hindu...community 4 – hindu news1. students of skg and sdmkg participate in various games 2....

12
T he Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) held its volunteer awards and appreciation event at the SAFRA Toa Payoh on 21 July 2013. The event was graced by Minister for Transport, Mr Lui Tuck Yew. In his video message to the volunteers, Minister Lui said, “First let me acknowledge the very good work of the HEB and what it does to contribute to the betterment of society here in Singapore. I think the HEB and our society are enriched as a result of the good work of the volunteers – some of whom have been with the HEB for 20 and more years. So today it is an opportunity to salute you, to thank you for your contributions, to acknowledge the many sacrifices that you and your family have made.” Also sharing his congratulatory message to the volunteers was Mr Lawrence Wong, the Acting Minister for Culture, Community HEB HONOURS ITS VOLUNTEERS NEWS HINDU A PUBLICATION OF THE HINDU ENDOWMENTS BOARD, SINGAPORE www.heb.gov.sg Issue 02/2013 HINDU NEWS 1 Continued on page 2 >> WHAT’S INSIDE and Youth (MCCY). The HEB comes under the purview of the MCCY. Mr Wong said, “The work of the Board is made possible through the contributions from all our volunteers. You are also the reason why the HEB is able to run so many successful community programmes, including many kindergartens, a halfway house, and many outreach programmes for the community. So I commend and thank all of our volunteers for your commitment, your dedication and passion in serving the Hindu community.” A total of 137 volunteers were honoured. 94 received commendation awards and 36 received Achievement Awards. The HEB’s highest award, Award of Excellence was presented to seven individuals. The newsletter is published by the Hindu Endowments Board, © 2013. No part of this newsletter should be reproduced without the permission of the publisher. For further enquiries, please contact the Hindu Endowments Board, 397 Serangoon Road, Singapore 218123. Tel: 6296 3469, E-mail: [email protected] Photo credits: T. Kavi, Jamiyah Singapore, Indian Heritage Centre Designed & printed by Sun Media Pte Ltd, 20 Kramat Lane, #01-02 United House, Orchard, Singapore 228773 1 HEB Honours Its Volunteers 3 Sivadas-HEB Bursary Awards Healthcare Award for MSS Volunteer 4 Tamizhodu Inaivom 2013 SKG & SDMKG Combined Games Day 5 Multi-faith Family Day SSPT Chief Priest Honoured 6 Festivals & Events 7 Ramayana Forum @ SST IHC Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony 8 International Gita Forum Singapore 2013 DMT’s Kumbabishegam and Mandalabishegam 2013 SLNT Inagurates New Deities 9 SVKT’s Mandalabishegam Concludes Special Arrangements for Purattasi Saturdays 10 Fire Walking Festival Key Events 11 Kids Zone National Day Greetings Hindu News joins all Singaporeans in wishing the Nation a Happy 48th Birthday on the occasion of National Day. The theme for this year’s celebrations is ‘Many Stories, One Singapore’. Majulah Singapura! HEB’s Volunteer Awards Ceremony 2013 held at SAFRA Toa Payoh

Upload: others

Post on 16-Feb-2020

1 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: HINDU...CoMMunItY 4 – HINDU NEWS1. Students of SKG and SDMKG participate in various games 2. Parents of students demonstrate their skills in a kabadi match tAMIzHoDu InAIVoM 2013

The Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) held its volunteer awards and appreciation event at the SAFRA Toa Payoh on 21

July 2013. The event was graced by Minister for Transport, Mr Lui Tuck Yew.

In his video message to the volunteers, Minister Lui said, “First let me acknowledge the very good work of the HEB and what it does to contribute to the betterment of society here in Singapore. I think the HEB and our society are enriched as a result of the good work of the volunteers – some of whom have been with the HEB for 20 and more years. So today it is an opportunity to salute you, to thank you for your contributions, to acknowledge the many sacrifices that you and your family have made.”

