[GHHF] Update of our Activities at the Ground Level -From February 11 to February 20, 2023

22 Feb 2023 933 Views

William Harten Gilbert,  author of Peoples of India has said:
"In the history of human culture, the contribution of the Indian peoples in all fields has been of the greatest importance. From India we are said to have derived domestic poultry, shellac, lemons, cotton, jute, rice, sugar, indigo, the buffalo, cinnamon, ginger, pepper, sugar-cane, the games of chess, Pachisi, Polo, the Zero concept, the decimal system, the basis of certain philological concepts, a wealth of fables with moral import, an astonishing variety of artistic products, and innumerable ideas in philosophy and religion such as asceticism and monasticism."
1.    Bala Samskar Kendras – Celebrated Chhatrapati Shivaji Jayanti by learning about his life, his bravery, establishment of Maratha Empire and  his achievements.(2/20)
GHHF decided to  teach the real history of our country and present a truthful account of great emperors of Bharat. Our Bala Samskar teachers taught that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was the founder of the Maratha Empire in western India. He is considered to be one of the greatest warriors of his time and even today, stories of his exploits are narrated as a part of the folklore. With his valor and great administrative skills, Shivaji carved out an enclave from the declining Adilshahi sultanate of Bijapur. It eventually became the genesis of the Maratha Empire. After establishing his rule, Shivaji implemented a competent and progressive administration with the help of a disciplined military and well-established administrative set-up. Shivaji is well-known for his innovative military tactics that centered around non-conventional methods leveraging strategic factors like geography, speed, and surprise to defeat his more powerful enemies.
        Shivaji turned out to be a born leader from a very young age. An active outdoorsman, he explored the Sahayadri Mountains surrounding the Shivneri forts and came to know the area like the back of his hands. By the time he was 15, he had accumulated a band of faithful soldiers from the Maval region who later aided in his early conquests.
https://www.savetemples.org/post/ghhf-bala-samskar-kendras-celebrated-chhatrapati-shivaji-jayanti-by-learning-about-his-life-his-bravery-establishment-of-maratha-empire-and-his-achievements/1516
2.    Bala Samskar Kendra Students – Celebrated Maha Shivaratri by lighting the Shiva Linga Image, attended Shiva Temples and chanted Lingashtakam (2/19)
Many teachers celebrated Maha Shivaratri in different ways. Some of the teachers encouraged students to prepare Shiva Lingam with Lamps. The lighted Shiva Lingas look beautiful. Some teachers talked about the significance of Maha Shivaratri. Some prepared a pictorial 15 feet high Shiva towers. Most of the teachers taught the students to chant Lingashtakam.
There are a number of stories with respect to the celebration of Maha Shivaratri. According to one story that once a hunter was wandering in a jungle on the banks of Kolidum River. The hunter was following a deer and suddenly heard roar of a tiger. The hunter got scared and climbed a tree, the tiger came chasing the hunter and stood at the foot of the tree. The hunter was very afraid and did not sleep because he thought he would fall. The whole night he spend on the tree by the hunter and suddenly he threw the leaves from the bael tree and at the foot of the tree was the Shiva lingam about which he did not know in the morning the tiger was not there and only Shiva lingam was there. The hunter was very happy and thankful to Lord Shiva and so people remember Lord Shiva the entire night of Maha Shivaratri.
https://www.savetemples.org/post/ghhf-bala-samskar-kendra-students-celebrated-maha-shivaratri-by-lighting-the-shiva-linga-image-attended-shiva-temples-and-chanted-lingashtakam/1515
3.    Bala Samskar Kendras in Annamayya District, AP – Teachers talked about the importance and Significance of Maha Shivaratri and encouraged students to attend Shiva Puja and Abhishekam (2/18)
    The Maha Shivaratri is mentioned in several Puranas, particularly the Skanda Purana, Linga Purana, and Padma Purana. These medieval era Shaiva texts present different versions associated with this festival, and mention fasting, reverence for icons of Shiva such as the lingam
Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival, celebrated annually in honor of Lord Shiva, the God of destruction. Shivaratri is celebrated in every month of the luni-solar calendar, in accordance with the Hindu calendar but once a year either in February or March, Maha Shivaratri is celebrated to commemorate the oncoming summer. Maha Shivaratri, literally translates as ‘the great night of Shiva’ and according to legend, it is on this night that Lord Shiva performs his heavenly dance or ‘tandav’.
