Monday, December 1, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Remembering Indira Gandhi
"....... To my mind, education is the spirit of enquiry,
the ability to keep one's mnd and heart open to beauty and goodness,
indeed all that surrounds us, to be able to think and judge for oneself.
Education should inculcate a life-long habit of learning.
And today, this is all the more necessary because the corpus of knowledge is increasing at a tremendous pace, often making what one has learnt obsolete....... "
Convocation address to the North Eastern Hill University
Shillong, April24,1976
the ability to keep one's mnd and heart open to beauty and goodness,
indeed all that surrounds us, to be able to think and judge for oneself.
Education should inculcate a life-long habit of learning.
And today, this is all the more necessary because the corpus of knowledge is increasing at a tremendous pace, often making what one has learnt obsolete....... "
Convocation address to the North Eastern Hill University
Shillong, April24,1976
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
IN MEMORY OF SMT.INDIRA GANDHI (1917-1984 )
Indira Gandhi (1917-1984) was the only child of Kamla and Jawaharlal Nehru. She spent part of her childhood in Allahabad, where the Nehrus had their family residence, and part in Switzerland, where her mother Kamla convalesced from her periodic illnesses. She received her college education at Somerville College, Oxford. A famous photograph from her childhood shows her sitting by the bedside of Mahatma Gandhi, as he recovered from one of his fasts; and though she was not actively involved in the freedom struggle, she came to know the entire Indian political leadership. After India's attainment of independence, and the ascendancy of Jawaharlal Nehru, now a widower, to the office of the Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi managed the official residence of her father, and accompanied him on his numerous foreign trips. She had been married in 1942 to Feroze Gandhi, who rose to some eminence as a parliamentarian and politician of integrity but found himself disliked by his more famous father-in-law, but Feroze died in 1960 before he could consolidate his own political forces.
In 1964, the year of her father's death, Indira Gandhi was for the first time elected to Parliament, and she was Minister of Information and Broadcasting in the government of Lal Bahadur Shastri, who died unexpectedly of a heart attack less than two years after assuming office. The numerous contenders for the position of the Prime Ministership, unable to agree among themselves, picked Indira Gandhi as a compromise candidate, and each thought that she would be easily manipulable. But Indira Gandhi showed extraordinary political skills and tenacity and elbowed the Congress dons -- Kamaraj, Morarji Desai, and others -- out of power. She held the office of the Prime Minister from 1966 to 1977. She was riding the crest of popularity after India's triumph in the war of 1971 against Pakistan, and the explosion of a nuclear device in 1974 helped to enhance her reputation among middle-class Indians as a tough and shrewd political leader. However, by 1973, Delhi and north India were rocked by demonstrations angry at high inflation, the poor state of the economy, rampant corruption, and the poor standards of living. In June 1975, the High Court of Allahabad found her guilty of using illegal practices during the last election campaign, and ordered her to vacate her seat. There were demands for her resignation.
Mrs. Gandhi's response was to declare a state of emergency, under which her political foes were imprisoned, constitutional rights abrogated, and the press placed under strict censorship. Meanwhile, the younger of her two sons, Sanjay Gandhi, started to run the country as though it were his personal fiefdom, and earned the fierce hatred of many whom his policies had victimized. He ordered the removal of slum dwellings, and in an attempt to curb India's growing population, initiated a highly resented program of forced sterilization. In early 1977, confident that she had debilitated her opposition, Mrs. Gandhi called for fresh elections, and found herself trounced by a newly formed coalition of several political parties. Her Congress party lost badly at the polls. Many declared that she was a spent force; but, three years later, she was to return as Prime Minister of India. The same year, however, her son Sanjay was killed in an airplane crash.
In the second, post-Emergency, period of her Prime Ministership, Indira Gandhi was preoccupied by efforts to resolve the political problems in the state of Punjab. In her attempt to crush the secessionist movement of Sikh militants, led by Jarnail Singh Bindranwale, she ordered an assault upon the holiest Sikh shrine in Amritsar, called the "Golden Temple". It is here that Bindranwale and his armed supporters had holed up, and it is from the Golden Temple that they waged their campaign of terrorism not merely against the Government, but against moderate Sikhs and Hindus. "Operation Bluestar", waged in June 1984, led to the death of Bindranwale, and the Golden Temple was stripped clean of Sikh terrorists; however, the Golden Temple was damaged, and Mrs. Gandhi earned the undying hatred of Sikhs who bitterly resented the desacralization of their sacred space. In November of the same year, Mrs. Gandhi was assassinated, at her residence, by two of her own Sikh bodyguards, who claimed to be avenging the insult heaped upon the Sikh nation.
