It is by the boundless Grace of our beloved Guru Maharaj, and Madhuri Sakhi Sametha Sri Premika Varadhan, that Melbourne Namadwaar’s inaugural Janmashtami Festivities were celebrated over 10 days with such pomp and splendour.
Pankanjam Mami, Radha Mami and Latha Nambi ji commenced the recital of the Srimad Bhagavatham on Day 1, dutifully seeing the 10th Canto to its completion through to the final day. Our Level 2 Gopakuteeram children, aged between 9-13, came forward to give talks on the great Bhakta Charithrams from the Srimad Bhagavatham. Each one of them so beautifully connected the morals and learnings that they took from the stories to aspects of their everyday lives, focusing on its relevance in this day and age. The Level 1 GK students aged between 4-6 then beautifully enacted snippets of Krishna’s Leelas followed by their dance performance choreographed by Shilpa Mehta ji. Students from our Madhurageetham Class then rendered a number of Sri Guruji’s choicest songs, such as Kannan Engal Mannavan, Tvameva Gathir Mama, Varuvai Varuvai Gurunatha, Hey Madhava and Mathura Nayaka.
Kalpana ji and her students from the Vaishnavi School of Music were also Blessed with the opportunity to present their musical offering to Bhagavan in the form of Bhajans and Kirtans.
On the day of Nikunjotsavam, as we would have at Madhurapuri Ashram, Namadwaar Melbourne witnessed a most Divine and Blissful offering to Bhagavan in the form of “Andal Imagined” – a dance and musical piece composed by Smt. Uthara Vijay and choreographed by Dr. Priya Srinivasan, placed at the Holy Feet of Premika Varadhan and Madhuri Sakhi with utmost devotion. Following this, the Sankeerthana Ladies Choir captivated the crowd with an energetic and Bhakti-filled Bhajan concert.
Everyone came together to take part in the Divine Wedding of the Celestial Couple – it was incredibly touching to see the love, care and dedication of all the families who took part in the Radha Kalyanam – Govindanukkatpatta Kudumbam indeed!
Siddarth Murali concluded the 10-day festival with a Pravachan focusing on the importance of ridding one’s sense of ego, highlighted beautifully through Sri Guruji’s “Manobalam Ennakarulvai”, reflecting Namadwaar’s key values. He then spoke of the vital role the Guru plays in one’s life, and of how it is only through the Guru’s Grace that one will eventually attain Bhagavan – “Guru Krupai Illamal, Hari Krupai Illai!”. Throughout the talk he emphasised on the importance of chanting Nama in this Kali Yuga , and of how it is the easiest way to cleanse oneself of all sins and reach Him – the very purpose of Bhagavatha Dharma.
