Shantanu ji Mahajan - Mukhya shikshak Kailash Shakha
Namaste Everyone!
It’s the most exciting time of the year - Festive season is on!
Did you all enjoy Ganesh Chaturthi? Visiting friends for Ganesh aarti, eating yummy prasad, and making Ganesh murtis was so much fun! We loved seeing your creative ideas - our Bala team is full of amazing artists!
Next came Navratri, which means “Nine Nights.” Do you know the story? Goddess Durga fought the demon Mahishasura (the buffalo-headed one) and won! Navratri reminds us how powerful and caring Devi Durga is. Some of you might remember the Mahishasur Mardini Stotra from Bala Gokulam - can you still chant those 21 shlokas? Try it and feel Devi Durga’s blessings!
After Navratri, the 10th day is Vijayadashami (Dussehra). It’s the day when good wins over evil - Lord Rama defeated Ravana with his bow and arrows. We are all excited for our Vijayadashami Utsav. Do participate in the Bala pradarshan - we can’t wait to see you shine!
And guess what’s coming next? Diwali! The festival of lights, fireworks, sweets, and joy. Diwali teaches us that light always wins over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
But Diwali is not only about fun - it’s also about sharing. That’s why we do the "Sewa Diwali" Food Drive Every can or box of food you bring helps families who don’t have enough to eat. Remember our prayer: "Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah" - May everyone be happy.
So let’s make this year ’ s Sewa Diwali the best ever! With your energy, smiles, and teamwork, we can spread happiness all around.
Remember, each one of you is special. Whether you are chanting shlokas, making crafts, practicing yoga, or helping with Sewa, you are showing your talents and kindness. Keep learning, keep smiling, and keep being proud of our culture
KAILASH SHAKHA KATY
DAKSHAYANI
MY NEW SCHOOL YEAR
Namaste Everyone! My name is Dakshayani Gurrapu and today I will be talking about my new school year. This year is very special for me because I started my new school in a completely new place. On the first day of my new school, I felt a mix of emotions. I was excited but also nervous. I didn’t know anyone in the class of school. When I walked in the class I saw many new faces. It felt happy when my teacher gave a warm welcome and introduced me to the class. What amazed me, was that the school had 2 stories, a huge libraryand even the cafeteria was new to me which made me feel comfortable. I was excited about going in school bus this year as I used to bike to school in my previous school. I felt like everything new year and I felt enthusiastic about all these things. I observed a lot of changes from my previous school like action-based learning, Destination Imagination and many new learning techniques.
Starting a new school year in a new school can be a scaryat first, but it is also the beginning of new adventures. During the recess, I played with some friends and now I have got very good friends we all meet every week in the park. Some of my friends are coming to the same scouts. They all came on my birthday too and I was excited. I am looking forward to all the wonderful things this year will bring.
ABHIMANYU SHAKHA
FULSHEAR
AANVEE
Namaste,
STORY OF GANESHA I READ
Why Do We Offer 21 Grass Durvas To Ganesha?
Once in an joyful event with music and dance in Yamlok, king Yama liked one dancer. He transformed into an enormous evil demon named Analasura. He had flames all around his body. “I will eat you ” he said loudly and ate her alive! Liking the taste, he started eating more humans. After causing havoc in Yamloka, he attacked swarglok. Terrified gods seek Lord Ganesha’s help.Hearing the cries for help, Ganesha teleported from Mount Kailash to Swargaloka. He asked Analasura to surrender but Analasura got bigger and bigger and tried to eat Ganesha. Ganesha grew bigger than him and swallowed him whole. But the fire around Analasura’s body started hurting Ganesha and he crumpled. On Ganesha, Lord Varuna poured cool water, Lord Chandra placed himself,and Lord Vishnu placed a cool lotus to make him cool. Lord Shiva also tied a thousand headed cold serpent around him. But nothing helped.
