Incredible India is full of diverse traditions and cultures. One such tradition is Vari, which is an annual pilgrimage to the town of Pandharpur. Virtual Vari programme has been initiated with an objective that Bhakti can be inculcated and Knowledge can be gained even during lock down period in a comfortable homely atmosphere with the family members. With Gurudev's grace, this pious thought arose to the members of Chinmaya Family Pathshala team and the theme of Vitthal Vari was chosen. At the same time, it was not possible to take up the Actual Vari session due to the lockdown this virtual Vari session can quench the thrust of Vithal Bhakti in the devotees and hence it was decided to celebrate Vari in a different way (virtual Vari) with Chinmaya family.
SESSION DETAILS:
Days : Sundays
Time : 10.00 a.m./10.30 a.m. to 12.05 p.m.
Online : On zoom with all security measures
Date of Inaugration : 7th June, 2020
Date of Valediction : 16th August, 2020
ADMINISTRATION:
The entire team of Chinmaya Family Pathshala works with cooperation and unity in deciding the structure of the Vari sessions. All the Pathshala, Balavihar & other families from the nook and corner of Navi Mumbai participate in these sessions. The divine beauty of Vari journey has started attracting families from different states of India and even from abroad. The sessions are planned and organised with a Preparatory Meeting held on every Mondays, and rehearsal meeting held on every Saturdays. The sessions are conducted on zoom with all security measures and procedures, followed under the guidance of technical team. As of now, around 150 families are attending each vari session on Sunday with full force.
STRUCTURE OF THE SESSIONS:
The session start with an Invocation, followed with Guru Stotram. Thereafter, followed with Swamijis of Chinmaya Mission or other Hindu organisations speaking on topics related to Vari or Saints of Maharashtra. The session follows with a divine abhang/bhajan/nama sankeertan on Bhagwan Vitthal/Sant Dnyaneshwar or any topic related to Vari by renowned singers.
To catch the attention of the children as well as elders, stories based on Ekadashi, Tulsi, Sant Dnyaneshwar (incarnation of Mauli & other siblings), Buffalo speaking Vedas at Paithan, King of Jaysingpur, Sant Kabir ji, Sant Namdev ji, Sant Janabai ji, Sant Narhari Sonar, etc. are described in an interesting way with screen sharing of pictures. This helped in introducing the Santa Parampara of Maharashtra as well as spreading the ethical values among the children of present generation.
The session is kept informative by enumerating the meaning of Vari, its structure, its significance, meaning of Aalandi, connection between Aalandi & Pandarpur, attractions in the Aalandi temple, who is a Vaarkari, Guru Parampara Shaastra, holy places coming on the Vari path like Sasvad, Sant Dnyaneshwar ji Jejuri, Khandoba about Sant Namdev Maharaj ji, Sant Janabai ji, Sant Sopan ji, greatness of Pandharpur, Chandrabhaga river, meaning of the words Vitthal and Pandurang with pictures.
To inculcate Sanskrit leaning as part of sessions, Pandurangashtakam chanting with explanation of the shlokas are being taught with two shlokas per session. Children are asked to write the shloka in prior and keep ready for the session. Audio of the chanting of shlokas is being circulated to the registered participants for practice, so that they get involved during the session.
To keep the session more engrossing for Children and families, Maharashtra map activity is taken up at every session, where in children stick the orange flags on the map at the towns enroute the Vari like Aalandi, Pune, Saswad, Jejuri, Valhe, Lonand, Tarad, Phaltan, Barad, Natepute, Malshiras, Velapur, Bhindishegaon, Warkhari and Pandharpur.
To keep the session more informative with Vaari tradition, Live Pauli, Varli activity were demonstrated.
A craft session related to Vaari is being conducted with hands on making orange flags, tulsi plant with green paper, Gurudev Padukas, Palanquin, White topi, etc…
To inculcate the Likhita Japa activity in children, the same is conducted with the rangoli dots joined and drawn Tulsi Vrindavan, Lord Vitthal name is been asked to write inside filling the Vrindavan. The activity is made lively by playing background music nama chanting on Bhagwan Vitthal.
To involve the families, games are conducted on Concentration-Synchronisation where they have to follow the instructions given by the Sevaks/Sevikas and play the taal/cymbals(Sort of action song).
