dymonds’s blog

DEV-DEEPAWALI,13-11-08

November 13th, 2008

23 comments

DEV-DEEPAWALI .a great ocassion for people of Varanasi ..

have a look ..

sunrise

Surya namskar …

Ghats

FULL MOON

Moon in early eve ..

GANGA AARTI & DEV DEEPAWALI ON GHATS …

DEEP DAN

Varanasi

is one of the most famous pilgrimages for the Hindus. It is commonly believed that one who dies and is cremated in Varanasi gets liberated from the cycle of births and rebirths. Festivals and Events of Varanasi occurs all the year round because of its rich cultural heritage.

Dev Deepavali is celebrated on the occasion of Kartik Poornima when the Ghats of Varanasi come alive with thousands of Diyas (earthen lamps). Dev Deepavali, celebrated on the fifteenth day of Diwali, is a tribute to river Ganga by the people of Varanasi. Dev Deepavali is held on the full moon day in the month of Kartik (also known as Kartik Purnima) and is observed with great fanfare and feasts. It is believed that on the day of Dev Deepavali, the Gods descend on Earth. It is interesting to note that the Kartik Purnima festival also coincides with the Jain light festival and Guru Nanak Jayanti.

To mark the occasion and also to showcase the cultural heritage of Varanasi, the Uttar Pradesh Tourism department organizes a four-day Ganga Mahotsav around this period. A large number of Hindu devotees start assembling from the day of the Prabodhini Ekadasi (the eleventh day of the fortnight) itself.The official celebration is usually held on the Dasaswamedh Ghat. On the occasion of the Ganga Mahotsava, reputed artists and performers from all over the country come and perform, making the celebrations more eventful.

In the eve of Kartik Purnima, the number of pilgrims begins to increase manifolds and most of the pilgrims camp by the riverside. In the evening, pilgrims and local people decorate the entire riverbank with tiny earthen lamps (’Diya’). These lamps are lit as a mark of welcome to the Gods as they descend on earth. The little sparks of fire flicker elegantly and is a wonderful sight to watch. The ‘Ganga-Aarti’ is an important event in the evening. Almost all Ghats organize their own ceremony. Huge lamps are set ablaze and the priest holds forth the lamp as the multitude chants the hymns. . Every ghat along the Ganga is lighted up on Dev Deepavali in readiness for the Divine. Committees are formed and there is keen competition. Children decorate their respective ghats with motifs like the swastika, Om and Ganesha. The sheer beauty of light and shade cannot be captured by an electronic eye. Against the backdrop of the illuminated Ganga Ghat the rising full moon is an experience beyond narration. It was like drinking nectar. The full moon rose high above the sky casting its shadow down below on the twinkling Ganga.

Lamps are set ablaze and are flown on the Ganges and this becomes a sight to cherish forever. Dev Deepavali is a celebration of light, joy, spiritual journey and is a living tradition of ancient city Varanasi. Dev Deepavali symbolizes enlightenment, existence of life, sign of immortality, and triumph of good over evil.

Pilgrims from all over India gather in Varanasi on the eve of Dev Deepavali in Varanasi.As this event coincides with the Jain light festival and Guru Nanak Jayanti. It is a general belief that on the day of the full moon i.e. on Dev Deepavali God descends from Heaven to Earth to bathe in holy Ganges and the Gods are welcomed amidst lights and bursting of crackers. According to a different school of thought Gods observed victory day on Kartik Purnima, to celebrate the death of the demon Tripurasur. Thus this festival is named Dev Deepavali. Mahabharata also has a reference to Dev-Deepavali. Vedic hymns are chanted by priests to please and welcome them.

Ganga Ghat wears a mystical look as thousands of people walk up to the ghat to bathe on the sacred day at Brahmamuhurta. Shedding all inhibitions, men, women and children take the holy dip in the Ganga. Before long the golden streak of morning light besmears the devotees who are chanting mantras and bowing to the Sun God in Surya Namaskar.