Mrs. Gandhi acquired a formidable international reputation as a "statesman", and there is no doubt that she was extraordinarily skilled in politics. She was prone, like many other politicians, to thrive on slogans, and one -- Garibi Hatao, "Remove Poverty" -- became the rallying cry for one of her election campaigns. She had an authoritarian streak, and though a cultured woman, rarely tolerated dissent; and she did, in many respects, irreparable harm to Indian democracy. Apart from her infamous imposition of the internal emergency, the use of the army to resolve internal disputes greatly increased in her time; and she encouraged a culture of sycophancy and nepotism. At her death, her older son, Rajiv Gandhi, was sworn in as head of the Congress party and Prime Minister.
In 1964, the year of her father's death, Indira Gandhi was for the first time elected to Parliament, and she was Minister of Information and Broadcasting in the government of Lal Bahadur Shastri, who died unexpectedly of a heart attack less than two years after assuming office. The numerous contenders for the position of the Prime Ministership, unable to agree among themselves, picked Indira Gandhi as a compromise candidate, and each thought that she would be easily manipulable. But Indira Gandhi showed extraordinary political skills and tenacity and elbowed the Congress dons -- Kamaraj, Morarji Desai, and others -- out of power. She held the office of the Prime Minister from 1966 to 1977. She was riding the crest of popularity after India's triumph in the war of 1971 against Pakistan, and the explosion of a nuclear device in 1974 helped to enhance her reputation among middle-class Indians as a tough and shrewd political leader. However, by 1973, Delhi and north India were rocked by demonstrations angry at high inflation, the poor state of the economy, rampant corruption, and the poor standards of living. In June 1975, the High Court of Allahabad found her guilty of using illegal practices during the last election campaign, and ordered her to vacate her seat. There were demands for her resignation.
Mrs. Gandhi's response was to declare a state of emergency, under which her political foes were imprisoned, constitutional rights abrogated, and the press placed under strict censorship. Meanwhile, the younger of her two sons, Sanjay Gandhi, started to run the country as though it were his personal fiefdom, and earned the fierce hatred of many whom his policies had victimized. He ordered the removal of slum dwellings, and in an attempt to curb India's growing population, initiated a highly resented program of forced sterilization. In early 1977, confident that she had debilitated her opposition, Mrs. Gandhi called for fresh elections, and found herself trounced by a newly formed coalition of several political parties. Her Congress party lost badly at the polls. Many declared that she was a spent force; but, three years later, she was to return as Prime Minister of India. The same year, however, her son Sanjay was killed in an airplane crash.
In the second, post-Emergency, period of her Prime Ministership, Indira Gandhi was preoccupied by efforts to resolve the political problems in the state of Punjab. In her attempt to crush the secessionist movement of Sikh militants, led by Jarnail Singh Bindranwale, she ordered an assault upon the holiest Sikh shrine in Amritsar, called the "Golden Temple". It is here that Bindranwale and his armed supporters had holed up, and it is from the Golden Temple that they waged their campaign of terrorism not merely against the Government, but against moderate Sikhs and Hindus. "Operation Bluestar", waged in June 1984, led to the death of Bindranwale, and the Golden Temple was stripped clean of Sikh terrorists; however, the Golden Temple was damaged, and Mrs. Gandhi earned the undying hatred of Sikhs who bitterly resented the desacralization of their sacred space. In November of the same year, Mrs. Gandhi was assassinated, at her residence, by two of her own Sikh bodyguards, who claimed to be avenging the insult heaped upon the Sikh nation.
Mrs. Gandhi acquired a formidable international reputation as a "statesman", and there is no doubt that she was extraordinarily skilled in politics. She was prone, like many other politicians, to thrive on slogans, and one -- Garibi Hatao, "Remove Poverty" -- became the rallying cry for one of her election campaigns. She had an authoritarian streak, and though a cultured woman, rarely tolerated dissent; and she did, in many respects, irreparable harm to Indian democracy. Apart from her infamous imposition of the internal emergency, the use of the army to resolve internal disputes greatly increased in her time; and she encouraged a culture of sycophancy and nepotism. At her death, her older son, Rajiv Gandhi, was sworn in as head of the Congress party and Prime Minister.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
HAPPY CHILDREN'S DAY ( 14-11-2008 )
Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964)
Jawaharlal Nehru was born on November 14, 1889 in Allahabad, central India. His father Motilal Nehru was a prominent advocate and early leader of the Indian independence movement. The younger Nehru graduated from Cambridge University, and returned to India in 1912. Over the next thirty years, he rose to become the top political leader of the Indian National Congress Party and its struggle for independence from Britain. He was jailed seven times.
