The Swaha Gyaan Deepak Kirtan Mandali is the founding centre of Swaha International located at 19 Chotoo Street, Aranjuez, San Juan. We are a proactive, community based, religious institution with a strong drive to perform social and religious work for the benefit of the community. Our wide range of religious, social and educational activities are expanding, and in order to accommodate this growth, we are in the process of raising funds to upgrade our physical facilities.

Our first fund raising venture is a Cooler Cruise (4 Hours) aboard the Treasure Queen on Saturday 7th July 2012. This social event will include games, entertainment and a karaoke competition. Tickets are priced at TT$100. We thank you for your patronage toward this cause.

Where: Treasure Queen, Pier 2, Chaguaramas
When: Saturday 7th July 2012.
Boarding: 9.00am. Sailing: 10.00am
Rules: No meat and alcohol allowed. No oversized coolers or glass bottles allowed.
Contribution: TT$100

Tickets available from:
- SWAHA Head Office/GDKM Office (19 Chotoo Street, Aranguez – 674-7384)
- S Ramlogan & Sons Sports Centre Ltd. (Southern Main Road, Couva – 636-2339)
- Master Audio (Duncan Village, San Fernando – 653-2776)

Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/events/376397869064793/
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/swahagdkm
Phone: (868) 674-7384
Email: swahagdkm [at] gmail.com

SWAHA Gyaan Deepak Kirtan Mandali announces our Annual Fund Raising Vegeque on Friday 14th October 2011 at the temple grounds, #19 Chotoo Street, Aranguez. Proceeds will go towards the support of on-going religious, educational and social service activities. Collection Time: 11.am to 2.00pm. Cost: $25.00. We thank you for your kind support.

On the occasion of Indian Arrival 2011, the Swaha Gyaan Deepak Kirtan Mandali is pleased to release the original song “Hindu Logo Jaago (Rise With The Sun)”. This song was the winner of the group song category in Swaha’s Swadeshe Competition 2010. Lyrics: Rupatee Singh, Music: Umesh Persad, Vocal: Umesh Persad, Tabla: Dharam Jugool, Guitar: Jeremy Anil Mangalsingh. The lyrics and translation are included below. We encourage you to pay attention to the meaning of the song, and take action in order to preserve and propagate the rich heritage left to us by our ancestors.

Song Lyrics and Translation

Purvaj sampatti bada chinha
Sanskriti shakti paramparaa
Bacchon ke liye maha mani
Unke poshan vaibhavshaali
Magar aaj andhera bada andhera
Tejas na poshan na
Suryoday kahaan, jyoti na

Our ancestors left a great legacy
Our cultural traditions which kept us alive
This brilliant gem they left for our children
Sustained them
But today darkness surrounds
No reflection, no sustenance
Where is the sunrise, there is no light

Hindu logo jaago, jaago
Aaditya se aagay, aagey chalo
Hindu saarthi, rassi kheencho
Mulaa smaran, bhavishya dekho
Aashaa kiran, nayaa ushaa
Soorya kiran, ujjwal phaila

O hindus, awake, arise.
Move forward, walk with the sun
O Hindu charioteer, pull the reins
Reflect on the roots, look to the future
Spread the rays of hope from the new dawn
Spread the reflection of the rays of the sun

O yuvako, Guru baat suno
Purvaj paramparaa, prachaar karo
Is bhoomi mein, yagya karo
Soorya ki kirno mein, aagey chalo
Raksha karo, sanskriti ratan
Mulaa smaran, paalan poshan.

O youth, listen to Guru’s words
Propagate the ancestors’ traditions
Raise the flags of truth and morality
Do sacrifice on this land
Move ahead in the sun’s rays
Protect the gems of this culture
Reflect on the roots, nourish the future.

Naya kal, suryoday naya
Chhor do tamas, chhor do bhrashta
Gyaan vigyaan, praapt karo
Kalyaan siddha, laabh do
Paramparaa udaarnaa
Nayaa ushaa, nayee ashaa

A new tomorrow, a new dawn
Walk away from darkness, turn away from evil
Acquire true knowledge
Forge ahead in success and well-being
Reclaim your culture
A new dawn, a new hope

Rise with the sun
A new dawn has come
Find you’re the one
The change we become

The GDKM successfully held Phagwa Celebrations 2011 on Sunday 20th March 2011. The celebrations included a play on the origins of Phagwa directed by Ms. Abika Ramdass (Cultural Officer), a classical dance by Ms. Nikita Boodhoo, and chowtaal singing by members of the GDKM Choir. Videos of these performances are linked below. Pictures are available in the photos section of the website.

After a successful health clinic held in conjunction with MEDS, a pamphlet is available for download with health information on physical activity and health, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and healthy food choices. Download the pamphlet here.