The ghats are dotted with hundreds of umbrellas under which priests sit. Talking to one priest it is gathered that each umbrella is registered with the revenue department and each costs around Rs.30,000/- and the income per day is between Rs.100/- and Rs.500/-. Sitting under their umbrellas priests apply Urdhapundra and Tripundra tilaks (sacred marks on the foreheads of devotees amidst chanting of mantras. Devotees also worship Ganga here. These ceremonies are organized by local priests.

Dev Deepawali, a tourist attraction with earthen lamps lighting up the steps of the ghats, About five lakh people, including foreigners, are expected to congregate on the ghats. Hundreds of boats would also be bobbing on the river on this day, the ”kartika poornima,” to witness the annual festival of lights, which has now become an international event.

According to a legend, the first ruler of Kashi (Varanasi) Debodasa, being annoyed with the Gods and Goddesses, banned their entry into the city. They, however, entered the city in disguise for a holy dip at Panchganga ghat, where four rivers meet with the Ganga. After some persuasion, Debodasa allowed the Gods and Goddesses to come to Banaras to celebrate with lights on Kartika Poornima. Since then, Dev Deepawali is celebrated every year.

According to another interpretation, the Gods observe victory day on Kartika Poornima to celebrate the killing of demon Tripurasura by Lord Shiva. A legend says, Dev Deepawali is celebrated in the memory of the martyrs of the Mahabharat war. The lamps were lit to brighten their path to heaven. A long queue of lamps on the stairs of 84 ghats–from Rajghat to Assi–and floating lamps on river Ganga make a pretty picture. In the last five years, this festival has gained popularity.

The event is beamed live on cable channels. A large number of foreign tourists make special visit to the city to witness this festival of lights on full moon light.

The entire town descends on the ghats, picknicking and singing on the boats. The boat rides, which normally cost about Rs 350, now go for as much as Rs 4,500, most booked well in advance.

Dev Deepawali, a wonderful blend of spiritualism and nationalism is observed by Ganga Sewa Nidhi as Martyr’s Commemoration day to remember the gallant soldiers, who attained martyrdom while safeguarding the motherland. Defence forces with the active support of the Nidhi, present the last post to the martyrs by sounding bugles. Helicopters of headquarters, Central Air Command Allahabad, drop flower petals on the replica of India gate at famous Dashswamedh ghat. The Nidhi also honours the brave martyrs with ”Bhagirath Shourya Samman.” Personnel from head quarters Central Air Command, Allahabad, headquarters Central Command, Lucknow 39 Gorakh training centre, Varanasi, and four air force selection board, Varanasi and NCC, CRPF and units of police force participate in the event.

Last year, this festival was marred following bomb blasts in the Courts’ compound, in which nine people were killed and several others injured.

PICTURES TAKEN ON THIS

DEV DEEPAWALI ..

13-NOVEMBER 2008

Marriage of Saligram Shila and Tulsi Plant

it is said that mythologically in this month the samudra manthan (churning of the ocean) occurred when the 14 celestial gems came up. "This is an auspicious month and on the ekadasi day (eleventh day from no-moon day) a unique festival called Kartik Puja is performed by women on the banks of the Ganga in Varanasi. This also happens to be the day of celestial marriage of Tulsi with Saligram Shila. Tulsi is a plant (Ocimum basilicum or Ocimum sanctum). There are two types of Tulsi ' one is Rama Tulsi with light green leaves and the other is Krishna Tulsi with dark green leaves. Its is a prerequisite for the worship of Vishnu and Narayan. A Saligram Shila is an ammonite fossil can generally be classified under Cephalopoda class which is roughly 425 million years old. This stone is one of the most sacred stones for Hindus.

The origin of the Saligram Shila goes back to the Puranic or mythological era. The Puranic encyclopaedia says Vishnu and Lakshmi once had a terrible quarrel and cursed one another. Sarawati's curse transformed Lakshmi into a Tulsi plant destined to live on earth forever. Vishnu, however, intervened and said, "Lakshmi, you will live in the world as a holy Tulsi plant and when the curse has been completed you will come back to me. On that day a river named Gandaki will start from your body which will be in the shape of a Tulsi plant. On the bank of that river I will remain as a stone image (Saligram). There will be many worms with strong tusks and teeth which will pierce the stone into the shape of the sudarshan chakra (quoit) and it will create numberless Saligram." Puranic sources further state that Tulsi and Saligarm Shila are married on earth on Kartik Purnima day.

