In the month of March 2017, FSL-India LTV Bangalore region organized a Cultural Event (CE) at Mysore and Kanchipuram zones under the theme of ‘Religion.

Mysore: In the morning, the team started their journey from the meeting point and visited SGS Ashrama. Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji from the ashrama organises Gnana, Naada, Bhakthi and Yoga sabhas in many places all over the world. In 2014, he opened an aviary called Shuka Vana, which covers an area of one acre and is home to more than 1000 birds from 290 species, especially parrots. In the afternoon, they had lunch together, after which the coordinator had one-to-one talks with the volunteers about their project and host family.

Kanchipuram: In the Kanchipuram zone, there was one volunteer who participated in the Cultural Event and the team visited Kanchi Kamakshi & Ekambaranathar temples. In the shrine of Kamakshi Amman close to the sanctum, is the Tirukkalavanur Divya Desam. The temples are dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who was glorified by the 7th-10th century alwars (Tamil saint poets). The temple facing West has fallen to ruins and the deity is now placed inside the Kamakshi Amman temple. Ekambaranathar temple (Ekambareswara temple) is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in the town of Kanchipuram, in Tamil Nadu, India. It is significant to the Hindu sect of Shaivism as one of the temples associated with the five elements, i.e. the Pancha Bhoota Stalas, and specifically the element of earth, or Prithvi. In the afternoon, the team had lunch together, after which the coordinator had a one-to-one talk with the volunteer about the project and host family.

Volunteer Feedback:

• Went to SGS Ashrama, discovered the many types of parrots in a cool place. Afterwards, we saw a short movie about the birds and how they are talking. At the same time, visited the temple and bonsai garden, I enjoyed the day and the delicious lunch.
• I am relaxed and enjoyed the temple view. I visited the weavers’ centre. I came to know about how they are preparing silk, it was really interesting.