Amazing facts about Ganesh Chathurthi !!

Lord Ganesh

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi is one of the most auspicious festivals celebrated throughout India with a great spirit and exuberance. This day symbolizes the birth day of Lord Ganesh, the elder and most beloved son of Lord Shiva and Mata Paarvati.

The celebration of this divine festival begins on the fourth day of the waxing moon period, “Shukla Chaturthi” and culminates on the fourteenth day which is known as “Anant Chaturthi”.

This festival is celebrated by Hindus with a great devotion and enthusiasm. On the last day of the festival the idols are ordained with red emollient or sandal paste and taken out publicly in Pandaals, hymns and mantras are sung by the priests throughout the way, prasad is distributed among-st the devotees and then finally immersed traditionally into the holy water bodies.

A priest performing rituals of the ceremony

Here are some interesting facts about Ganesh Chaturthi that will blow your mind!!

Fact 1: The unknown significance of Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is also the day of proclamation as Lord Shiva declared Ganesha to be superior of all Hindu Gods.

Fact 2: Lord Ganesha and his multiple names

Lord Ganesha is addressed by about 108 names in total.

The most common name by which lord Ganesha is addressed by is Vinayaka.

The other important names are:

‘Vighna Harta'-the remover of obstacles

'Buddhi Pradaayaka' -the provider of wisdom and intellect

Fact 3: Ek dant-the one with only one tusk.

An interesting story lies behind this term ‘Ek dant’. According to Hindu mythology, Ganesha while having ride on His mouse during childhood; the moon observed Him from the sky and made fun of His belly. Angered by this remark, He broke his tusk and tossed it on the moon cursing the moon that no one would ever glance it on His birthday!! Although the curse was undoomed but still it is considered inauspicious to glace moon on Ganesh Chaturthi.

Fact 4: Lord Ganesha has four hands

Rope in upper left hand-to pull the devotees towards the Truth

Axe in upper right hand-to cut the attachment of devotees with pluralism of world

Rice balls in lower left hand-as a reward to devotees for amends

Gesture Of courage in lower right hand-to protect the devotees from the hurdles of life

Fact 5: Lord Ganesha’s marital status

Most people consider Lord Ganesha to be bachelor. Only a few know the fact that He had two wives-Ridhi and Sidhi who were created by Lord Brahma.

Fact 6: The first public celebration

The public celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi has its roots in the era of the great Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji, who promoted the culture in 17^th century.

Fact 7: Struggle for public celebration during the battle for independence

 

In the 19^th century, during our struggle for independence, the ban on the public celebration by the British rulers was revived by the freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak who also bridged the gap between Brahmins and non Brahmins and strengthened the bond between them.

 

Fact 8: The first person who installed Lord Ganesha’s idol publically was Bhausaheb Laxman Javale.

 

Fact 9: The celebration and the environmental issues

In early days, this festival was celebrated by using Eco friendly, mud made Ganesha idols. But sadly, nowadays the idols made with P.O.P (Plaster of Paris) are being used which are contributing to high dose of water pollution.

Fact 10: The duration of ceremony of Ganesh Chaturthi

The duration of ceremony of Ganesh Chaturthi varies in different areas depending upon place and its culture. The maximum celebration takes place in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra which is for for 10 days.  Where as in other parts of India, it is celebrated only for one day. The celebration also takes place in other parts of world  like Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Nepal and China.

Fact 11: The main ceremonies of the festival

The four main ceremonies of the festival are-

Pranapratishhtha – infusion of the deity into idol

Shhodashopachara - 16 forms of paying homage to Ganesha

Uttarpuja –the prayer before the immersion of idol into water bodies

Ganpati Visarjan - immersion of the Idol in the water bodies. 

Ganpati Visarjan

Fact 12: The offerings of ceremony

21 'modakas' (rice flour preparation)

21 'durva' (trefoil) blades

Rakta chandan

Coconut

Jaggery

Red flowers

Modaks

Fact 13: The sources of hymns

Vedic hymns- Rig Veda and Ganapati Atharvashirsha Upanishad

Ganesha stotra- Narada Purana

Every year, the devotees celebrate this festival wholeheartedly to be showered with blessings of knowledge and wisdom, chanting:

"Ganapathi Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya"

(O father Ganesha, come again soon next year). 

