Muscat: The Viswabrahmana Okkoota, Muscat (VOM), celebrated its 5th Vishwakarma Pooja Mahotsavam on Friday, October 17th at the Al Maasa hall, Ruwi. Vishwakarma community members were present in vast numbers to witness the programme.
The puja mantap was well decorated with flowers and colorful lights. The Puja was ably conducted by Veda Brahmashri Purohit Shreekanta H.R, Astrologer and Chief Priest of Shree Kalikamba Dattatreya Temple, N.R. Pura, Chikkamagaluru who flew in all the way from Chikmagalur to perform this puja ceremony.
The programme started at around 10:00 am with Maha Sankalpa, Kalasha Prathishte, Guru Ganapathi Puja, Swasti Punya Avachana, Vishwakarma Kalpokta and continued with Bhajans from 11.00 am onwards. The entire devotees felt the positive vibration surrounding them with the sounds of tabla, harmony and tala. Soon after the bhajan was mangalarathi and distribution of Theertha prasada. All devotees queued and accepted the prasada after darshan of Lord Vishwakarma.
After the mangalarathi was ‘Anna Santharpane’ maha prasada distribution in tradition way of banana leaves served by youth in traditional dress. All those who witnessed the programme happily received this prasada and waited eagerly for the cultural programme scheduled for afternoon.
Vasudeva Acharya welcomed the gathering and rendered a brief description about Veda Brahmashri Purohit Sreekanta H.R. He was honored with shawl, fruits, flowers, memento etc by Ganesh Acharya Kaup, President. He spoke on this occasion and appreciated the work being done by the community members in Oman. The chief priest showered his blessings on the community members and praised the activities the community members were involved in.
Harishchandra Acharya Kenja hosted the programme in a lively manner and the cultural programme started with a semi classical dance by women Mallika, Archana, Purnima, Rashmita, Reshma, Varija and Prema. This was followed by a small skit “Sita Swayamvar” by members and their children. After this by little girls Avani, Sameeksha, Pratik, Sharan, provided a danced to the song “Murli Manohar Mohan Murari.” Older children, Yashas, Samrath, Abhinav, Manisha Sinchana, Varshini and Sharan then paid tribute to legendary artist Michael Jackson through their dance performance. All these dances were choreographed by Mallika Ravindra and Suresh Udupi. The cultural programme culminated with the youth performing a comedy Tulu drama “Erla Yennayer”.
The programme was flawless under the able leadership of President Ganesh Acharya, Vice President Seetharam Acharya, Secretary Jayaram Acharya, Jt. Secretary Harish Chandra Acharya and Treasurer Sadanand Acharya. Harsh Belman and Prema were the head couple who conducted the puja ceremonies on behalf of the community. The consecrated clothes set was presented to one of the community’s senior members – couple Seetarama Acharya and Rohini by Veda Brahmashri Purohit Shreekanta H.R.
VOM Jt.Secretary Harishchandra Acharya Kenja delivered a vote of thanks.
