Paraba Assa Hi Divyanchi Dipavali Assa, Ti Pritichi Saglyangali!
Dīpotsava Parijñā Workshop held at Shrī Chitrāpur Mat͟h, Beṅgalūru on 12th October 2025
(Report by Namratā Yeḍery and Kushal Bailūr)
On 12th October 2025, between 4:00 and 6:30 p.m., Shrī Chitrāpur Mat͟h, Beṅgal̃ūru was abuzz with activity. Dressed in traditional attire, 40 children aged between 5 and 12 years had gathered for participating in the Dīpotsava Parijñā workshop to celebrate one of the most beloved festivals, Dīpāvalī.
The idea of having this Parijñā Activity Workshop at Beṅgal̃ūru was suggested by Chetanā Kaḍl̃e pāchī to Beenā Savkūr pāchī who was to be the single-point-of-contact. The planning was then spearheaded by Beenā Savkūr pāchī and Umā Trāsī pāchī, with creative inputs from all the Beṅgal̃ūru Prārthanā teachers. A festive workshop took shape which included story time, games, songs, smaraṇa, craft, activity, and yummy Dīpāvalī khāṇa.
The ball was set rolling by the circulation of the vibrant e-flier designed by yuvatī Nis͟ht͟hā Naimpal̃l̃y. Soon, registrations started pouring in and preparations began in full swing.
E-Flier designed by Nis͟ht͟hā Naimpal̃l̃y.
On the evening of the workshop, the Prārthanā teachers along with volunteers from the laity and Yuvadhārā set the stage for a fun-filled learning experience for the children. As children started streaming in, they were welcomed with kokum sharbat at the Mat͟h portico, while volunteers gave them their badges. The badges carried the name and symbol signifying the group that the child belonged to. Teachers also wore badges with group symbols for children to easily identify their respective group teachers. The groups were based on Dīpāvalī themes - Ᾱkāsha Gūḍu, Phaṭākī, Raṅgolī and Divlī.
At the foyer of the Mat͟h, the children were guided by yuvatī Deepikā Sorab to weave a mango leaf toraṇa on a jute rope – a symbol of auspiciousness that adorns the entrance of our homes during festivals. Every child got to weave a mango leaf each with Deepikā’s loving guidance. This toraṇa was later put up at the entrance of Swāmī Ᾱnandāshram Sabhāgṛha.
Toraṇ-making Activity by Deepikā Sorab
The workshop commenced with Dīpa Prajwālana and Sabhā Prārambha Prārthanā.
The children then played an icebreaker game conducted by Sādhanā Kāikiṇī pāchī on the lines of the popular game ‘Fire on the Mountain… Run Run Run’. The jingle was adapted to ‘Dīwāl̃ī Āylī, Dīwāl̃ī Āylī....Dīvŏ Lāvyā̐!’ The Mat͟h resounded with the squeals of ‘Dīvŏ Lāvyā̐’ as they played the game and excitedly tried regrouping with the numbers called out by Sādhanā pāchī. A true ice breaker as kids got to mingle, jingle and run around!
Game Time – Dīwāl ī Ᾱylī, Dīwāl ī Ᾱylī....Dīvŏ Lāvyā̐ !
Umā Savūr pāchī then gave a brief introduction on the five days of Dīpāvalī celebration. This was followed by a reading of the Naraka Chaturdashī festival from the ‘Utsava’ book by Kushal Bailūr pāchī along with a short quiz. The children answered enthusiastically; it was heartening to see even the youngest child answer correctly and confidently.
the book ‘Utsava’ and Quiz Time
After this came the hands-on session of ‘vātyŏ’ making led by Suman Samsī pāchī and assisted by Namratā Yeḍery pāchī. The children were taught to roll out cotton to make two ‘dīga vātyŏ’ with the help of some vibhūti. They carried these back home neatly packed in an envelope and were asked to use them to light a ‘paṇtī’ during the upcoming Dīpāvalī festival.
Learning to make ‘vatyo̐’
Next was a Koṅkaṇī song, ‘Dīvyā̐nchī Dīpāvalī’ written and composed by Gāyatrī Paḍubidrī pāchī describing the festival of Dīpāvalī. This peppy song was beautifully sung by Sādhanā Kāikiṇī pāchī, with the children repeating after her in full chorus!