Finally,a group of wise sages brought 21 durvagrass each. Ganesha consumed it and the heat vanished immediately ending the intense pain.Relieved and delighted, he declared that Durva Grass will become his favorite offering and anyone offering 21 Durva grass will receive his blessings. This is why we offer Lord Ganesha 21 Durva Grass.
GANESHA ARTWORK
ABHIMANYU
SHIVSHAKTI
SHAKHA BROOKSHIRE
MEDHA
NAVARATRI (NINE FORMS OF MAA DURGA)
Navratri is a festival of nine nights, and each night is dedicated to one of the nine forms of Goddess Durga, called the Navadurga Each goddess has her own power, story, and blessings, and together they teach courage, wisdom, and goodness.
On the first day, people worship Shailaputri, the daughter of the mountains. She sits calmly on a bull, holding a trident and a lotus. She reminds us to stay strong and steady like a mountain, and to have courage in everything we do.
On the second day, Brahmacharini is honored. She walks barefoot, carrying a rosary and a water pot. She teaches that patience and dedication bring success. Devotees feel inspired to work hard and stay disciplined, just like her.
The third day is for Chandraghanta, who has a crescent moon on her forehead. She is brave and fierce, ready to fight evil, yet gentle to her followers. She fills people with courage and removes fear from their hearts.
On the fourth day, people worship Kushmanda, the goddess who created the universe with her smile She shines bright and gives energy and health Devotees feel her warmth and light, as if the sun itself is blessing them.
The fifth day belongs to Skandamata, the mother of the young warrior Skanda. She carries her child on her lap and rides a lion. She shows that love and devotion make people strong, and she protects everyone who trusts her.
The sixth day is Katyayani, the fearless warrior goddess. She rides a lion and carries weapons to fight demons. She inspires strength and determination, teaching that bravery can overcome any obstacle.
On the seventh day, people worship Kalaratri, the dark and powerful goddess. She has a terrifying look that frightens evil and destroys ignorance. Yet to her devotees, she gives courage and removes all obstacles.
The eighth day is for Mahagauri, the goddess of purity and calm. She shines like the moon and rides a white bull. She brings peace, happiness, and wisdom, reminding everyone that calmness and purity make a person strong inside
The ninth and final day is Siddhidatri, who grants wisdom, knowledge, and success. She sits on a lotus and blesses all her devotees. She teaches that with faith, devotion, and effort, people can achieve their goals and find spiritual happiness.
During Navaratri, people celebrate each of these nine forms with prayer, song, and dance. They remember that Goddess Durga is always protecting them, giving them strength, and helping them face challenges. Each form of the goddess has a special lesson, and together they remind us that courage, devotion, and goodness will always win over fear and evil.
SOORAJ SHAKHA KATY
DEVANSHI
MY TRADITIONAL NAVRATRI
CELEBRATION
Navratri is a festival where you pray to the nine avatars of Durga like on the first day you worship ma shailputri, day two you worship Bramacharini, day three you worship chandghanta, day four you worship kushmanda, day five you worship sakandamata, day six you worship katyayini, day seven you worship kalaratri, day eight you worship mahagauri, and on the last day you worship siddhidhartri.
I love to play garba. My dadi says that we should do Pooja of a round pot with 27 holes and sing those melodies around the pot. Which now has become a big thing called as garba dance. But did you know how they played in those days? they had no halls or school gyms so they played on streets with instruments and one or two people singing. There were no sound system ,they had beautiful dresses, boys and girls played together, they were also known as Krishna and gopi playing rasa. Everyone in the small town had so much fun hearing the traditional music in their houses while the whole village comes together. But now there’s halls and sound systems and so much more they don’t play on streets anymore. This is what we are seeing in the modern era. Imagine going in future in the world of robotics what if they were playing garba with no pretty dresses or instruments that would not be fun. That can ruin our tradition and culture. So my friends it is good for us to learn our tradition and practice it to keep it alive forever.
