Dedicated to our Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda

Dedicated to our Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda

Hari OM!

This blog is designed to serve as a library of art and craft ideas for our balavihar children. We hope that you will find this site useful. Please feel free to use any (or all) of the projects you see posted here. We ask, however, that you refrain from publishing (in any form) these templates, instructions, and photographs, unless you receive written permission. These projects are being provided for your own personal use or use in the Balavihar classroom.


All art projects are categorized by 1) material, 2) use, and 3) type. For example a Diya greeting card would be under the labels "Paper" and "Cards," while a Lord Hanumaan puppet would be found under "Paper," "Toys and Puppets" and "Gods and Goddesses." Most materials for these projects can easily be purchased from any local craft store — and some projects involve materials you already have laying around the house.


We would love to hear your suggestions and ideas about any of the information you find on this site. And, if you have any projects that you would like to share with other seviks/sevikas, please send a picture of the finished piece, as well as instructions on how to make the project – so we can post it.


Happy Creating!

Friday, June 11, 2010

Shiva Lingam Mandala (Likhita Japa)



















This mandala is dedicated to Guruji
Summer Camp 2010


Click on the image to view enlarged.

This mandala was created with likhita japa of "ऊँ नमः शिवाय" (OM namah Shivaaya.) Lightly trace the inner and outer circles with a pencil and bowl (or circle templates) . Once you are satisfied with the proportions, begin the likhita japa session with your writing pens. All pencil lines should be gently erased after the ink has thoroughly dried. The Shiva Lingam was painted (with gouache) in the center as a point of reflection after the japa session was completed.

Materials
• Good quality writing pens with different nib sizes
• Good quality Bristol paper (smooth vellum surface)
• Pencil
• Graphic eraser
• Gouache paints
• Paint brushes
• Gold metallic calligraphy pen/ink