Morning 5am. was the Wake Up time and after that there were full activities the whole day.   Daily 3 and half hours Physical Exercise Training which included DAND, NYUDDHA, YOGASAN, PADAVINYAS, Various SHAKHA KHEL, YOGACHAP, SAMATA, ACHAR PADHHATI and VYAYAMYOG.

In everyday Baudhik – PRARTHANA, OUR GURU -BHAGAWA DHWAJ ,HSS Work around the world, SHAKHA- Unique way of personality development, were the topics covered by knowledgeable karyakartas of Mauritius ( Ma. Sanghachalak Ragoonath Deeal, Ma Saha sanghachalak Atmanand Gopaul, Nitin ji Deeal, Mme. Sangheeta ji saulick,  Anushka ji & Harsha ji Solanki from UK.)

In Charcha session there were two workshops  1) Weekly Shakha Time Table and  2) How to convince our friend for shakha, which encouraged all Swayamsevaks / Sevikas to think thoroughly about our Shakha system.

Apart from daily charcha & Baudhik Sessions there were special sessions on Management Skill Games, Business Skill Games  and also for Sevikas there were special workshops on Cultural dance training & Flower decoration training.

Various competitions were organized in our SSV-2011(Drawing Competition, Public Speaking Skill Competition, Indian Traditional game Competition, Football Competition etc.)

Also all Swayamewaks/ Sevikas went for a 4hr outing (Sea Side) and attractive “Creativity games” were played there. One morning there was a SANCHALAN with Ghosh for all Shiksharthis in nearby village Triolet.

Samarop Programme (Concluding ceremony) was held on Sat. 3 Dec.2011 at 3-30pm and around 200 parents were present from the beginning.  Beautiful demonstration on Different Physical Subjects like DAND, NIYUDDHYA, YOGACHAP, GHOSH & HUMAN PYRAMID was conducted by Swayamsevaks/ Sevikas.

Kalichurn ji, a successful Businessman in Mauritius and a very active social worker, was our Chief Guest. He addressed that HSS is doing a wonderful work in Mauritius and he promised to help in HSS activities all the time. Shree Ragoonath Deeal, President of  HSS Mauritius discussed aim and objectives ( To unite and consolidate Hindu Community) of HSS in his speech. At last Barrister Bala Mukun , Secretary of HSS Mauritius offered vote of thanks . And after HSS Prarthana the ceremony ended. Delicious dinner was served after the programme.

Nitin Deeal

SSV – 2011 Coordinator

Considering the above mentioned theme…… This time we are going to organize a 7 days residential Seminar for students (age group 12yrs. and above) which includes

• Plenty of New Game Competitions with Attractive Prizes.
• New Personality development related Workshops by Experts From BHARAT
• And Every day we are going to show Documentary Movie about Great Hindu Culture……..

So please contact me and confirm your admission.

Please find Details for a participant in attachments.

Invitation for Sevika (Girl)

Invitation For Swayamsevak (Boy)

Thanks!

-Nitin Deeal (7766072)

( H.S.S.Shibir 2011 Coordinator.)

As you all know, the aim of HSS is to organize and consolidate the Hindu community, to promote Hindu ideals, spiritual & moral values of life, Yoga & Meditation practice. In that context, we are organizing a 7-day residential SHIBIR from Saturday 26^th  November , 3pm. to Saturday 3^rd  December 2011, 5pm. at “D.A.V. College, Morcellement Saint André”.The SHIBIR Entrance Fee is Rs. 300. Uniform (White polo shirt and marine blue tracksuit with three white strips on the sides) is compulsory. If you do not have it the same will be available at the training camp for Rs. 350 a set. You will have to bring your sport shoes and at least one Indian outfit (Khurta). Avoid valuable articles, like; mobile phones, gold chains, MP3 players, CD players, excess money or other costly goods. Participants are requested to bring with them their own bed sheets, pillows, plates, spoons, glasses, towels, tooth brush, etc. Mattresses will be provided.

And as well you are invited for the “Concluding Ceremony” of SHIBIR on Saturday 3rd  December 2011, 3pm at“D.A.V. College, Morcellement Saint André”. On that occasion dinner will be served.

THANKS ! IN ADVANCE. YOUR ESTEEMED PRESENCE WILL BE APPRECIATED.