After independence he served as India first Prime Minister from 1947 until he died in May, 1964. He was also a great internationalist, and one of the founders of the non-aligned movement.Nehru was a renowned orator. He could give many extemporaneous speeches in a single day. His most famous speech is the "Tryst With Destiny" address to the Constituent Assembly of India in New Delhi on the night of August 14th and 15th, 1947.
In a few moments, India was to become independent after centuries of colonial invasion and rule:
"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. It is fitting that at this solemn moment we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity.""
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
GURUNANAK JAYANTI
Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Guru Nanak Dev ji (the First Nanak, the founder of Sikhism) was born on 15th April, 1469 at Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi in the present distrect of Shekhupura (Pakistan), now Nanakana Sahib. The Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev ji is celebrated on 15th Kartik Puranmashi i.e. full moon day of the month Kartik. On this day the Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev ji is celebrated every year. (But some other chronicals state that Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born on 20th October,1469) Guru Nanak's father, Mehta Kalyan Das, more popularly known as Mehta Kalu was the agent and Chief Accountant of Rai Bular. Guru Nanak 's mother was Mata Tripta, a simple, pious and extremely religious woman. Nanak had an elder sister, Nanki, who always cherished her younger brother.Nanak was an extra-ordinary and different child in many ways. God provided him with contemplative mind and rational thinking. At the age of seven, he learnt Hindi and Sanskrit. He surprised his teachers with the sublimity of his extra-ordinary knowledge about divine things. At the age of thirteen, he learned Persian and Sanskrit and at the age of 16, he was the most learned young man in the region. He was married to Mata Sulakhni ji, who gave birth to two sons: Sri Chand and Lakhmi Das. In November 1504, Guru Nanak's elder sister Nanaki ji took him to Sultanpurlodhi where her husband Jai Ram ji got him the Job of storekeeper in the Modikhana of the local Nawab, Daulat Khan Lodhi. At the age of 38, in August 1507, Guru Nanak Sahib heard God 's call to dedicate himself to the service of humanity after bathing in "Vain Nadi" (a small river) Near Sultanpur Lodhi. The very first sentence which he ' uttered then was, " There is no Hindu, no Musalman". He now undertook long travels to preach his unique and divine doctrine (Sikhism). After visiting different places in Punjab, he decided to proceed on four long tours covering different religious places in India and abroad. These tours are called Char Udasis of Guru Nanak Dev Ji . In the year 1520, Babar attacked India. His troops slaughtered thousands of innocent civilians of all walks of life. Women and children were made captives and all their property looted at Amiabad. Guru Nanak Dev Ji challenged this act of barbarity in strong words. He was arrested and released, shortly after making Babar realising his blunder. All the prisoners were also released. Guru Nanak Sahib settled down at Kartarpur city (now in Pakistan) which was founded by him in 1522 and spent the rest of his life there (1522-1539). There was daily Kirtan and the institution of Langar (free kitchen) was introduced. Knowing that the end was drawing near, Guru Nanak Sahib, after testing his two sons and some followers, installed Bhai Lehna ji (Guru Angad Sahib) as the Second Nanak in 1539, and after a few days passed into Sachkhand on 22nd September, 1539. As a social reformer Guru Nanak Sahib upheld the cause of women, downtrodden and the poors. He attacked the citadel of caste system of Hindus and theocracy of Muslim rulers. He was a born poet. He wrote 947 hyms comprising Japji Sahib, Asa-Di-Var, Bara-Mah, Sidh-Gosht, Onkar (Dakhani) and these were included in Guru Granth Sahib by Guru Arjan Sahib. He was also a perfect musician. He with the company of Bhai Mardana compsed such tunes in various Indian classical Ragas that charmed and tawed wild creatures like Babar, subdued saging kings, raved bigots and tyrants, made thugs and robbers saints. He was a reformer as well as a revolutionary. God had endowed him with a contemplative mind and pious disposition. Guru Arjan Dev Ji called him "the image of God, nay, God Himself".
