Nov 23, 2025 - Grade 1 (Sunday AM)

  Hari Om Dear Families,

Here's this week's update.

Week 9: 23rd Nov, 2025 / 9:15am

Shlokas-  We all chanted 'OM' 3 times followed by Shlokas 'Om Saha Navavatu' (pg 8 in My prayer book),  'Vakratunda Mahakaya' (pg 27), 'Saraswati Namastubhyam' (pg 12), 'Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu'.

We started the session with Yoga time -  Each child suggested a Yoga pose which everyone in the class followed so everyone got to do their favorite Asana.

After recapping previous sessions' Ramayana story Chapter 9 and 10 were completed.

The lessons from Ramayana continued with King Dashratha realizing that he is getting old and the kingdom of Ayodhya needed a new king to take over the kingdom so that he could retire to the forest for penance. After consulting with the ministers of the Assembly a decision was made that Rama will be crowned the next king. Rama was informed and he graciously accepted the role.

The entire Kingdom was overjoyed and preparations were made for the Coronation ceremony with a lot of pomp and splendor.

When Manthara, queen Kaikeyi's maid, hears about this, she gets upset and informs the queen but the queen is very happy to hear the news. Manthara tries to poison queen Kaikeyi's mind by telling her that if her son Bharata does not become king then Queen Kaikeyi and Bharata will not be of any importance in the kingdom. This got Kaikeyi thinking about it and slowly changed her mind.

So Kaikeyi reminded King Dasharatha of the two boons he had promised her in the past because she had saved his life. Queen Kaikeyi asked for the first boon to be that Bharata becomes King instead of Rama and second that Rama should be sent to the forest for 14 years!

King Dasharatha was astonished and could not bear to hear these words and asked her to change her mind but she would not budge. King Dasharatha finally gave in and asked Rama to go to the forest for 14 years and told him that Bharata would be king. Rama accepted the decision graciously and right away started for the forest after changing into ascetic garb.

Everyone was very upset with the change in the decision, Lakshmana and Sita chose to accompany Rama and live with him for 14 years in the forest.

Entire city of Ayodhya wanted to go with Rama and not live in the kingdom where Rama would not rule.

We will continue the Chapter and the story in the next class.

Coloring and Likhita japa - Children did some coloring time in their Ramayan Coloring books and Likhita japa where they wrote 'Ram' and chanted it as they wrote.

Gita chanting - We all chanted the next verses of Chapter 15 of the Bhagwat Gita along with the video.

We all then attended the Arati and pledge.

Next BalaVihar class is Dec 14, 2025.

1. Drop the kids off in class directly.

Please note - no food items or beverages are allowed in class.

                       Have the kids visit the bathroom before they come to class.

Please make sure the kids have atleast some breakfast and water before class.

Do reach out to us with any questions or concerns you may have.

Hari Om

Rameshwari Kale and Neha Wagh

Chinmaya Vrindavan

Nov 16, 2025 - Grade 1 (Sunday AM)

  Hari Om Dear Families,

Here's this week's update.

Week 8: 16th Nov, 2025 / 9:15am

Shlokas-  We all chanted 'OM' 3 times followed by Shlokas 'Om Saha Navavatu' (pg 8 in My prayer book),  'Vakratunda Mahakaya' (pg 27), 'Saraswati Namastubhyam' (pg 12), 'Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu'.

We started the session with Yoga time -  Each child suggested a Yoga pose which everyone in the class followed so everyone got to do their favorite Asana.

After recapping previous sessions' Ramayana story Chapter 7 and 8 were completed and Chapter 9 was started.

The lessons from Ramayana continued with the wise, great King Janaka who was established in the Self and how he adopted Princess Sita after he found her while he was ploughing the fields and accepted her as a gift from mother Earth.

When Sita was little, she played with the Rudra's bow which was gifted to King Janaka by God Varuna.

After Sita was of marriageable age, King Janaka wanted to find a suitable groom who was worthy of her. So he set up a Yajna in which there was a challenge in which the eligible grooms had to lift the bow and string it.

Many princes from different cities came to try the challenge but none succeeded.

When Sage Vishwamitra came to the Kingdom of Mithila with Lord Rama and Lakshmana, King Janaka was very happy and had the hope that his Yajna would be successful.

Sage Vishwamitra asked Rama to try the challenge and to everyone's surprise, he not only lifted the bow but also strung it and while doing so, the bow broke into two with a thundering clap!

