social and ethical relations, and speculative thought on human problems that is hard to rival; but above all, it has for its core the Gita, which is, as the world is beginning to find out, the noblest of scriptures and the grandest of stages in which the climax is reached in the wondrous Apocalyspe in the Eleventh canto."

1. Ghar Waapasi and Devi Navaratrulu – Ex-Christians Performed Devi Puja, Kunkumarchana, Abhishekam to Lord Shiva, Swami Kasireddy Nayana and Lord Hanuman near Anantapur Village. (Oct 5)

Sri Gopi Krishna Chari organized Navaratri Program in Brahmaiah Swamy in Hanimareddy Palli Village. This is a specially arranged event solely for Ex-Christians who performed Panchamruta Abhishekam to Kasireddy Nayana Swamy (One of the very powerful and famous Avadhuta in the area, Anjanaeya Swamy and Annapurneswari. Also, they have performed Rudrabhishekam and Kunkumarchana to Durga Mata. They also participated in Ashtottarna nama to Devi.
The devotees were welcome with namaskarama and also by applying Tilak on their forehead. Each of the new welcomed Hindus were allowed to do Panchamrutam Abhishekam to with their hands to Avadhuta Kasireddy Nayana Swami, offered new clothes and did puja.
Following Abhishekam, Kumkumarchana and Puja, they did Pradakshina to the Temple chanting Devi names. Then they also did Mangalaharthi to all the presiding Devatas. More than 120 People came to participate in the program.
https://www.savetemples.org/post/ghhf-ghar-waapasi-and-devi-navaratrulu-ex-christians-performed-devi-puja-kunkumarchana-abhishekam-to-lord-shiva-swami-kasireddy-nayana-and-lord-hanuman-near-anantapur-village/1403

  1. Bala Samskar Kendras in Guntur – Students Celebrated Navaratri by dressing up in NINE forms of Devi; Local leaders attended and distributed prizes (Oct 6)

During the Navaratri time Sri Thunuguntla Ramesh and other teachers organized a very big program inviting the parents and community members and leaders to witness the talents of the children and the celebration of Navaratri.
Bala Samskar Kendra students were dressed us in nine forms of Devi with appropriate dress suitable for that Devi of the day. The program was conducted in Sri Siva Nagendra Swamy Temple in Siva Nagaraju colony.
Devi Worship – Nine Forms are Worshipped
'Navratri' means 'nine nights.' 'Nava' means 'nine,’ and 'Ratri' means 'night.'
Devi represents the omnipresent cosmic Energy. She is worshipped in nine different manifestations.
Navadurga and significance of each day of Navratri
Devi is worshipped in 9 forms known as Navadurga. The significance of each day of Navratri is attached to a form of the Mother Divine.

https://www.savetemples.org/post/ghhf-bala-samskar-kendras-in-guntur-students-celebrated-navaratri-by-dressing-up-in-nine-forms-of-devi-local-leaders-attended-and-distributed-prizes/1404

3. Bala Samskar Kendras in Assam performed Kanyaka Pujan/ Kumari Puja; Explained the Significance of Kumari Puja. (Oct 7)

GHHF Assam -  With the participation of thousands of Hindus, GHHF Assam organized a rally and Hindu Jagran Sabha on early hours of Mahalaya to mark the home comings of Goddess Durga. Bala Samskar students dressed like Durga, Shiba, Kali and performed dances, sang Durga song ,recited and chanted Maa Durga Sthuti.

