Different Shakha's, Different Experience's.

Part of the many tasks we have to carry out for SIP- there was one in particular which stood out to me: "Visit a different shakha every week." This allowed me to see how other shakhas run and what they do differently or similar to Meerabai shakha (Wembley). So what was so interesting you may ask?

My first visit was to Rukhmuni shakha (Hounslow) where I was fortunate enough to attend their guru puja utsav. There bauddhik speaker was a Guru from the Watford Hare Krishna Mandir who took a more religious perspective using examples of the Mahabharata and Krishna bhagwan.

This gave me different perspectives as Wembley normally invites internal sangh speakers and give examples in relation to family, definitions, sangh and traditions. It also showed me how sangh and samiti can work together to plan and excute and utsav which is something Wembley doesnt do. More so, their information on the utsav and the bauddhik was carried out before normal shakha where as Meerabai shakha normally carry out shakha first following the utsav and bauddhik after.

I was also able to see how the Baal gana had knowledge of the utsav and had been saving up money which they had brought in as their contribution which is something which is something I plan to implement in Wembley.

My second visit was to Jijabai shakha (Edgware) where I attended the utsav of Raksha Bandan. This was quite interesting as Wembley shakha is not open in the holiday period so is unable to host its own utsav allowing me to see one way of carrying it out.

Their bauddhik speaker was a member from sangh who gave a very interesting bauddhik on international relations and its relations to raksha bandan. We learnt how a Rakhi is a form of protection not only in Hindu culture but also in the context of war and battle. We learnt how a Rakhi was utilised by many females rulers as a form or protection which was sent to another King or Emperor to ask for protection. On accepting they would get an army for defence and a new relaationship.

One story was such that an emperor was unable to attack another king due to the rakhi sent by his sister- so his life was indeed speared in battle. This showed how rakhis were used for different purposes and its significance was seen around the world in historical times.

Again, this utsav was carried out with both sangh and samiti which made me think that the Meerabai shakha should try out one or two utsavs with the Sangh. The mahakhel which took place was carried out in stations which had games and activties which was not shakha specific which is something we don't carry out at Wembley.

My third visit was to Shakti shakha (Finchley) where I was unfortunately unable to see another interpretation on the raksha bandan utsav as they moved it to the following week. However, I was able to involve with their shakha and see how they run.

At this shakha they played khel which was different to what is played at Wembley- so I was able to take a few new games and some naras back to wembley. Then bauddhik followed and as it being Krishna bhagwans birthday the bauddhik was conducted on the following. What was different was that everyone gave personal accounts and stories contributing to the bauddhik which was a different and very engaging for the audience.

From visiting these shakhas in the vibhaag I have been able to see how we all run quite similar to each other however there is always something which I can be taken back to improve our own shakhas.
Hindu Hindu Ek Rahe