Dear Friends,

Belated Vasant Panchami greetings to you and your loved ones.

I write to you today with some exciting updates. In some ways, we might say this spring semester had two beginnings – one virtual and one in-person. Our online return to Emory brought us the opportunity to host virtual Aartis, complete with a zoom screen-share of the Aarti text and the ability to receive the blessing of the Aarti flame via camera. Now that we are back in person, we return to the familiar feel of Aartis at the Puja cabinet in Cannon Chapel hosted by the Hindu Students Association. This semester we look forward to celebrating festivals, like Mahashivratri and Holi, with all the perks of safely being able to gather in community with one another.

We at OSRL also look forward to growing our budding new program, “Shlokas and Snacks”. This is a chance for our diverse Hindu community to chat with one another about verses, poems, practices, and ideas across Hindu traditions – all over some scrumptious hot mix and Parle-G. To add to the excitement, OSRL is now home to a brand new harmonium! This means opportunities for things like in-house kirtans and bhajans are soon to come, blessing the campus with sacred music. We’re thrilled for the possibilities this semester will bring.

Although we are still only in the middle of the spring semester, the "Welcoming Interfaith and Spiritual Exploration” (WISE) pre-orientation program planning is in full swing. Launched by our office for the first time at Emory last fall, this pre-orientation program provides an opportunity for incoming freshman to not only explore spaces of faith on campus, but also in the Atlanta area at large. Along with the bonds or friendship the students form over the course of the program, they also get a chance to explore and learn about the spiritual and religious life of traditions apart from their own in an enriching and supportive environment.

In addition to this, we are also moving forward with our plans to open the Emory Interfaith Center. With exciting new approvals for the expansion of some of the existing plans, we now look forward to a grand opening in March 2023. Emory Day of Giving is just around the corner on March 30 and 31, and we would be grateful for your support in these efforts as well as your support for Hindu Life on campus.

Mahashivratri soon approaches, and I’m immediately transported to the calming image of a meditative and relaxed Bhagavān Śiva surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains. May this Mahashivratri bring us all a sense of tranquility and ease in our endeavors ahead.

Warmly,
Shweta

Brahmacharini Shweta Chaitanya
Hindu Chaplain
Office of Spiritual and Religious Life
Emory University