The colourful artistic celebration of the sixth Omkarananda Mahotsava commenced auspiciously with high esteem on 25th December 2005 in honour of the great Master, Gurudev Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati.

The prolonged eleven days celebration started on Omkarananda Jayanti, on 25th December, the birthday of Swami Omkarananda, with 'Sunderkand (Ramayana) Path' by our Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir priests in the early morning with an atmosphere of sublime devotion. Large number of guests, invitees and Ashramites devotionally graced it by taking part in this hour long 'Path' with radiant enthusiasm.

Swami Rakeshanandaji and Swami Narasimhuluji lighting the Dipas

Followed by this, subsequently, with the able guidance and supervision of Smt. Usha Mataji, a colourful cultural function was held at the Omkarananda Vidya Bhawan by the students of Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam, Omkarananda Preparatory School, Rishikesh, and Omkarananda Saraswati Natya Kala Academy.

Smt. Meenakshi Gupta, the Coordinator of the Omkar-ananda Preparatory School, welcomed the gathering. In her welcome address, she was elaborating the life, mission and messages of Swami Omkarananda, that the great Master propagated through his innumerable speeches and teachings to his followers around the globe for the benefit of mankind. She further went on to tell profusely about his worthy and blessed foremost disciple, Swami Vishveshwaranandaji, President of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, his contributions, tirelessly taking his Master's message for the welfare of humanity in the field of religion, education and social services.
 

Above & Right: Students of Class XI & XII performing 'Shades of Life', a dance drama on the life of Lord Buddha.

Swami Vishveshwaranandaji inaugurated the function along with Swami Rakeshanandaji of Karthikeya Ashram, who eventually lighted the ceremonial lamp at the background of a blissful portrait of the great Master, Swami Omkarananda Saraswati.

The cultural programme started with a solo dance by Km. Alankrita Prasad, small student of Class KG of Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam, who danced herself into the hearts of the audience to the beautiful song 'Chotisi Asha'.

Kumari Somashekhari and her Students performing devotional dances during Omkarananda Jayanti

Afterwards the students of Kumari Somashekhari performed a joyous group dance, 'Muraliwale ne ghere layi'.

This was followed by a very impressive dance drama on the life of Lord Buddha, called 'Shades of Life', performed in a most beautiful and perfect way by Students of Class XI and XII of Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam.

Then Kumari Somashekhari performed a solo dance, in which the Divine Mother was worshipped.

The tiny tots of Omkarananda Preparatory School dance to the tune of the song 'Maine kaha phoolon se' in extraordinary designed, colourful costumes to the delight of the audience.

The tiny tots of Omkarananda Preparatory School danced to the tune of the song 'Maine kaha phoolon se' in extraordinary designed, colourful costumes.

All the performances got whole hearted appreciation from the audience by means of their thunder like applause, which burst into the vibrant atmosphere of Omkarananda Vidya Bhawan.

Above: Swami Vishveshwaranandaji giving the Vote of Thanks Right: Swami Narasimhuluji and others were performing Omkarananda Arati

As conclusion of this eventful Omkarananda Jayanti Celebration the girls of Omkarananda Saraswati Natya Kala Academy presented another artistic performance. Just like the beauty of the vast blue sky is crowned in its heavenly opulence through the unmatched colours of a rainbow, in the same manner, the bloomed stars of the Eastern horizon of the young girls livened the stage by enriching the cultural function with an immensely soul elevating Devi-Arati-Dance, by holding oil-lamps in their hands, and paying reverence to the all-merciful, all-loving Divine Mother. Furthermore to culminate the enchanting event, the Director of Omkarananda Saraswati Natya Kala Academy, Kumari Somashekhari, who impresses the people by her excellent performances and deep knowledge in the field of Indian classical Dance, joined with them as the full moon, dancing and pulsating with tiny twinkle stars. Their soul elevating performance touched the hearts of the audience.

Swami Vishveshwaranandaji thanked all the participants and the guests for their presence in celebrating the Omkarananda Jayanti successfully, and expressed his sincere gratitude to everyone for their dedication and co-operation. In his inspiring speech Swami Vishveshwarananda told the audience, that the beauty and genius of the performing artists, the intelligence and hard work of the teachers and others are all an expression of Swami Omkarananda Himself.

In the concluding part of the function, gifts were distributed to the participants by Col. (Retd.) D.L. Sachdevaji, Principal of Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam. After the cultural show, everyone joined with Swami Vishveshwaranandaji to perform Mangal-Arati and Pushpanjali for Gurudev Swami Omkarananda, and paid obeisance to Him, one by one, in an atmosphere of sublime respect and devotion. The day long programme was concluded with the offering of Prasadam (Bhandara) to hundreds of participants and guests of this holy event.

The function was well attended.