In Hindu culture, this is a solemn festival that marks the remembrance of ‘overcoming darkness and ignorance in life’. Different legends, throughout history, describe the significance of Maha Shivaratri and according to one of them, it is on this night that Lord Shiva performs his cosmic dance of ‘creation, preservation and destruction’. Another legend dictates that on this night, offerings of Lord Shiva’s icons can help one overcome and let go of their sins and start on the path of righteousness, allowing the individual to reach Mount Kailash and achieve ‘moksha’.
https://www.savetemples.org/post/ghhf-bala-samskar-kendras-in-annamayya-district-ap-teachers-talked-about-the-importance-and-significance-of-maha-shivaratri-and-encouraged-students-to-attend-shiva-puja-and-abhishekam/1514
4.    Bala Samskar Kendras in Tirupati area – Students learned about Sri Krishnadeva Raya, his life and achievements (2/17)
Sri Krishnadevaraya was the son of Tuluva Narasa Nayaka, the founder of the Tuluva Dynasty. Krishnadevaraya’s rule is remembered as a glorious chapter in the history of Vijayanagar Empire. His rule was characterized by expansion and consolidation. 
He was an excellent general. He is credited with building some of the finest temples in South India.  Krishnadevaraya was the third ruler of the Tuluva Dynasty. His rule is marked by military success in the history of Vijayanagar. He won many battles. He subdued local rulers, fought and won many wars.
The reign of Sri Krishnadevaraya  (r. 1509-1529 C.E.) stands out as the high point in the history of the Vijayanagar Empire. Emperor Krishnadevaraya also earned the titles Kannada Rajya Rama Ramana, Moorurayaraganda (meaning "King of three kings"), and Andhra Bhoja. He consolidated and expanded the empire through astute use of his massive military, successfully campaigning against the kingdoms to his north.
https://www.savetemples.org/post/ghhf-bala-samskar-kendras-in-tirupati-area-students-learned-about-sri-krishnadeva-raya-his-life-and-achievements/1513
5.    Bala Samskar Kendras in Guntur District – Students are learning about the importance of Hanuman Chalisa and learning to Chant the Verses. (2/16)
    Hanuman Chalise consists of 40 verses dedicated to the devotees of Lord Rama.  It is composed by Tulasidas while he was imprisoned by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. When Aurangzeb challenged Tulsidas to show the lord to him, he replied that Rama could only be seen with true devotion. This angered the emperor and he put the poet behind bars. It is popularly believed that an army of monkeys menaced Delhi when Tulsidas completed his ode and recited the Chalisa. It is also a common belief among the Hindus that reading Hanuman Chalisa can reap several benefits. A few recitals of the Chalisa to  Hanuman helps one memorize it easily.
    Lord Hanuman is considered a symbol of devotion, strength, and unwavering dedication. He is also considered a symbol of courage and selflessness, as he is known for his bravery and his willingness to serve Lord Rama. He is considered a symbol of physical and mental power and is said to have been born with supernatural abilities and powers. He is believed to have been able to lift and carry the entire mountain of medicinal herbs to save Lord Rama’s brother Lakshmana. He is said to have mastered many physical skills and is known for his exceptional strength and agility.
https://www.savetemples.org/post/ghhf-bala-samskar-kendras-in-guntur-district-students-are-learning-about-the-importance-of-hanuman-chalisa-and-learning-to-chant-the-verses/1512
6.    Annadanam to 33 Low Income Hindus – provided two weeks supply of dry goods to celebrate Makara Sankranti in January. (2/15)
It is the dharma of every Hindu to look at the situation in Bharata and have to engage in dharmic activities. It is the dharma of every one to make sure that their own Hindu dharma is protected by serving the community. Hindus cannot look the other way when adharma is establishing firm roots. It is our dharma (duty) to protect the impending danger to Hinduism from within and without. By ignoring and being indifferent, we are encouraging the injustice to prevail, evil to take it’s roots, and authoritarianism to prevail in the society.
As we mentioned earlier, many poor Hindus in VILLAGES are experiencing hardships and struggling to feed their families. GHHF is planning to distribute these items to low-income in Visakhapatnam area.
               Each bag/kit will have the following items: Rice, Wheat flour, Cooking Oil, Urad Dal, Moong Dal,  Chilli powder,  Tamarind,  Upma Ravva, Mustard Seeds, and other items. 