Singing along the Koṅkaṇī song
Kushal Bailūr pāchī then read an extract on ‘Laks͟hmī Pūjana’ from the book ‘Utsava’, followed by an interactive quiz.
It was activity time again! Children were given pre-cut decorated handmade paper (from HMPP) hangings. They were taught by Beenā Savkūr pāchī to draw a Swastika with their right ring finger (anāmikā) using Kuṅkuma paste. Children were told that the Swastika represents auspiciousness and well-being. They enjoyed doing this unique artwork which could be used to decorate their homes for Dīpāvalī.
Art Time! Swastika Wall-Hanging using HMPP paper
Children were then taught to sing along a two-line smaraṇa, ‘Devī Laks͟hmī Mām Pāhi…’ by Sādhanā Kāikiṇī pāchī. This was followed by yet another game that got the children all excited. Smitā Naimpal̃l̃y pāchī facilitated ‘Utsav-o-Utsava’, a game based on festivals from the book ‘Utsava’ and stories from ‘Shivasāyujyam’. A combination of 12 festivals and stories were chosen. Children were given chits with clues to guess the festival or story; they also got an opportunity to talk, sing a bhajana or chant a shloka related to each.
Umā Trāsī pāchī briefly talked about how Kārtika Pūrṇimā is celebrated in our Shrī Chitrāpur Mat͟h, Shirālī. Images were displayed on the screen for a glimpse of the beautiful celebration at the Mat͟h. They were asked to read more about this festival which is also called as ‘Deva Dīpāvalī’ from the book ‘Utsava’. She also asked them to refer to the book ‘Anugraha’ to read about an interesting incident, which alludes to this festival in the life of H.H. Shrīmat Kris͟hṇāshram Swāmījī.
Game Time – ‘Utsav – o – Utsava’; Talk on Kārtika Pūrṇimā
Next was the ‘Potting activity’. Children were briefed by Rekhā Māvinkurve pāchī on how to nurture a plant after seeds are sown. The children were then taken to the ‘Swāmī Parijñānāshram Sabhāṅgaṇa’ where they were assisted by the volunteers to sow marigold seeds in pots, sprinkle some ‘Urvaryā’ and spray water.
Nurture Your Plants - A Talk)
Walking the talk – Sowing Seeds of Marigold
After thoroughly washing their hands, the children were then served tasty Dīpāvalī khāṇa like gŏḍḍā phovu, biscuit āmboḍĕ-chuṭney, māṇḍĕ, c̣hāklī, tukḍĕ and badām milk.
Lamps lit in Swastika formation; TraditionalDīpāvalī Khāṇa offered as Naivedya
We concluded the session by lighting lamps in a Swastika formation, followed by the chanting of Dīpanamaskāra and Sabhā Samāpti Prārthanā.
The children were each gifted an Utsava Activity book. Hearts and tummies full, the children returned home with their potted plant, the Swastika wall hanging and vātyŏ’, along with some lovely memories!
The workshop was designed with the aim of promoting the Parijñā book series. Saṁvit Sudhā and Parijñā Books counters were set up for the benefit of parents and children to purchase products.
The evening was wholeheartedly enjoyed by children, teachers, and volunteers alike.
Oṁ Namaḥ Pārvatī Pataye Hara Hara Mahādeva!
Sponsorships and Credits:
1. Utsava Activity Books sponsored by Nāyel Devesh mām and Bhavānī pāchī
2. Paper bags to carry pots home given by Māvinkurve Rekhā pāchī
3. Potting Activity requirements procured by Savūr Umā pāchī and Savkūr Beenā pāchī
4. Labels for pots made by Sudhā Ul̃l̃āl pāchī
5. Craft Activity material procured by Savkūr Beenā pāchī
6. Dīpāvalī gŏḍshe organised by Ul̃l̃āl Jyoti pāchī
7. Pictures by Yuvā Kārtik Shuklā, Maṅgesh Paṇḍit, Aniruddha Baljekar mām & Smitā Baljekar pāchī
8. Arrangements made by Satyendra Sorab mām
9. Screen Display assistance by Aniruddha Baljekar mām