SUDARSHAN SHALIGRAM

EKMUKHI SALIGRAM

Womenfolk celebrate the celestial marriage. One group adopts Saligram as Krishna and the other Tulsi. The celestial marriage is a unique phenomenon during which women forget their human existence and merge with the celestial figures. The women behave as if they have found oneness with God. During the marriage ceremony they sing marriage songs numbering around 50. They verbally fight amongst themselves ' one group taking the side of Krishna and the other that of Tulsi. Both groups trade allegations against each other. For instance the group that adopts Tulsi says. "Your Krishna has no character as he roams around with many gopis (milkmaids) " Even priests are not spared and they are termed as a "greedy lot".

SHYAMA TULSI

In the early morning followed by the ritual of the barat (groom's party), marriage and kanya daan (giving away of the bride). All these ceremonies are accompanied by lucid folk songst this 'marriage' is unique as rituals and timings remain as close to the Panchang (Indian calendar) as in real marriages. "This is nothing exotic and there is no sensationalism but is a pure and simple festival of innocent mind".

"In Varanasi there is a tradition of Sakhi Bandh in which two women get formally befriended (as in sakhi of Krishna fame) and remain friends all their life.

http://s288.photobucket.com/albums/ll163/dymonds_02/?start=0

SUBH DEEPAWALI

October 24th, 2008

12 comments

Tu Jagmagaaye Teraa Deep Jagamagaaye

Tu jagmagaaye teraa deep jagamagaaye
Saare jahaan ki khushiya tere bhee ghar ko aaye
Ganga aur Yamuna sa nirmal ho tera man
Ambar our dhara sa swachh ho tera tan
Is nagar me teri jyoti chamchamaaaye
Tu jagmagaaye teraa deep jagamagaaye

Achchhe karmo se jag me naam hogaa tera
Teri aahat se buraiya lengi nahi basera
Tere marane ke baad bhee log tera naam gaaye
Tu jagmagaaye teraa deep jagamagaaye

Mit jaaye andhera jo teri dagar me aaye
Aaye kabhi na gam jo deti chintaaye
Naam amar ho tera ek taaraa timtimaaye
Tu jagmagaaye teraa deep jagamagaaye

Door karna chhuachoot mandir masjid ka jhagara
Koi mare na bhookha koi rahe na kangala
Aane waalaa kal tera naam gungunaaye
Tu jagmagaaye teraa deep jagamagaaye

Five Days Of Diwali

Deewali is a festival of joy, splendor, brightness and happiness. It is the festival of lights and is celebrated with great enthusiasm by all Indians all over the world. The uniqueness of this festival is its harmony of five varied philosophies, with each day to a special thought or ideal. People celebrate each of its five days of festivities with true understanding, it will uplift and enrich the lives.

The first day of Diwali: Dhanteras

The first day of Diwali is called Dhanvantari Triodasi or Dhanwantari Triodasi also called Dhan Theras. It is in fact the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksh, the dark forthnight of the month of Kartik. On this day, Lord Dhanwantari came out of the ocean with Ayurvedic for mankind. This day marks the beginning of Deepawali celebrations.

On this day at sunset, Hindus should bathe and offer a lighted deeya with Prasad (sweets offered at worship time) to Yama Raj, the Lord of Death and pray for protection from untimely death. This offering should be made near a Tulsi tree, the Holy Basil or any other sacred tree that one might have in their yard.

The second day of Diwali: Choti Diwali

The second day of Diwali is called Narak Chaturdasi. On this day Lord Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasur and made the world free from fear. On this day, one should massage the body with oil to relieve it of tiredness, bathe and rest so that Diwali can be celebarated with vigour and devotion.

On this night, Yama Deeya should not be lit. The Shastras (Laws of Dharma) declares that Yama Deeya should be offered on Triodasi night with Prasad. Some people mistook it to mean that because Yama Deeya was lit on that night, that it should always be lit on the night before Diwali. This is absolutely not true. It is advisable that one consults with a learned Pandit or Hindu Astrologer for proper guidance on this matter.