Yours Faithfully

Ragoonath Deeal

13 August 2011

Namaste !

and warm greetings to you and your family on the sacred occasion of Raksha Bandhan. Kindly accept enclosed herewith a Rakhi – which is a symbol of love and affection.

Rakhi not just celebrates the sublime relationship of a brother and a sister but also reinforces and strengthens the family values. ‘Family’ has been central to the Hindu way of life. It has sustained our culture and our traditions and kept the thread of Dharma alive. Of late, economists all over the world are recognizing that a strong family system has enabled Bharath to withstand recessions and even emerge stronger out of them. Rakhi’s significance goes beyond the bounds of the family.
The Rakhi symbolizes the bonds of love, protection, and brotherhood among all human beings. It inspires us to fulfill our responsibilities towards the society and promote an atmosphere of universal love and oneness, paving the way for global peace. As Swayamsevak/ Sevika , we tie Rakhi to Bhagawa Dhwaj and thereby resolve to protect Dharma and our culture. The way to protect Dharma and culture is to live the values enshrined in them and also sow the seeds of the tradition in the next generation.

In the current scenario where families are struggling to pass on the cultural heritage to the next generation, it’s important to strengthen the institution of family and at the same time develop programs like once in 3 month Shakha wise “Family Gathering” Such organized programs provide the much needed confidence to the children in taking forward our identity and also equip them to contribute to the society with a solid foundation of Hindu values.

Hindu Swyamsewak Sangh

( MAURITIUS)  Reg.No.10598 (www.hssmru.org)

Cordially invites you and your friends to the lecture (Presentation) on

“VEDIC MATHEMATICS”

By Prof. RAVI  KUMAR  IYER ( Mumbai, INDIA)

Date: Monday,1^st Aug.2011 ,

Time : 2pm to 3pm,

Venue: University of Mauritius (Lecture theatre)

“Let The Noble Thoughts Comes To Us From All Sides”( Rig veda)

Hindu Swyamsewak Sangh

( MAURITIUS)  Reg.No.10598 (www.hssmru.org)

Cordially invites you all Swyamsewaks & Sewikas for the “WINTER SHIVIR” on 3-4 Aug.2011 (Wed 3 Aug. 2-30 pm to Thu 4 Aug.4pm) at Mahershwarnath  Mandir ( Shiwala) Triolet. This time we have a Senior karyakarta from BHARAT with us, Shree RAVI  KUMAR  IYER ( Joint Global Co ordinater of HSS, Mumbai, INDIA).

In the Shivir, various games Competition, Quiz Competition, & SANCHALAN have been planed, make sure to come.

# Every Participant are requested to bring with them their own bed sheets, pillows, plates, Spoons, Glasses, Towels, Tooth brush, etc. Mattresses will be provided. Also bring your sport shoes

# All Sewikas are requested to participate in SHIVIR on 4^th Aug.2011 at 8am.

# All Swyamsewaks / Sewikas must carry HSS uniform (White polo shirt and marine blue tracksuit with three white strips on the sides). It will be available at the SHIVIR for Rs. 250 a set.

Shri Raghoonath Deeal Ji and Shri Shankar Rao Tatwawadi ji

The month of May 2011 was marked by the visit of the ex-Vishwa Vibhag Samyojak  Shri  Shankar Rao Tatwawadi ji. He was joined by the senior Karyakarta Rameshji Subramaniam. They visited the shakhas at Vallée des Prêtres, Long Mountain, Petit Paquet and Triolet, They met the Executive Committee of Hindu Swayamsewak Sangh and Vishwa Hindu Parishad and also, the Directors of Shishu Niketan.  The most important part of the meetings was with the parents of Swayamsewaks and Sevikas at night. They also met Swami Purnanandji Maharaj, who has always supported HSS and VHP regularly.

Ramesh Subramaniam Ji (Ex-Pracharak Mauritius Swayamsewak Sangh) and Swami Purnanandji Maharaj

Shri Tatwawadi ji, wherever he went, he laid emphasis on the character building of our young and youth. He said that our Swayamsewaks and Sevikas around the world, have set examples of praiseworthy characters at home, at school and at their site of work. He gave examples of Swami Vivekanand and Lord Ram.