Also sharing his congratulatory message to the volunteers was Mr Lawrence Wong, the Acting Minister for Culture, Community

HEB Honours Its VoluntEErs

NEWSHINDU

A PUBLICATION OF THE HINDU ENDOWMENTS BOARD, SINGAPORE

www.heb.gov.sg

Issue 02/2013

HINDU NEWS – 1

Continued on page 2 >>

WHAT’S INSIDE

and Youth (MCCY). The HEB comes under the purview of the MCCY. Mr Wong said, “The work of the Board is made possible through the contributions from all our volunteers. You are also the reason why the HEB is able to run so many successful community programmes, including many kindergartens, a halfway house, and many outreach programmes for the community. So I commend and thank all of our volunteers for your commitment, your dedication and passion in serving the Hindu community.”

A total of 137 volunteers were honoured. 94 received commendation awards and 36 received Achievement Awards. The HEB’s highest award, Award of Excellence was presented to seven individuals.

The newsletter is published by the Hindu Endowments Board, © 2013. No part

of this newsletter should be reproduced without the permission of the publisher. For further enquiries, please contact the Hindu Endowments Board, 397 Serangoon Road,

Singapore 218123. Tel: 6296 3469, E-mail: [email protected]

Photo credits: T. Kavi, Jamiyah Singapore, Indian Heritage Centre

Designed & printed by Sun Media Pte Ltd, 20 Kramat Lane, #01-02 United House,

Orchard, Singapore 228773

1HEB Honours Its Volunteers

3Sivadas-HEB Bursary Awards

Healthcare Award for

MSS Volunteer4

Tamizhodu Inaivom 2013

SKG & SDMKG Combined Games Day

5Multi-faith Family Day

SSPT Chief Priest Honoured

6Festivals & Events

7Ramayana Forum @ SST

IHC Holds Groundbreaking

Ceremony8

International Gita Forum Singapore 2013

DMT’s Kumbabishegam and

Mandalabishegam 2013

SLNT Inagurates New Deities9

SVKT’s Mandalabishegam Concludes

Special Arrangements for

Purattasi Saturdays10

Fire Walking Festival Key Events

11Kids Zone

national Day GreetingsHindu News joins all Singaporeans in wishing the Nation a Happy 48th Birthday on the occasion of National Day. The theme for this year’s celebrations is ‘Many Stories, One Singapore’. Majulah Singapura!

HEB’s Volunteer Awards Ceremony 2013 held at SAFRA Toa Payoh

Page 2: HINDU...CoMMunItY 4 – HINDU NEWS1. Students of SKG and SDMKG participate in various games 2. Parents of students demonstrate their skills in a kabadi match tAMIzHoDu InAIVoM 2013

Mr Kabirdas Perumal (extreme left of palanquin)started his seva with the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in 1978 and is part of the Anjaneyar Thondargal volun-teer group. In 1984,

Das was appointed as a Finance Member of the Temple and held that appointment for 4 years. Even after 35 years, Das actively volunteers for all the Temple’s events including Purattasi, Thaipusam, Vaikunda Ekadasi and deity processions.

Mr S Yogarajah (centre) has the distinction of being one of the pioneers of the HEB Medical team when it was first formed in 1990. He served as Vice Chairman of Medical Support Services

for several years and under his leadership many health professionals came together to work for a collective good.

Mr P Avadiar’s (centre) volunteer work with the Board began in the early 1970s when he brought operational structure to large-scale religious festivals and processions

including Thaipusam, Fire Walking and Temple Consecrations. As a law enforcement officer himself, he was able to advise the Board on security and law enforcement issues, and even the necessary approvals and permits. His most important role has been that of Secretary of the Board from 2008 to 2012.

Mr K S Rajendran (centre) has been a dedicated and passionate volunteer with Sri Sivan Temple for more than 25 years. His expertise in technical, electrical and religious matters are an asset to the

temple and with such essential skills and knowledge, he plays a pivotal in the management of the Temple and major events. He has resolved numerous electrical and plumbing issues at the Temple and he is the reason the Temple structure is well maintained.

Mr A K Arasu’s (centre) volunteer record spans over 30 years – primarily performing the difficult task of crowd management. He possesses excellent knowledge of large-scale events like

Thaipusam, Fire Walking, Deepavali Celebrations at Little India, and Consecration Ceremonies – all of which involve thousands of people in complex settings.

