World's incredeble festival

Teej

2008-09-06T23:18:00.000-07:00

This swing festival welcomes the advent of the monsoon. Swings are hung from trees and decorated with flowers. Women, colourfully attired, swing on them and sing songs in celebration.

With every drop of first rains; Peacocks dance in ecstasy, spirits soar high in celebration. Song & dance mark the gaiety of the Teej Festival.

Teej is held on Third day of the moonlight fortnight of theHindu Month of Shravan (Mid-July to Mid-August) and marks the advent of the monsoons. The monsoon rains fall on the parched land and the pleasing scent of the wet soil rises into the air. The monsoon rains fall on the parched land and the pleasing scent of the wet soil rises into the air.

Teej is the festival for the daughters of the house. This festival is dedicated to the Goddess Parvati, commemorating her union with Lord Shiva. The festival is also dedicated to Goddess Parvati and commemorates the day when she was united with Lord Shiva after a penance of a hundred years – making them a symbol of an ideal marriage. It is believed that invocation of Parvati’s blessings on this day results in continued marital bliss.

: http://festivalsofindia.in

2008-09-06T23:16:00.001-07:00

The Diving Buddha Image Festival or locally called Um Phra Dam Nam Festival is annually held among the local people in Petchabun Province.

In September every year, the locals will carry Phra Buddha Maha Thammaracha (a principle Buddha image enshrined in Wat Trai Phum) in the procession to the river where the statue was found. The statue is then carried by the city governor into the river to replicate the scene when the statue was discovered.

source : http://www.thailandgrandfestival.com

Janmastami

2008-09-06T23:09:00.000-07:00

This is one of the famous songs that people sing on the occasion of Janmashtami, the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna the eighth avatar (Incarnation) of Lord Vishnu. This religious festival is celebrated all over India in the month of August/September on the ashtami of Krishna Paksh or the eighth day in the month of Bhadon according to the Hinducalendar with great devotion and zeal. Janmashtami is also known as Gokulashtami, Krishnasthami, Srijayanti.

The Janmashtami of Mathura and Vrindavan, the places where Lord Krishna had spent his childhood, are famous all over the world. Devotees from across the world come to these pious places to celebrate Janmasthami. On this auspicious occasion, temples and homes are beautifully decorated and illuminated. Night long prayers are offered and religious hymns are sung in temples. The priests chant holy mantras and bath the idol with Panchamrit which comprises of Gangajal (water from the holy Ganges River), milk, ghee (clarified butter), curd, and honey pouring all these from a conch shell. After this bath the idol of the infant Krishna (also known as Balmukund) is placed in a cradle. Devotional songs and dances mark the celebration of this festive occasion all over Northern India.

The temples especially in Vrindavan witness an extravagant and colourful celebration on this occasion. Raslila is performed to recreate incidents from the life of Krishna and to commemorate his love for Radha. (DOU 18082007)

http://festivalsofindia.in

Nehru Trophy Boat Race - Kerala

2008-09-06T23:04:00.000-07:00

Alappuzha is famous for its annual boat race, held

on the second Saturday of August every year.

The long elegant snake boats, with crews of over hundred men vying to win the coveted trophy, attract spectators from all over.

This was started in 1952 when India's first Prime Minister, Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru, visited Alappuzha, and inaugurated the function in which the gigantic snake boats with over 100 rowers in each raced one another.

It is called a Snake Boat Race as its 135 feet length has since been overtaken by Vellankulangara snake boat, which is 140 feet long.
Origin of Snake Boat Race of Kerala

In the year 1952, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru visited the erstwhile Travancore-Cochin. On his way to Alappuzha district from Kottayam he was given a roaring reception by the people of Alappuzha, escorted by the huge snake-boats. Having gone through the tremendous excitement of sailing in a snake boat popularly known as Chundan he donated a rolling trophy to be awarded to the winner of the Snake Boat Races to be held every year.

source : http://festivalsofindia.in

Independence day

2008-09-06T22:58:00.000-07:00

Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we will redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance.... We end today a period of ill fortune, and India discovers herself again."