Chanting of Guruvashtakam on the auspicious day of Guru Purnima is done as a tribute to Gurus.
Chanting of Pasaydan on 9th August, 2020.
Musical Feast by all the Vaari session singers: Nama japa on Bhagwan Vitthale in different ragas on 9th August, 2020(2 minutes by each artist) with around 6 artists.
The families are engaged interactively with quiz sessions like Kaun Banege Vaarkari, action songs on Bhagwan Vitthal, quiz based on Aalandi, Sant Dnyaneswar, Spinning the wheel activity, Guess who am I, Crossword puzzle on Guess the Shishya, Tambola on Vaari, Action song on Bhagwan Vitthal “Rakhumai rusalee…”, etc…
The sessions are kept lively by having a live bhajans with pakhawaj for few minutes in between. Towards the end follows the nama japa by the renowned singers invited for the purpose. The entire Chinmaya Pathshala members and other devotees gets involved in the nama japa enthusiastically, though in mute (as conducted in technical platform).
Chyksters presentation of information, story and skit on Sant Namdev ji on 1st August, 2020
Chinmaya Fine Arts students performance of Keyboard, Harmonium and Tabla on 1st August, 2020
Any session is not complete without an aarti. Vari sessions are no exception to this. Aarti on Lord Vitthal, Sant Dnyaneshwar ji are performed with the chanting. Live Aarti from Chinmaya Mauli Ashram to Rukmini ma and Vitthal Bhagawan, makes the session more devotional.
The sessions are concluded with Chinmaya Mission Pledge and Shanti Paath.
SCHEDULE OF SWAMIJIS / OTHERS FOR THE VARI SESSIONS:
21st June, 2020 – Br. Tanmay Chaitanya – Nama japa & Significance of mantra chanting during solar eclipse – 5 minutes
28th June, 2020 – Shri. Pranav Joshi (Vedanta Student from Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, 16th batch) – Ashadi Ekadashi – 7 minutes - Session timing: 10.30 a.m. to 12.05 p.m. - Pranavji's slot: 10.35 a.m. to 10.42 a.m.
05th July, 2020 – Swami Ramakrishnandaji – Importance of Gurus & Scriptures in life – 15 minutes - Session timing: 10.00 a.m. to 12.05 p.m. - Swamiji's slot: 11.10 a.m. to 11.25 a.m.
12th July, 2020 – Swami Swatmanandaji – Greatness of Saints in Kaliyuga – 15 minutes - Session timing: 10.30 a.m. to 12.05 p.m. - Swamiji's slot: 11.45 a.m. to 12.00 noon
19th July, 2020 – Br. Tanmay Chaitanyaji – Importance of Bhaktiyoga – 15 minutes - Session timing: 10.30 a.m. to 12.05 p.m. - Swamiji's slot: 10.35 a.m. to 10.50 a.m.
19th July, 2020 – Shri. Vivekji – Spiritual importance of Jejuri – 12 minutes - Session timing: 10.30 a.m. to 12.05 noon - Vivekji slot: 11.02 a.m. to 11.14 a.m.
26th July, 2020 – Br. Yukt Chaitanyaji – Upasana – Going near to God – 15 minutes - Session timing: 10.00 a.m. to 12.05 p.m. - Swamiji's slot: 10.25 a.m. to 10.40 a.m.
01st August, 2020 – Swami Avyayanandaji – Significance of Teertha Yatra – 15 minutes - Session timing: 10.00 a.m. to 12.05 p.m. - Swamiji's slot: 10.20 a.m. to 10.35 a.m.
09th August, 2020 – Swami Swatmanandaji – Significance of Lord Vitthal Vigraha – 15 minutes - Session timing: 10.00 a.m. to 12.05 p.m. - Swamiji's slot: 11.45 a.m. to 12.00 noon
16th August, 2020 – Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayanandaji – 30 minutes – Topic: Sant Mahima – Session timing: 10.00 a.m. to 12.15 p.m. – Pujya Guruji will talk at 11.25 a.m.