Janmashtami in twin cities of Mathura and Vrindavan

Janmashtami also known as Gokul Ashtmi, Sree Jayanti, Saatam Aatham or Ashtami Rohini is one of the most popular Indian festivals among Hindus. Janmashtami is a fusion of two words: Janma (birth) and Ashtami (eight). The month of August-September (Bhadrapad) in Hindu calendar on the eighth day of dark fortnight marks the birth of Sri Krishna-the eighth reincarnation of Lord Vishnu. Owing to his sharp-witted and cheerful nature, he became more of a friend and guide to most of his devotees unlike other Gods.

There was a prediction that Kansa, the ruler of Yadav province ‘Mathura’ would be killed by the eighth son born to his sister Devaki. To escape from this premonition, Kansa imprisoned his sister and her husband-Vasudeva and killed all the six children born to Devaki. Their seventh child Balram was handed to Rohini under cover. The night their eighth child Krishna was born, Vasudeva broke out from the prison and handed over the child to Nanda and Yashodha in Gokula.

Although Janamashtmi is celebrated in almost all parts of India but in Mathura and Vrindavan, it is celebrated with much more zeal and enthusiasm. Mathura is the birthplace of Lord Krishna and Vrindavan was the place where Lord Krishna performed ‘Rasleelas’ with Gopis.

All the temples are magnificently decorated. The grand celebration is held in Dwarkadhish temple where the ritual of giving holy bath to Krishna with milk and curd is performed. The voice of prayers and devotees chanting hymns echoes in the air.  Several pujas and religious ceremonies are also held all throughout the day. After prayer, Panchamrit (mixture of honey, gangajal, curd and ghee) and Prasad is distributed to the devotees. The devotes who have kept fast;  break their fast with this Prasad. ‘Jhulanotsava’, several natyas (dramas) and Rasleelas (dance performances)  are  also organized all over the city. Besides this, the act of breaking earthen pots is performed  depicting the memories of childhood of Krishna. The earthen pots are filled with curd and butter and hung up over the streets. The young men climb on each other’s shoulders, form pyramids and try to break the pots.

Sri Radha Raman Mandir

Varindavan- There are over 4000 temples of Vrindavan where all the ceremonies and rituals of Janamshtmi are held. A few of them are ISKCON temple, Ranganathji Temple and Radharaman Temple. 

Madhuban is an area in Vrindavan near the Yamuna River There is a temple in the middle of Madhuban forest which is considered to be the place where ‘Rasleelas’ were performed by Krishna with his Gopis and also a separate room is there where Radha and Krishna take rest after dancing. The people of Vrindavan believe that Krishna and Radha still appear every night and play Raasleela in a Madhuban forest. 

There also has been a Hindi song on this folklore:

“Madhuvan Main Jo Kanhaiya Kisi Gopi Se Mile
 Kabhi Muskaaye,  Kabhee Chhede, Kabhee Baat Kare
 Radha Kaise Na Jale, Radha Kaise Na Jale”

The ‘Madhuban forest’  is full of trees and monkeys. Those trees are connected to each other and are believed to be lord Krishna and Radha. People say that all trees become Gopis at night; and monkeys and all other insects disappear away. Till date, no one has ever witnessed the Raasleela of Radha-Krishna in this forest. It is believed that whosoever has even tried or entered the forest at dusk has met with fatal consequences. Some had gone mad, some never went back and some died also. Even those who had gone back were not in condition to describe what they had witnessed. Nobody knows whether it is supreme power or there is really the arrival of Radha-krishna at night.
During the day, the devotees come to worship the place. After 5 PM the temple is closed and after worshiping at 8 PM, the priest of the temple keeps brushes and water every night. In the morning, the items seem to have been used up!!

Even today, this festival is celebrated with great zeal and honor. All this is the result of devotion and faith in ‘Lord Krishna’. ‘His’ birthday is observed as a day of ‘good charm’.  The devotees regard ‘Him’ as the protector of brotherhood and savior of the whole world. 

The author Yann Martel has beautifully written the following lines in praise of Lord Krishna:

“I entered the church, without fear this time, for it was now my house too. I offered prayers to Christ, who is alive. Then I raced down the hill on the left and raced up the hill on the right—to offer thanks to Lord Krishna for having put Jesus of Nazareth, whose humanity I found so compelling, in my way."

Celebrating 70 years of Independence of India

"If there is one place on the face of earth where all the dreams of living men have found a home from the very earliest days when man began the dream of existence, it is India."

—Romain Rolland

August 15 is an auspicious day for India; a day of pride, joy and glory. This day reminds of the priceless struggle and sacrifice of the freedom fighters for the independence of the country. Every year, Indians celebrate this day for their freedom from British colonialism. On 15th August, 1947, Pundit Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India; raised the esteemed tricolor national flag above Lahori gate of Red fort in Delhi.