He laid emphasis that great man is not born out of a sudden. They have to undergo years of constant practices to achieve perfection. He said this is like a process of Abhishek, where constant flow of drops of water pleases the deity. Shri Tatwawadi ji quoted a poem of Shri Rabindranath Tagore with a small modification, “Not the strokes of the hammer, but the dangling drops of water give perfection to the pebbles found in the bed of the river.” He meant that we do not have to impose on our youth, harsh disciplines or force them to do ‘this and that’, it is through love of Hindu Dharma that we have to, constantly, generate in them the gems of our rich Hindu values and culture.

He stressed that Right Thinking, Right Action and Good Character will easily bring success and fame in life and our swayamsewaks and sevikas will, surely, set example to other countrymen to follow and make our country a model state in the world.

After his departure, Ramesh Subramaniam ji stayed for another fortnight and met with different personalities personally to initiate other cultural activities, such as; spoken Sanskrit, works of Sewa International and swayamsewak exchange programmes within the region. He also promised to open a branch of Sanskar Bharti. He will be sending a group of Ram Lila and two experts in August holidays to train Ramayan Mandalis to perform Ram Lilas during the days preceding Divali.

View pictures  by clicking on: http://www.hssmru.org/2011/06/visit-of-shankarrao-tatwawadi-in-mauritius/

April 2011 has been a very fruitful month for Hindu religious and cultural events because of the number of festivals held during the first fortnight. There has been a massive participation of youth because of the of Easter holidays falling during that time.

On April, 4, 2011, our Hindu brothers originating from Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra celebrated Yugadi and Guddi Padwa with great fervour to welcome the Khar Samvatsar. In the morning, Telegu folks took their holy bath and visited their temples and listened to the predictions of the Panchangam. They decorated their house with mango leaves and beautiful Rangolis. They shared Pacchadi with their friends and relatives. In the afternoon they gathered at the Telegu Sanskrutic Kendram for a cultural programme and national rejoicing. The government of Andhras Pradesh government sent a cultural group on that occasion to enrich the cultural programmes. The Prime Minister, Dr. Navin Ramgoolam delivered his Yugadi message to the public gathered on that occasion.

The Maratha brothers and sisters also took their morning bath and paid tribute to Lord Brahma, who created the universe on that day. They shared the two opposite tastes of chutney, representing good and bad as ups and downs in life of the year. In the afternoon, they also gathered in the village of l’Esperance, Quartier Militaire to celebrate Guddi Padwa on a national level. Here also, the Prime Minister of the country, Dr. Navin Ramgoolam, delivered his New Year’s message to the Maratha community.

Hindus of North Indian origin, the majority of the population, started the Navratri Puja with much zeal and fervour. Usually, the Chaiti Navratri is dedicated to Lord Ram in Mauritius, where eight days Ram Katha is organised every night. Being a period of Easter holidays, a large number of youth participated in all these activities. On Ram Navmi, the Avatar anniversary of Shri Ram, on the ninth day, Hindu civil servants and other officers are given two hours time-off by the government and the local authorities to participate in the Pujas held in the temples of the vicinity of their site of work. Mahaprasad and sweet dishes were distributed to all members present in the Puja.

The Arya Samaj brohers and sisters celebrated the Arya Samaj Sthapna Diwas with great fervour on April 4, 2011 at Goodlands on national level and in other Arya Mandirs on regional level on different days. A Mahayaj was held and Mahaprasad was distributed to the members present.

On April 14, 2011 brothers and sisters originating from Tamil Naddu, celebrated their Khar solar New Year with same fervour and devotion. They also took the morning holy bath and visited the Kovils of their locality to listen to the predictions of the Khar New Year. In the afternoon, they attended the national programme at Phoenix where the Prime Minister, Dr. Navin Ramgoolam delivered his New Year message.

Days before Hanuman Jayanti, which fell on April 18, this year was celebrated with much enthusiasm. The Mauritius Sanatan Dharma Temples Federation organised a Hanuman Chalisa Chanting Competition on a national level in which some twenty Mandalis participated and interesting prizes were given to the winners. There were many children and youth participating in the competition.

The Easter Holidays was historical for Hindu Swayamsewak Sangh too. Yugadi is celebrated on national level by HSS (Mauritius). It is also an occasion to elect the new executive committee of Sangh. This year, it was celebrated at the hall of Maheswarnath Mandir at Triolet. After the Adi Sarsanghchalak Pranam, report of the past year, the Vishwa Sangh Shibir activities and the pre-Shibir and post-Shibir Atul Bharat Darshan tour were given by the Sanghchalask, Ragoonath Deeal. Calendar of activities of the current year were chalked out and each member present talked on the weakness of Shakhas and how to consolidate them.

