The Hindu Spiritual and Service Fair (HSSF) - 10th Edition, Guru Nanak College, Velachery, Chennai

This massive fair is an enormous treat for the ardent seekers of Hinduism.

The 10th edition of the Hindu Spiritual and Service Fair 2019 is all set to conclude today, after featuring more participants and gathering more footprints than ever before. The six day fair, conducted by the Hindu Spiritual and Service Foundation, has been held at Guru Nanak College, Velachery, Chennai.

What started off with fewer than 100 participants 10 years ago has blossomed into an annual ritual that has been drawing an increasing number of participants and visitors every year - there are said to be more than 4000 participating institutions for the 10th edition this year.

This well-organised event showcased the variety and depth of the deep-rooted culture of the land, across the length and breadth of India. Right from handcrafted earthenware to the devotion for Bharat Mata or the motherland, from the spirit of freedom fighters of the past who lived and died for our nation, to the glorious history of our spiritual gurus who have shown the path to the future from the high pedestals of enlightenment, the richness of our culture and the collective strength of our Dharma was on display for the current generation to know, realise and connect with.

Devotion for our nation - the Bharat Mata Temple

Dedications to Kanchi Maha Periyava and Shri Ramana Maharishi, among others

The presence of Kanchi Maha Periyava was overwhelming, with so many institutions associated with, affiliated to, or inspired by Him and His Kanchi Matt, reaching out to the common folks to guide them through life on to the spiritual path.

Shri Kanchi Maha Periyava

The Hindu Spiritual and Service Fair was also graced by the blessings of numerous other Acharyas and Matts that have dedicated their lifetimes for the cause of upliftment of our society and mankind.

Swami Chinmayananda

Swami Dayananda Saraswati

The tone and tenor of the Hindu Spiritual and Service Fair was clear - to remind the current and younger generation of Indians of their own glorious history and to help them get back in touch with their own spiritual nature. 

For instance, the likes of Swami  Chinmayananda and Swami Dayananda Saraswati have been, among numerous other saints and seers over the centuries, instrumental in creating institutions that would guide Indians back to their own roots. Swami Dayananda Saraswati was vehemently against religious conversion in any manner, while Kanchi Maha Periyava implored people of all religions to search for the ultimate reality in their own way, in the faith that they were born into. 

If Adi Shankara, Madhvacharya and Ramanuja were the guiding lights behind creating schools of thought and reviving Sanatana Dharma through Shaivism and Vaishnavism, the contemporary Acharyas like Kanchi Maha Periyava, Swami Chinmayananda and Swami Dayananda Saraswati were instrumental reminding the people of the land of their own past that was mired through centuries of onslaught from Middle East Asia and the shackles of colonialism from the West.

Shri Adi Shankara, Shri Madhvacharya, Shri Ramanuja and Swami Mahaveer

      

The 10th edition of the Hindu Spiritual and Service Fair also featured numerous stalls that appealed to kids and their sensitivities, drawing them into the world of Hindu epics and its Heroes. After all, the future belongs to the next generation that is able to relate their future to such an enormous wealth of past history.

Hindu Epics for children

Hindu saints, seers and Acharyas apart, it was indeed astounding to see the enormous number of institutions that have dedicated themselves to the cause of social service and for reviving Dharma. From creating and maintaining Goshalas to giving unknown departed souls a decent, ritualistic burial, from reviving lost and dilapidated temples to reviving Olai Chuvadis or Palm manuscripts, from serving pilgrims to building temples, the scope of work for reviving Dharma on this holy land is tremendous - and the Hindu Spiritual and Service Fair was one such opportunity to get to know the faces behind such untiring work that goes on the ground by unknown people, who have dedicated their lives to the cause, and yet keep such a low-key profile to keep doing their tasks at hand.

Shri Radha Krishnan of Madhuranthagam - Govindan Goshala

Shree Krishna Charitable Trust, ably initiated and managed by Shri Radha Krishnan and his wife Mrs Rama Radha Krishnan, is dedicated to the cause of Go Samrakshanam or cow protection, giving shelter to cows at Madhuranthagam and spreading awareness on the importance of Go Samrakshanam. Cows have been revered and reared over the centuries in India, whose significance is demonstrated by the life of Lord Shri Krishna himself, and the preaching of Kanchi Maha Periyava. Govindan Goshala is located at Gudalur village near Madhuranthagam around 80 kms from Chennai on the Chennai-Trichy Highway.

Chennai to Govindan Goshala

Shri Ve. S. Sridharan of Poygaippakkam Temple

Shri Ve. S. Sridharan, grandson of Shri C Rajagopalachari, fondly known as Rajaji, the last Governor General of India, is closely associated with Poygaipakkam Temple as its Trustee, a 1000 year-old temple built by the Chola, Pandya and Vijayanagara kings. Shri Lakshmi Narayana Varadaraja Perumal Kaingarya Trust, registered in 2005 under the auspices of Sri Sri Srimushnam Andavan Swamigal, works tirelessly towards the revival of this historical temple and returning it to its glorious past.

The Anatha Pretha Kainkarya Trust is a noble institution that performs the last rites of the orphaned upon their death. This is another institution whose name and actions have been inspired by Kanchi Maha Periyava. The institution and its volunteers perform the last rites of the poor and downtrodden, irrespective of their caste or creed, in line with the Hindu code of conduct - this deed is equated, in Hindu scriptures, as being equivalent to performing Ashwameda Yagna!

These were but a few of the numerous organisations and institutions that participated in the 10th edition of the Hindu Spiritual and Service Fair, an annual event that has been increasingly growing in popularity every year. There were other social service camps and information stalls, including the presence of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art of Living Foundation and Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev's Isha Foundation, who have created brands for themselves in propagating the values, customs and ancient culture of Sanatana Dharma. There are also representations of India's freedom movement, recognising the great souls who gave up their lives for the cause of Indian Independence.

The fair is open till this evening, and would certainly be a treat to those who understand the values of Hinduism, to those who would want to network with like-minded people who have dedicated their lives to the service of mankind, and for those who would like to introduce the next generation to the wealth of resources that our land and its Acharyas have to offer, instilling a sense of patriotism and pride in young minds.

Of course, the Hindu Spiritual and Service Fair keeps returning every year, and if you have not had an opportunity to visit it so far, you could expect it to come back next year, only much bigger and even better!