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
FESTIVALS OF INDIA GOVERDHAN POOJA 29-10-2008
The Govardhana Hill is worshipped on this day to commemorate the pastime of the Lord lifting the Govardhana Hill on His little finger, in order to protect the residents of Vrindavan from torrential rains sent by Indra. The Supreme Personality of Godhead performed this pastime as a seven year old boy in order to crush the pride of Indra, the Lord of the heavens.
Lord Krishna forbade the residents of Vrindavana from worshipping Indra.
He induced them to worship Govardhana Hill instead. The Govardhana Hill is not an ordinary hill. It is actually very dear to the Lord. On this day a small replica of the Govardhana Hill is made out of cooked rice and other edible items in the temples. This replica of the Govardhana Hill is generally known as ‘annakoota’. Huge quantities of food are prepared in this ceremony and are very sumptuously distributed.
At ISKCON Sri Radha Krishna Mandir, Bangalore, the Krishna Deity is decorated in Giridhari alankara, holding a small Deity of Govardhana Hill on the pinky of His left hand. Devotees worship a hill made of 100% vegetarian cake weighing about one thousand kilograms! This cake is baked at the temple’s bakery and is made of different flavours and topped with cookies of various kinds.
At the end of the ceremony the cake is distributed as prasadam to all those who are present. Devotees strive to make an exact replica of the original Govardhana Hill.
The Govardhana cake is offered to the Krishna Balarama Deities. Then the Govardhana Puja pastime is narrated to the devotees. After this an arati is performed for Krishna Balarama accompanied with the singing of the song – jaya Radhe jaya Krishna jaya Vrindavan – which describes Lord Krishna’s various pastimes in Vrindavan.
Lord Krishna forbade the residents of Vrindavana from worshipping Indra.
He induced them to worship Govardhana Hill instead. The Govardhana Hill is not an ordinary hill. It is actually very dear to the Lord. On this day a small replica of the Govardhana Hill is made out of cooked rice and other edible items in the temples. This replica of the Govardhana Hill is generally known as ‘annakoota’. Huge quantities of food are prepared in this ceremony and are very sumptuously distributed.
At ISKCON Sri Radha Krishna Mandir, Bangalore, the Krishna Deity is decorated in Giridhari alankara, holding a small Deity of Govardhana Hill on the pinky of His left hand. Devotees worship a hill made of 100% vegetarian cake weighing about one thousand kilograms! This cake is baked at the temple’s bakery and is made of different flavours and topped with cookies of various kinds.
At the end of the ceremony the cake is distributed as prasadam to all those who are present. Devotees strive to make an exact replica of the original Govardhana Hill.
The Govardhana cake is offered to the Krishna Balarama Deities. Then the Govardhana Puja pastime is narrated to the devotees. After this an arati is performed for Krishna Balarama accompanied with the singing of the song – jaya Radhe jaya Krishna jaya Vrindavan – which describes Lord Krishna’s various pastimes in Vrindavan.
Monday, October 27, 2008
PHISHING INTERNET PIRACY
'Phishing' is a common form of Internet piracy. The term is a variant of fishing, and alludes to baits used to "catch" financial information and passwords. It is used to steal the personal and confidential information like bank account numbers, net banking passwords, credit or debit card numbers, personal identity details etc of customers. Later, the fraudsters may use the information for debiting money from the victim's account or use the victims debit/credit cards to make high value purchases resulting in huge bills or even worse, one could also become the victim of identity theft.
PHISHING
Phone Phishing (Vishing)
Not all phishing attacks require a fake website. Messages that claimed to be from a bank told users to dial a phone number regarding problems with their bank accounts. Once the phone number (owned by the phisher, and provided by a Voice over IP service) was dialed, prompts told users to enter their account numbers and PIN. Vishing (voice phishing) sometimes uses fake caller-ID data to give the appearance that calls come from a trusted organization.
Do's and Don'ts:
● NEVER verify your account information/Login or Transaction Passwords/ Debit or Credit Card details through an e-mail.
● ALWAYS CHECK if the URL of the login page starts with the text ‘https://’ and is not ‘http:// ‘ The 's' stands for 'secured' & its presence is very important indicating that the Web Page uses secured encryption
● Login with your User ID and Login Password only after verifying the above security details
● You may provide personal details over phone/Internet only if you have initiated a call or session and only after you have duly verified and authenticated the other party. What to do if you have accidentally revealed password/PIN/TIN etc: If you feel that you have been phished or you have provided your personal information at a place you should not have, please carry out following immediately as a damage mitigation measure:
● Change your password immediately
● Check your account statement and ensure that it is correct in every respect
● Report any erroneous entries to Bank.
