Memorable Moments of "Pooja Vidhanam" - 13th Year Workshop 2016

 “The Mylapore Trio” S.Surendranath, S.Aparna, S.Amarnath, Sugathan and Members of Sri Sumukhi Rajasekharan Memorial Foundation organized the 13th year “Pooja Vidhanam” a free and first of its kind, Innovative Workshop for Women - the know-how of Ganesha Chathurthi, Krishna Jayanthi and Varalakshmi Vritam on Sunday 7^th August, 2016. This day also happened to be the auspicious day of  Garuda Panchami and Naga Panchami.

Since the previous day evening ambience at the venue - kalyanana Nagar Association wore a festive look. The Dias was traditionally & aesthetically decorated with maayilai, thoranam, vaazhai maram, etc. The floor was decorated with maa kolam & kaavi by the members of the foundation, which added flavour. In the evening the Three Deities were decorated and placed on the elevated platform by the Trio, surrounded by gorgeous looking women & children. All the Members, Children, The Mylapore Trio and Sugathan presented themselves in dazzling South Indian traditional attire with silk sarees (including Madisar of Saivaitie n Vaishnavite styles) & dhothis & traditional gold and diamond jewelry like vairathodu, jimiki, kaasu maalaai, addigai and Odiyanam etc.

The workshop began with the Trio explaining the purpose of the workshop, which they felt was very essential for the younger generation. According to them, these poojas and the spiritual values, which they inherited and imbibed from their Foster Parents Sri. Rajasekharan & Smt. Sumukhi, and Trio’s Grandmother Smt. Nagammal, must be perpetuated to the next generation.

Aparna lighted the lamp and started the workshop auspiciously. Then Surendranath explained the significance and shared rare information about these poojas. Amarnath traced the history of these gods and these festivals. Sugathan demonstrated the process of preparing home made Maiy ( Eyetex ) which is harmless and can be used by women and the goddess.

Surendranath proceeded with a lecture demonstration on – Alankaram, beautifying Amman Face with silver polish, made the traditional “Thazhampoo Jadai” with an array of colourful flowers with fragrance & gave many more tips. The participants were thrilled to watch this cultural extravaganza, that too performed by a man. Aparna demonstrated the making of “panchu vastrams” in the most conventional method, which was a rare act for the women of modern times. “Sanathana Dharma Samrakshani” - Smt. Prema Krishnamurthi gave her inputs explaining the significance of Pooja Dhravyam, Mantras, Naivedhyam, etc... 

Finally Varalakshi Amman was brought on procession in a Traditional manner from the Verandah entrance to the medai by traditional women. Relevant songs were sung & finally Deepaaraadhanai was performed for all the three Gods, ending up with a mangala aarathi.

At the end of the programme, Thamboolam including vetrilai paaku, manjal kumkum, seepu, kannadi, blouse bit etc & Prasadams including Sakarai Pongal, verkadalai Sundal, Kozhukattai, Seedai, were distributed to all women along with glass bangles in red and green auspicious colours.

This Spiritual programme was followed by sumptuous traditional lunch…..with 16 varities of dishes and hosted by Foundation member Shri. Swaminathan and family. The workshop was well attended by 80 participants (young & old men & women) who were very enthusiastic in knowing more about our cultural roots. They felt that the workshop was very innovative & useful, a spiritual & cultural eye opener for them.