Katra, February 26: A Ten day refresher course organized by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) on enhancement of knowledge on Vedic rituals for Pujaris concluded on Friday amid chanting of Vedic mantras.
Held in two batches of 17 Pujaris each, the course was designed as a tool for understanding specific rituals, mantras & practices that a Pujari needs to master besides, a highly specific and professional approach about their Pujan Vidhi. To meet the basic objectives of the training programme, experienced, qualified guest faculty and scholars of vedic studies from renowned institutes of Kashi, Varanasi in collaboration with Chudamani Sanskrit Sansthan, Basohli, Kathua were invited to share their rich experiences while imparting the training.
The main training contents included kalp sahit paurohitya, sanatan dharm, achar, vyavahar , jap, tap, daan, devee/ deva stuti, panchagavya , pranayam , vastr dhaaran, shikha bandhan, aasan vichaar, jal shuddhi , sthaan shuddhi , suktas, stotras, shlokas,mantras, shraaddh parichay, tarpan, ,panchamahaayagy* , havan, poornahuti, and prasaad grahan etc.
It was a highly informative “ten days”, as per the general view of the participants besides, was an excellent opportunity to get a deeper appreciation of Vedic scriptures and apply the practical wisdom in their day to day work. There were lively Q&A segments after some sessions, which demonstrated that the participants shared strong concern about the topics and presentations, and confirmed the need for such edifying courses to be organized on a regular basis as they would prove to be very valuable in performing Pujan Vidhi and other rituals as per our vedic philosophy.
Mr. Ramesh Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board said that all the participants enlivened and enthusiastic to serve to a greater capacity with more clarity on procedures and the philosophy behind the seemingly unlimited ways in which we can render personal services to goddess and developing character, personal fulfilment and spiritual progression of visiting devotees. He also stressed on the important role of Pujaris as a performer of religious activities, as a teacher/ counselor and as a temple executive. Dr. Sunil Sharma, Joint CEO who attended the valedictory session said that the training programme was taken up for Pujaris to give the much-needed fillip to the temple activities. He congratulated the participants and rendered formal votes of thanks to the resource persons for imparting the much needed training under the changing scenario. Participants were also given certificates in the concluding ceremony.