PHISHING
Phone Phishing (Vishing)
Not all phishing attacks require a fake website. Messages that claimed to be from a bank told users to dial a phone number regarding problems with their bank accounts. Once the phone number (owned by the phisher, and provided by a Voice over IP service) was dialed, prompts told users to enter their account numbers and PIN. Vishing (voice phishing) sometimes uses fake caller-ID data to give the appearance that calls come from a trusted organization.
Do's and Don'ts:
● NEVER verify your account information/Login or Transaction Passwords/ Debit or Credit Card details through an e-mail.
● ALWAYS CHECK if the URL of the login page starts with the text ‘https://’ and is not ‘http:// ‘ The 's' stands for 'secured' & its presence is very important indicating that the Web Page uses secured encryption
● Login with your User ID and Login Password only after verifying the above security details
● You may provide personal details over phone/Internet only if you have initiated a call or session and only after you have duly verified and authenticated the other party. What to do if you have accidentally revealed password/PIN/TIN etc: If you feel that you have been phished or you have provided your personal information at a place you should not have, please carry out following immediately as a damage mitigation measure:
● Change your password immediately
● Check your account statement and ensure that it is correct in every respect
● Report any erroneous entries to Bank.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
5 DAYS OF DIWALI CELEBRATIONS
5 Days of Diwali
Naraka Chaturdashi
Lakashmi Pujan
Bali Pratipada / Padva / Govardahn Puja
Bhaubij
DHANTRYAODASHI
The first day of Diwali is called Dhanteras. The word 'Dhanteras' -'dhan' wealth and 'teras' the 13th day on which wealth in the form of coins is worshipped. Before Dhantrayodashi people clean their houses from top to bottom and make beautiful designs on the ground called "rangoli".
The women prepare holiday sweets and savory foods. Believing this day to be auspicious women purchase some gold or silver or at least one or two new utensils. The houses are usually cleaned, washed and maybe even painted. On this day, the children are taken out to buy crackers.
Lakshmi puja is performed in the evening. Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, is said to visit everyone during all the days of Diwali. "Bhajans"-devotional songs- in praise of Goddess Laxmi are sung and "Naivedya" of traditional sweets is offered to the Goddess. There is a custom in Maharashtra to lightly pound dry whole coriander seeds with jaggery and offer as Naivedya.
NARKA CHATURDASHI
Choti Diwali or Chaturdashi. It is the fourteenth lunar day (thithi) of the dark fortnight of the month of Kartik and the eve of Diwali. On this day Lord Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasur and made the world free from fear. On this day it is traditional to wake up early and perform the bathing ritual. A paste of gram flour, turmeric, uthana, oil and almond paste is rubbed on to the weary arms, legs and body of the women
The Story
Narakasur was a wicked king. His ambition was that no one should ever defeat him. So he turned his capital into a fortress. When Krishna heard about the wicked deeds of Narakasur he decided to destroy him. But Satyabhama, Krishna's wife, took this task upon herself. Krishna would only be her helper. In the early hours of the 14th day of the dark half of Ashvin, Satyabhama killed Narakasur and liberated the women from his prison. They went home and expressed their joy by lighting lamps. On this occasion we are reminded of the struggle between good and evil.
LAKSHMI PUJAN
The new moon night, "amavasya", of Ashvin, is a big celebration, known as Laxmi Pujan. On this day Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the ocean of milk called the Ksheer Sagar. She brought with her, wealth and prosperity for mankind.
The New Year is ushered in with a special pooja dedicated to Lakshmi. The new business year begins for north Indians. One of the most curious customs which characterizes this festival of Diwali is the indulgence of gambling, specially on a large scale in North India. It is believed that goddess Parvati played dice with her husband, Lord Shiva on this day and she decreed that whosoever gambled on Diwali night would prosper throughout the ensuring year. This tradition of playing cards- flush and rummy with stakes on this particular day continues even to-day.
Shopkeepers and merchants worship their account books and their merchandise, during a ceremony known as 'Chopda Poojan', worship of the books. Lakshmi is revered for she can bring prosperity in the new year. People light firecrackers. On the dark new moon night, the entrances to all homes are lit up and decorated with rangoli patterns to welcome Lakshmi, the radiant consort of Vishnu and the goddess of wealth and lustre. This is also a time when the new business year begins it is said that Diwali is the "Time to shop or start new ventures".
