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 Previous Week Topic |
| October 08 |
 SARASWATI PUJA More... |
06-10-2008 |
Saraswati Puja, the worship of Hindu goddess of learning, is observed during Navratri or Navratra for three days. It is observed during the last three days of Navratri. In North India in 2008, Saraswathi Avahan Puja begins on October 6. Saraswati Puja and Ayudha Puja in South India is on October 8 - the day also marks the end of Navratri and Saraswathi Puja. Vidya Arambham in Kerala is on October 9 - an important event on the day is the initiation of children into the world of letters on this day.
Goddess Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, art and music, and wisdom. She represents the creative and inspirational aspect of Shakti.
During the three days of puja, the idol of Saraswati is dressed in white or yellow color. Fresh fruits and flowers are offered to Goddess Saraswati. It must be noted that Saraswati Puja is also observed during Basant Panchami (January – February) in several parts of North India, Bengal and Orissa. This is observed on the fifth day after Amavasi in the Hindu month of Magh.
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| Festive India More... |
12-10-2008 |
| | | |  The festival of Dussehra is celebrated with great gusto in many parts of India. Marking the defeat of Ravana by Lord Ram, Dussehra also symbolises the triumph of Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahish Asura. In Bengal, the festivities of Durga Puja brings the city of Kolkata to a halt! Durga is a form of the supreme goddess who is said to be the mother of Ganesha, Kartikeya as well as of Saraswati and Lakshmi. The goddess is represented as a warrior with 10 arms, astride a lion, carrying weapons. This form of the goddess is said to be the ultimate epitome of creative and feminine energy, or Shakti. Legend tells us that it was only a woman who could destroy Mahish Asura and so the Holy Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva converged a beam of radiant energy upon their own consorts, transforming all of them into one beautiful warrior goddess — Durga. Each god, it is said, presented her with their own most powerful weapons — Rudra’s (Shiva) trident, Vishnu’s discus, Indra’s thunderbolt, Brahma’s kamandal etc. The Himalayas presented her with a fierce lion. Idols of Duga astride a lion adorn every street corner and puja pandal in Bengal where they are worshipped for nine days and carried out in procession on the tenth day to be immersed in the river. In the north, Ramlilas or the enactment of the life of Lord Ram are held during the nine days that precede Dussehra and on the tenth day or Vijay Dashmi, huge effiegies of Ravana and his brother Kumbhakarna and his son Meghnadh are set on fire. This act is symbolic of the burning or destroying of evil. In Mysore, the palace is illuminated and caparisoned elephants lead a procession through the city streets. In Tamil Nadu, the first three days of Dussehra are dedicated to worshipping the goddess Lakshmi, the next three days to the goddess Saraswati and the last three days to the goddess Durga or Shakti. |
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| It's rocking More... |
20-10-2008 |
Ramanagaram is passionately called the 'Rock Climbers Mecca', at 1000+ MSL it is spread over 4-5 kms in radius encompassing seven major hills, many hillocks and large boulders. | | Naach Basanti Naach the famous line from the all-time super hit movie Sholay echoes as one reaches Ramanagaram, just wondering where Gabbar-ka-adda was. Who would have ever imagined Sholay that was shot in Ramanagaram would be such a big hit and that the movie would rock even after three decades, I guess such is the might of Ramanagaram Rocks.
Ramanagaram is passionately called the ‘Rock Climbers Mecca’, at 1000+ MSL it is spread over 4-5 kms in radius encompassing seven major hills, many hillocks and large boulders. A week-end or a holiday would mean that you get to see the rock climbers of Bangalore doing what they do the best, climbing those magnificent rock faces and enjoying the aura of the place.
The boulders of all kinds and shapes en-route give enough challenges to a learner and an experienced climber, making the trek up to the hill more and more exciting. The texture of the rock can rip off the skin in case you are not careful enough, but what the heck, there is nothing bad in having few bruises here and there when you want to do some good bouldering.
As you explore the landscape you will find few good rappelling faces, you could just fix ropes and start rappelling or could use the bolted routes to go up the rock face and then rappel down. The rock face near the pond on the hill have some 8+ bolted routed and if you are confident enough, know the basics of rock climbing and have climbing gear and equipments that is harness, carabineers, belay device, ropes, quick draws, climbing shoes and a good partner to belay, you could do some real rock climbing all day long.
Whatever the case may be any activity in adventure sports has to be a calculated risk and it’s important to take the calculated risk more seriously. The rocks are always there to climb only if return safe.
The splendid landscape surrounding the hill are picture perfect and gives enough scenery to a lens man/woman to click around. Every shot and every frame can redefine the way one feel about the rocks.
Every place has a history, so does Ramanagaram rather a vibrant one also not to miss silky present — it’s the largest cocoon marketing center. The name Ramanagaram was officially christened in 1949, originates from the village Ramagiri on the foot hill of Ramadevarabetta (hill of lord Ram).
Ramanagaram is around 50 kms from Bangalore on the Bangalore-Mysore highway and is the taluk center for Bangalore Rural district. Situated on the banks of the river Arkavati, mention of Ramanagaram is recorded as early as 268 AD during the rule of Mauryas to Gangas, Cholas, Chalukyas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagar rulers, Kempagowda, Mysore kings, Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan and the British.
The hill has a Sri Ram temple that is built in the Dravidian style; to many rulers this place was of great strategic significance. It is also believed that saint Sri Ramanujacharya had visited this hill. There is a mention of Ramagiri in Ramayan, 16th century works of Renukaradhya and in Sarvajna vachanas.
As a traveller who would like to just visit or as adventure sport enthusiast wanting to scale the rock faces, Ramanagaram simply rocks. All you need to do is have a rocking time and keep the place litter free. |
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| DIWALI A FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS More... |
26-10-2008 |
Diwali is traditionally known as the "festival of lights", for the common practice is to light small oil lamps (called diyas) and place them around the home, in courtyards, gardens, verandahs, on the walls built around the home and also on the roof tops.
The word Diwali is derived from the word Deepavali that means "a row of lights". This suggests that it is a festival of light and illumination. The festival falls on the last day of the last month of lunar calendar. Diwali is celebrated for five days. The uniqueness of this festival is its harmony of five varied philosophies, with each day to a special thought.
Many reasons can be attributed for the use of Diyas in Diwali. Lamp or "Deep" is the symbol of knowledge. Lighting the lamp of knowledge within us means to understand and reflect upon the significant purpose of each of the five days of festivities and to bring those thoughts in to our day to day lives.The lighting of lamps is a form of obeisance to god for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and fame. Mythology says Diyas are used to celebrate the occasion of Lord Rama's return from exile.
Another legend says lighting of lamps symbolizes the spiritual light pervading the earth and the destruction of darkness and ignorance. According to another story the people of Dwaraka greeted Lord Krishna with illumination and rejoicing in honour of his victory over Narakasura. The darkness of the Chaturdasi night compelled them to use many lamps on the occasion, and subsequently the illumination became a part of this celebration.
Deepavali is a festival where people from all age groups participate. Irrespective of their religious and economic background, the festival is celebrated throughout the country to ward off the darkness and welcome light into life, as light is always associated with hope for the future. They give expression to their happiness by lighting earthen 'diyas' (lamps), decorating the houses, bursting firecrackers and inviting near and dear ones to their households for partaking in a sumptuous feast. Because of the Diwali Diyas , lights, fireworks, and sweets involved, it's a great favorite with children.
Nowadays electric lights and candles have been a good replacement for traditional Diyas. They are available in attractive designs and patterns. |
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