Having spent two months in deep soul-work, reflecting on their lives with the help of insights from psychology, spirituality and the social sciences, the participants of the 49th Sumedha Sadhana – A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey—went on a relaxing picnic to Chandigarh, “the Beautiful City” April 7th.
Chandigarh is about 45 km from Sumedha centre, Jharmari.
Our first stop was the beautiful Sukhna Lake, a picturesque man-made marvel, born from the
vision of the great architect Le Corbusier. It which has facilities for boating and other recreational
facilities, as well as eating places. One
side of the lake has beautifully laid out foot paths and gardens – with a
unique “Garden of Silence,” conducive for quiet meditation. Behind the Lake are
the Shivalik Hills.
Our next stop was the Rock Gardens, the creation of Nek Chand, and perhaps the most famous tourist spot in Chandigarh. The many walls within the enclosure are studded with beautiful sculptures, all made from waste materials. It also has enchanting human-made waterfalls, a hall of mirrors and various village scenes depicted with figures made out of cloth.
We then visited Don Bosco Navajeevan Church and Social Service Centre at Sector 24 B. The Salesian Fathers there offered us great hospitality and we had a sumptuous lunch and relaxed with a game of Bingo with time for several “Full-Houses.”
Next door to Don Bosco there is a mini Rose Garden where we spend some enjoying the roses in full bloom and trying our hands and legs at the exercise machines.
Following this we visited the newly constructed Church of
Our Lady of Miracles at the campus of St. Stephen’s school at Togan. The
beautiful edifice will be blessed and dedicated on 10th April by His
Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias along with several bishops.
Our last stop was at the Christ King Cathedral where we spent some time prayer and the Bishop’s House where we spent time chatting with Bishop Mascarenhas.
Father Jaimasih Ekka, the administrator at Sumedha Centre had provided enough fruits, nuts and snacks for us to munch all along the journey. He and the Director of the Centre, Jose Parappully, accompanied the group.
This 49th Sumedha Sadhana concludes on May 4.
The next Sumedha Sadhana begins on June 23 and concludes on
September 14. Registration is open.
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