- Jawaharlal Nehru (Speech on Indian Independence Day, 1947)

On 15 August 1947, India attained freedom from the British Rule. Every year, August 15 is celebrated as the Independence Day in India. This national festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over the country.

The Independence Day of any country is a moment of pride and glory. On this special occasion, rich tributes are paid to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives and fought to free their motherland from the clutches of the oppressors - British who ruled the country.

The British, had initially come for trade but gradually took over the total administration of the country.

At the strike of midnight of the August 15, 1947, India shook off the shackles of British Rule and became free. It was a night of celebration all over the country.

Commemorating the day India attained freedom (15th August); Independence Day is celebrated with flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programmes all over the country. The main program is held at the Red Fort where the Prime Minster unfurls the National Flag and it is saluted by Guns.

The Prime Minister's speech at the Red Fort in Delhi is a major highlight. Patriotic presentations by school children add colors to the celebrations.

Delhi’s skyline gets dotted with thousands of kites taking to the sky this day. Similar programmes are held at all the State capitals also.

The preparations begin a month in advance. Roads are decorated with flags and buntings. Buildings of national importance are illuminated.

source : http://festivalsofindia.in

Amarnath Yatra

2008-09-06T22:51:00.000-07:00

One of the most important events during July/ August is Amarnath Yatra to the Holy Pilgrimage. This is an annual event when thousands of Hindus from different corners of the Globe visit Amarnath caves. The pilgrims trek from Pahalgam to these caves and worship the great ice Lingam.

Legend has it that Shiva recounted to Parvati the secret of creation in a cave in Amarnath. Unknow to them, a pair of mating doves eavesdropped on this conversation and having learned the secret, are reborn again and again, and have made the cave their eternal abode.Many pilgrims report seeing the doves-pair when they trek the ardous route to pay obeisance before the ice-lingam (the phallic symbol of Shiva).

This is an event you certainly will talk about for the rest of your life.

July is time for the annual Amarnath Yatra one of the most sacred and popular pilgrimages to the holy snow-clad cave shrine of Lord Shiva in the beautiful northern Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir. Of all Hindu pilgrimages, Amarnath situated at an altitude of 3,880 metres in the southern Kashmir Himalayas is considered one of the holiest.

Darshan at the Holy Cave is generally open from early July (Ashad Purnima) to early August (Sharvan Purnima). In 2001, the pilgrimage started on July 4, and in its first week drew more than 10,000 pilgrims for the darshan of the naturally-formed ice Shiva Lingam at the holy cave shrine, according to official records. Since July 2 onwards, 3,500 pilgrims set off daily from the base camp in Jammu to Amarnath. The yatra or pilgrimage that year concluded on August 4, the day of the "Raksha Bandhan" festival.

source : festivalsofindia.in

History of Onam

2008-09-06T22:44:00.000-07:00

Legend

A long time ago, an Asura (demon) king called Mahabali ruled Kerala. He was a wise, benevolent and judicious ruler and beloved of his subjects. Soon his fame as an able king began to spread far and wide, but when he extended his rule to the heavens and the netherworld, the gods felt challenged and began to fear his growing powers. Presuming that he might become over-powerful, Aditi, the mother of Devas pleaded with Lord Vishnu to curtail Mahabali's powers.

Vishnu transformed himself into a dwarf called Vamana and approached Mahabali while he was performing a yajna and asked for alms. Pleased with the dwarf Brahmin’s wisdom, Mahabali granted him a wish. The Emperor's preceptor, Sukracharya warned him against making the gift, for he realized that the seeker was no ordinary person. But the Emperor's kingly ego was boosted to think that God had asked him for a favour. So he firmly declared that there is no greater sin than going back on one's promise. He kept his word.

