SWAHA’s Sri Raam Dhaam of St. Lucien Road, Diego Martin took this year’s Ashwin Navraatri one step further as, under the astute directorship of Pundit Maniedeo Persad, the first 12-night Navraatri Yagna was initiated. This yagna, the first of its kind, spared no effort in terms of the elaborate preparations undertaken: A murti of Shri Durga Maa, was indigenously crafted and used for worship; the temple hall was resplendently bedecked, befitting the occasion, encouraging devotees, many of whom made the traditional daily offerings, with obvious love and effort creating an atmosphere of powerful and positive energy.

To a packed congregation every evening, Punditji expounded on Kathas from the Devi Bhagwat and shared many details of Navraatri traditions in various parts of India, where the festival is commonly referred to as Durga Pooja. Readings took the traditional form of the underlying philosophies of the devotion to Divine Mother in the forms of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Each evening, during the actual performance of pooja at the main Durga murti, devotees chanted the Bhagwatti Stotram, the Devi Suktam and Maha Lakshmi Ashtakam Stotram. Immediately following the discourse, Devi Argala Stotram was recited; followed by mantra jaap with havan.

At the end of the yagna on October 9^th the Durga murti was taken in a grand procession to the picturesque Blue Basin for Bisarjan in the pristine waters of theNorthernRange. Once again,Western Trinidad became alive and blessed with the conclusion of what is to become a yearly norm – the glorious worship of Divine Mother – Navraatri!

During the auspicious period of Shri Ganesh Utsav, which will be observed from August 31 to September 11, 2011,  special worship is offered to Bhagavan Ganesh, the Lord of Beginnings and Remover of obstacles. Outlined below are some modes of worship which are recommended to devotees and which can be performed during the entire period and indeed, everyday. However, it should be noted that a detailed step-by-step procedure into any of these forms of worship will require the guidance of one’s Guru or Pundit.

1.   Mantra-recitation

Mantra-jaap or the continuous repetition of mantras can be chanted loudly, whispered, done silently or by writing. Mantra recitation with the accompaniment of havan is even more efficacious. This spiritual discipline brings benefits to the saadhak as well as to the surroundings. The recitation of mantras is one form of niyam (positive virtues) that purifies the environment, builds positive vibrations, creates stability and lifts one to higher states of consciousness.

Some Ganesh mantras are:

1. Om Gam Ganapatayey Namah.

2. Ganesh Gayatri

Om Ekadantaaya Vidmahe

Vakratundaaya Dhimahi

Tanno Danti Prachodayaat.

3. OmVakratunda Mahakaaya

Soorya Koti Samaprabha

Nirvighnam Kurume Deva

Sarva Kaaryeshu Sarvadaa.

4. OmGajaananam Bhutaganaadi Sevitam

Kapitha Jambu-phala Saara Bhakshanam

Umasutam Shoka Vinaashakaaranam

Namaami Vighneshwar Paada Pankajam.

2.  Chanting of Shri Ganapataye Atharvasheersha

This powerful composition praises Bhagavan Ganesh in His many roles. The chanting of this stotra brings many benefits, some of which are outlined in the verses themselves. A few of the benefits are as follows:

1. Whoever fasts and practises jaap-yoga( repeated recitation) of this stotra gains knowledge.
2.  Whoever chants this stotra gains happiness everywhere. Whoever undertakes this jaap during solar eclipse, sitting on the bank of a river or in front of a murti of Bhagavan Ganesh, gets whatever is promised in the stotra. He becomes free from all sin and obstacles.

A copy of this stotra can be found in SWAHA’s publication, Ganesh Upaasanaa.

3.  Observance of Ganesh Chowth Vrat

The fourth day after the new moon or full moon in the Hindu calendar is referred to as Chowth and is dedicated to the worship of Bhagavan Ganesh. Special vrat or fast is observed on this day. Offerings are made, mantra-jaap is done, havan may be performed, charity is given, stotras, chaalisas and other compositions dedicated to Shri Ganesh are read. Some scriptures dedicated to Bhagavan Ganesh are Mudgal Puraan, Ganesh Puraan and Shri Ganapati Atharvasheersh .

Offerings that are made may include sindoor, durva grass (doob), milk, bale leaves, ladoo and milk The devotee also fasts, while avoiding environments that are unwholesome and impure.

The benefits that accrue to the person engaging in such a saadhan  are:

1. Material progress, fulfilment and happiness
2. Control of anger
3. Removal of obstacles
4. Overcoming of physical distress, illnesses and lethargy
5. Spiritual elevation.

4. Ganesh Jayanti

This is the first day of the festival of Ganesh Utsav, the eleven-day celebration of  Shri Ganesh Pujaa. Ganesh Jayanti is observed on the fourth day in the bright fortnight in the month of Bhaadon (August-September). It is marked with special worship, offerings, recitation of mantras, scriptural reading, bhajan, kirtan and other means of praising the Divine.