The late Mr Michael Jabamani Victor (pictured above right), a volunteer with the Sri Periyachi Group of the Sri Mariamman Temple for 22 years was honoured with the Award of Excellence (Posthumous). Despite being a Roman Catholic by birth, he spent much of his youth volunteering at the Temple. Michael developed a deep love for the Temple and the Temple’s volunteers and devotees were family to him.

Madam A Kanagavally (in the centre) has been giving her unstinting service for almost 30 years. Madam Kanaga is best known for her meticulous coordination of the

Tuesday Raagu Kaala Poojas since 2002. She also prepares the dough for the hundreds of maavilakkus (dough lamps) used by devotees as offerings during the Fire Walking Festival. She also has been volunteering at the Singapore Buddhist Lodge, making dumplings for Vesak Day.

CoVEr storY

2 – HINDU NEWS

<< Continued from page 1

recipients of Award of Excellence

To each and every one of our volunteers, we say a big ‘Thank You’!!

To view photographs of the event and the video dedication to the volunteers, please log on to

www.heb.gov.sg

Page 3: HINDU...CoMMunItY 4 – HINDU NEWS1. Students of SKG and SDMKG participate in various games 2. Parents of students demonstrate their skills in a kabadi match tAMIzHoDu InAIVoM 2013

CoMMunItY

HINDU NEWS – 3

There is yet another dimension in the Hindu Endowments Board’s (HEB) contributions to education. It is through the Sivadas-HEB Education Fund, set up through the generosity of the late Sivadas Sankaran, a philanthropist.

Mr Sivadas believed fervently in the importance of a good education. Before he passed away in 2009, he had willed that HEB uses all of his income from equities to provide financial assistance to Hindu students for their education. A ceremony to present bursaries to students was held on 6 July 2013.

Addressing the recipients and their parents at the event, the Chairman of the committee set up to administer the Sivadas-HEB Education Fund, Mr N Prushuathamun noted that the first assistance scheme the Fund implemented was the Pre-school assistance scheme in June 2011.

“The scheme helps needy children attending kindergarten and childcare centres. Last year, the Fund introduced its second scheme to provide financial assistance to needy students in universities. This year, the tertiary assistance scheme has been expanded to include students in the local Institutes of Technical Education and Polytechnics.”

At the ceremony, 114 bursaries worth more than $160 000 were presented. Mr Prush said that since the inception of the Fund in 2011, more than 230 students have been helped and the Fund has disbursed nearly $340 000.

He added, “Successfully completing a tertiary education programme is no mean feat and I wish all bursary recipients every success in their academic and professional quest. Receiving money from the Fund is probably the easy part. You, the bursary recipients, now have the difficult task of ensuring that the money is put to good use and that you do well in your studies. And when you have found good jobs and are leading successful lives, I hope you will remember the less fortunate and help them in whatever way you can, much like how Mr Sivadas has helped you today.”

Hindu News wishes all recipients of the Sivads-HEB Education Fund bursary all the best in their educational pursuits and we hope that the students will one day give back to society in the form of community service to others who are in need of help.

sIVADAs-HEB BursArY AwArDs

1. Bursary and grant recipients collecting their cheques2. Bursary and grant recipients gathered at Sri Sivan Temple hall

Mr Singaravelan received his award from Dr Tony Tan during the award ceremony

HEAltHCArE AwArD for Mss VoluntEEr

It was a momentous moment for Institute for Mental Health senior staff nurse and clinical instructor Mr Singaravelan Pavadai when he received the Healthcare Humanity

Award 2013 from Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, President of Singapore on 30 April 2013. He was one of the 54 healthcare professionals from 21 hospitals and institutions recognised for their work at a ceremony to honour healthcare professionals. Mr Singaravelan is a volunteer with Hindu Endowments Board’s Medical Support Service (MSS) group.

Mr Singaravelan was honoured for his kindness to both patients and colleagues. He has worked with mentally ill patients for more than 20 years. In particular, he provided psychological support to patients and staff during the SARS period. He noted that helping colleagues was just as important as caring for patients. He recalls helping a colleague who was going through a tough time. She was eventually counselled and got through her ordeal. “At the end of the day, a nurse’s role is simply to just help others,” he added.

