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SHRIMAD BHAVAGAT KATHA
(STORY TELLING FROM THE SHRIMAD BHAGAVAT) The Shrimad Bhagavat Katha (SBK2010) organised by GAA London at our Kenton Hall from Sat 25th September to Sun 3rd October was a highly successful event. The inauguration of the event, the Pothi Yatra, will be televised on the ‘Out & About’ show on Zee TV (Sky Channel 788, Virgin Media Channel 809) at 17:30 BST on Saturday 9th October 2010 & 10:30 BST on Sunday 10th October 2010 The Pothi Yatra is a celebratory walking procession of tradition song, dance & music which started out from near Preston Road tube station, towards the Preston Road round-about, down Woodcock Hill and into Kenton Hall. The Procession signified the pilgrimage of the sacred Shrimad Bhagavat from across the city to its resting place at Kenton Hall or Vyas Peetham, from where its knowledge was expounded to guests who attended the Katha. We invite you to watch this time-honoured cultural event on Zee TV.
The Bhagavat provides a guiding light which enables the human being to experience the wonderful freedom of liberation. It expresses this philosophy through the narration of the life stories of the 24 incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Amongst these, the tenth volume of the Shrimad Bhagavat narrates the story of Lord Krishna in infinite detail. Written by Sage Ved Vyasa, the Bhagavat leaves no topic untouched. Social, political, and economic systems have been reviewed and commented upon by him. Not just issues relating to self-liberation but even our day-to-day problems have been effectively resolved in Shrimad Bhagavat. Hence it can be emphatically stated that the Shrimad Bhagavat is an exposition, which explains human life very clearly, giving directions leading to the ultimate liberation of the soul. It is therefore an important guide for the conduct of human beings in all their affairs. The Shrimad Bhagavat liberates us from fear, problems, and ignorance. In essence, this is the crux of Shrimad Bhagavat. The narration of Shrimad Bhagavat Katha is arranged for many reasons, but it is mainly arranged for the uplifting and welfare of the people and society, who, by listening to the stories from the Shrimad Bhagavat, would understand God and learn the way to reach him, helping inducing spiritual growth within themselves and most importantly becoming righteous and virtuous human beings. GAA London are privileged to have organised a 7 day narration ( 3 hours a day) of the Shrimad Bhagavat and give you the opportunity to get a glimpse and insight into this revered and time honoured cultural event, which will be hosted at the GAA Kenton Hall from 25th Sept through to 1st October 2010. On the eight day, Saturday 2nd October, 2010, as is tradition in the lunar month of Shraad, the GAA London has organised Bhajans as a tribute to our forefathers and in memory of our loved ones who have blissfully departed this world and its earthly bondage for eternity. On the ninth and final day, Sunday 3rd October, 2010, a Yagna (a ritual of sacrifice through the element of fire) will be performed in dedication to Lord Vishnu, who is described as the supreme soul, the master of the past, present and future, creator and destroyer of all existence and one who supports, sustains and governs the Universe. Each of the eight days of the Katha and Bhajans will end with the serving of Bhojan Prasad. A Mahaprasad will be served on the final day, following the conclusion of the Yagna. We humbly ask you to attend and grace this auspicious and enlightening event at our GAAL Kenton Hall anytime during the nine days. If you or your family would like the privilege of performing the daily Katha Puja (as a Mukhya or Sahi Yajman) or dedicate any of the religious proceedings such as the Pothi Yatra, Bhajans or Yagna in your family’s name or simply make a donation, please contact Vasanti Parmar (01923 820071), Kavita Chauhan (07985 144646) or Mani Chauhan (07779 619079). As part of the Katha, several stories from the Shrimad Bhagavat will also be re-enacted as small plays by children from our community, acting out the various character roles adorned in elaborate costumes and colourful makeup (see itinerary on flyer). If you would like your children to participate in any of the Katha plays., please contact Kavita Chauhan at the earliest opportunity. P.S To create further awareness and enable more people to reap the benefits of this narration, please pass on details of this auspicious event to other members of your family that may not have access to the internet. Further details of the event will be broadcast over the next three weeks. The event will begin from 10:00am onwards on Saturday 25th September, with a public gathering at GAA Kenton Hall for the Pothi Yatra, which is effectively a celebration and procession of song, music and dance from Preston Road, Wembley to the GAAL Kenton Hall. The Pothi Yatra signifies the journey of the sacred Shrimad Bhagavat from across the city to its resting place (Vyas Peetham) in GAAL Kenton Hall from where its knowledge will be expounded by the Acharya (teacher) during the Katha for 3 hours everyday for the next seven days. Each day of the Katha will begin with Puja conducted by the Mukhya and Sahi Yajmans (Guests of Honour) of the day with assistance from the priest(s). As part of the Katha, several stories from the Shrimad Bhagavat will also be re-enacted as small plays by children from our community, acting out the various character roles adorned in elaborate costumes and colourful makeup (see itinerary on flyer). Shraad Bhajans 'Shraaddha' is how we remember our ancestors (pitras). Just as we would like to be remembered by our sons and daughters after we are dead, our ancestors (pitras - men and woman both) also desired this. By doing 'Shraaddha', we are fullfilling their wish. Thanking them for giving birth to a line which contains us. We also renew our promise to them to follow their traditions. Hindus perform Shraadha during the 16 days in the lunar month of 'Shraad', but usually also do it on the death anniversaries that we definitely know of our recent ancestors (generally father and grandfather if they are dead). People of Indonesia, Thailand, Combodia, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, and Malaysia also have the tradition of remembering their ancestors, something similar to 'Shraaddha', though their way can be a little different. The ancestors of many of these people at one time were following hinduism. Later they became buddhist or muslims. Japan, China, and Korea also have a strong tradition of ancestor worship. These people burn candles and agarbattis (incense sticks) for their ancestors in their temples, which are like 'Sthana' of 'Baderas' in Punjab villages. Ancestor worship is also done in Christian countries. They call it 'All Saints Day', 'All Souls Day', 'Halloween', etc. We hope that you wil be able to join us during the Shraad Bhajans hosted at the GAA Kentonhall on 2nd October 2010, so that together we may commemorate the lives of all our collective 'pitras'. We humbly ask you to also pass on this event information to anyone that may deem it to be of interest. 
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