Ganeshotsav Celebrated With Devotion and Joy at St Lawrence International School
Ganeshotsav was celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm at St Lawrence International School, Vyasapur, where prayers, aarti and prasad distribution formed part of the celebrations at the Shri Siddhivinayak Temple on the school premises.
Ganeshotsav was celebrated with religious devotion and enthusiasm at St Lawrence International School, Vyasapur, bringing together the school community at the Shri Siddhivinayak Temple established on the campus. Lord Ganesha was ceremonially adorned and worshipped during the celebrations, while special offerings including modaks, laddoos and fruits were made.
Prasad was distributed among devotees and students following the religious ceremonies. The celebrations provided an opportunity for students and teachers to participate in traditional rituals while learning about the cultural significance associated with the festival.
The main yajmans, Dr Rajni Sehgal and Dr M. K. Sehgal, performed the prescribed prayers and aarti and sought the blessings of Lord Ganesha. They prayed for happiness, prosperity, well-being and peace for everyone.
Ganeshotsav Brings Students and Staff Together
Speaking on the occasion, Dr M. K. Sehgal highlighted the religious and cultural significance of Ganeshotsav. He explained that the festival begins with the installation of an idol of Lord Ganesha on Ganesh Chaturthi and traditionally concludes with Ganesh immersion on Anant Chaturdashi.
During the festival period, devotees participate in prayers, chanting, bhajans and aarti and offer different forms of bhog to Lord Ganesha. Modaks have a special place among the traditional offerings associated with the festival.
Dr Sehgal said children have a special affection for Lord Ganesha and encouraged students to seek blessings for wisdom, knowledge and good judgment. He also urged them to understand the values associated with the deity and apply those lessons in their everyday lives.
The emphasis on students participating in cultural traditions was also linked to the broader educational role of such celebrations. School-based festivals can provide young people with opportunities to understand traditions not merely as rituals but also through the values and social messages associated with them.
Community and institutional celebrations provide an opportunity to connect cultural traditions with education, participation and social values.
Dr Rajni Sehgal Highlights the Importance of Values
Addressing students and teachers, Dr Rajni Sehgal described Ganesh Mahotsav as an important Hindu festival celebrated every year with faith and enthusiasm. According to Hindu tradition, Ganesh Chaturthi commemorates the birth of Lord Ganesha, who is widely revered as Vighnaharta, or the remover of obstacles.
She encouraged students to remain connected with Indian culture and traditions and to understand the spiritual, moral and cultural messages associated with festivals. She said such occasions can contribute to the development of values, social harmony and respect for India’s rich cultural heritage among young people.
Her message placed particular emphasis on learning beyond textbooks. Festivals celebrated within educational institutions can become occasions for students to understand traditions, participate collectively and develop respect for cultural practices.
Prayer, Aarti and Prasad Mark the Celebration
The programme centred on the worship of Lord Ganesha at the Shri Siddhivinayak Temple on the school premises. The idol was decorated for the occasion and offered traditional food items and fruits.
The participation of the school community gave the celebration a collective character. Students were able to witness and take part in prayers and aarti, while prasad was subsequently distributed among those present.
The presence of teachers and students also reflected the school’s effort to combine educational activities with cultural experiences. Such programmes can give students a direct understanding of traditions that are often discussed in classrooms but experienced more meaningfully through participation.
Tradition, Education and Social Harmony
The celebration also highlighted the role educational institutions can play in preserving cultural awareness among younger generations. When students participate in festivals in a disciplined and inclusive environment, they can learn about customs while also developing a sense of community participation.
For students, the messages associated with Lord Ganesha—including wisdom, knowledge, good judgment and the overcoming of difficulties—can be understood as broader values relevant to personal and academic life.
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School Community Joins the Celebrations
The Ganeshotsav programme was attended by Dr M. K. Sehgal, Dr Rajni Sehgal, Vikrant Gulati, Meena Rohilla, Rakhi Banga and Deepak Sharma, along with teachers and students of the school.
The participation of members of the school community added to the festive atmosphere and helped make the occasion a collective celebration rather than a purely ceremonial programme.
Keeping Cultural Connections Alive
The celebration at St Lawrence International School underlined how traditional festivals can become occasions for prayer, cultural learning and collective participation. For students, such programmes offer an opportunity to understand the values associated with Indian traditions while taking part in a shared community experience.
With prayers, aarti, offerings and prasad forming the central elements of the programme, the Ganeshotsav celebrations concluded in an atmosphere of devotion and enthusiasm. The school community also used the occasion to encourage students to remain connected with cultural traditions and to draw positive values from them.
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