2

1

Page 4: HINDU...CoMMunItY 4 – HINDU NEWS1. Students of SKG and SDMKG participate in various games 2. Parents of students demonstrate their skills in a kabadi match tAMIzHoDu InAIVoM 2013

CoMMunItY

4 – HINDU NEWS

1. Students of SKG and SDMKG participate in various games2. Parents of students demonstrate their skills in a kabadi match

tAMIzHoDu InAIVoM 2013

In conjunction with the Tamil language month, Saraswathy Kindergarten (SKG) organised an event entitled, ‘Thamizhodu Inaivom’ (Let’s Connect with Tamil) on 18 April 2013. This

event demonstrated the students’ confidence in speaking the Tamil language.

Students showcased their talent through various activities conducted in the different booths set up in the Kindergarten. The students guided the parents along on the activities which they had to complete. Parents also had hands-on sessions where they did a collage on the pictures of famous Indian poets. The nursery students also played their part and staged a mini concert. The event received several compliments from the parents of the students.

“It was evident that the teachers have put in lots of hard work and it has certainly paid off. The students performed well and enjoyed what they were doing. It was a very successful and innovative attempt,” said parent Madam Praba.

“If I am not wrong, SKG is the only school which has organised this event at the kindergarten level and also for promoting Tamil. I appreciate the Management, Principal and teachers for the continuous development of the students through such activities,” complimented parent K Muralitharan.

SKG, which has consistently been putting in concerted effort to provide the best for its students attained SPARK accreditation in August 2012.

sKG & sDMKG CoMBInED GAMEs DAY

Saraswathy Kindergarten (SKG) and Saraswathy Darma Muneeswaran Kindergarten (SDMKG) held their annual combined Games Day on 18 May 2013

at the holding school next to the Darma Muneeswaran Temple.

Mrs Seethalakshmi Subbaraman, the first Principal of SKG graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. More than 250 students from SKG and SDMKG participated in this event. Many fun-filled activities were planned for the students. As in previous years, former students of both the Kindergartens took part in the games. The highlight for the day was the parents’ event, a kabadi match.

1

1. Parents watching a performance by the nursery students2. A famous Indian poet comes alive at one of the booths!

2

1

2

Page 5: HINDU...CoMMunItY 4 – HINDU NEWS1. Students of SKG and SDMKG participate in various games 2. Parents of students demonstrate their skills in a kabadi match tAMIzHoDu InAIVoM 2013

CoMMunItY

ssPt CHIEf PrIEst HonourED

MultI-fAItH fAMIlY DAY

‘I Love My Family 2013’, a multi-faith family day event was organised by Jamiyah Singapore with the support of Singapore Buddhist Lodge, Hindu Endowments Board, Taoist Federation of Singapore,

Loyang Tua Pek Kong and Singapore Catholic Archdiocese. Over 1500 adults and children from all races gathered at Angsana

Green at East Coast Park on Sunday, 14 April 2013. The event was organised to promote family bonding, healthy lifestyle and friendship.

Dr Mohd Hasbi, President of Jamiyah Singapore, urged all present to spend time together as families, make new friends and renew old contacts as these are important values.

The Guest of Honour, Dr Chia Shi Lu, Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC, in his speech praised Jamiyah for the initiative to bring members and leaders of other major religions in this noble endeavour. He was impressed by the effort put in by Jamiyah and all the co-organisers for creating a platform for seniors to interact with youths.

A health talk on pain management, cultural performances, tele-matches, a kids play station and a lucky draw were among the activities that brought joy to the participants. Overall, it was a pleasant and memorable day for the families and volunteers.

Chief Priest Shri Venkatraman Srinivasa Pattachar of the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple was recently honoured with the

title of ‘Vaikhanasa Sarva Bhauma’ during the Maha Samprokshanam (Consecration) of the Sri Ashtalakshmi Saptamata Temple in the French Reunion. The event took place on 23 May 2013. Shri Srinivasa Pattachar joined a group of Vaikhanasa Acharyas from South India for the ceremony. He also holds the title of ‘Vaikhanasa Yesobhushanar’ conferred by the Hindu Endowments Board during the Kalyana Mahotsavam Festival of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam Venkateswara Perumal which was held in Singapore in July 2008.