The third day of Diwali: Lakshmi Puja on Diwali

This is the day when worship unto Mother Lakshmi is performed. Hindus cleanse themselves and join with their families and their Pandit (priest) and they worship the divine Goddess Lakshmi to achieve the blessings of wealth and prosperity, the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.

The fourth day of Diwali:Govardhan Puja

On this day, Govardhan Pooja is performed. Many thousands of years ago, Lord Krishna caused the people of Vraja to perform Govardhan Pooja. From then on, every year Hindus worship Govardhan to honour that first Pooja done by the people of Vraja.

The fifth day of Diwali: Bhai Duj

The fifth day of the Diwali is called Bhratri Dooj. This is the day after Goverdhan Pooja is performed and normally two days after Diwali day. It is a day dedicated to sisters. Many moons ago, in the Vedic era, Yama (Yamraj, the Lord of death) visited his sister Yamuna on this day. He gave his sister a Vardhan (a boon) that whosoever visits her on this day shall be liberated from all sins. They will achieve Moksha or final emancipation. From then on, brothers visit their sisters on this day to enquire of their welfare.

This day marks the end of the five days of Diwali celebrations. This is also known as Bhai fota among Bengalis. Bhai fota is an event especially among Bengalis when the sister prays for her brother’s safety, success and well being.

Celebrate an Environmentally Safe Diwali

Diyas lit on the moonless Diwali night signifies the end of darkness of ignorance and the beginning of light that enlightens all. Well, this Diwali enlighten yourself towards the hazards that boisterous celebrations of Diwali poses to our environment.

Celebrate an Eco Sensitive Diwali

you are interested in celebrating an Eco - Sensitive Diwali, the first thing that you need to do is to make yourself aware about the effects the traditional Diwali celebrations has on the Mother Nature. Given below are three major environmental impacts that Diwali Festival have on our environment.

1. Air Pollution through Firecrackers

2. Excessive Consumerism

3. High Energy Consumption

1. Air Pollution through Firecrackers - “Say ‘No’

to Fire crackers and ‘Yes’ to life!”

For most people lighting of firecrackers is the highlight of Diwali. Brighter the sparkles, louder the noise the greater the thrill!! In fact to many of us, these aesthetic forms of light seem so appropriate and most essential when celebrating the ‘Festival of Lights’.

But little do people realize that in our increasingly populated and polluted cities, the temporary joy of watching the firecrackers is soon replaced by the intense air pollution caused by these. The toxic substances used in the firecrackers release toxic gases that are harmful to the health of all living beings. The high level of noise generated by the crackers cause immense suffering to birds and animals. Besides, Diwali crackers are dreaded by the sick and the ailing.

Sadly, few of us realise that the firecrackers used on Diwali are mostly made by very young children. Since the substances being handled are extremely toxic many of these child labourers get sick and die in their early teenage years.

Harmful effects of Chemicals used in crackers

Let’s do a little analysis of crackers and list out in actual terms the harmful effects posed by each of its chemicals.

Chemical	Impact
Copper Cadmium Lead Magnesium Sodium Zinc Nitrate Nitrite	Irritation of respiratory tract Anemia and damage to kidney Affects the nervous system Its dust and fumes cause metal fume fever Reacts violently with moisture and can attack the skin. Leads to vomiting Could lead to mental impairment Could lead to coma

Noise Pollution caused by Fire Crackers

Crackers that make a noise of more than 125 decibels at four metres distance from the point of bursting are banned by the law. Given here are the hazards posed by excessive noise pollution caused by crackers:

1. Hearing loss, high blood pressure, heart attack and sleeping disturbances.

2. Sudden exposure to loud noise could cause temporary deafness or permanent relative deafness.

2. Excessive Consumerism

An indirect but equally significant impact of Diwali on nature is due to the increased consumption. Since Diwali is also a celebration of abundance and wealth - many people believe that it is a good time to buy. Often, people go out and buy new items even when they don’t need them. Advertisements and hoardings scream out to people offerings sales extravaganzas, bargains, discounts encouraging us to buy more and more!

How does this increased consumption affect Nature?

