Festivals & Celebrations

Culture is a strong binding force in societies and every individual is rooted in a culture that influences his/her life style and attitude towards life. In Abhyasa, we train students’ right from childhood to experience various cultures through the celebration of all religious festivals and develop tolerance, understanding, and respect for communities-that paves way for a harmonious social living. Abhyasa blends the traditions of Indian Gurukuls and the system of Public Schools to provide an open-minded outlook towards life that encompasses everything that is natural, good and promotes positive values. At Abhyasa, we believe in the ‘Brotherhood of Mankind’ and the ‘Fatherhood of God’ as an Omni-present and Omni-potent force. Major festivals of all religions are celebrated with religious fervor to promote tolerance and love for all races and creeds. The presence of students from all over India and abroad provides a cosmopolitan setup that broadens the horizons of interaction among children.

The first festival is indeed the day most looked forward to, as it is Abhyasa’s Birthday, on June21st. It was on this day that the school came into existence in the year 1996. A very significant day indeed, not just because it is Abhyasa’s Birthday, but also because it happens to be the longest day (summer Solstice). Cake – cutting and a Fresher’s Party for the new arrivals are highlights of the day.

Guru Poornima

The Poornima (Full Moon) Day in the month of Ashadha (July-August) is known as Guru Poornima, as it is the birthday of Sage Veda Vyasa- the author of Mahabharath and the ancient Hindu Puranas. On this day, special worship is performed of the Acharyas (Gurus), who, through their Infinite Compassion and Supreme Grace, have imparted knowledge to all the Seekers of the Self. At Abhyasa, the day starts with community singing (Nagar Sankeertan) in Toopran village followed by distribution of food. Obeisance is paid to the spiritual Guru.

Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan celebration is the festival to express the immaculate love between brothers and sisters. Rakhi epitomizes the unconditional love between brothers and sisters. All the girls of Abhyasa organize a cultural programme for their brothers on the campus, which includes tying of ‘Rakhees’, Singing of Songs, Dance performances, speeches and offering of Harathi and sweets. It’s a day that reminds everybody of the bonhomie that we share on the campus.

Janmashtami

Janmashtami is the birthday of Lord Krishna an avatar of the Hindu deity Vishnu. The festival falls in mid-August-September as per the Gregorian Calendar. The programme consists of dances, songs, speeches, ‘bhajans’ sung in praise of Shree Krishna, as he swings blissfully on a beautifully decorated cradle and relishes the sweets and savories offered. ‘Breaking the butter pot’ is a significant event in Krishna’s life that is enacted as a popular sport in many parts of India. A student – representing Krishna – tries to reach the butter pot by climbing a human pyramid.

Independence Day

Students organize a flag hosting ceremony. The air is filled with patriotic feelings that emanate from various songs aired on the campus radio. As the tricolor goes up atop the administrative building of Abhyasa, all the students salute with reverence and pride and sing the national anthem. The programme consists of patriotic songs sung by students and speeches eulogizing the great sacrifices made by our freedom fighters followed by the Principal’s message.

Teachers’ Day

On 5th of September, the birthday of ‘Mr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’ – one of the most learned Presidents of India, who was also a teacher – Teachers day is celebrated with respect and gratitude towards the teaching faculty. Keeping in tune with the Indian Gurukul traditions, Abhyasa students perform ‘Paada Puja’ (worshipping of the Guru’s feet) for all their teachers. It is followed by felicitation of all the staff members by the Principal. Later in the evening, the students entertain the staff with songs, dances, fun games and ramp shows.

Dussera

Dussera – “The festival of Victory,” is celebrated for 10 days in all parts of the subcontinent. The festival is celebrated on the tenth day of the Ashwini month, according to the Shaka Hindu Calendar (around October) and symbolizes the victory of Good over evil. During the Navratri festival (nine auspicious nights)prayers are offered to the Mother Goddess (Shakti). Students are dressed in traditional attire and dance to rhythmic tunes for the traditional ‘Dandia’ dance.

Diwali

While Diwali is popularly known as the “Festival of Lights”, it is the most significant Indian festival that falls during the mid-year vacation (in the first half of November). While students are busy lighting up their homes, the staff at Abhyasa light up the campus with oil lamps and offer prayers to the Goddess of prosperity, for the welfare of all the students.

Children’s Day

14th of November is the birthday of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru – celebrated as the Children’s Day all over India. This is the day of surprises and fun for all the Abhyasa children, as they get a chance to make even the most  strictest of their teachers, dance to their tunes. Children taste the delicious-cuisine prepared personally by all the teachers and enjoy the fun –filled evening when their teachers behave like children – performing all sorts of gimmicks on the stage.

Birthday of Sri Sathya Sai Baba

 

Christmas Celebrations

 

Sankranthi

Sankranthi is a harvest festival celebrated in various parts of the country on 14th of January every year to mark the annual journey of the Sun into the constellation of Capricorn. The youth fly Kites, while the women folk decorate their thresholds with colorful designs. The farmers decorate their cattle colorfully and parade them in the streets. It is essentially a rural festival and Abhyasites experience it in all its vagaries in the rural setup of Toopran.

Republic Day

The Republic Day of India is a National festival to mark the adoption of the Constitution of India and transition of India from a British Dominion to an Independent Republic on January 26th 1950. As 26th January approaches, the spirit of patriotism and competition is high among the students of Abhyasa. The ‘Republic Day Run’ is flagged off from the Toopran Police Station and Students run through the streets of Toopran carrying the Indian Flag to return to the school campus. The boy and the girl who reach the campus first, get the privilege of hosting the tri-colour on this occasion.

Holi

Holi, the festival of colours is celebrated at the end of winter and the beginning of the spring season, on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna (February/ March).

At Abhyasa, students enact the scene of Holika Dahan – marking the end of evil and also the end of an annual cycle of Nature. Students enjoy throwing coloured water on each other. The environment friendly Abhyasites prepare their own natural colours from beetroot, spinach, turmeric etc. and do not use any harmful chemical colors available in the market. Children play to their hearts’ content pouring coloured water on each other and dancing to the exciting ‘Holi’ tunes.

School Annual Valedictory – Celebration Nite

The valedictory programme marks the end of another academic year for the students at Abhyasa. It is a programme which showcases the achievements of the school during the academic year in the field of Academics, Sports, Games, Music, Dance, and other extra – curricular activities. It is the day, when the whole school celebrates the success, of all those who are responsible for bringing laurels to Abhyasa in all the inter-school competitions and events. Before the final academic examination mood takes over, the students celebrate their success achieved during the year with presentations, felicitations, dances and of course a special dinner.