Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Scarbough celebrates ‘Kavi Sammelan’

Seated on the stage (from L-R): Acharya Sandeep Tyagi, Prof Saran Ghai, Shri Gopal Bhagel, Dr. Bhartendu Srivastava. Image credit: Asha Bajaj

By Asha Bajaj

#LakshmiNarayanTemple; #KaviSammelan

Kavi Sammelan 2023 was held on Sunday, October 1/2023 at Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, Scarbough at 1 Morningview Trail, Scarborough, ON M1B 5A8 after 4 years due to the Pandemic. This used to be a yearly event for Golden Group. Raj Kashyap ji hosts the show that is organized by the Directors of the Golden Group under the leadership of the President. Focal point of the show was Beautifully Decorated Stage. Thanks to Anita Grotra and Shakuntla Varma who did the job on Saturday night. Also thanks to Anita’s friends who helped. There were lot of people who helped make this Event Successful. Setting up the stage. Music System, Setting up the Chairs and the most important thing buying the Snacks and distributing them.

I, Shakuntla Varma, as the President of the Golden Group, thank all my Directors and people who came forward to help. A Big Thanks to Raj ji for hosting the event!!

The event commenced at 3:00 pm by lighting of the lamp in front of the Mata Saraswathi’s statue on the stage by Pandit Ramachandra Ji, Raj Kashyap Ji, Shakuntala Ji, and Dr Bhartendru.

Pooja was performed by Pandit Ramchandra Ji.

A large Indian diaspora of approximately of more than 80 people dressed in colorful attires had gathered for this literary event. The front seats were reserved for the poets and Poetesses.

The poets and poetesses who were present at the temple to paricipate in the event were: Dr Bartendu, Acharya Sandeep Tyagi, Professor Saran Ghai, Saroj Johar, Raj Kashyap , Savitha Aggarwal, Vijay Suri. Renu Lal, and Tarun Vasudeva

All participants at the Kavi Sammelan with Raj ji speaking

The ceremony of honoring the poets by putting a yellow sacred scarf round their necks. The following image shows Ashwani Bhardwaj, the President of the Lakshmi Narayan Temple (Hindu Cultural Society) being honored by Shakuntala Ji, President of the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir (Scarbough)’s Golden Group .

Ashwani Bhardwaj
being honored by Shakuntala Ji

Shakuntal Ji being honored by Sarojini Ji.

After the honoring ceremony was completed, everyone sat on their respective seats,

Hosted by Raj Kashyap Ji, Founder Member and Vice-president of Hindi Sahitya Sabha, Toronto, long time devotee of the temple, and author of two books Kavya Sangam and Kavya Kalash, started the event by addressing the audience and inviting paricipants.

The poets and poetesses with their recitations are as follows:

The event concluded with vote of thanks followed by refreshment.

All images and videos credited to Asha Bajaj and Tarun Vasudeva.