The Vamana asked for a simple gift — three paces of land — and the king agreed to it. Vishnu in the guise of Vamana then increased his stature and with the first step covered the sky, blotting out the stars, and with the second, straddled the netherworld. Realising that Vamana's third step will destroy the earth; Mahabali offered his head as the last step.

Vishnu's fatal third step pushed him to the netherworld, but before banishing him to the underworld Vishnu granted him a boon. Since he was attached to his kingdom and his people, he was allowed to return once a year from exile. Onam is the celebration that marks the homecoming of King Mahabali. It is the day when a grateful Kerala pays a glorious tribute to the memory of this benign king who gave his all for his subjects.

source : www.festivalsofindia.in

Onam

2008-09-06T22:34:00.000-07:00

Onam is one of the greatest festivals of Kerala.It is the festival, which the keralites celebrate unitedly without the difference of caste and religion. Onam is a time for sports and festivities and in Kerala where one third of the area is low lying, covered with canals, lakes and backwaters; the people take to their boats and country crafts to celebrate. Colourful aquatic festivals are organized along the sacred rive Pamba.

After three months of heavy rains, the sky becomes a clear blue and the forests a deep green. The brooks and streams come alive, spitting forth-gentle white foam, the lakes and rivers overflow and lotuses and lilies are in full bloom. It is time to reap the harvest, to celebrate and to rejoice. The harvest festival of Onam corresponds with the Malayalam New Year, Chingam.

Onam is the most important harvest festival of Kerala and is an attraction for thousands of people within and outside the state. Ranging from four days to ten days, all the activities during this season are cantered around worshipping, music, dances, sports, boat races and good food. It is celebrated in the Malayalam month Chingam (ending of August and beginning of September). This year it falls on 15 September 2005. Onam is a harvest festival, and celebrates the bounty of nature after a year of hard labour. Elaborate procession of Trichur and spectacular snake boat races on River Pampa mark the merry-making nature of the festival. Women dress up in new saris and heavy jewellery and make elaborate and intricate designs of 'rangolis' (with coloured rice paste) and 'pookkalam' (with flowers) in front of their homes.

source: www.festivalsofindia.in

About Guru Purnima

2008-09-06T22:21:00.000-07:00

Devotional worship of the Guru - the preceptor - is one of the most touching and elevating features of the Hindu cultural tradition. The auspicious moment of Vyaasa Poornima, chosen for observing this annual festival, is no less significant. It was the great sage Vyasa, son of a fisherwoman, who classified the accumulated spiritual knowledge of the Vedas under four heads - Rig, Yajur, Saama and Atharva. To him goes the credit of composing the authentic treatise of Brahma-sootras to explain the background of Vedas. He also wrote the eighteen Puranas, the stories of our great heroes and saints, to carry the spiritual and moral precepts contained therein to the common masses.

The greatest of epics of all times and of all climes - Mahaabhaarata - embodying the immortal song of God, the Bhagavad Geeta, also in it, is also the priceless gift of Vyasa. The Bhaagavata, the thrilling and devotional story of Sri Krishna, was also his contribution. It is in the fitness of things that Vyasa should be looked upon as the supreme preceptor of mankind. Offering of worship to him signifies the worship of all the preceptors of all times.

The Guru in the Hindu tradition is looked upon as an embodiment of God himself. For, it is through his grace and guidance that one reaches the highest state of wisdom and bliss. "My salutations to the Guru who is Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara. The Guru is Parabrahma incarnate"

Gururbrahmaa gururvishnuh gururdevo Maheswarah |
Guruh-saakshaat parabrahma tasmai shrigurave namah |

sourse : festivals.tajonline.com

Patan victim to be teacher for a day

2008-09-05T06:55:00.000-07:00

AHMEDABAD: On Teacher's Day, the biggest tribute to educators will come from the Patan girl, who was gang raped by her six professors and has recently completed her testimony in court trying the gang rape case. Despite what the gurus did to her, the Patan girl says she still has faith in teachers who deserve respect and adulation like parents!

