On Sunday, July 15, 2012, a unique event was organized and conducted at the Amrita Kripa Sagar Cancer Hospice, Badlapur. True to its name, the Sanskrti Puja is aimed at instilling in young children a respectful and reverential attitude towards their parents, the two most influential persons in their lives.
The Puja commenced at 10.30 a.m. with the traditional lighting of the lamp by Br.Avyayamrita Chaitanya. As is unique to Indian culture and tradition, the children offered their salutations to their mothers and fathers, who are revered as God Himself. To the accompaniment of chanting of the sacred mantras, “Aum Sri Matre Namaha” and “Aum Pitrubhyo Namaha” 18 times, they worshipped the parents’ feet and washed them. The children then garlanded them lovingly. The doting parents responded with an affectionate peck on their kids’ cheeks and by putting sweets into their mouths. The strong bonding was evident from their gleaming faces! Indeed a Parents’ Day with a difference.
At the conclusion of the Puja, as a small but significant act of charity, school notebooks were distributed amongst the children of the local poor. The program came to a close at about 1.00 p.m.with the Maha Arati after which everyone assembled were treated to a sumptuous lunch.