HINDU NEWS – 5

SSPT Chief Priest Shri Venkatraman Srinivasa Pattachar (third from right) receiving his honorary title

1. Dr Chia flagging off the walk-a-jog segment of the event2. Participants gather to watch a cultural performance

1

2

Page 6: HINDU...CoMMunItY 4 – HINDU NEWS1. Students of SKG and SDMKG participate in various games 2. Parents of students demonstrate their skills in a kabadi match tAMIzHoDu InAIVoM 2013

6 – HINDU NEWS

PHoto JournEY

Mr Lawrence Wong, the Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (centre) handing over the flag to Mr Nallathamby, representative from the Hindu Endowments Board signifying the handing over of the inter-faith Harmony Games organisation in 2014 to the HEB

Aadi month festivities at the Sri Mariamman Temple

Devotees gathered at the Sri Sivan Temple during the recent Guru Peyarchi prayers

The Sri Ramar Santhippu Utsavam 2013 at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple – two simultaneous Garuda sevai are held at the Temple with participation of Lord Rama from the Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple

Project Bhakti students having an interactive session during their class

Arulmigu Thendayuthapani Temple at Tank Road performed the 108 Kalasabishegam for Sri Thendayuthapani on Aadi Karthighai for the first time. A special Skanda Homam and Sathru Samhara Trishathi Archanai were performed for the event which concluded on 31 July 2013.

fEstIVAls & EVEnts

Page 7: HINDU...CoMMunItY 4 – HINDU NEWS1. Students of SKG and SDMKG participate in various games 2. Parents of students demonstrate their skills in a kabadi match tAMIzHoDu InAIVoM 2013

HINDU NEWS – 7

EVEnts

Presentation on the Ramayana by one of the Forum participants Ms Subhiksha

Mr Lawrence Wong (Acting Minister for Ministry for Culture, Community and Youth; third from left), Mr SR Nathan (sixth President of Singapore; fourth from left), Mr Tharman (third from right) and Mr S Iswaran (Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade and Industry) at IHC’s groundbreaking ceremony

Mr Iswaran, Mr Tharman and Mr Wong inspecting the model of the IHC

rAMAYAnA foruM @ sst

IHC HolDs GrounDBrEAKInG CErEMonY

Relating the importance of Ramayana to the masses and the relevance of the teachings of the epic in this age of the internet was the purpose of a 2-day Ramayana

forum. It was held in conjunction with the Sri Rama Navami celebrations on 21 and 22 April 2013 at Sri Sivan Temple’s multi-purpose hall.

A seminar was held on the first day. Seven teams of people, who had done an in-depth study on certain topics of the Ramayana, presented their papers to the audience. The topics were very diverse. They ranged from a geographical study of the travel path of Rama and Lakshmana with Vishvamitra Maharishi to a devotional study of the multiple dimensions of the personality of Sita Devi.

On the second day, children aged between 4 to 14 years old, their parents and teachers chanted the entire ‘Sri Sita Rama Vivaha Sargam’ shlokas in Sanskrit from the Valmiki Ramayana.

Among the scholars present at the function was Sri Sreekantha Sarma who spoke on the topic “Guha Sakhyam” – the episode of Rama and Guha meeting each other on the banks of River Ganga in Shringiberapuram. For one and all, it was an enriching session about the values that Ramayana still holds today.

On 10th April 2013, the much-anticipated Indian Heritage Centre (IHC) achieved a new milestone. The Groundbreaking Ceremony, with great fanfare was officiated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

The IHC, under the Heritage Institutions Division of the National Heritage Board, traces the history of the Indian and South Asian community in the Southeast Asian region. Located at the Little India Heritage District, the centre is scheduled to open in 2015 and will feature small scale museum facilities as well as programming and educational spaces.

Page 8: HINDU...CoMMunItY 4 – HINDU NEWS1. Students of SKG and SDMKG participate in various games 2. Parents of students demonstrate their skills in a kabadi match tAMIzHoDu InAIVoM 2013

fEstIVAls & EVEnts

IntErnAtIonAl GItA foruM sInGAPorE 2013

The International Gita Forum organised on 5 May 2013 set the stage for the 2013–2014 Gita Jayanti celebrations. The participants hailed it a success, not because over 500 people set aside their Sunday morning to

learn more about the Bhagavad Gita but also because of the food for thought the speakers shared with the participants. Mr Vikram Nair, Member of Parliament for Sembawang GRC, inaugurated the event.

