Chinmaya Bike Rally 2022
Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth (CVV) and Chinmaya International Foundation (CIF) jointly celebrated Adi Sankara Jayanti on Friday, 06 May 2022. One of the events was the Chinmaya Bike Rally (CBR). Forty-five UG and PG students of CVV students participated in the rally along with faculty, CVV staff and CIF staff. The rally was from Adi Sankaracharya Nilayam, Veliyanad to Kalady Sringeri Ashram, covering Peppathy, Mulanthuruthy, Chottanikkara and Perumbavoor en route.
Both the riders and pillion riders were provided Chinmaya Bike rally jerseys. Students were allowed to participate only with the prior permission of their parents. An official meeting was held by the organisers for the approval and planning of the rally.
The event was led by Br. Sudheer Chaitanya from CIF, ably assisted by Sri. Anish P. S. (Director- Physical Education, CVV). The student organising committee was headed by Kushal A. (third-year BBA).
The bikers assembled before Sankaram 1 for the flag off. Br. Sudheer gave a motivating speech, encouraging the students and explaining the importance of following a single line during the bike rally. Safety measures and rules to be followed during the bike rally were also explained. This was followed by the bikers and pillion riders taking the oath.
A huge crowd consisting of CVV students, staff and faculty gathered to encourage and support the bikers during the flag-off session with prayers. Swami Viviktananda (Reginal head of Chinmaya Mission Kerala) and Prof. Ajay Kapoor (Vice Chancellor, CVV) flagged off the bikers at 2:00 pm sharp. Br. Sudheer led the group, followed by Sri. Anish and Br. Sundar Chaitanya from CIF, and the students. The last one to follow was Br. Ved Chaitanya from CIF who acted as the sweeper, ensuring the safety of all the other bikers.
The bikers reached Kalady around 3:30 pm where they received a grand welcome at Kalady with the bursting of crackers, playing of drums, aarti and tilak. They were also served snacks. The bikers refreshed themselves by enjoying the view of the river below the temple. (This is the place which is believed to be the spot where Adi Shankaracharya was caught by a crocodile and then received permission from his mother to take sanyas). The bikers made their offerings and spent some time in the temple.
Before leaving, the bikers got the opportunity to meet Sri. P. S. Sreedharan Pillai, the 22nd Governor of Goa, who presented a memento to the group. The governor was there to inaugurate the Adi Sankara Jayanti Sammelan at the ashram. This was an unexpected turn of events and the students were excited and happy to join in to welcome the governor.
After an exciting evening, the bikers began their return journey and safely reached Adi Sankara Nilayam at 8:30 pm. They then offered aarti to Sri Adi Sankara at the illom and expressed their gratitude for having had a safe bike rally.