How it is Celebrated

Dharmaj Day is planned as celebration which will result into close understanding and relationships between older and younger generations. So the structure or format of celebration is designed around this idea. At present the festivities are scheduled in the evening of 12th January which may change in the days to come. During this event people are able to meet their childhood friends ¸ and acquaintances after 30 or 40 years. The emotions are so strong during the meetings there are tears of joy ¸ and discussions take place about growth of individuals’ as well as development of the town. The activities to be taken up for the future growth of the town are topics of serious discussion. Moreover the village community felicitates individuals who have earned fame due to their noble activities and made the village proud of their achievements.

The founders of Hari Om Ashram Shri Mota advised that it is the duty of the community to felicitate individuals who have worked for the betterment of the society at large. This will give impetus to such individuals and inspire others to take up such activities. Keeping this in view on Dharmaj Day ¸ honours like ‘ Dharmaj Ratna ’ and ‘ Dharmaj Gaurav ’ are awarded to appropriate individuals. In case the award is given posthumously ¸ the family of the person is invited for receiving the award.

Normally the programme is as follows:

Dharmaj Day – 12th January ‹ Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary ›

5.30 pm – 7.30 pm – Award Distribution function
7.30 pm – 9.30 pm –Dinner and refreshing childhood memories
9.30 pm – 12.00 midnight – Cultural Programme

The initial preparations for Dharmaj Day begin from previous June. First of all preliminary list of names is prepared for awards. Then all relevant information is collected about them and a final list is prepared. Dharmajians all over the world are sent invitation letters in the month of August – September. As a modern and inspiring step ¸ the daughters of the village who are married to persons from other town are also invited with their family for Dharmaj Day celebrations. Care is taken to see that the festival is not commercialized or become simply a dinner party. Hence at the venue of the celebration Sardar Patel Trust Karamsad and Swami Vivekananda Trust Vadodara are invited to erect their stalls to sale the books about swami vivekanand and sardar patel. The organizers believe that propagation of ideas of Sardar saheb and Swami Vivekananda will result into the blessings which will inspire the future generations for noble activities.

It sometimes happens that the Dharmajians residing in America since many years might not have met each other there because of lack of time ¸ but they meet here. So 12th January results into reunion.

As the Jews all over the world say ‘Next year in Jerusalem ¸ similarly Dharmajians say next January in Dharmaj on 12th January’.