Everyone was overjoyed and so was Sita who heard the sound of the breaking of the bow and knew that they had found her a groom.

King Janaka invited King Dasharatha and the entire family for the wedding. King Dasharatha was overwhelmed with the happy news and the entire family with the sages and elderly of the Kingdom went to Mithila. Lord Rama was wedded to Sita and the other princes were married to the sisters of Sita alongside their wedding.

Lakshmana married Urmila, Bharata married Mandavi and Shatrughna married Srutakirti.

The entire Kingdom of Ayodhya lived happily for a few years.

We will continue the Chapter and the story in the next class.

Coloring and Likhita japa - Children did some coloring time in their Ramayan Coloring books and Likhita japa where they wrote 'Ram' and chanted it as they wrote.

Gita chanting - We all chanted the next verses of Chapter 15 of the Bhagwat Gita along with the video.

We all then attended the Arati and pledge.

Next BalaVihar class is Nov 23rd, 2025.

1. Drop the kids off in class directly.

Please note - no food items or beverages are allowed in class.

                       Have the kids visit the bathroom before they come to class.

Please make sure the kids have atleast some breakfast and water before class.

Do reach out to us with any questions or concerns you may have.

Hari Om

Rameshwari Kale and Neha Wagh

Chinmaya Vrindavan

Oct 26, 2025 - Grade 1 (Sunday AM)

  Hari Om Dear Families,

Here's this week's update.

Week 6: 26 th Oct 2025 / 9:15am

Shlokas-  We all chanted 'OM' 3 times followed by Shlokas 'Om Saha Navavatu' (pg 8 in My prayer book),  'Vakratunda Mahakaya' (pg 27), 'Saraswati Namastubhyam' (pg 12), 'Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu'.

We discussed about Diwali and how everyone celebrated Diwali in their own homes with family and friends.

We started the session with Yoga time - stretching, standing forward fold, tree pose, adhomukhosvanasan, child's pose, butterfly pose and cobra pose.

After recapping the previous session's Ramayana story Chapters 5 and 6 we slowly moved forward to completing Chapter 6 and starting 7.

The story of Ramayana continued with Lord Rama, Lakshmana and Sage Vishwamitra continuing towards city if Mithila to attend the Yajna organised by King Janaka. The journey led us to the Ashrama of Sage Gautama and the story of Ahalya, the wife of Sage Gautama. We learned through the story that being honest is a good quality to have and being deceitful is not desirable and causes a lot of trouble for the person who is dishonest and people around them too. Then started the Chapter of King Janaka and how young Sita was found by him. 

We will continue the Chapter and the story in the next class.

Coloring and Likhita japa - Children did some coloring time in their Ramayan Coloring books and Likhita japa where they wrote 'Ram' and chanted it as they wrote.

Gita chanting - We all chanted the next verses of Chapter 15 of the Bhagwat Gita along with the video.

We all then attended the Arati and pledge.

Next BalaVihar class is Nov 2nd, 2025.

1. Drop the kids off in class directly.

Please note - no food items or beverages are allowed in class.

                       Have the kids visit the bathroom before they come to class.

Please make sure the kids have atleast some breakfast and water before class.

Do reach out to us with any questions or concerns you may have.

Hari Om

Rameshwari Kale and Neha Wagh

Chinmaya Vrindavan

Oct 12, 2025 - Grade 1 (Sunday AM)

Hari Om Dear Families,

Here's this week's update.

Week 5 : 12 th Oct 2025 / 9:15am

This class was a shorter one because we were doing Saraswati Pooja in the Ashram.

Shlokas-  We all chanted 'OM' 3 times followed by Shlokas 'Om Saha Navavatu' (pg 8 in My prayer book),  'Vakratunda Mahakaya' (pg 27), 'Saraswati Namastubhyam' (pg 12), 'Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu'.

After recapping the previous session's Ramayana story Chapters 3 and 4 we slowly moved forward to Chapter 5 and 6.

The story of Ramayana continued with young Lord Rama and Lakshmana accompanying Sage Vishwamitra for the protection of the Yajna from the Rakshasas.

When they were moving through the forest, they came across a lot of beautiful sights and Ashrams and then came to a patch where they encountered Tataka. We spoke about how even though Tataka was a woman, she was evil and the Sage advised Lord Rama to kill her. 