Maa Durga Puja is the biggest festival of Hindus in Assam and Mahalaya is celebrated by the devotees of Maa Durga a week before the Durga Puja celebrations begin across the globe. It marks the beginning of Debi Paksha (the era of the goddess) and is observed on the last day of Piru Paksha (the 16-day lunar day period when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors/Pitrus). Mahalaya, therefore, means the arrival of Goddess Durga, and the festival centered around her worship - Durga Puja.

https://www.savetemples.org/post/ghhf-bala-samskar-kendras-in-assam-performed-kanyaka-pujan-kumari-puja-explained-the-significance-of-kumari-puja/1405

 

  1. Navaratri Celebrations in Anantapur – Second Batch of Ex-Christians Performed Devi Puja, Kunkumarchana, and Abhishekam Lord Hanuman. (Oct 8)

Sri Gopi Krishna Chari organized Navaratri Program in Brahmaiah Swamy in Hanimareddy Palli Village. This is a specially arranged event solely for Ex-Christians who performed Panchamruta Abhishekam to Kasireddy Nayana Swamy (One of the very powerful and famous Avadhuta in the area, Anjanaeya Swamy and Annapurneswari. Also,  they have performed Rudrabhishekam and Kunkumarchana to Durga Mata. They also participated in Ashtottarna nama to Devi.

    The devotees were welcome with Namaskarama and also by applying Tilak on their forehead. Each of the new welcomed Hindus were allowed to do Panchamrutam Abhishekam to with their hands to Lord Hanuman offered new clothes and did puja.

    Following Abhishekam, Kumkumarchana and Puja, they did Pradakshina to the Temple chanting Devi names. Then they also did Mangalaharthi to all the presiding Devatas. More than 120 People came to participate in the program.

https://www.savetemples.org/post/ghhf-navaratri-celebrations-in-anantapur-second-batch-of-ex-christians-performed-devi-puja-kunkumarchana-and-abhishekam-lord-hanuman/1406

5. Bala Samskar Kendras Celebrated Vijayadashami in Tami Nadu – Learned the importance and Significance of the festival (Oct 9)

Bala Samskar Kendra students celebrated Vijayadashami. Dussehra, which is also called Dasara or Vijayadashami is celebrated as a mark of triumph of Rama, an avatar of Vishnu, over the 10-headed demon king Ravana, who abducted Rama’s wife, Sita. The festival’s name is derived from the Sanskrit words dasha (“ten”) and hara (“defeat”). Symbolizing the victory of good over evil, Dussehra is celebrated on the 10th day of the month of Ashwini (September–October), the seventh month of the Hindu calendar, with the appearance of the full moon, an event called the “bright fortnight” (shukla paksha). Dussehra coincides with the culmination of the nine-day Navratri festival and with the tenth day of the Durga Puja festival. For many, it marks the beginning of preparation for Diwali, which occurs 20 days after Dussehra.

In North India, it incorporates Ram Lila, a gala theatrical enactment of Rama’s life story. Effigies of Ravana along  with those of Meghnada and Kumbhakarana are stuffed with firecrackers and set ablaze at night in open fields. This traditional practice was even recognized as one of the “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO in 2008. It describes the festival as being celebrated through songs, narration, recital and dialogue based on the text Ramcharitramanas by Tulsidas.

https://www.savetemples.org/post/ghhf-bala-samskar-kendras-celebrated-vijayadashami-in-tami-nadu-learned-the-importance-and-significance-of-the-festival/1407

  1. Bala Samskar Kendras Celebrate Valmiki Jayanti in Jalagam Mandal – Contribution of Valmiki discussed (Oct 10)

It is belied that Valmiki was a highway dacoit named Ratnakar in his early years. He used to rob and kill people until the day he met Narad Muni, who transformed him into an ardent devotee of Lord Rama. After meditating for years, a divine voice declared his penance successful and bestowed him with the name Valmiki. He was later revered as Adi Kavi for being the first poet of the Sanskrit Literature. His works, especially the great epic, is recited till date by the Hindu devotees.

Who was Maharishi Valmiki?