The story
King Bali had taken Laxmi as a slave. Vishnu, in his fifth avatar as Vaman, defeated Bali and liberated Laxmi. On this day the liberation of Laxmi is celebrated by worshipping Laxmi. On this day goddess Lakshmi emerged from the ocean of milk called the Ksheer Sagar. She brought with her wealth and prosperity for mankind.
On that day, Lakshmi Pooja was performed to honor her and worship her. The making and distribution of various sweets and total vegetarian foods are the order of the day. This practice is alive and well to this very day.
BALI PRATIPADA
The first day of the month Kartik is a full "muhurta", or auspicious day. This is New Year's Day for merchants.
The Story
The legend related to this day is about the King Bali of the nether world that mighty power had become a threat to the gods. In order to curb his powers Lord Vishnu in the guise of a small boy visited him and begged him to give him only that much land which he could cover with his three steps. Known for his philanthropy King Bali proudly granted him his wish. So with his first step Lord Vishnu covered the entire heaven and with the second step the earth and asked Bali where to keep his third step. Bali offered his head and putting his foot on his head Vishnu pushed him down to the underworld. But for his generosity Lord Vishnu allowed him to return to earth once a year to light millions of lamps to dispel the darkness and ignorance and spread the radiance of love and wisdom.
Lord Vishnu was satisfied promised him that on the first Pratipada of Kartik people would remember him. So on this day some people take the name of Bali, they worship his picture together with that of his wife, Vindhyavati, and waving the lamp before the picture or idol they sing, "Ida Pida javo, Balitse rajya yevo." ("Let suffering go and let Bali's kingdom come.")
PADWA
The Fourth day is also called Padwa or Varsha Pratipada that marks the coronation of King Vikramaditya and Vikaram-Samvat was started from this Padwa day.
GOVARRDHAN PUJA
Govardhan-Puja is also performed in the North on this day. As per Vishnu-Puran, the people of Gokul used to celebrate a festival in honor of Lord Indra and worshipped him after the end of every monsoon season. But one particular year the young Krishna stopped them from offering prayers to Lord Indra who in terrific anger sent a deluge to submerge Gokul. But Krishna saved his Gokul by lifting up the Govardhan Mountain and holding it over the people as an umbrella. This day is also observed as Annakoot and prayers are offered in the temples.
BHAUBIJ
This day is a special day for brothers. Sisters usually do the puja, before the brothers leave for their places of study or work. The "aarti" is performed by waving the lamp in front of their brothers and then applying the "tilak". She also offers a plate of 5 fruits to hi. Usually the fruits are a coconut, apples, bananas, pears, and oranges. Brothers usually offer generous gifts or money to their sisters. This ceremony also takes place between cousins.
The story
Many years ago, in the Vedic era, Yama (Yamraj, the Lord of death) visited his sister Yamuna (Yami) and she put the auspicious tilak on his forehead, they ate talked and enjoyed together and exchanged special gifts as a token of their love for each other and Yamraj announced that anyone who receives tilak from his sister on this day will never be taken away.
Since then it became a tradition for the brother to go to his sister's house to celebrate Bhaiyaduj or Bhaubieej.
TRADITIONAL DIWALI FARAL (DIWALI FOODS)
With the traditional Puja which is performed after sunset in all the homes five pieces of ghee diyas (lamps) are lit in front of the deities, Naivedya or offering of traditional sweets is offered to the Gods.
Foods made during this festival (not all links active)
Kheer
Kanola
Mootichur Ladoo
Rawa Ladoo
Besan Ladoo
Nankhatai
Mathia
Shankarpare
Karanji
Chivda
Chakli
Ras Malai
Jalebis
Kalakand
Malpuda
Dal Halwa
Sohan papdi
Rasgulla
Balu Shahi
Kaju Burfi
Coconut Burfi
Gulab Jamun
HOW IS DIWALI CELEBRATED
Diwali is a time of holiday feasting and family visits, Hindus spend the day visiting friends and family and exchanging gifts and sweets. This festival resembles Christmas here in the US. Children definitely expect gifts at this time.
