By: Ashwani Mahajan

Hari Om Mandir’s Hari Om Gurukul held its annual Graduation Day 2025, marking another successful year of preserving and promoting Hindi language education and Sanatani Indian culture among young learners in the United States.

The event, held in the temple’s main hall, was filled with joy and pride as students, parents, teachers, and community members gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of the year. The graduation ceremony recognized students who completed various levels of the Hindi Language and Culture Class 2024–25.

The program began with children offering prayers through recitations of sacred mantras and shlokas, including the Ganesh Mantra, Saraswati Mantra, Shiva Mantra, Krishna Stuti, Durga Shlokas, Shri Ram Stuti, and Hanuman Chalisa. Throughout the year, students also participated in a wide range of cultural performances — from Hindi poetry recitations and Ramayana plays to traditional Indian dances — both within and beyond the temple premises. These performances not only showcased their linguistic progress but also their spiritual and cultural connection to their Indian roots.

During the ceremony, community leaders commended the Gurukul’s contribution to nurturing cultural identity and promoting Hindi learning among Indian-origin children in America. The event also celebrated the culmination of a 24-hour Shri Ram Charit Manas recitation, underscoring the temple’s devotion to spiritual and cultural continuity.

Students who successfully passed their examinations received certificates and awards recognizing their dedication and progress. Shanaya Kapoor, Shrey Mudgal, and Medha Kumar received first-place honors for their outstanding performance, while Anuj Verma, the youngest participant, was presented with a special award titled “Dhruv Purush.”

The event concluded with expressions of gratitude toward the Gurukul’s volunteer team and teachers, whose consistent efforts made the program’s success possible. The atmosphere was filled with pride and celebration as families and students shared in the accomplishments of the day.

For the past three years, Hari Om Gurukul has served the Indian-American community by offering a structured curriculum in Hindi language and culture, starting for children as young as five. Following the educational framework of HindiUSA, which supports over 4,000 students nationwide, the Gurukul continues to grow, fostering a generation of young ambassadors for Indian heritage and Sanatan Dharma