Noida:
The fifth consecutive annual Sunderkand recitation, bhajan evening and community feast was organised with great devotion and enthusiasm on January 1, 2026, at the Shiv Shakti Temple located in C Block, Rajat Vihar, Sector-62. The event was organised by the United Rajat Vihar family and witnessed active participation from a large number of residents, devotees and community members, marking the beginning of the Gregorian New Year with religious observance and cultural values.
The annual programme was conducted under the leadership of former RWA president Rajiv Sharma, with the support of a dedicated team of socially active residents and members of the United Rajat Vihar families. The objective of the event was to promote happiness, peace, harmony and prosperity in society while strengthening Indian cultural and spiritual traditions. This year’s programme marked the fifth continuous edition of the event, reflecting the growing commitment of the local community towards collective religious and social activities.
Speaking on the occasion, Rajiv Sharma said that the initiative was started in 2022 along with a group of friends with the aim of encouraging people to begin the New Year in a meaningful and spiritually enriching manner. He said that instead of celebrating the Gregorian New Year through parties and commercial events, the focus was placed on worship, devotion and cultural reflection rooted in Sanatan traditions. Through collective prayers and devotion to Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman, the organisers intended to strengthen the foundations of Sanatan culture and spread positivity, particularly among the younger generation.
The programme began with a formal worship ceremony conducted by Pandit Ghanshyamcharya Chaturvedi, who performed traditional rituals and prayers. This was followed by a soulful and musical recitation of the Sunderkand by Pandit Krishna Kant Jha. His devotional chanting, accompanied by melodious bhajans, created a deeply spiritual atmosphere at the temple premises. The rhythmic flow of hymns and devotional songs immersed devotees in bhakti, with many women, men and children participating by dancing joyfully to the devotional music.
The bhajan evening witnessed enthusiastic participation from devotees, who expressed their devotion through singing, clapping and dance. The collective energy and spiritual fervour transformed the temple complex into a vibrant centre of devotion and cultural unity. Following the bhajans, aarti of the deity was performed, after which devotees queued up to receive prasad and partake in the community feast organised as part of the event.
A large number of residents and visitors attended the bhandaara and received food prasad, reinforcing the spirit of sharing and community bonding. Organisers ensured smooth arrangements for the devotees, maintaining discipline and hospitality throughout the programme. The event was marked by harmony, cooperation and a sense of collective responsibility among residents.
The successful organisation of the programme was made possible due to the active contribution of several members of the United Rajat Vihar family. Those who played an important role included Dinesh Singh, Jitendra Awasthi, Subrat Mohakud, Rakesh Dixit, Urmila Bisht, Ginni Jha, Roli Sharma, Preeti Pandey, Shakti Singh, Navneet Purwar, Arun Gaur, R.K. Pandey, S.N. Mishra, Ravikant Sharma, G.P. Sharma, Praj Sharma, Mahendra Dhyani, Anil Bhatt, Anil K.S., C.S. Bisht, S.S. Parihar, Diwan Bisht, Rajiv Dhar, Subhash Chandra Diyungi, C.M. Rastogi, Avneesh Bajpai, Ashutosh Verma, Ashwini Sinha and several other respected residents, who extended their support in various capacities.
Rajiv Sharma expressed his gratitude to all residents for their participation and cooperation, and extended New Year greetings to everyone present. He said that such collective religious and social programmes not only strengthen cultural roots but also promote unity, mutual respect and social harmony within the residential community.
The presence of hundreds of devotees added to the grandeur of the event, turning it into a symbol of unity, devotion and social commitment. Participants said the programme offered spiritual peace and a positive start to the New Year, while reinforcing the importance of preserving Indian traditions in contemporary times.
Residents noted that the annual Sunderkand recitation has now become a significant cultural and religious milestone for Rajat Vihar, bringing families together and fostering a strong sense of community belonging. Organisers expressed hope that the tradition would continue in the coming years with even greater participation, further strengthening the values of devotion, service and cultural unity.