The Easter holidays were rich in activities. Sangh held Hindu Heritage camps in three different localities of the country; Curepipe, Candos and Long Mountain. In each camp, some twenty youth of the locality and neighbouring villages and some of their parents took part. As activities, there were some intellectual games, team spirit activities, kaun banega Ramayan expert, drawing competitions, yogasanas, pranayam and moral stories by parents. This programme had a big success. Parents and youth were motivated to open new Shakhas and also consolidate the existing Shakhas. We also had a two day-training of Shikshaks Varga at Triolet during the holidays.

Mahashivratri is one of the most important Hindu festivals in Mauritius. It is celebrated with utmost devotion by all Hindus and some non-Hindus too. Thousands of foreign Hindus from all over the world and tourists also participate in the prayers and attend the cultural programmes presented by local and foreign artists on that occasion. Many cultural groups, VIPs and professional Pundits are invited from India to boost up the programme.

Shiva devotees and hundreds of Temple’s Associations start preparing this festival, at least, one month before the celebrations.  All great Hindu organizations, together with the para-statal bodies headed by the government of Mauritius, have formed a Task Force, which looks after the infrastructures and arrangements of all Hindu festivals in Mauritius. This year, they started preparations some few months before to review the situation and to add new infrastructures.

Hindu devotees go on pilgrimage to Ganga Talao, (a sacred lake found in the indigenous forest of Petrin situated in the High Plateau of Mauritius) five to the eve of the festival. Ganga Talao is considered to be as sacred as the Ganga River in India. Devotees go on pilgrimage to the lake to take the Ganga water and return back to their respective villages for Mahashivratri prayers. The Task Force assures that the pilgrims reach the lake securely, pray at ease and return safely to their respective locality. Some prefer to pray at the Shiva Temples at Ganga Talao.

Grand Bassin or Ganga Talao is, in fact, was a volcanic crater in the high plateau of Mauritius, which has now turned into a natural lake. Hindus believe that it is the Patal Ganga which finds its source underground. It is situated at some 425 metres above sea level and it is the highest natural lake of the island. It is spread on an area of about 20 arpents and its depth is unfathomable. It is one of the marvels of Mauritius, surrounded by indigenous fauna and flora.

In 1897, a dedicated Shiva devotee, Pandit Jhummun Giri Gossagne, dreamt of the holy lake whose water was as pure as that of Ganga in the Himalayas. He was advised by Shivji to bring that water for Shivabhsheka during the Mahashivratri prayers. Accompanied by seven other fervent devotees, he set out on pilgrimage to Grand Bassin (the original name of the lake) on foot. As there were no roads in the forest, they faced many difficulties to reach the lake through the forest. When they reached the pond they were amazed by the superb scene which was same of what Pandit Gossagne saw in his dream. He named it ‘Pari Talao’ because in his dream, he saw fairies dancing on the small island of the lake. This was the first pilgrimage done in the glory of Lord Shiva in the island of Mauritius.

From mouth to ear, the news about the lake and of his pilgrimage spread throughout the country like wild fire and year after year, the pilgrimage to Pari Talao got impetus. Many rural and urban Hindu societies were formed and they started building Shiva temples in their locality for Mahashivratri prayers. Pari Talao gradually became the mass gathering religious site for Hindus showing their national unity. Though at Pari Talao there were no utility or lodging facilities in the beginning. The convergence to the lake site was becoming more and more impressive.

In 1930, the Hindu Maha Sabha, the greatest Hindu organization of that time, asked the government to proclaim Mahashivratri festival a Public Holiday and the demand was accepted the following year.

In those days, the path leading to Pari Talao was narrow and marshy and descent to the lake dangerous. There were neither catering nor lodging facilities for pilgrims, who started going to Pari Talao some four days before the festival. The Hindu Maha Sabha, the Jai Hind Samaj of Grand Bois and some volunteers took care of the devotees. In 1948, the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund joined in to erect temporary tents for pilgrims, volunteers and pujaris. Public utilities were also made available.

In 1960, a request was made under the Chaimanship of Shri Beekramsing Ramlallah, that the lake be given on lease to the organisation to be developed further. With the approval of the Premier of Mauritius, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, Pari Talao, together with the Crown Land surrounding the lake were given to the Hindu Maha Sabha on 99-year lease.