Speaker Professor Kannan, a Sanskrit scholar, took the audience through an intellectual and philosophical exploration of the Gita by placing it in the larger context of the Mahabharata. He also emphasised the necessity for students of Gita to learn elementary Sanskrit. This, he said, would ensure that the meaning of Gita could be grasped without any significant loss in translation.

For one to learn and apply the ensuing intellect, his heart must also be involved in that process – that’s how Shri J P Vaswani (affectionately known as ‘Dada Vaswani’), presented the teachings of the Gita. With a short yet powerful theme of ‘Do your duty and do it in the right spirit’, Dada Vaswani extolled the importance of doing’s one duty with full attention to the moment and with pristine perfection for spiritual advancement. He also set out a brief eight-point framework in the daily life for the benefit for all so as to live a fulfilled life as laid in Gita.

Several other activities have been lined up for Gita Jayanti celebrations 2013–2014 which will be led by the Sadhu Vaswani Centre, Singapore. These include the Krishna Manjari cultural programme in September 2013, Gita Parayan, Gita chanting and essay writing competitions, leading up to the main event in February 2014.

Details of the events can be found on the website: www.gitajayanti.org.sg.

8 – HINDU NEWS

1. Prof Kannan enthrals the audience with interesting facts; 2. Dada Vaswani delivers his address

1. DMT’s Kumbabishegam was led by “Vikas Ratna” Dr Pitchai Gurukkal from Pillaiyarpatti Padasalai from Madurai, Tamil Nadu; 2. A performance during the Mandalabishegam Cultural Festival

Mr Shanmugam and his wife (both standing) attending the inauguration ceremony at SLNT

DMt’s KuMBABIsHEGAM AnD MAnDAlABIsHEGAM 2013

slnt InAuGurAtEs nEw DEItIEs

The second Maha Kumbabishegam (Consecration Ceremony) of the 100-year old Darma Muneeswaran Temple (DMT) was held on 1 May 2013. About 12 000 devotees thronged the temple and its

vicinity to witness the ceremony. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade and Industry S. Iswaran was the Guest of Honour.

The 48-day Mandalabishegam (post Consecration Ceremony) prayers were held in the Temple with religious fervour and concluded on 15 June 2013 with 1008 Sangabishegam and a silver chariot procession in the evening. During the Mandalabishegam period, cultural performances helmed by leading local performing artistes were held in the evenings. Students from the DMT’s very own Darma Music and Dance Academy also showcased their talents to encourage locals to take up such arts and cultural activities.

Singapore’s leading North Indian temple, the Shree Lakshmi Narayan Temple (SLNT), held a week long ceremony from 5-12 May

2013 to mark the inauguration of their new deities of Lord Hanuman and a Shiva linga named ‘Shree Chandrashekhar Mahadev’. A group of priests from Uttar Pradesh, India assisted in conducting the rituals. A procession of the new deities was held on 8 May in Serangoon Road. The inauguration was held on Sunday, 12 May 2013 and was witnessed by Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law and several hundreds of devotees.

1

2

1 2

Page 9: HINDU...CoMMunItY 4 – HINDU NEWS1. Students of SKG and SDMKG participate in various games 2. Parents of students demonstrate their skills in a kabadi match tAMIzHoDu InAIVoM 2013

fEstIVAls & EVEnts

sVKt’s MAnDAlABIsHEGAM ConCluDEs

Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple (SVKT) successfully concluded its 48-day Mandalabishegam (post Consecration Ceremony prayers) with a grand 1008 Kalasabishegam

ceremony, followed by a silver chariot procession of Goddess Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman on 25 May 2013.

The silver chariot was brought to Toa Payoh, Bishan and Ang Mo Kio to the joy of hundreds of devotees who joined to receive Ambal.

The 48-day cultural fiesta featured performances by local and foreign artistes. It was an excellent opportunity for our local talent to showcase their artistic skills.

The Temple is now all set for the festival period beginning with the auspicious Tamil month of Aadi for Ambal. The Temple’s annual Santhanakudam Festival and the grand Periyachi Poojai will coincide on 9 August 2013, which is also Singapore’s 48th National Day and the fourth Friday in Aadi.

