Chinmaya family in UAE celebrated the 100th birthday of our Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayanandaji. To mark the culmination of the year-long Chinmaya birth centenary celebrations, Chinmaya Family Dubai had organized a series of events during the last 3 days (6-8 May 2016) as follows.
• Bhagawad Geeta Study group camp on 6th May,
• 108 times chanting of Hanuman Chalisa on 7th May,
• Sri Guru Paduka Puja with Rajopacharam on 8th May 2016.
Bhagawad Geeta Study Group Camp: The Day Camp on Bhagawad Geeta was held in Greens in Dubai on 6 th May. Dr. Sanjay Jadhav (ex-IAS) an erudite scholar and member of our Dubai study group delivered the key note speech on Gurudev and Geeta. A total of 45 members who are members of CSGs from all over UAE (Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and Abu Dhabi) participated in the camp. There were video clips displayed of Gurudev’s talks, quiz competition, speeches on favorite Geeta verses etc. Many senior members like Jayaram, Sukumaran, Soman, Ajay and Pradeep shared their understanding of Gurudev’s words, life and message like the Vision of Geeta, Gita dhyanam etc. The study group members felt that paying true tribute to Gurudev is by regular study of scriptures and everyone left the venue reinforcing their focus to study Gurudev’s teachings more ardently with a resolve to live the talk.
Hanuman Chalisa-108 times chanting: This year the annual 108 times chanting of Hanuman Chalisa was performed as part of the CBCC and hence held on Saturday, the 7 th May in Sindhi hall in Dubai.14 groups participated in the day long chanting that included Mrs. Veena Buxani and her team of devotees. Abu Dhabi bala vihar brought in a surprise with a boy dressed as Hanuman performing in the hall during the chanting. The event concluded with Hanuman Arati and distribution of Prasadam.
Sri Guru Paduka Pooja: Chinmaya family members participated in the grand traditional Sri Guru Paduka Puja ceremony held in Sindhi hall Bur Dubai. The Puja was performed by Sri Ajay Nampoothiri following CM pooja vidhi, including Chinmaya ashtothara namaarchana, Purusha sooktam chanting, Rajopacharam with the accompaniment of percussion and dance performed by the children of Agasthya Bala vihar Karama. Swaranjali team rendered a couple of soulful bhajans on Gurudev. All members joined for Chinmaya Arati in complete devotion, paying obeisance to the great Master.
At 7.30 pm, marking the birth of the Yuga-purusha 100 years ago, Gurudev’ s infant photo was unveiled, Om lamps kept in a long row in the middle of the hall were lit while the birthday song composed by Pujya Guruji exclusively for Pujya Gurudev was displayed on the screen.
Thereafter, pushpa archana started with chanting of ashtothara satanamaavali of Pujya Gurudev by the devotees seated in circles for archana. The video clips forwarded by CCMT for screening on 8 May 2016 was displayed after the arati.