In fact, the Patan girl will play teacher for a day after her favourite role model Bharti Patel, who exposed her victimisation by the professors and stood by her through the public torture, and will teach Gujarati subject on Saturday. Friday being Teacher's Day, students would be listening to the compulsory telecast of Narendra Modi's address to be aired in all schools and colleges.

"Despite being vicitmised by my own teachers, I believe it was an exception and not a norm - 99 per cent of the teachers in our state and country approach their profession with respect and commitment. What happened to me should not taint the teaching profession," the Patan girl told.

The girl, in fact, plans to give a special lecture on character-building to her students, who are being trained to be teachers themselves in the Patan DIET-PTC.

"I remember the saying 'If wealth is lost, nothing is lost. If health is lost, something is lost. If character is lost, everything is lost' and will tell the students about it," she said.

Principal of the Patan DIET-PTC, Jamnaben Taral, said that students becoming teachers has been a tradition in the institute and this time 10 girls including the victim have volunteered to don the teacher's role. "It was good of her to volunteer," said Taral.

Meanwhile, the Patan girl says that increasing incidence of girls being victimized by their teachers is primarily due to the decreasing age difference between teachers and students.

source : http://images.google.co.in, the times of India

शिक्षक दिवस | Happy Teacher's day

2008-09-05T06:44:00.000-07:00

It is the birthday of the second President of India, academic philosopher Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. It is considered a "celebration" day, where teachers and students report to school as usual but the usual activities and classes are replaced by activities of celebration, thanks and remembrance.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

शिक्षक दिवस क्यों मनाया जाता है?

प्यारे बच्चो,

आज तुम्हें शिक्षक दिवस की कहानी सुनाती हूँ। दूर एक जगह है तिरुतन्नी, जो ६४ किमी दूर है चेन्नई से, वहाँ पर एक तेलगु मध्यम वर्गीय परिवार में ५ सितम्बर १८८८ को जन्म हुआ एक बालक का, जिसका नाम था सर्वपल्ली राधाकृष्णन। वो खूब मन लगाकर पढ़ता था। हर किसी को उनपर नाज़ था। वो हमेशा "सादा जीवन उच्च विचार" की भावना से रहता था।

उनके जीवन दर्शन को स्वामी विवेकानंद व रविन्द्र नाथ टैगोर ने प्रभावित किया। बड़े होकर वे एक प्रतिभा शाली शिक्षक बने। सभी विद्यार्थी उन्हें तथा सभी विद्यार्थियों को वे बहुत प्यार देते थे। विद्यार्थियों तथा सहियोगियो द्वारा उनका जन्मदिन मनाये जाने की पेशकश करने पर उन्होंने कहा की "मेरा जन्मदिन मनाने की बजाये यह मेरा सौभाग्य होगा की आप इस दिन को शिक्षक दिवस के रूप में जाने"

१९५४ में इस भारत के रत्न को "भारत रत्न" की उपाधि से नवाजा गया। शायद तुम लोगो में से बहुत कम लोगो को ही पता होगा की वे हमारे भारत के दूसरे राष्ट्रपति भी थे, जिनका कार्यकाल मई १३ - १९६२ से लेकर मई १३ -१९६७ तक रहा। राधाकृष्णन जी ने बाद में अपने सहियोगियों और साथियों के साथ कृष्णा अर्पण चैरिटी सोसाइटी की स्थापना की। आज हम उन्हें न केवल शिक्षक के रूप में ही, वरन् एक सच्चे कर्तव्य निष्ट राजनेता व एक दार्शनिक के रूप में शत-शत नमन करते है। भारत माँ का यह होनहार शिक्षक १७ अप्रैल १९७५ को इस दुनिया से चला गया। आज भी हम उनके जन्मदिन को शिक्षक दिवस के रूप में मानते है। प्यारे बच्चो, तुम लोग अपने टीचर को ५ सितम्बर को तोहफे में क्या देने वाले हो ?
हर टीचर का अरमान है ये
बच्चों को मुस्कान दे वो
आंसू पोछे वो जब-जब
हँस के बोले हम तब-तब
सबसे प्यारी मेरी मैम|
शुभकामनाओं के साथ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Source : http://baaludyan.hindyugm.com,
: http://en.wikipedia.org