HINDU NEWS – 9

1. Popular vocalist from Tamil Nadu, Ms Nithiyasri Mahadevan, performed at the cultural event on 12 April 13 to a packed hall2. Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman’s chariot greeted by a traditional lion dance

sPECIAl ArrAnGEMEnts for PurAttAsI sAturDAYs

The Tamil month of Purattasi (17 September to 17 October 2013)

is especially auspicious for the Singapore’s Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple (SSPT). There are four Purattasi Saturdays this year and the dates are 21 and 28 September, and 5 and12 October 2013.

As the Temple’s Wedding Hall is undergoing extensive redevelopment, there are expected to be space constraints for serving the annathanam (free meal) during Purattasi. The Temple has plans to convert the car park space into a large

tented area to accommodate devotees for Purattasi 2013. This sheltered area will be able to house close to 500 devotees at any

one time for annathanam and 500 devotees waiting in line for annathanam service. There will be special arrangements for the elderly, disabled and those with child in arms. All devotees will be seated on chairs for the annathanam based on the current arrangement.

Chairman of SSPT, Mr K Shekaran says, “My team will be making every effort to ensure that devotees who will be turning up in the thousands, will have good darshan and be able to receive their annathanam and prasadam conveniently. We appeal to all our devotees to follow the guidance of our volunteers on the ground who will be there to assist them.”

The Suprabhatam Seva on the four Saturdays will start at 6.00am and devotees desirous of offering the special Laddu Padayal Archana can contact the Temple office at 62985771 in advance to make their bookings.

SSPT invites all devotees for Purattasi 2013 Mahotsavam to receive the blessings of the Lord.

Foreground: This car park space will be fully covered for the annathanam service; background: SSPT’s wedding hall undergoing redevelopment

1

2

ெப�மமாலே மகாயர�லிா� மசரலசன�வமால ஏபமப ா இ�த ஆ�� �ர�டாசி மாத�தி� நா�� சன�வார�க� உ�ளன. அைவ ெச�ட�ப� 21, 28 ம��� அ�ேடாப� 5,

12 ஆகியைவ. � �ன�வாச ெப�மா� ேகாய�லி� த�ேபா� க�யாணம�டப�தி� க��மான

ேவைலக� நைடெப�� வ�கி�றன.

இதனா� ச�� இட� ப�றா��ைற ஏ�ப���ள�. இ��ப��� �ர�டாசி சன�வார�கள�� ேகாய�லி� எதி�பா��க�ப�� ப�லாய�ர�கண�கான ப�த�கள�� த�சன�தி���, மதிய� நைடெப�� அ�னதானதி��� ஆலய ேமலா�ைம ��வ�ன� சிற�� ஏ�பா�க� ெச���ளா�க�.

��கியமாக, ப�த�க��� உதவ�யாக ஆலய ெதா�ட�க� வழிகா��யாக இ��பா�க�. �ர�டாசி சன� வார�௧ள�� காைல 6.00

மண��ெக�லா� ��ரபாத ேசைவ நைடெப��. வழ�க�ேபா� ெப�மா��� சிற�� ல�� பைடய� அ��சைன உ��.

ேம� வ�வர�க��� ப�த�க� ேகாய��ட� ெதாட�� ெகா�ளலா�. ெதாைலேபசி: 62985771

Page 10: HINDU...CoMMunItY 4 – HINDU NEWS1. Students of SKG and SDMKG participate in various games 2. Parents of students demonstrate their skills in a kabadi match tAMIzHoDu InAIVoM 2013

fEstIVAls

10 – HINDU NEWS

fIrE wAlKInG fEstIVAl KEY EVEnts

Special poojas for the annual Fire Walking (Theemithi) Festival at the Sri Mariamman Temple commence August 2013. We list below some of the key events for devotees to keep in mind in preparation for the Festival.

