Public Eye (South Africa)

Arya Samaj celebratio­ns

- Akheel Sewsunker

The Arya Samaj South Africa, in conjunctio­n with Arya Samaj Midlands recently held their founders celebratio­n, a Yajak ordaining ceremony and Dharma Praveen graduation ceremony at the Plessislae­r Arya Samaj.

The Founders Day celebratio­n celebrated the foundation­s of the institutio­n.

The Arya Samaj was establishe­d on April 10, 1875 in Mumbai by Maharishi Swami Dayanand Saraswati.

The Arya Samaj also ordained Yajaks who had to successful­ly complete a six-month course that now enables them to perform simple Hawan ceremonies.

Students were ordained with sashes and presented with certificat­es. A step-by-step procedure of how to conduct a basic Hawan, understand­ing and meaning of the various Vedic mantras, basic Sanskrit and Hindu religion formed part of the course.

Some students were also issued with the “Dharma Praveen”, which is the equivalent to a Diploma in Hinduism.

An intense three-year modular course taught under strict tutorship in English and culminated with the "Dharma Prabhakar", the equivalent to a degree in Hinduism.

Priests successful­ly completed a structured in-depth study of Hinduism and were sashed with special sashes and presented with certificat­es.

Both courses are conducted by the Ved Niketan, a sub-committee of the Arya Samaj. In Pietermari­tzburg, these courses among many others, are held at the Veda Dharma Sabha. Lessons are conducted by Pundit Kiran Satgoor.

For enquiries or for those who wish to pursue any of these courses contact Pt Satgoor on 0731522099 for more informatio­n.

 ?? ?? Standing from left to right : Pt S Hanuman, Pt Y Jadoo, Pt D Ramesar and Pt O Hanuman.
Seated from left to right: Pt M Maganbehar­e, Pt S Singh, Pt K Satgoor, Pt Zahrina Pillay and Pt Anisha Ramrathan. Photo: Supplied
Standing from left to right : Pt S Hanuman, Pt Y Jadoo, Pt D Ramesar and Pt O Hanuman. Seated from left to right: Pt M Maganbehar­e, Pt S Singh, Pt K Satgoor, Pt Zahrina Pillay and Pt Anisha Ramrathan. Photo: Supplied

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