Celebration of Janmashtami and Independence Day for children was held on August 14, 2017 in the basement Dhyana Mandir of YSS Noida Ashram. About 70 children from Children Sunday Satsanga, Noida and Paramahansa Yoganananda Swarna Bal Vatika attended this beautiful programme.

Beginning with aarati, opening prayer and chanting, Brahmachari Vinayanandaji described the significance of both the days – Janmashtami and Independence Day – to the young attendees who heard him in rapt attention. In an interactive session that followed, he explained to the children the importance of “freedom” sought by everyone – freedom of the nation on the one hand, and freedom of human beings from maya (delusion) and bad habits, on the other. Brahmachariji said that one must fight against the negative habits in order to make ourselves free of delusion. This, he explained further, was possible through meditation and by follow Gurudeva, Sri Sri Paramahansa Yoganandaji’s teachings. Getting the children to sit for a brief period in silence, Brahmachariji gave them an opportunity to experience the benefits of silence and meditation. The participants attended the session with great interest and concentration.

This was followed by the cultural programme performed by children. It included two different skits on Prakriti ke teen Guna (the three Gunas of Nature) and Narsi Bakt played in colorful costumes. These inspiring and informative presentations in dramatic form were followed by bhajan on Krishna, dance on a song – adharam madhuram , instrumental performance by two little angels and a poem on Jhansi ki Rani. It reflected the immense talent of the children satsanga partcipants of YSS Noida Ashram whose performances reflected their sheer confidence as also their devotion.

Pushpanjali was conducted at the close of the programme where petals signifying the love and devotion of the little ones were offered at the feet of Bhagwan Krishna.

The traditional Chandan Tilak (a smearing of sandalwood paste on the forehead) by Brahmachari Dhairyanandaji, and pieces of cake as Prasad received from Brahmachari Vinyanandaji left the young participants and attendees overjoyed.