Date Day Events

11.08.2013 SundaySri Periyachi Amman Poochorithal 10.00amKaragam procession for Sri Mariamman, Paalai procession for Sri Veerabathirar & Sri Kathavarayar / Agni procession for Sri Periyachi Amman

12.08.2013 MondaySri Drowpathai Amman Homam – Paalkudam (am) / Karagam procession for Sri Drowpathai Amman (pm) / Sri Drowpathai Amman Kodiyetram

19.08.2013 Monday Sri Drowpathai Ammanukku Malaiyiduthal26.08.2013 Monday Sri Drowpathai Ammanukku Thirukkalyanam27.09.2013 Friday Thabasu Maram Sthabanam: 9.30am / Arjunan Thabasu 9.30pm28.09.2013 Saturday Keesaga Samharam 8.00pm – 8.30pm29.09.2013 Sunday Removal of Thabasu Maram 10.00am – 11.00am30.09.2013 Monday Sri Aravan Poojai

04.10.2013 Friday2.00am – 9.00am Paalkudam / Kumbiduthandam / AngaprathachanamSri Aravan Kalapali

05.10.2013 Saturday

2.00am – 9.00am Paalkudam / Kumbiduthandam / Angaprathachanam06.10.2013 Sunday11.10.2013 Friday12.10.2013 Saturday13.10.2013 Sunday14.10.2013 Monday

6.30am – 9.30am Kumbiduthandam / Angaprathachanam only15.10.2013 Tuesday16.10.2013 Wednesday17.10.2013 Thursday

18.10.2013 Friday

1.00am – 8.30am Paalkudam / Kumbiduthandam / AngaprathachanamChariot procession of Sri Mariamman (pm)Sri Aravan Muthalaraja special poojaiSri Periyachi Amman special poojaiPournami Paalkudam

19.10.2013 Saturday2.00am – 9.00am Paalkudam / Kumbiduthandam / AngaprathachanamChariot procession Sri Mariamman (pm)Special poojai for Sri Sundara Vinayagar

20.10.2013 Sunday1.00am – 2.00am Paalkudam onlyChakravarthi Kottai / PadukalamFIRE WALKING CEREMONY

21.10.2013 Monday Chariot procession for Sri Drowpathai Amman (pm)22.10.2013 Tuesday Closure of firepit23.10.2013 Wednesday Sri Dharmaraja Pattabishegam24.10.2013 Thursday Manjal Neeraduthal

Page 11: HINDU...CoMMunItY 4 – HINDU NEWS1. Students of SKG and SDMKG participate in various games 2. Parents of students demonstrate their skills in a kabadi match tAMIzHoDu InAIVoM 2013

KIDS zone

Hindus believe that a temple is the home of God on earth. People go to the temple so that they can see the image of God. Join the dots to complete the picture of a temple. Colour the picture of the temple.

HINDU NEWS – 11

Category 1 (Age group: 5–8 years)Name:Age:Contact number:Address:

Send in your entries, complete with details by 30 September 2013 to:

The Editor, Hindu NewsHindu Endowments Board

Singapore 218123

Winners will be notified by post.

fIrE wAlKInG fEstIVAl KEY EVEnts

Page 12: HINDU...CoMMunItY 4 – HINDU NEWS1. Students of SKG and SDMKG participate in various games 2. Parents of students demonstrate their skills in a kabadi match tAMIzHoDu InAIVoM 2013

Category 2 (Age group: 9–12 years)Name:Age:Contact number:Address:

Send in your entries, complete with details by 30 September 2013 to:

The Editor, Hindu NewsHindu Endowments Board

Singapore 218123

Winners will be notified by post.

Here are the winners of the Kids Zone activities from Hindu News Issue 01/2013:Category 1 prize winners:

1st prize: M. Ketharini2nd prize: A. Sree Sanjana3rd prize: B. Nithilan

Category 2 prize winners:

1st prize: V. Esvary2nd prize: Raji3rd prize: Mithra Naidu

Congratulations to all of you!

KIDS zone

A ‘Jyotirlinga’ is a shrine where Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of a pillar (‘linga’) of light (‘jyoti’). It is believed to be a place where Lord Shiva had appeared to protect his devotees. Traditionally, there are twelve Jyotirlinga shrines in India. Using the map given below, identify the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines and write their names in the table provided below.

12 – HINDU NEWS

1

5

234

67 8 9

10

11

12

No. Name of Jyotirlinga Shrine

123456789101112