Shiva nama

Shiva nama

Let’s make this Shivaratri more meaningful by making our Balvikas children play this game which helps them to learn and recall the various names of Lord Shiva.

Values inculcated:

1. To appreciate the various names of Lord Shiva and its meanings.
2. To learn Bhajans in an effortless way.
3. To develop alertness and focus.
4. Sharpens memory power.

Materials required:

1. Any device to play the recording of Bhajans. Alternatively, a Guru can sing the Bhajans.
2. Paper/note book and pencil/pen for children to note down the names of Lord Shiva.

Preparatory effort:

1. The Gurus can teach various names of Lord Shiva along with their meanings, in the classes prior to the day of this game activity.
2. Before beginning the game, children can be given a demo so that they understand how to play the game. The Bhajan “Hara Shiva Shankara Shashanka Shekhara” is available in the website and can be played for the demo session.

How to play:

• The first Bhajan is played for one team. After every line the recording is stopped.
• The children should listen to the recording carefully, repeat each line by singing aloud and identify the names of Lord Shiva present in the line and note them in their book.
• In the same way, the 2nd Bhajan is played for the next team and this continues for all teams.
• Once all the teams get a chance, the team leaders are asked to read out the names of Lord Shiva that they have noted down for the Bhajan allotted to them.
• The Gurus check the answers and see if all names are covered.
• The winners of round 1 is announced.
• The 2nd round continues. After all the rounds, the final winner will be the team who has won in maximum rounds.

Please note:

• There can be 1 round or many rounds.
• There may be more than 1 winner.

Variations in this game:

One Bhajan is played and paused after every line. All children listen, sing aloud the line and quickly jot down the names of Lord Shiva. After the audio stops (after completion of the Bhajan) each child reads out the names and the child who has all names or maximum names is declared as the winner. In this variation, there are no teams.

One Bhajan is played and paused after every line. All teams listen, sing aloud the line and quickly jot down the names of Lord Shiva. The team leaders read out the names and the team who has all names or maximum names is declared as the winner.

One Bhajan is played without any pause and once it concludes, five minutes time is given for the children to recall the Bhajan and note down the names. The team leaders read out the names and the team who has all names or maximum names is declared as the winner.

Please note: Option 3 will work for children who are familiar with the Bhajans that are played.