Week 3 – House Inaugural Day
Hari Om!
Hari Om!
Welcome to another fantastic week!
Today, we had a short and meaningful class filled with shlokas, stories, and excitement as we prepared for the House Inaugural Ceremony.
Beginning Shlokas
We began our class by chanting the following shlokas:
Om Sahanavavatu
Vakratunda
Saraswathi Namastubhyam
Guru Brahma
Sri Rama Rama Ramethi
We went around the class discussing the meanings of the names and verses. The children were encouraged to find out the meanings themselves if they were unsure.
Ramayana Recap
We then quickly recapped what we had learned about the Ramayana last week. The children were very excited to participate and eagerly raised their hands to share their answers. It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm and how much they remembered!
Preparing for the House Inaugural Ceremony
We briefly introduced the children to what they would be doing during the House Inaugural Ceremony.
We spoke about the famous Jagannath Temple in Puri and the annual Rath Yatra, when Lord Jagannath, along with Balabhadra and Subhadra, travel in their magnificent chariots to visit their aunt.
We also began singing our House Bhajan dedicated to Devi before heading to the Ashram Main Hall to help design and decorate the chariot for Jagannathji.
Chariot Decoration
The children enthusiastically listened to the stories and learned about their House Missions, which were explained by the volunteers.
Our group actively participated in decorating the chariot. The children helped color the four wheels and the parrot that adorns the chariot.
It was especially wonderful to see the parents join in enthusiastically. They sat alongside the children, participated in the activity, and encouraged them throughout.
Fun Before the Assembly
While we waited for the assembly to begin, the children gathered together for a fun game, with the help of their high school seniors. Their energy and excitement made the time even more enjoyable!
We briefly introduced the children to what they would be doing during the House Inaugural Ceremony.
We spoke about the famous Jagannath Temple in Puri and the annual Rath Yatra, when Lord Jagannath, along with Balabhadra and Subhadra, travel in their magnificent chariots to visit their aunt.
We also began singing our House Bhajan dedicated to Devi before heading to the Ashram Main Hall to help design and decorate the chariot for Jagannathji.
Chariot Decoration
The children enthusiastically listened to the stories and learned about their House Missions, which were explained by the volunteers.
Our group actively participated in decorating the chariot. The children helped color the four wheels and the parrot that adorns the chariot.
It was especially wonderful to see the parents join in enthusiastically. They sat alongside the children, participated in the activity, and encouraged them throughout.
Fun Before the Assembly
While we waited for the assembly to begin, the children gathered together for a fun game, with the help of their high school seniors. Their energy and excitement made the time even more enjoyable!
Jai Jagannath!
Once the chariot assembly was complete, all the children enthusiastically participated in pulling the chariot around the main temple, joyfully chanting “Jai Jagannathji!”
The children were eager and excited to be part of this beautiful temple procession. It was a wonderful experience filled with devotion, teamwork, creativity, and lots of enthusiasm.
A truly memorable House Inaugural Day! 🙏