SCHEDULE OF SINGERS FOR VARI SESSIONS:
07th June, 2020 – Smt. Chetna Kadame
Sevika, Chinmaya Prerana
Bhajan Chal g sakhe चल ग सखे पंढरिला
14th June, 2020 – Shri. Sanjeev Chimmalgi
Hindustani Singer, Vashi
Abhang based on Aalandi…, Nama japa on Ram Krishna Hari…
"संत भार पंढरीत l कीर्तनाचा गजर होत ll" by Saint Janabai & नाम जप Rama Krishna Hari
21st June, 2020 – Smt. Aparna Biwalkar
Hindustani Singer & Chinmaya Fine Arts Teacher
Dindi chalali chalali song…, Nama sankeertan on Hari mhana tumi…, Nama japa by Mr. & Mrs. Biwalkar on Sant. Dnyaneshwar…
28th June, 2020 – Smt. Asha Krishna
Hindustani Singer & Chinmaya Fine Arts Student
Bhajan on God tujhe roop god tujhe naam…, Abhang on Avghe garje Pandharpur…, Nama japa on Bhagwan Vitthal…
05th July, 2020 – Smt. Usha Ugrani
Sevika, Chinmaya Prerana
Bhajan on Vithoo maulee Tu…, Bhajan on Gurudev tava…
12th July, 2020 – Smt. Neha Chimmalgi & Smt. Jaya Nair
Smt. Neha Chimmalgi
Abhang on Bolava Vitthal….
Smt. Jaya Nair
Sevika, Chinmaya Prerana
Abhang on Maajhe Maaher Pandharpur…
Hari Nama Japa…
19th July, 2020 – Ms. Shweta Deshpande
Hindustani Singer
Song on Beda beda re pandari…
Nama japa on Jai Jai Vitthala, Rakhumai Vitthala…
26th July, 2020 – Smt. Annapurna Gunturu
Carnatic Singer & Chinmaya Fine Arts Teacher
Krithi on Purandaradasar in raag Sindhu Bhairavi – Tamburi meetedava…
Annamacharya’s Abhang on raag Desh – Racchakekkithivi pandarangi Vitthala…
Nama japa on Namadeva…
01st August, 2020 – Kumari. Vidita Ganesh
Hindustani Singer
Song on Sundar ate Dhyana…, Nama japa on Bhagwan Vitthala…
Performance by Chinmaya Fine Arts students:
Master Aniruddha – Harmonium – Taal Bole Chiplila…
Master Saiprathul Sudhakar – Tabla – Paule Chalate…
Master Saigokul Sudhakar – Keyboard – Paule Chalate…
09th August, 2020 – Smt. Pratima Rao
Sevika, Chinmaya Prerana
Song on Vitthal Geetha gaava…, Nama japa…
Musical Feast by all the Vaari session singers: Nama japa on Bhagwan Vitthale in different ragas on 9th August, 2020(2 minutes by each artist) with around 6 artists.
16th August, 2020 – Smt. Pramodini Rao
Director, Chinmaya Naada Bindu Gurukula
Song Samacharana Tujhe Dekhile Myaa & Abhang Abeer Gulaal
TITLE OF THE SESSIONS:
7th June,2020:
Not applicable
14th June, 2020:
आळंदी हे गाव पुण्य भूमी ठाव l दैवतांचे नाव सिद्धेश्वर ll
Embark Your spiritual journey from Aalandi with माऊली and enjoy the भक्तीरस.........
21st June, 2020:
शिवपीठ हे जुनाट l ज्ञानाबाई तेथे मुकुट
28th June, 2020:
होय होय वारकरी l पाहे पाहे पंढरी l
5th July, 2020:
गुरु हा संत कुळीचा राजा l गुरु हा प्राण विसावा माझा l गुरु वीण देव दुजा l पाहता नाही त्रिलोकी
12th July, 2020:
धन्य धन्य तो सोपान l धन्य धन्य समाधि धन l प्रत्यक्ष येऊनि नारायण l समाधि देती सोपाना ll
19th July, 2020:
सदानंदाचा येळकोट... येळकोट येळकोट जय मल्हार ll
26th July, 2020:
पंढरीचा वास चंद्रभागे स्नान l आणिक दर्शन विठोबाचे ll
2nd August, 2020:
देह जावो अथवा राहो l पांडुरंगी दृढ भावो ll
नामा म्हणे केशवराजा l केला नेम चालवी माझा ll
9th August, 2020:
तुका म्हणे जन्मा आल्याचे सार्थक l विठ्ठलची एक देखिलिया
16th August, 2020
हेचि दान देगा देवा l तुझा विसर न व्हावा II
