Published: April 15, 2011
Unique Hindu Baccalaureate Service Enters 4th Year At University of Nevada
Hindu Baccalaureate Service (Dikshant Utsav), held for the first time in Western USA at prestigious University of Nevada-Reno (UNR) in May 2008, enters fourth year on 17 of April.
Organized by the Indo-American statesman Rajan Zed in collaboration with Indian Student Organization of UNR, it will bless graduating class in the traditional Hindu style according to an ancient scriptures, complete with applying tilak (religious mark) on the foreheads of graduates.
Leaders of various religions participated in last year's Hindu Baccalaureate Service. |
Besides keynote address by a Hindu monk, it will also include blessing prayers by Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish, Baha'i, and Native American religious leaders. Prominent musician Jim Eaglesmith will chant a kirtan number in Sanskrit with audience following him in the chant.
It will start with 'Gayatri Mantra' recitation by Rajan Zed and traditional lamp lighting before the statue of goddess Saraswati, the patron of learning and the arts. It will include blessing the upcoming graduates with wisdom from Vedas, Upanishads and Bhagavad-Gita.
Washoe County issued a special Resolution to mark the significance of First Annual Hindu Baccalaureate Service of UNR.
The purpose of this Baccalaureate Service is to root the graduating class in divine spiritual and cultural tradition so that they have a spiritually meaningful life in addition to material success, Zed stresses.
The flagship institution of the state was established in 1864. UNR is one of the top 120 universities in America for funded research which spans issues relating to the environment, renewable energy resources, the life sciences and plasma physics. The University competes in 19 men's and women's sports. Dr. Milton D. Glick is the President.
Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world. It has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.
Search News
