What could a day of enlightenment look like through the eyes of a Rotaractor?
For the Rotaract family of the Rotaract Club of Colombo Port City, යාத்RAA was a journey of faith, unity, and meaningful fellowship. Bringing together 17 members regardless of creed, the project was carried out with the intention of seeking blessings from four sacred places representing four different faiths, while setting the foundation for a successful and united year ahead.
A Journey Through Faith
The project unfolded across two meaningful days. The first part of යාத்RAA was dedicated to visiting places of religious significance. Our first stop was the Kathiresan Kovil in Bambalapitiya. We were supposed to be there at 8 a.m., but our president, Danush, known for his exceptional punctuality, made sure we got there around 10 a.m. Despite the slightly delayed start, we arrived just in time to take part in a vibrant pooja and begin our journey on a meaningful note.
We travelled in three vehicles driven by Shanjai, Karunyan, and Senith. And let's just say that the journey itself was an experience of its own, with Karunyan and Shanjai seemingly forgetting that they were driving cars and not bikes.
From there, we made our way to the Red Mosque in Pettah. The girls were provided with abayas and scarves before entering, and we were guided through the mosque while learning more about its significance and traditions. Of course, no Rotaract outing would be complete without plenty of pictures along the way.
After all the exploring, we took a short break and refreshed ourselves with milk packets before continuing our journey to the Sri Vajiraramaya Temple in Bambalapitiya. There, we took part in the religious observances and offered prayers before heading towards our final stop for the day, St. Mary’s Church in Dehiwala.
The visit to the church brought the first day of our journey to a close, or at least, it almost became the beginning of something else, as Pranith and Abdullah nearly got married there. After the church offering, Duwaragie gave a vote of thanks and collected donations in preparation for Day 2 of යාத்RAA.
A Journey Beyond Faith
Day 2 of යාத்RAA took a different yet equally meaningful path, as the Rotaract Club of Colombo Port City visited CFS Prithipura Home, a loving and welcoming home that cares for children and adults with disabilities, embracing individuals regardless of their faith, background, or circumstances.
As a small gesture of support, we contributed a token of assistance towards their ongoing work and the care they provide. The visit served as a beautiful reminder that fellowship and service go hand in hand. Beyond simply coming together as a club, යාத்RAA gave us an opportunity to extend that togetherness to a community that continues to inspire compassion, resilience, and love.
යාத்RAA was more than a journey across four places of worship. Perhaps the most enlightening part of the journey was witnessing our members come together to experience and appreciate one another’s faiths with genuine respect and openness. It also reminded us that while our beliefs may differ, the values of understanding, harmony, and togetherness can bring us closer.
For us, යාத்RAA was not simply a day of enlightenment.
It was a journey of enlightenment.