As we all know, Saffron color symbolizes courage and sacrifice. White color symbolizes purity in thoughts and truth in speech. Green color symbolizes faith, fertility and prosperity.  24 spokes of the chakra represents noble teachings of Buddha.

Nehru delivered his famous speech ‘Tryst with destiny’ which represented the struggle of freedom fighters and future of India.

“Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall 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.”

This day still holds great significance in the hearts of Indian citizens. Following the occasion of 1947, the stunning celebrations are held every year with great enthusiasm on the embankment of Red Fort in New Delhi making the capital of India the centre of all celebrations. The Prime Minister hoists the national flag, addresses the nation and pays homage and tribute to the freedom fighters of the country. The National Anthem of India-‘Jana Gana Mana’ is sung and the parades of Indian forces are held. 

India will be now celebrating its 70 years of independence. The great ceremony of hoisting flag is observed in schools, colleges, institutions and government offices throughout India. The buildings are decorated by tricolor lights blossoming the feeling of patriotism in citizens. Several movie channels telecast old and new patriotic movies on TV. Some channels also organize special cultural programs and telecast classics. The people of Indian Origin and NR I's celebrate this day as “India Day” in various parts of the world. This motivates the citizens to join hands and contribute towards the nation.

The aroma of free air we experience is not really free. There are many social, economic and political issues acting as an obstacle for the growth of country. All the issues arising here is because of the lack of national integration and awareness. The need and requirement of the hour is to stand unitedly against these issues . 

Rabindranath Tagore has rightly said in Geetanjli-

“Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought and action;
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
Where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by domestic walls;
Where words come out from the depth of truth;
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;
Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought and action.”

My experiments with cooking

One cannot think well, love well, sleep well if one has not dined well~Virginia Wolf

Home-made semolina cake

For the survival of human life on earth; food, shelter and clothing   are the utmost important requirements. Food is 'fuel' for the 'machinery' of our body.

"There is no sincerer love than the love of food"~ G. Bernard Shah

People eat to live but I think I am among-st one of the people who live to eat and is always crazy for food. My mom told me that I got hungry as soon as I was born. I have tried many delicious dishes as my mom is a good cook. What I did in childhood was making chapatis, cakes and sweets of mud and decorating with flowers. I tried to make small real chapatis to serve in my toy plates but most of them were burnt. When it was time to make full fledged chapatis, I did not even want to make tea or go close to kitchen except to eat something.

ulta-pulta halwa burfi

Up to my intermediate, I was busy in my studies and did not even care to know how a simple vegetable is cooked. I did not even know the exact name of all the pulses and spices. But since it is said that passion is in the blood of family; my passion for cooking also developed like my mom during my holidays of graduation. I was free at home and mom often kept my saying that i should learn cooking now as I am old enough know to learn it and self-made food is essential for everyone even if one is working. No one can eat food from restaurants daily and the food made by servants is not a healthy practice. 

chocolate cake

One day my mom tried to make me learn making rice but I got so confused. I just forgot the recipe; got irritated and said it would be easy for me to solve engineering mathematics problems than cooking. Some other day, I again tried to make tempering for vegetables but every-time I got failed and either burnt onions or the onions were left partially cooked. Then mom asked me to try snacks and deserts if I can't learn making meals. 

She told me recipe for cake and I tried it the next day. I was so dumb in cooking at that time that I put butter directly in mold placed in pressure cooker than putting butter in container first before placing it on mold. I became laughing stock at home for this incident. I also started laughing for my act and this incident makes me laugh whenever I remember it. 

shahi tukra

I totally lost hope but my mom did not and she asked me to go for cooking classes with her where I could have demonstration from another person and then again mom would repeat it in the kitchen helping me to prepare dishes. Those cooking classes proved like a boon for me. I got inspired from other cooking learners who encouraged me to keep on trying dishes again and again and never lose hope. 

bread pudding

After my cooking classes were over, I started practicing for just tempering first and always kept on calling mom for help after few steps of cooking. After learning some basics of cooking, I tried making vegetable of lady finger first, then of potatoes and cauliflower. But all I did was under mom's guidance.Then, mom started asking me to prepare dishes myself without her guidance and help;but I often failed in her absence. 

