Four-day workshop (Two Weekends) Mala Grathana workshop was conducted on Oct 14–15, 28–29, using fresh and fragrant flowers in the calm ambiance of Vivekananda Cultural Centre. Swami Raghunayakananda inaugurated the orientation session with the traditional lighting of lamp along with resource persons, volunteers, and students. 19 participants from different walks of life between the age group of 18-60 registered for the lively and innovative workshop.
Smt. Vijayalakshmi (Mala Grathana Teacher), known among devotees as ‘Tulsi amma’ conducted the first day with the assistance of Smt. Vijayalakshmi (Volunteer). Both of them as a team patiently taught all participants the gentle and ancient art of Garland Making— which is one of the 64 ancient arts to develop Bhakti for the Divine. Sri Chandrashekara Bharati ji, who runs a traditional Vedic Pathashala, taught wick-making, assisted by his student. The third and fourth-day sessions were assisted by Kumari Lavanya (Volunteer).
Different types of garlands— Types of Saram, Lotus petal folded garland, Types of Dindu Maalai, Types of Veni, Betel Leaf Saram, Rose petal garland, Traditional Jadai, Small Cute Bud garlands, Mango and Coconut leaves—Thoranas, Coconut leaf Parrot, Wick Making.
On the final day, Smt. Lakshmi Devnath presided as the Chief Guest during the Valedictory session. Swami Raghunayakananda spoke of the association of flowers with the divine and the calming and meditative effect of Garland Making on the minds of all the participants. Lunch Prasad was served to all along with tea during the twin breaks on all four days. Certificates were distributed to all participants at the end of the Valedictory session by the Chief Guest on Sun-29th Oct 2023.