Maharishi Valmiki is popularly known as Adi Kavi Valmiki. He is described in the Uttara khanda of Ramayana as an unnamed highway robber who used to rob people of their belongings. Once he happened to meet Narada Muni, the great devotee of Lord Narayana. When asked why he robs, the robber replied it was for his family maintenance. Narada Muni asked the robber to go and ask whether his family members will share the sin that he was incurring by robbing, The robber said yes they will. But Narada Muni asked him to practically go and confirm. The robber’s eyes were opened when his family members clearly denied to bear the burden of sin.

https://www.savetemples.org/post/ghhf-bala-samskar-kendras-celebrate-valmiki-jayanti-in-jalagam-mandal-contribution-of-valmiki-discussed/1408

7. Ghar Waapasi in Addanki, Bapatla District, AP; 21 Christians were welcomed back to Hinduism (Oct 11)

HHF welcomed 21 Christians back to Hindu Dharma. All of them told their names and announced their returned to Hinduism on video.  They said that they voluntarily returning to Hinduism. As we know many of these Christians are under the spell of Christian Pastors and scare them to death by teaching that they will burn eternally if they go back to Hinduism. It is not easy for converted Christians to get courage and confidence to return to the religion of their fathers and forefathers. Sri Subrahmanyam had approached them several times before they agreed to return to Hinduism.

              Sri Rajesh, who coordinates all Bala Samskar Kendras in Guntur attended the function, spoke about the greatness of Hinduism and distributed items such as Sarees and Dhotis following Pujas and Homas.  Hindu leaders in the community attended and gave valuable message for the returnees. Five Bala Samskar teachers also attended the event encouraging them to follow Sanatana Dharma.  About 25 people from the community also attended the function in support of their reconversion.  All the attendees appreciated the efforts of GHHF to bring back those Christians who left their original faith.

https://www.savetemples.org/post/ghhf-ghar-waapasi-in-addanki-bapatla-district-ap-21-christians-were-welcomed-back-to-hinduism/1409

8. Ghar Waapasi in East Godavari District – about 50 married ladies including 8 Ex-Christians performed Mangala Gowri Vratham (Oct 12)

On the occasion of Shraavana Masa, Sri Srinivas organized a big even by organizing and conducting Mangala Gowri Vratham in this village. The purpose is three-fold:

1)    We have to make Hindus, Hindus first. That means  that we have to make Hindus feel proud of their culture and traditions. It is our responsibility to teach about the significance of Puja, the number of steps to be followed, abhishekam, and devi Puja. It is only Sanatana Dharma that gives enormous respect for women. Unlike other religions where women are not even permitted to their intuitions, or where women remain silent, Sanatana Dharma give enough freedom to express their feelings and allowed to think independently.

2)    Also, we try to educate them about how Christians might distort our customs, our pujas to Devi and other Gods, and our traditions. Once we educate our women with the significance of these rituals and festivals, it would be easy for our women to defend our customs.

https://www.savetemples.org/post/ghhf-ghar-waapasi-in-east-godavari-district-about-50-married-ladies-including-8-ex-christians-performed-mangala-gowri-vratham/1410

 

WE NEED YOUR HELP
We appreciate it if you can help in hiring more people who can go to these villages to do Ghar Waapasi. We have employed 26 people so far. More people we hire, more villages can be covered to welcome them back and also create Chaitanya (Awareness) among the students and villagers. Also, we are conducting 150 Bala Kendras in five States. Support one or more Kendras.
1)
Sponsor one Bala Samskar Kendra for $1000.00

2) Sponsor one Pracharak: In order to expand our base and hire one Pracharak, it would cost approximately $3000.00 - $3500.00 per year. We have five anonymous donors who sponsored 9 Pracharaks
DONATIONS
PayPal Method: To donate visit our website: savetemples.org. Click on the Donate button, then press the Purpose category, and select the General Donation category.
By Check: Or you can send a check payable to: GHHF, . It is tax-deductible.
By Zelle: ghhfusaorg@gmail.com
By Rupees, please contact us by either phone or email.
For more information, call Prakasarao V Velagapudi
; Email: ghhfusaorg@gmail.com

Discuss:

Related Posts