magic cake with out bake

One day mom had to go out of town urgently and she could no get time to make breakfast for us. She asked me to prepare Upma(Indian salty dish of semolina) for breakfast. I was so copycat at that time that I copied the recipe from my dairy of cooking classes. I did not even care to check the quantity of the recipe written in my diary and the quantity I was going to prepare. I put two bowls of vegetable oil in tempering of upma instead of one and what I made was liquid soup with semolina floating in oil. I felt discouraged and though everyone would laugh at me but everyone appreciated my attempt to cook food in mom's absence. My dad removed extra oil form upma and everyone did breakfast with that little fatty upma. I think it was the best breakfast of my life. Everyone told mom about the incident when she came home. Mom got so happy, appreciated my attempt and asked me to keep trying dishes in her absence. 

dhokla

Now, whenever mom went out of town, I prepared dishes; sometimes potatoes were bit burnt; pulses were bit salty; cookies got over burnt; Dhokla was not spongy;  pasta and noodles were sticky; got splashing of hot oil over my skin; got my finger cut. I also faced difficulty in finding utensils and containers of pulses and made kitchen messy with peels and splattered spices. Then, I asked for tips from mom and even searched for tips from websites. After continuous practice, i started cooking food fine. Our guests 

also appreciated my dishes. I got inspired,  improved my skill of garnishing and often shared photos of my dishes on social sites. I even learned innovative food items from websites like 'Magic cake ' without bake', 'Ulta-Pulta halwa' and 'Bread Pizza'.

besan burfi

Today when I remember my cooking experience and my previous funny incidents; I could not even imagine I would make snacks and desserts other than meals. All this happens only if we have motivating family members, some faith in ourselves and determination to learn something. If we try, then only we can achieve something. May be I am not a chef but at least I am not dependent on anyone for my meals and express love for my family by cooking food myself.

"Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle."~Abraham Lincoln

Fever of e-shopping

Sale Sale Sale! 

Ah! this word attracts majority of the people in this world especially women. This activity of 'shopping' changes the mood of people, driving them crazy . But in this era of rat race where everyone is busy developing career and making money, who has time to  spend long hours on shopping out of their busy schedule??. Well, thanks to the new era of technology; shopping can be done just from home through laptop or mobile phone.

A tremendous variety of stuff and discount is available online on websites. The customers can just relax at home and take their time to decide which product to buy. And thanks to the competition between the entrepreneurs; today there are more than hundreds of shopping websites available to the customers. The whole world is now on our finger tips. The products are just one click away from us.

People can compare the selling price of their desired product from different websites and choose the most profitable option. Even gifts can be sent easily to near and dear ones by just prepaying the order through banking and delivering the product at your dear one's address. The order is available just within a few days in front of our doors.

The retired people who can't walk much to the stores due to health issues can order their products and even medicines at home.

The frequent and mass shoppers have another advantage. If they shop for more than 1000 or 10000 currency, they get more discounts on their payments. Another bounce is that online stores don't hire any salesperson who forces you to buy products and you don't have to feel awkward  when you reject an item due to insufficient money or while buying an item for personal hygiene or while looking for the price tag of the product before even trying it. The 'cash on delivery' option is available for customers who don't trust online payment. The websites also  offer good customer service. 

Just as a coin is two faced, every facility has some negative effects too. Often the customers don't get the desired product by online shopping. The product varies in quality and design as against the picture of the product displayed on the website. Sometimes the product delivered is damaged. In worst cases, there also becomes payment problem or product replacement problem. We are also not sure about the quality of products especially food items. The food product can become stale during shipping and prove harmful. Some sites offer free shipping only if our purchase price is above some threshold price set by companies. So, customers are unable to get their product because they can't afford that much or are forced to buy some other items unnecessarily to increase their billing price. Sometimes, the customer wants the product urgently or may be he doesn't have patience to wait! Also, if the  internet connection is not good, there may be failure in transaction. Moreover, if a person lives in rural area, it may take more than a week to deliver the product.

Instead of creating pros and cons list, it is better if we adopt means to do shopping smartly. First have a close look on the website. Is the website trustworthy?! Is the brand of product a good one? Always check the reviews of product before buying it. Subscribe for newsletters of stores of brand to get last information about new stocks and offers. Search for your product in other sites also and check where the price is minimum. Check 'return and refund policy' of products. First try to get product from the nearby store. If product is not available, then only try it online. The unbranded products whose rate is much higher online can easily got through local shops. Don't buy expensive items like mobile, laptops, home appliances etc online. There are more chances of fraud in it.

   

                                    

There is rightly said- "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing." Always be a smart shopper!

Happy shopping!