Press Release
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, April 14, 2009: The first anniversary of Sydney Veda Patasala was grandly celebrated with more than 150 people attending to hear, participate and appreciate Vedic chanting. An initiative of Vishva Hindu Parishad of Australia, the Sydney Veda Patasala was started in 2008 under the guidance of Swami Vigyananand, Joint General Secretary, VHP. Children from four Patasala branches in Sydney – Baulkham Hills, Carlingford, Homebush and Liverpool — participated in chanting hymns from the Vedas, their rhythmic recitation an experience to behold.
The Sydney Veda Patasala has taken Sydney by storm since its launch last as more than 100 students regularly attend the Patasala (school) to memorize and practice the hymns for wisdom and knowledge. Now, there are four such schools in the suburbs of Sydney. A fifth school will be opened Dural (Shiv Sharada Temple) this month.
Mr Jonathan Nanlohy, Cultural Development Co-ordinator from Baulkham Hills Shire Council, the guest speaker during the anniversary celebrations, said he was very happy to be part of this history being created. “I am impressed by the initiative, and by the community’s participation and support” said Mr Nanlohy.
Vedic chanting has been considered as the outstanding oral cultural tradition, and has been declared as World’s Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. American philosopher Henry David Thoreau wrote a tribute to Vedas, “Whenever I have read any part of the Vedas, I have felt that some unearthly and unknown light illuminated me.”