A point to realize is that all man made items are made out of materials that come from Nature. Be it plastic, metal, paper or cloth - all of these raw materials come directly from nature. Those sources that are non renewable (cannot be grown back) such as fossil fuels and metal ores get depleted and will one day run out. Depletion of non renewable natural resources is one of the most significant impact of consumerism.

For instance, the gold earrings that you will buy on Diwali is coming from a gold mine that is not only depleting the gold resources of the earth, but in the process of mining is probably ruining several ecosystems.

3. High Energy Consumption

The festival of lights puts a considerably heavy load on electrical energy sources that are already overloaded. The use of electric lights to adorn homes, business establishments, monuments and roads requires a huge amount of electricity. The older tradition of burning oil lamps is a possible alternative to electric lights - even though it does use oil, the duration of the lamps is shorter.

SPARKLING ,CRACKLING ,SWEET ,SAFE AND SHUBH DEEPWALI

With Love &Prayers

dIshaa TRIPATHI

Thanks

VICTORIOUS DUSSHERA

October 9th, 2008

13 comments

फिर हमें संदेश देने
आ गया पावन दशहरा

द्वेश हो कितना भी गहरा
हो ना कलुषित ये मन तेरा

सत्य हो कितना प्रताड़ित
पर ना हो सकता पराजित

दशहरा की हर्दिक बधाई!!

DO YOU KNOW ?

Durga, in Sanskrit means

“She who is incomprehensible or difficult to reach.”

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** ‘Akalbodhan’

The worship of Devi Durga in the month of Ashwin is called ‘Akalbodhan’- an uncustomary time for commencement of the worship. It is so called since the period of this worship differs from the conventional period (during the spring - ‘Basanta’). Ramayana says that when Rama was engaged in the fierce battle with Ravana, he wanted to secure the blessings of victory from Devi Durga. He held the puja to evoke the goddess during autumn to his dire plight, thereby worshiping Durga untimely (in Akal). Hence this puja is called Akalbodhon.

It was customary to worship Durga with 100 neel kamals (blue lotuses). Rama could gather only 99 of them; he offered one of his eyes as a substitute of the 100th lotus. Pleased with his devotion Durga blessed him. The battle started on Shaptami and Ravana was killed at the Shandhikshan (in between) Ashtami and Navami; he was cremated on Dashami. Therefore the four days of the puja that we celebrate ends in the triumph of the good over evil

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*** Dasshera day is considered a most auspicious day. It is a time-honored belief that if any new venture is started on this day, it is bound to be successful. Hence, all the undertakings be it laying-in of foundation of a new building, opening of a new commercial establishment or even initiating a child into the world of learning- are started on this day. Also on this day implements of agriculture, manufacturer’s machines, the intellectuals pens, the household articles, the children’s school books are placed before the idol of Durga and worshiped.

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**** This day people offer pujan to the Mahaar tree and Shami tree (commonly known as ‘Khijdo’, Latin-Prosopis spicigera ). This pujan is considered to be as fruitful as Shiv’s pujan.

(for Shami Pujan -offer supari ,akshat(chawal),sweet ,diya ,and piece of cloth)

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***** The root sentiment of Vijaya Dashmi is victory; of good over evil and of self over one’s mundane indriyas. Man forever wishes to be victorious over others and over creation. Moreover, the triumph of victory leads him to luxury and extravagance. These then ruin him. Therefore the scriptures advise us to attain victory over the mind. One who has not conquered the mind has not conquered anything. Even the stalwarts were subdued by their whims. Vishwamitra succumbed to Menka, Yudhisthir to gambling. Therefore the Gita (2/60) proclaims that even intellectuals who strive to control their minds are defeated by their indriyas and swayed towards sensual pleasures. Chanakya also revealed to emperor Chandragupta Maurya: ‘The gist of the scriptures is to attain victory over the indriyas.’

In the ‘Maniratnamala’, Shankaracharya has stipulated:
Jitam jagat kena, mano hi yena.

i.e. One who has conquered his mind has conquered the world. For this, one needs to imbibe Dharma. Throughout the Mahabharat, sage Ved Vyas reiterates that:
‘Yato Dharmastato jayaha’