In the same year, the Hindu Maha Sabha decided to unite the Hindu Temples of Mauritius into a federation. Thus, ‘The Mauritius Sanatan Dharma Temples Federation’ was founded in February 1960. The Federation played and today, plays an important role in receiving subsidy from the government and distributing it among affiliated temple associations which organizes many religious and socio-cultural activities for the uplift of the Hindu community at large.

In 1964, on another demand of the Hindu Maha Sabha jointly with the Sanatan Dharma Temples Federation, roads leading to Pari Talao were asphalted by the government. On June, 20, 1966, a Shiva Temple, the first, was built and inaugurated at Ganga Talao with the financial help of Shrimati R.K. Boodhun and electricity facilities were provided. At the same time, roads from Mare aux Vacoas to Pari Talao and from Pari Talao to Bois Cheri were asphalted. This development facilitated easy and comfortable access to the holy lake.

As President of the Hindu Maha Sabha and as President of the Sanatan Dharma Temples Federation and as Parliament Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Shri Dayanandlall Basant Rai, built roads all around and built stone-stairs access to the lake. Many additional infrastructures were developed, year after year, by the combined effort of the government, para-statal bodies and various socio-cultural organisations.

In 1972, the Head Priest of the Sanatan Dharma Temples Federation, Acharya Vidya Nidhi Pandey, brought Ganga water from Haridwar and poured it ceremoniously into the lake. As from 21 June 1972, the lake was renamed ‘Ganga Talao’. Since, then Grand Bassin is officially called Ganga Talao by all.

In course of time, Ganga Talao, has been developed into a religious place with the construction of new temples, enlargement of roads, new parking sites and installation of giant statues of Lord Shiva. Ganga Talao has, today, developed into an international religious Hindu site.

This year, on February 20, the festivities started with a Rudra Mahayajya held at Ganga Talao by the Mauritius Sanatan Dharma Temples Federation, which groups 270 Hindi Speaking Temples Associations. The official inauguration of the pilgrimage was launched by the actual Prime Minister of Mauritius, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam on February, 27, 2011, at Ganga Talao. Every night, other main Hindu organizations, like; the Hindu Maha Sabha, the Mangal Mahadeva Trust and other socio-cultural organizations, organised prayers and cultural programmes enhancing the prayers and also entertaining the pilgrims.

The pilgrimage started on February, 25, 2011 with devotees walking from far away villages. Some carried beautiful Kanwars, some pulled beautiful Rathas, others walked with a Trishul or Gada, whereas some only a Jhola to keep the Ganga Jal taken out from the lake.

Devotees always walk in groups singing Shiva Kirtans and reciting ‘Om Namaha Shivaya’ and shouting Jaykaras. They usually have percussion instruments like Dholaks, Jhals and Manjiras or Chimtas to add on to the Kirtans.

People also use cars, buses, trucks and other means of transport to reach the lake and return by foot or by their own means. The bus companies provide 24 hours bus service from different parts of the country to help old, weak and children to reach Ganga Talao.

Many socio-cultural organisations provide non-stop free food to the pilgrims for four consecutive days, on the roads and at Ganga Talao. The police department regulates traffic, in and out of the lake premises. There are many voluntary medical and health services offered by NGOs. Now, there are some temporary stalls for religious organizations which introduce their activities to the devotees.

This year, Ganga Talao received daily, during the four consecutive days, some one hundred to two hundred thousand visitors.  Some owners of a mean of transport visited Ganga Talao more than once. Usually, a trip of half an hour drive took six to nine hours due to increased number of huge Kanwars, Shiv Raths, (floats) pilgrims and traffic, though, the access to the lake was one-way.

In the villages and towns, this year, Mahashivratri prayers were held during the day of March, 2, 2011, and special prayers were said at night, divided into four equal sessions (the Char Pahar Ki Puja) which lasted till dawn.  Some one thousand Sanatanist’s temples; Hindi speaking Shivalay, Tamil speaking Kovils, Marathi speaking Mandir s and Telegu speaking temples,  were all crowded with hundreds of devotees.

The Arya Samaj brothers celebrated Mahashivrati as Rishi Bodh, the Grand Night of Lord Shiva, Mahashivratri, during which the founder of Arya Samaj, Swami Dayanand Saraswati  got inspiration to find the Real Truth. Rishi Bodh was celebrated in more 6than five hundred  Arya Mandirs of the country.