When they came to Sage Vishwamitra's Ashram, the Yajna was in progress and on the last day of the Yajna, Rakshasas Maricha and Subahu with their army came to destroy the Yajna and Lord Rama killed Subahu but Maricha escaped.

We then watch a small video of the story we learned in the class.

Coloring and Likhita japa - Children did some coloring time in their Ramayan Coloring books and Likhita japa where they wrote 'Ram' and chanted it as they wrote.

Gita chanting - We all chanted the next verses of Chapter 15 of the Bhagwat Gita along with the video.

We all then performed the Saraswati pooja individually and attended the Arati and pledge.

Next BalaVihar class is Oct 26th, 2025.

1. Drop the kids off in class directly.

Please note - no food items or beverages are allowed in class.

                       Have the kids visit the bathroom before they come to class.

Please make sure the kids have at least some breakfast and water before class.

Do reach out to us with any questions or concerns you may have.

Hari Om

Rameshwari Kale and Neha Wagh

Chinmaya Vrindavan

Oct 5, 2025 - Grade 1 (Sunday AM)

Hari Om Dear Families,

Here is this week's update.

Week 3 : Oct 5th , 2025 / 9:15am

Shlokas-  We all chanted 'OM' 3 times followed by Shlokas 'Om Saha Navavatu' (pg 8 in My prayer book),  'Vakratunda Mahakaya' (pg 27), 'Saraswati Namastubhyam' (pg 12), 'Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu'.

We started the session with Yoga time - stretching, standing forward fold, tree pose, runner's lunge, plank, child's pose.

Then, we had a small session of meditation with counting beads in which with closed eyes, children focus on the sound of the beads dropped into a box and at the end of the session they tell us how many beads were dropped into the box. This can help with trying to get some calmness, attention and focus with the children. 

After recapping the previous session's Ramayana story Chapters 1 and 2 we slowly moved forward to Chapter 3 and 4.

The story of Ramayana continued with the growing up of the 4 princes - Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna and the remarkable characteristics and qualities of each of them. The princes were trained in the Gurukul in the arts of warfare, archery and the learning of Vedas and Upanishads.

Sage Vishwamitra's visiting the Kingdom of King Dashratha and his special request to send young prince Rama with him to the forest to protect his Yajna from the Rakshasaas.

King Dashratha unwilling at first but when reassured by his guru Sage Vashistha and Sage Vishwamitra, sends Rama along with Lakshmana for the mission.

We then watch a small video of the story we learned in the class.

Coloring and Likhita japa - Children did some coloring time in their Ramayan Coloring books and Likhita japa where they wrote 'Ram' and chanted it as they wrote.

Gita chanting - We all chanted the next verses of Chapter 15 of the Bhagwat Gita along with the video.

We all then attended the Arati and pledge.

Next BalaVihar class is Oct 12, 2025.

1. Drop the kids off in class directly.

2. We have Saraswati Pooja as part of the Navaratri celebration so please dress the kids in attractive Indian outfits since they will be participating in the Pooja.

Please note - no food items or beverages are allowed in class.

                       Have the kids visit the bathroom before they come to class.

Please make sure the kids have atleast some breakfast and water before class.

Do reach out to us with any questions or concerns you may have.

Hari Om

Rameshwari Kale and Neha Wagh

Chinmaya Vrindavan

Sep 21, 2025 - Grade 1 (Sunday AM)

Hari Om Dear Families,

Here is this week's update.

Week 3 : Sep 21 , 2025 / 9:15am

Shlokas-  We all chanted 'OM' 3 times followed by Shlokas 'Om Saha Navavatu' (pg 8 in My prayer book),  'Vakratunda Mahakaya' (pg 27), 'Saraswati Namastubhyam' (pg 12), 'Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu'.

We had a short class because we had the House Inaugural activities for the children in the Assembly Hall.

We started the session with attendance. It was great to see all the children dressed in Red showing Team Spirit. Then we practiced the cheer of our House Durga's Daredevils and the Bhajan - Amba Parameshwari.

Coloring and Likhita japa - Children did some coloring time in their Ramayan Coloring books and Likhita japa where they wrote 'Ram' and chanted it as they wrote.

Gita chanting - We all chanted the 3 and 4 verse of Chapter 15 of the Bhagwat Gita along with the video.

House Inaugural activities - All the classes met with their respective Houses in the Assembly for the activities. 

