August 26, 2024
It was a day filled with joy, colours, and devotion at our school as we celebrated Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Gokulashtami. The festivities began early in the morning with our weekly Shramdaan activity, where students and staff came together to decorate the school premises. Shramdaan takes place weekly for students and teachers to contribute meaningfully towards community work.
The little children always look forward to this festival of Janmashtami and the mood was built over weeks through the daily rhythms of song and dance that happen in each classroom. The older children look forward to the challenge of building pyramids through careful preparation with the help of teachers. Festivals meet an inner aspect of the human being through community, aesthetics and mindful engagement of effort towards a common sharing and celebration.
A visitor to the school would have been greeted by a kaleidoscope of colours - intricate Rangoli designs, cheerfully fluttering buntings and footprints of Krishna. The lunch had a special payasam to delight the palate too.
Kindergarten children gazed in wonder at Krishna sleeping in the cradle, while Grade 5 students brought in reverence through a simple and devout ceremony. The celebration commenced with a storytelling session by one of our teachers who narrated the tale of the great Krishna Leela.
The air was filled with lovely melodies as our students shared their love for Krishna through songs, dances, and skits. The music was endearing as children shared what had already come alive in their classrooms during the previous few days. It built into an absolutely beautiful rendition of ragas blended into harmonies by the high schoolers.
The traditional pyramid formation and Dahi Handi ceremony showcased unity and strength, with students from Classes 6 to 11 forming well rehearsed pyramids. As the flower petals in the pot were showered on everyone, cheers and laughter filled the air, creating a wonderful memory.
As the celebration concluded, we chanted the peace mantra "Sarve Bhavantu Sukinava," seeking peace and harmony for all. Delicious laddus were a final delight to seal the day, as we left the school premises with hearts filled with the sweet sound of Krishna.
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