Spiritual summer camp for kids

Chennai: The seven-day summer camp kicked off at Shankaralaya, and organised under the guidance of the pontiffs of Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt, was distinct from the regular camps as it focused exclusively on associating the young minds with an understanding of Hindu culture and learning Sanskrit slokas.

The event that started with the chanting of ‘Jaya Jaya Sankara, Hara Hara Sankara’, by the students was followed by bhajans and classes conducted by the swamijis. The camp, organised for the past 7 years, introduces Vinayakar Agaval, a Tamil poem written by Avvaiyar, as the main subject. Students are expected to recite the poem in front of the Kanchi seer at Kancheepuram at the end of the camp.

The first day also saw the top three rank holders of the class 12 examinations being felicitated. S. Soumya, K. Sharmila and K. Divya were awarded cash prizes as they stood first, second and third in the exams in Chennai.

Over 300 students, mostly between the age of 7 and 15, attended the event that was coordinated by the Akhila India Kanchi Kamakoti Bhakthargal Peravai, a Hindu organisation, on its first day at the Shankaralaya auditorium at Chetpet on Friday.