The activities included learning about different well known 'Bhaktas' through their stories. Then the kids had a relay in which they completed Adi Pradakshinam, Super Brain Yoga and Namaskarams after which they got tickets which they exchanged for puzzles. Each puzzle was a clue to getting the 'Bhakta' name which they heard in the stories earlier.

After solving the puzzle, there was a quiz time as a final activity and the final scores were given to the Houses.

It was a fun and memorable start to this year's BalaVihar in which kids learned to work together in teams and helped each other.

Next BalaVihar class is Oct 5, 2025.

1. Drop the kids off in class directly.

2. We have Saraswati Pooja as part of the Navaratri celebration so please dress the kids in attractive Indian outfits since they will be participating in the Pooja.

HAPPY NAVARATRI GREETINGS TO EVERYONE!!

Please note - no food items or beverages are allowed in class.

Links and Reminders:

 Join the class Whatsapp group if you have not already

Refer to the Balavihar handbook for various House contests and Geeta Chanting Yagna information.

Please reach out to us with any questions or concerns you may have.

Hari Om

Rameshwari Kale and Neha Wagh

Chinmaya Vrindavan

Sep 14, 2025 - Grade 1 (Sunday AM)

  Hari Om Dear Families,

Here is this week's update.

Recap:

Week 1 : 7th Sept 2025 

Shlokas - We all chanted 'OM' 3 times followed by Shlokas 'Om Saha Navavatu' (pg 8 in My prayer book),  'Vakratunda Mahakaya' (pg 27), 'Saraswati Namastubhyam' (pg 12), 'Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu'.

We introduced ourselves as 'Hari Om, My name is ......'

We started our Bala Ramayana topic based on questions like 

What do we know about Ramayana?

Do we know any names from the Ramayana?

Week 2 : Sep 14th , 2025 / 9:15am

Shlokas-  We all chanted 'OM' 3 times followed by Shlokas 'Om Saha Navavatu' (pg 8 in My prayer book),  'Vakratunda Mahakaya' (pg 27), 'Saraswati Namastubhyam' (pg 12), 'Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu'.

Handbooks 2025-26 were distributed to the children.

We started the session with Yoga time - arm, wrist and neck rotations, tree pose, Virabhadrasana, lion pose and jumping jacks.

Then, we had a small session of meditation with counting beads in which with closed eyes, children focus on the sound of the beads dropped into a box and at the end of the session they tell us how many beads were dropped into the box. This can help with trying to get some calmness, attention and focus with the children. 

Then, we had a recap of the previous session about introduction to Ramayana and started the topic of Bala Ramayana - Chapters 1 and 2. We discussed about the city of Ayodhya, King Dasharatha, his three wives. 

The children learned about the qualities of a good Leader like King Dasharatha of kindness, being fair (impartial), caring for the people of his kingdom.

Since he desired children of his own, he performed the 'Putrakameshi Yagna " with the help of Sage Rishyasringa to beget children.

The AgniPurursha (FireGod) who emerged from the Yagna, offered a divine porridge which was divided between the wives as Prasadam.

After this, 4 princes are born - Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna.

Quiz time - We had a small quiz session of what was discussed about the Ramayana to know how much the children had grasped.

Coloring and Likhita japa - Children did some coloring time in their Ramayan Coloring books and Likhita japa where they wrote 'Ram' and chanted it as they wrote.

Gita chanting - We all chanted the first verse of Chapter 15 of the Bhagwat Gita along with the video.

We all then attended the Arati and pledge.

Next Balavihar class Sunday 9/21

1. House Inaugural activities - please drop the kids in class by 9:15

2. Please have the children wear shades or red since we are Durga's Daredevils and our house color is Red. (Cheer - Durga Mata ki Jai and Bhajan - Amba Parameshwari)

3. Please have the children carry their handbooks, likhita japa notebook, Ramayana coloring book and crayons or color pencils to every class.

4. Please send spill proof water bottles with the children.

Please note - no food items or beverages are allowed in class.

Links and Reminders:

Please join the class Whatsapp group if you have not already

Please refer to the Balavihar handbook for various House contests and Geeta Chanting Yagna information.

Please reach out to us with any questions or concerns you may have.

Hari Om

Rameshwari Kale and Neha Wagh

Chinmaya Vrindavan

Welcome to Gr 1 - Sunday AM Session

Please look out for regular updates from 

the teachers 

soon after the session starts.