Stores, shops and open markets are gaily decorated and lit up. Everybody adorns new and bright clothes, especially the women who wear their best jewelry. The preparations for Diwali begin well in advance. They start cleaning and decorating their homes. They prepare what is called as Diwali Faral or the traditional Indian sweets and savory snacks. Like Chivda, Kanola, Chakli, Mathia. Nowadays many of these traditional items are founf in the gourmet grocery stores in India.
They also light up their homes with colorful lights. The most common lights used are the string of outdoor lights - especially the bigger bulb - string of lights. They place these on their balconies as most of the people live in tall apartment complexes called - flats. You will also see Diwali Kandils in the balconies.
Diwali is a time to buy new clothes & also purchase gorgeous gold and silver jewelry.
In the small villages cattle are worshipped by farmers as they form the main source of their income. In the south of India cows are offered special Diwali sweets as they are regarded as the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and therefore they are adorned and worshipped on this day.
Naraka Chaturdashi
Lakashmi Pujan
Bali Pratipada / Padva / Govardahn Puja
Bhaubij
DHANTRYAODASHI
The first day of Diwali is called Dhanteras. The word 'Dhanteras' -'dhan' wealth and 'teras' the 13th day on which wealth in the form of coins is worshipped. Before Dhantrayodashi people clean their houses from top to bottom and make beautiful designs on the ground called "rangoli".
The women prepare holiday sweets and savory foods. Believing this day to be auspicious women purchase some gold or silver or at least one or two new utensils. The houses are usually cleaned, washed and maybe even painted. On this day, the children are taken out to buy crackers.
Lakshmi puja is performed in the evening. Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, is said to visit everyone during all the days of Diwali. "Bhajans"-devotional songs- in praise of Goddess Laxmi are sung and "Naivedya" of traditional sweets is offered to the Goddess. There is a custom in Maharashtra to lightly pound dry whole coriander seeds with jaggery and offer as Naivedya.
NARKA CHATURDASHI
Choti Diwali or Chaturdashi. It is the fourteenth lunar day (thithi) of the dark fortnight of the month of Kartik and the eve of Diwali. On this day Lord Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasur and made the world free from fear. On this day it is traditional to wake up early and perform the bathing ritual. A paste of gram flour, turmeric, uthana, oil and almond paste is rubbed on to the weary arms, legs and body of the women
The Story
Narakasur was a wicked king. His ambition was that no one should ever defeat him. So he turned his capital into a fortress. When Krishna heard about the wicked deeds of Narakasur he decided to destroy him. But Satyabhama, Krishna's wife, took this task upon herself. Krishna would only be her helper. In the early hours of the 14th day of the dark half of Ashvin, Satyabhama killed Narakasur and liberated the women from his prison. They went home and expressed their joy by lighting lamps. On this occasion we are reminded of the struggle between good and evil.
LAKSHMI PUJAN
The new moon night, "amavasya", of Ashvin, is a big celebration, known as Laxmi Pujan. On this day Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the ocean of milk called the Ksheer Sagar. She brought with her, wealth and prosperity for mankind.
The New Year is ushered in with a special pooja dedicated to Lakshmi. The new business year begins for north Indians. One of the most curious customs which characterizes this festival of Diwali is the indulgence of gambling, specially on a large scale in North India. It is believed that goddess Parvati played dice with her husband, Lord Shiva on this day and she decreed that whosoever gambled on Diwali night would prosper throughout the ensuring year. This tradition of playing cards- flush and rummy with stakes on this particular day continues even to-day.
Shopkeepers and merchants worship their account books and their merchandise, during a ceremony known as 'Chopda Poojan', worship of the books. Lakshmi is revered for she can bring prosperity in the new year. People light firecrackers. On the dark new moon night, the entrances to all homes are lit up and decorated with rangoli patterns to welcome Lakshmi, the radiant consort of Vishnu and the goddess of wealth and lustre. This is also a time when the new business year begins it is said that Diwali is the "Time to shop or start new ventures".
The story
King Bali had taken Laxmi as a slave. Vishnu, in his fifth avatar as Vaman, defeated Bali and liberated Laxmi. On this day the liberation of Laxmi is celebrated by worshipping Laxmi. On this day goddess Lakshmi emerged from the ocean of milk called the Ksheer Sagar. She brought with her wealth and prosperity for mankind.
On that day, Lakshmi Pooja was performed to honor her and worship her. The making and distribution of various sweets and total vegetarian foods are the order of the day. This practice is alive and well to this very day.