https://www.savetemples.org/post/ghhf-annadanam-to-33-low-income-hindus-provided-two-weeks-supply-of-dry-goods-to-celebrate-makara-sankranti-in-january/1511
7.    Ghar Waapasi in Telangana – 18 Christians returned to Hindutva from  in Mahbubnagar District (2/14)
    Lakshmi Nivas and his associates welcomed 18 Christians from Mahbubnagar District back to Hindu Dharma. They used to go to BM Church.  They talked about the tactics they used in converting people and how they induce people to convert to Christianity. Many converts expressed their own experience of being pressured into accepting Christianity and how it created fear in them. Jesus says one cannot love his parents more than Jesus. As you can see that Jesus came here with a sword only to create enemies, and hatred toward others. He says we have to leave our parents, not associate with our family members, and not even attend funerals. Even your father you cannot do last rights for your own father. Laxmi Nivas talked about the difference between Christianity and Hinduism and the kind of respect we have toward our parents. Mother has been extolled as a god form in several places in the Puranas and also God has been approached as a son.  She is Dhatri (One who bears the child), Janani (one who gives birth to the child), Amba (One who nourishes the limbs of the child), and Veerasu (One who makes him a hero), Shusroo (One who takes care of him). Jesus is his Only Father.
https://www.savetemples.org/post/ghhf-ghar-waapasi-in-telangana-18-christians-returned-to-hindutva-from-in-mahbubnagar-district/1510
8.    Bala Samskar Kendras in Tirupati area – Students learned about Swami Dayananda Saraswati, his life, reformation of Hinduism and creation of Arya Samaj (2/13)
On February 12, Swami Dayananda Saraswathi is CELBRATED BY OUR Bala Samskar Kendras in Tirupati area. He was born in 1824 to a wealthy Brahmin family and learned to study Vedas when he was teenager. He did not believe in Murthy worship.
        He left home and became a disciple of Swami Virjananda who asked him to throw away all the books and focus only on the Vedas. He studies Vedas under his tutelage for two and a half years. After finishing his education, Virjananda asked him to spread the concepts of the Vedas in society as his gurudakshina ("tuition-dues"), predicting that he would revive Hinduism. He believed that Hinduism had been corrupted by divergence from the founding principles of the Vedas and misled by the priesthood for the priests' self-aggrandizement. Hindu priests discouraged common folk from reading Vedic scriptures and encouraged rituals.
In 1869, Dayananda set up his first Vedic School, dedicated to teaching Vedic values to the fifty students who registered during the first year. Two other schools followed by 1873. In 1875, he founded the Arya Samaj in 1875, which spearheaded what later became known as a nationalist movement within Hinduism. The term "fundamentalist" has also been used with reference to this strand of the Hindu religion.
https://www.savetemples.org/post/ghhf-bala-samskar-kendras-in-tirupati-area-students-learned-about-swami-dayananda-saraswati-his-life-reformation-of-hinduism-and-creation-of-arya-samaj/1509
9.    Bala Samskar Kendras in Janagam Telangana – Students learned about Dwadasha Jyotir Lingas, Sant Ravidas and practiced Surya Namaskaras (2/11)
     Students learned about the importance of Jyotirlingas, the names of them and where they are located.  Jyotirlinga or Jyotirling or Jyotirlingam (Sanskrit Mean) are shrines where Lord Shiva, is worshipped in the form of a Jyotirlingam. These are the twelve ancient pilgrimage centers reference of which is found in the Shiv Purana. They are called jyotirlingas because Lord Shiva is said to have revealed himself to his devotees in the form of Jyoti i.e. light. There are 12 Jyotirlinga list with Sanskrit shloka of 12 Jyotirlinga List. The following Sanskrit sloka describes about the 12 Jyotirlingas Of  Lord Shiva and all full of Information.
https://www.savetemples.org/post/ghhf-bala-samskar-kendras-in-janagam-telangana-students-learned-about-dwadasha-jyotir-lingas-sant-ravidas-and-practiced-surya-namaskaras-michael-wood/1507
 WE NEED YOUR HELP
We appreciate it if you can help in hiring more people who can go to these villages to do Ghar Waapasi. We have employed 26 people so far. More people we hire, more villages can be covered to welcome them back and also create Chaitanya (Awareness) among the students and villagers. Also,  we are conducting 150 Bala Kendras in five States. Support one or more Kendras. 
1) Sponsor one Bala Samskar Kendra for $1000.00
2) Sponsor one Pracharak: In order to expand our base and hire one Pracharak, it would cost approximately $3000.00 - $3500.00 per year. We have ofive anonymous donors who sponsored 9 Pracharaks
DONATIONS
PayPal Method: To donate visit our website: savetemples.org. Click on the Donate button, then press the Purpose category, and select the General Donation category.
By Check: Or you can send a check payable to: GHHF, . It is tax-deductible.
By Zelle: ghhfusaorg@gmail.com
By Rupees, please contact us by either phone or email.
For more information, call Prakasarao V Velagapudi ; Email: ghhfusaorg@gmail.com

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