Coming soon Nav [nine] Night

2008-09-04T13:19:00.000-07:00

Navratri (Sanskrit: नवरात्रि) is a Hindu festival of worship and dance. The word Navaratri literally means nine nights in Sanskrit; Nava meaning Nine and Ratri meaning nights. During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakti/Devi i.e. female divinity are worshipped.

Significance

The beginning of summer and the beginning of winter are two very important junctions of climatic and solar influence. These two periods are taken as sacred opportunities for the worship of the Divine Mother. The dates of the festival are determined according to the lunar calendar.

Dasaharara, meaning ‘ten days’, becomes dasara in popular parlance. The Navaratri festival or ‘nine day festival’ becomes ‘ten days festival’ with the addition of the last day, Vijaya-dasami which is its culmination. On all these ten days, Mother Mahisasura-mardini (Durga) is worshipped with fervour and devotion.

source : en.wikipedia.org , google.com

History of new year

2008-09-04T12:46:00.000-07:00

The beginning of spring is a logical time to start a new year. After all, it is the season of rebirth, of planting new crops, and of blossoming. January 1, on the other hand, has no astronomical nor agricultural significance. It is purely arbitrary.

The Babylonian new year celebration lasted for eleven days. Each day had its own particular mode of celebration, but it is safe to say that modern New Year's Eve festivities pale in comparison.

The Romans continued to observe the new year in late March, but their calendar was continually tampered with by various emperors so that the calendar soon became out of synchronization with the sun.

In order to set the calendar right, the Roman senate, in 153 BC, declared January 1 to be the beginning of the new year. But tampering continued until Julius Caesar, in 46 BC, established what has come to be known as the Julian Calendar. It again established January 1 as the new year. But in order to synchronize the calendar with the sun, Caesar had to let the previous year drag on for 445 days.

Source : http://wilstar.com/holidays/newyear.htm

Diwali : Lights of colors

2008-09-04T07:33:00.001-07:00

Diwali festival is a 5 day Hindu festival in India which occurs on the fifteenth day of Kartika. Diwali when translated means "rows of lighted lamps" and the occasion is also referred to as the Festival of Lights.

During Diwali, Indian homes are cleaned and windows are opened to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Lamps, lights and candles are lit as a greeting to Goddess Laksmi.

Gifts are exchanged and sweets, festive meals are prepared during Diwali. Because there are many castes and regions in India, there are myriad manifestations of the Diwali festival.

In some places, the festival begins with Dhanteras, a day set aside to worship Laksmi. In the Indian culture, wealth is not viewed as a corruptive power. Instead, a wealthy person is considered to have been rewarded for good deeds of a past life, i.e karma.

On the second day of the festival, Kali, the goddess of Strength, is worshipped.

On the 3rd day ( the last day of the year in the lunar calendar), lamps are lighted and shine brightly in homes. The lamp symbolizes knowledge.

The fourth day of Diwali falls on the first day of the lunar New Year. At this time, old business accounts are settled and new books are opened. The books are worshipped in a special ceremony by Indian priests and participants are encouraged to remove anger, hate, and jealousy from their lives.

On the last day (Balipratipada) of the festival, Bali, an ancient Indian king, is recalled and remembered. Bali destroyed the centuries old philosophies of the society. However, in addition to this, he is remembered for being a generous and kind person. Hence, the significance of this day is to see the good in others, including enemies.