The Spirit of Christmas Past ~ Enya
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Story behind Dussehra
Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami) is a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. It is marked on the 10th day of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the month of Ashvin (Ashwayuja), according to the Hindu calendar.
How does it
Celebrated
Many people of the Hindu faith
observe Dussehra through special prayer meetings and food offerings to the gods
at home or in temples throughout India .
They also hold outdoor fairs (melas) and large parades with effigies of Ravana.
The effigies are burnt on bonfires in the evening. Dussehra is the culmination
of the Navaratri festival.
There are many local celebrations in some areas in
- Performances of the Ramlila (a short version of the epic Ramayana) in Northern India.
- A large festival and procession including Devi Chamundeshwari on a throne mounted on elephants in the town of Mysore in the state of Karnataka.
- The preparation of special foods, including luchi (deep fried flat bread) and alur dom (deep fried spiced potato snacks) in Bengal.
Many Hindus also believe that it
is lucky to start a new venture, project or journey on Dussehra. They may also
exchange gifts of leaves from the Shami tree (Prosopis spicigera) as a symbol
of the story of the Pandavas brothers' exile in the Mahabharata stories.
Stories behind
Dussehra
Dussehra celebrates the Hindu god
Rama's victory over the demon king Ravana and the triumph of good over evil.
The epic Ramayana tells the mythical story of the Lord Rama who wins
the lovely Sita for his wife, only to have her carried off by Ravana, the demon
king of Lanka.
Ravana plays an important role in
the Ramayana. Ravana had a sister known as Shoorpanakha. She fell in love
with the brothers Rama and Lakshamana and wanted to marry one of them.
Lakshamana refused to marry her and Rama could not as he was already married to
Sita.
Shoorpanakha threatened to kill
Sita, so that she could marry Rama. This angered Lakshamana who cut off
Shoorpanakha's nose. Ravana then kidnapped Devi Sita to take revenge his
sister's injuries. Rama and Lakshamana later fought a battle to rescue Devi Sita.
The Hanuman and a huge army of monkeys helped them.
The Mahabharata is
another series of Hindu myths that play a role in the Dussehra festival. The
Pandavas were five brothers who fought evil forces with a set of distinctive
weapons. They abandoned their weapons and went into exile for one year. They
hid their weapons in a Shami tree and found them at the same place when they
returned from exile. They then worshipped the tree before going to a battle,
which they won. This epic is also honored during Dussehra.
Events during
Dussehra
Dussehra celebrations include:
- Bonfires and fireworks
- Paper and wood effigies of Ravana.
- Red spots (tika) painted on people's foreheads.
The effigies of Ravana are often burnt on the bonfires.
Burning of Ravana Statue (Dussehra Special) Part 1
Watch out burning of Ravana Statue on Dussehra festival (Vijaya Dashami). You can watch the Ravana effigy from unburned situation to burnt bones which was taken away by Indian People during Dussehra.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
Janmashtami Festival (Inside Journey of Hindu Temple) Part 3
Watch out inside journey of Hindu temples during Janmashtami Festival (Birthday Celebration of Lord Krishna).
Janmashtami Festival (Inside Journey of Hindu Temple) Part 1
Watch out inside journey of Hindu temples during Janmashtami Festival (Birthday Celebration of Lord Krishna).
Janmashtami Festival (Inside Journey of Hindu Temple) Part 4
Watch out inside journey of Hindu temples during Janmashtami Festival (Birthday Celebration of Lord Krishna).
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Janmashtami Festival (Inside Journey of Hindu Temple) Part 2
Janmashtami Festival (Inside Journey of Hindu Temple) Part 2
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Indian People are celebrating Hindu’s New Year
It’s New Year again and different states are celebrating the special day in their own unique ways. The Tamilians had a first reading of their new Panchangam (calendar) on April 13 to mark the start of Varsha Pirapu - a brand-new year. They start the day with a Padi Kolam, a traditional Rangoli which signifies that there’s festivity at home. Baisakhi is the Punjabi festival heralding the felicitation of the Panch Pyare. Years ago, when Guru Gobind Singh asked people to stand up to protect mankind, the Panch Pyare came forward first. The Guru went on to felicitate them with Amrit (potion), made of Cheeni (sugar) and Pani (water) in a Katora (cup). On this first day of Baisakhi, farmers in Punjab harvest the first crop of Gehoon (wheat). Down South it’s celebration of Vishu by the Malayalees. They prepare Vishu Kani comprising a plate arranged with God’s picture and a Diya. On the auspicious day of Vishu, the elders of the family give gifts to the younger members and all feasts on Sadya, Aviyal, Sambhar, Mambaya Puzhchedi and Chakka - jackfruit sweet. It’s a sweet affair indeed, just the way the Bengalis ring in Poila Boishak with Sandesh, Roshogulla, Raj Bhog and Chomchom. Before the sumptuous meal, comes the Puja with a prayer to Ganesh and Lakshmi seeking prosperity. Then come the new clothes and a special lunch of Luchi and Aloo Dom.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Monday, April 9, 2012
Birthday Poem
Happy birthday my best friend,
Amazing times, we always spend.
Laughter and jokes are common place,
Since we built that solid base.
Special friend that I hold dear,
Always wish to have you near.
We get along, like bread with honey,
A friendship worth, much more than money.
If you stumble, count me there,
Gratitude; no need to declare.
Your thoughts are clear, in my mind,
Understanding we always find.
Happy birthday my best friend,
I’m excited to attend.
This birthday poem, is just for you,
A great big smile is overdue.!!!!
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
You better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout
I’m telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
He’s making a list
And checking it twice;
Gonna find out
Who’s naughty and nice
Santa Claus is coming to town
He sees you when you’re sleeping
He knows when you’re awake
He knows if you’ve been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake!
O! You better watch out!
You better not cry
Better not pout
I’m telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
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