In an effort to spread the values of Hindu spiritualism and lifestyle among students, 25 ‘rathams’ with idols of Swami Vivekananda will visit nearly a 1,000 schools in and around the city.
On Sunday, Swami Padmasthananda, secretary of Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama in T. Nagar, flagged off the ‘rathams’ (chariots), a precursor to the 6th edition of the Hindu Spiritual and Service Fair that will be held at Sri Ramachandra Medical University grounds in Thiruvanmiyur, from July 8 to 14.
According to K. Prabhakar, trustee, Hindu Spiritual and Service Foundation, the fair is organised to showcase the service aspects of Hindu organisations.
“Last year, we had over seven lakh visitors. This year, we expect 10 lakh visitors. The Thirumala Thirupathi Devasthanams will bring replicas of temples, including Bhadrachalam and Kanakadurga. They will also conduct a ‘thirukalyanam’ at the venue,” he said. Apart from a medical camp, ‘gho vandanam’, ‘vriksha vandanam’ (1,008 saplings will be offered puja) and ‘acharya vandanam’ (1,008 Tamil teachers will be honoured) will also be held at the fair that will be open from 9.30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Political commentator S. Gurumurthy, Bharatanatyam guru and dancer Padma Subrahmanyam, managing director of Shriram Life, Akhila Srinivasan, and State president of Yadava Mahasabhai, M. Gopalakrishnan, were present on the occasion.
