SRI Krishna Temple in Guruvayur in Thrissur district of Kerala is called ‘Bholoka Vaikunta’. Adi Sankara was born to his parents in Kalady, after their worshipping at the Vadakumnatha Temple (Shiva) in Thrissur. The world-famous ‘Thrissur Pooram’ complete with 100 decorated elephants, multi-coloured umbrellas and fireworks is held at the Vadakumnatha Temple grounds in the heart of Thrissur. Krishnayanam, the international festival of almost 25,000 children from all over the globe, organised by Balagokulam, was also held at this ancient temple grounds from April 3 to4.
Inaugurating the massive get-together at the huge and tastefully erected pandal, after garlanding the idol of Sri Krishna, Swami Gautamananda, head of the Ramakrishna Ashram, Chennai, said he was spiritually joyed to be part of a huge festival in the name of Sri Krishna, who was a great inspiration to Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda.
“I see 25,000 Krishnas, gopas and gopikas in my front. Sri Krishna was the most perfect avatar, a role model for young, youth and old. Every moment of his life is an inspiration, symbol of life, tolerance and total victory. Sri Krishna’s life interwined with infinite knowledge and strength gives us self-confidence and pulls us out of depression.
“Despite being in alien rule for thousands of years, we had a feeling of oneness due to pride in our culture, values and Sanatana Dharma. But 60 years of Independence have made our children self-centric and un- patriotic. They have been kept away from our culture and have not been taught to worship national heroes like Shivaji, Maharana Pratap and Vivekananda.”
Concluding his speech Swamiji exhorted the children to build a glorious Bharat, as envisaged by Vivekananda, which would make our past slavery pale and insignificant.
Inaugurating the ‘Book Box’ by handing over a set of 10 books to a child, the leading multilingual film actor Devan called upon the children to revive the book-reading culture, as it would imbibe values and patriotism, which could create social changes.
Delivering the presidential address, Padmashri P Parameswaran said the Balagokulam, started in 1983 in Kerala, has become an international children’s forum with branches all over India, Gulf, US, Europe, etc.
“Balagokulam has been toiling for children’s rights, all-round development etc. through society’s and people’s power despite opposition from several quarters. It has achieved what UN Charter on Child Rights has not been able to achieve.
“The greatest threats faced by today’s children are consumerism and commercialisation of education. Unhealthy competition doesn’t allow the overall flowering of children based on their aptitudes. Parents’ greed and hunger for wealth are making children ‘money-making machines’. Dr Abdul Kalam often remarks that parents want children to become engineers and doctors and go to US and get green cards. Mad pursuit of wealth and power is making them throw away values. Only children like Adi Sankara, Shivaji, Vivekananda, who rebelled at young age, saw victory.”
“Upanishads call human amrita purushas. Calling them sinners is itself a sin. The Krishnaleela way of Sri Krishna with mischief, pranks, joy and happiness is more acceptable to children than the ‘torture path’ of Christianity. This will make children develop their talents and be prodigies,” he concluded.
Thrissur MLA and former Congress Speaker of Kerala Assembly Therambil Ramakrishnan said Balagokulam was a mrityusanjeevani (magic balm) for children suffering from harsh education, pressure from parents and dirty politics. “It takes them thousands of years back, to the joyful life of Sri Krishna, gopas and gopikas. Only our dharma, culture and values can lead us to the right path.”
Leading personalities who had contributed to the growth of Balagokulam and Sanatana Dharma like Mahakavi Akkitham, O Rajagopal, MA Krishnan, writer C Radhakrishnan, poet Vishnu Narayanan Nampoothri, etc. were honoured on April 4.
Later, leading Malayalam film personalities and playback singers interacted with the children and sang songs with them.
The valedictory function was attended by Justice Radhakrishna Menon and Shri Madan Das, Akhil Bharatiya Pracharak Pramukh, RSS.
The highlight of Krishnayanam, Bharat Darshan, a dance-light-and-sound show visualising from the ancient culture of Bharat to the present, interwined with dance forms from all over India-Manipuri, Odishi, tribal dance forms of the north-east, Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Mohiniattam, Kathakali, etc-was a sumptuous treat. Great heroes of the spiritual freedom movement including Adi Sankara, Shivaji, Maharana Pratap, Krishnadeva Raya, Kattabomman, Pazhassi Raja, Vivekananda were presented in a drama form. In the end, all the dancers and enactors, numbering in hundreds, converged on the huge stage, under the tri-colour holding Bharat Mata, depicting the one-ness of our culture, traditions and art-forms.
The entire meet and Bharat Darshan got wide-spread support from public and media. Lakhs thronged the temple grounds to witness the event and leading Malayalam dailies Mathrubhhoomi and Malayala Manorama gave wide coverage with several photos. A huge procession was also taken out by Balagokulam.
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