Tug of War – Kannada

TUG OF WAR

On the auspicious and holy occasion of Mahashivaratri, let us remember Lord Shiva, and do namasmarana of that compassionate Lord, who saved the world from being poisoned and destroyed and who bore the brunt of the halahala poison in his throat.

Values inculcated:

• Importance of having good values.

Materials Required:

• A thick rope / long thick bed sheet.

Getting ready:

The Guru can explain the children, how Lord Shiva protected earth by consuming the deadly poison ‘Haalahaala’. Discuss other stories where good wins over evil. Also discuss about the Importance of being a good human being and what qualities and virtues make an individual good.

Method:

1. Children can play a game of tug of war, with two teams. The team that wins represents the victory of the good over the evil. The game can stop here or can continue as of in step 2.
2. Enact as Lord Shiva :
   1. The winning group can choose one child from their team to stand in the centre as Lord Shiva and the child can enact as if she/he consumed ‘Haala Haala’ poison.
   2. Other children can chant “Hara Hara Hara Hara Mahadev” or “Aum Namah Shivaya” or “Sambho Mahadeva”.