Usually, this day marks the commencement of Ganesh Utsav when special worship is performed to Bhagavan Ganesh in the form of the earthen murtis. Among other rituals, the worship includes the offering of sindoor on the entire body of the murti. Also, offerings of durva (doob), bale leaves, ladoo, orange clothing and other ingredients associated with Shri Ganesh are made.

At the end of the Ganesh Utsav period the earthen murtis are immersed, dissolving them in waterways.

A preview of the full book is available below:

SWAHA wishes to congratulate Paramacharya Pt. Hardeo Persad on his award of a Public Service Medal of Merit (Gold) by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago.

On Thursday 7th July 2011, the administration and staff of SWAHA Hindu College celebrated with over 100 CAPE and CSEC graduates and their parents at the 6th graduation ceremony. It was indeed a very exciting and emotional day for all who were present as our industrious students were leaving our esteemed institution and stepping into a world of new emotions, experiences and encounters. However, our well-applauded valedictorians, Medha Dial of Form 5 and Cherisse Bobb of Form 6, indicated that they were all well-armed to face this new stage of their life as they had been equipped with the necessary morals, values, culture, work ethic and personalities to be successful, patriotic citizens.

In the beautifully decorated graduation hall, students from the college sang, danced and played musical instruments to honour the graduates and entertain their parents. Also in attendance were representatives from the Ministry of Education and Member of Parliament for the region of Sangre Grande, who expressed their pleasure at the school’s performance and contribution to the Northeastern District and promised their continuous support towards the school. In addition, awards for academic and cultural excellence, as well as a citizen’s award for outstanding work in assisting the school and community, were presented to the students.

One highlight of the ceremony was the overwhelming gratitude and love of a parent, Mrs. Harrikissoon, which was directed to the administration, staff and her daughter. After making a very moving speech which showed the love and admiration she had for her child, she sang a song in honour of her daughter that led many parents and students to tears. This was indeed a wonderful end to the graduation ceremony of the SWAHA family.

Best wishes are extended to all students who will be leaving the hallowed portals of this school, an institution that sustained them in many ways for five or seven years. May they continue to build their lives on the strong foundation cemented by the values they acquired at SWAHA Hindu College.

This awards ceremony featured a variety of cultural presentations and the distribution of prizes. A most scintillating performance by the SWAHA Hindu College’s steelpan group saw the perfect blend of the  harmonium, dhantal and dholak with the steelpan and bongo drums. Their musical rendition drew sustained applause by all present, including the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, her husband, Dr Gregory Bissessar and Minister of Justice and Member of Parliament for St Joseph, Mr Herbert Volney. Later, in her address, the Honourable Prime Minister commended the college, describing the great pride she felt on listening to their unique presentation.

Outstanding performances were also presented by renown sitarist, Mungal Patasar as well as Professor Pt. Prakash Persad, who demonstrated the use of the robotic tabla. This innovation was an invention of the professor himself, Associate Provost of UTT.

Addressing the packed hall, Paramacharyaji urged all present to maintain the values and preserve the traditions that the ancestors stood for. Values of truth, inner and outer cleanliness, compassion and charity were the pillars that they laid for our sustenance and evolution. The continued building upon those foundation blocks is the responsibility of their descendants. Such a task can only be achieved through daily practice and propagation of those traditions. He reminded everyone that, though we all live in a changing and dynamic world, our values should never be compromised; instead they should remain constantly alive and fresh within us, like a new dawn.

This reminder reverberated through the entire evening’s proceedings as this message was echoed in the lines of a current top-ranking musical hit of SWAHA, “Hindu Logo Jaago”. Sung by Pt. Umesh Persad, Spiritual Leader of SWAHA Gyaan Deepak Kirtan Mandali, the exquisite musical arrangement and vocal rendition has earned him many accolades across the land. Due recognition was also accorded him at the awards ceremony.

One of the highlights of the evening’s ceremony was the honouring of The Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar by SWAHA. In recognition of her dedication and sterling contribution to the service of the nation’s people, Paramacharyaji presented her with a plaque on behalf of SWAHA.

In her address, the Honourable Prime Minister commended SWAHA for the work it was doing on the national societal landscape. She dedicated her award of honour to the indentured women who escaped from a destiny of hardship.

To the strains of “Hindu Logo Jaago”, SWAHA brought down the curtains on yet another Indian Arrival celebration. As everyone filtered through the doorways of JFK to dinner,  it was as if they had left with a great resolve to find hope in the following line of the hit song: “Naya Ashaa, Nayee Ushaa”- A new dawn brings new hope.

The Bisram Family
Cordially invites all devotees to join us
in our 9 nights Devi Bhagwat Yagna

To be held at our residence
86-31 112 Street, Jamaica, NY

Commencing on Thursday August 11th 2011
Concluding on Friday August 19th 2011

Officiating: Paramacharya Pt. Hardeo Persad
Assisted By: Pundit Varma Maharaj

Shiv Shakti Pooja on Wednesday August 17th
Kanya Kumari Pooja on Friday August 19th

Special Invitation to all Brahmins and Kirtan groups.
For more information please call Joe (917)560-8386 or Dovin(917) 523-8806