BALI PRATIPADA
The first day of the month Kartik is a full "muhurta", or auspicious day. This is New Year's Day for merchants.
The Story
The legend related to this day is about the King Bali of the nether world that mighty power had become a threat to the gods. In order to curb his powers Lord Vishnu in the guise of a small boy visited him and begged him to give him only that much land which he could cover with his three steps. Known for his philanthropy King Bali proudly granted him his wish. So with his first step Lord Vishnu covered the entire heaven and with the second step the earth and asked Bali where to keep his third step. Bali offered his head and putting his foot on his head Vishnu pushed him down to the underworld. But for his generosity Lord Vishnu allowed him to return to earth once a year to light millions of lamps to dispel the darkness and ignorance and spread the radiance of love and wisdom.
Lord Vishnu was satisfied promised him that on the first Pratipada of Kartik people would remember him. So on this day some people take the name of Bali, they worship his picture together with that of his wife, Vindhyavati, and waving the lamp before the picture or idol they sing, "Ida Pida javo, Balitse rajya yevo." ("Let suffering go and let Bali's kingdom come.")
PADWA
The Fourth day is also called Padwa or Varsha Pratipada that marks the coronation of King Vikramaditya and Vikaram-Samvat was started from this Padwa day.
GOVARRDHAN PUJA
Govardhan-Puja is also performed in the North on this day. As per Vishnu-Puran, the people of Gokul used to celebrate a festival in honor of Lord Indra and worshipped him after the end of every monsoon season. But one particular year the young Krishna stopped them from offering prayers to Lord Indra who in terrific anger sent a deluge to submerge Gokul. But Krishna saved his Gokul by lifting up the Govardhan Mountain and holding it over the people as an umbrella. This day is also observed as Annakoot and prayers are offered in the temples.
BHAUBIJ
This day is a special day for brothers. Sisters usually do the puja, before the brothers leave for their places of study or work. The "aarti" is performed by waving the lamp in front of their brothers and then applying the "tilak". She also offers a plate of 5 fruits to hi. Usually the fruits are a coconut, apples, bananas, pears, and oranges. Brothers usually offer generous gifts or money to their sisters. This ceremony also takes place between cousins.
The story
Many years ago, in the Vedic era, Yama (Yamraj, the Lord of death) visited his sister Yamuna (Yami) and she put the auspicious tilak on his forehead, they ate talked and enjoyed together and exchanged special gifts as a token of their love for each other and Yamraj announced that anyone who receives tilak from his sister on this day will never be taken away.
Since then it became a tradition for the brother to go to his sister's house to celebrate Bhaiyaduj or Bhaubieej.
TRADITIONAL DIWALI FARAL (DIWALI FOODS)
With the traditional Puja which is performed after sunset in all the homes five pieces of ghee diyas (lamps) are lit in front of the deities, Naivedya or offering of traditional sweets is offered to the Gods.
Foods made during this festival (not all links active)
Kheer
Kanola
Mootichur Ladoo
Rawa Ladoo
Besan Ladoo
Nankhatai
Mathia
Shankarpare
Karanji
Chivda
Chakli
Ras Malai
Jalebis
Kalakand
Malpuda
Dal Halwa
Sohan papdi
Rasgulla
Balu Shahi
Kaju Burfi
Coconut Burfi
Gulab Jamun
HOW IS DIWALI CELEBRATED
Diwali is a time of holiday feasting and family visits, Hindus spend the day visiting friends and family and exchanging gifts and sweets. This festival resembles Christmas here in the US. Children definitely expect gifts at this time.
Stores, shops and open markets are gaily decorated and lit up. Everybody adorns new and bright clothes, especially the women who wear their best jewelry. The preparations for Diwali begin well in advance. They start cleaning and decorating their homes. They prepare what is called as Diwali Faral or the traditional Indian sweets and savory snacks. Like Chivda, Kanola, Chakli, Mathia. Nowadays many of these traditional items are founf in the gourmet grocery stores in India.
They also light up their homes with colorful lights. The most common lights used are the string of outdoor lights - especially the bigger bulb - string of lights. They place these on their balconies as most of the people live in tall apartment complexes called - flats. You will also see Diwali Kandils in the balconies.
Diwali is a time to buy new clothes & also purchase gorgeous gold and silver jewelry.
In the small villages cattle are worshipped by farmers as they form the main source of their income. In the south of India cows are offered special Diwali sweets as they are regarded as the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and therefore they are adorned and worshipped on this day.
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