Vishwakarma

Hi Readers,

Today, is Vishwakarma Puja in short , today is the day of Lord Vishwakarma, the engineer God who made the kingdom of Dwarka for Lord Krishna .He has built Indraprasta the capital of Pandavas. He had made many buildings, weapons according to Indian mythology. I do not know how this day came into existence and from where it was derived that September 17 every year would be celebrated in his remembrance. According to Hinduism we celebrate all the festivals, birthday of all our beloved lords according to the Lunar calendar.

Why we celebrate according to Lunar calendar? Just, because during those time when we suppose our God to have taken human birth, Indian followed Lunar calendar, that determines Tithi(date) according to the movement of Moon. Be it birth of Krishna on Krishna Janmastami that is Krishna Pakshya Astami tithi in Shraavan Masha meaning eighth day of dark fortnight in month of Shraavan ( Aug-sept) . Or the birth of Radha on Radha Aastami ( eighth day of bright fortnight) that falls 15 days after Krishna Janmastami. Similarly, we have Guru Purnima that is birth of Buddha which falls on full moon day of Ashaadh mash (july-aug).

All the festivals for example Vijaya Dashami is on tenth day of Aswin Month (sept-oct). We start the Dussehra puja from first day of Sukla Pakhsya in Aswin month.  Deepavali starts from 13th day of Krishna Pakshya and is celebrated till 2nd day of Sukla Pakhsya. All over India Diwali is celebrated on the Amabasya(no moon day).

However, Vishwakarma Puja in few states including Odisha and Bengal on 17th of September. And this remains constant. Why? If you have faith you can celebrate or worship any god on any day. But, this does not answer the concept how we celebrate other festivals. 17th September in 2013 is on tryodashi (13th day of bright fortnight) and same 17th September 1982 was on Krishna Pakshya Amavasya (no moon day).

Vishwakarma was one of fourteen divine outcome of Samudra Manthan between the Devata's and Aasura's.  In few other state, they celebrate and worship Vishwakarma on Diwali day. So, there is no clear knowledge how this worship came into being and how it was decided that September 17 would be the day when he will be worshiped.

Let however this would have come into existence, today this day is celebrated among the mechanics, craftsmen, factory worker, etcs. Paradip port of Odisha celebrates this in much wider way, setting up beautiful Pandals, Vishwakarma idol and Mela's for public entertainment.

I have posted few pictures of Vishwakarma Puja in Odisha especially Paradip. 

Jamalpur

Hi Readers,

With continuation to my previous post, today, I am going to give you little knowledge of Jamalpur, dist Munger, Bihar.

Jamalpur means beautiful city. Jamal in Urdu means beautiful. This city was set up during British Era. British East India company had established Railway Workshop , which then employed near about 30,000 people to start this workshop. Today, the Indian Railways have their Indian Railway Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. This city gained its popularity with Jamalpur Locomotive Workshop setup during British Raj. The Railway Institute was huge, had its own movie theatre, Swimming pool, billiards room, bowling lawn. People from East India Railway visited this.

Jamalpur is a place where the legacy of the RAJ still lives on, albeit in a more moderate form. Roads still bear names like Albert road, Warwickshire road, golf marg, club road; bearers of the officers club wear white and red turbans. Wednesdays & Saturdays are still tie days'. 

The grave of the British officer who was killed while fighting a tiger in (what is now) the Golf course is symbolic of the days that used to be - adventure, elitism, royalty, power, domination.)

Famous throughout India is the 'Sholay tunnel' , a tunnel where , you guessed it, a scene in the megabuster SHOLAY was shot . Immortal also are actor Sanjeev Kumar's words- "jab main Jamalpur main inspector tha..."

Jamalpur, has many beautiful places, the Kalipahad and Kali Mata temple at top of it. The death valley just near the valley foot hill are really beautiful. Then you can see the grave of Englishmen who died there fighting with Tiger, famously called Tiger grave.

My school, Notre Dame Academy is the oldest school set up at this place by christian Catholic sisters from Cleveland,Ohio, USA in year 1949 ,to help improve the general condition of women and girl of this region. Though later, my school was converted to co-education.  Our school had the tallest building at the place when I used to stay there. We could see over the Kali Pahar and railway over bridge from our class room. 

Munger

Hi Readers,

Today, I finally I am going to write about Munger. Many a times, I wanted to pen down this. But, where should I make a start? Should I start up with my experiences in Munger and Jamalpur in the year 1994-1997 or should I make a start with the rich history of this place which dates back to time of Mahabharat. Sometimes, I felt I can't do justice to it, or may be my post would be too long and run into pages. After, watching few old photos today, I have finally thought of to start with it. Let me make several posts that narrate about this places. So, lets start.

Munger finds its name in Mahabharat as Mod-Giri and was ruled by King Karna. The famous Karna Chaura where after taking bath Karna used to do charity is present in Munger. However, the first historical account of Munger appears with the manuscripts from Huen-Sang, the famous Chinese traveler. Munger was in prominence when Mir Kasim shifted his capital from Mursheedabad in Bengal to Munger. From those time, Munger gained popularity over its gun manufacturing units.  Guns produced at Munger were in demand during First world war. The Gun manufacturing then took shape of cottage industry and became a popular profession of this region.

I am going to post some beautiful and incredible pictures below, that shows the rich history of then India. Below, is old picture of Karna Chaura(the place where Karna after taking bath and worshiping sun God used to perform charity).

Presently, the Bihar School of Yoga( the first Yoga university of India) stands at this place. It has a place where an Akhanda Deepa( forever lighted lamp) is placed. This was the exact place where the mighty King Karna sat and performed charity daily. Below, is few pictures of Bihar School of Yoga.

This is the highest building from where you get a birds eye view of Munger. This Yoga school attracts many foreign students, who dedicate their life to Yogic Shadhana. It is located inside the Munger fort.

Now, coming to Munger fort, it is belived to be build during the reign of Slave dynasty. Mohammad bin Tughlaq ruled over it. The fort has a succession of Muslim followed by Mughal rulers. 

Below, are few pictures of its various gates.

The fort has same structure as any other fort with abyss(Khai) that disconnects the fort from main land. When required the gates would open and form a bridge over the abyss and at the time of war would act as a barrier protecting the King and people inside. 

Few pictures of the abyss (khai).

The Fort houses many significant places. Like the Tomb of Pir Shah Nufa. He was sufi saint who was siant to Munger by his guru Khwaja Mouinuddin Chisti of Ajmer. Below, are few pictures of this Pir which is located adjacent to the south gate.

It has Famous Kastaharni Ghat , where it is believed that if you take bath in Ganges in this ghat, Ganga will take away the sufferings. It has Jagannath Mandir near it. One can see the tunnel made below river Ganga , that was used by the ruling dynasty to shift from Munger to another city across Ganga if they fear being defeated by enemy. The architecture of this tunnel is amazing. Though, when I saw it, it was already broken and river water had filled it. Ganges river is vast, At Kastharni ghat, she is much wider and just looks like a silent ocean. One can not view the other bank of river Ganga with naked eye. It would have taken great effort and skill to make a tunnel under such a mighty river. Below are few pictures of River Ganga at Kastaharni Ghat.

Below, is a picture of Kastharni Ghat from river Ganga.

Below is a picture of Chhat festival at banks of Ganga.

Below, are few pictures of the gate that opens to the underwater tunnel across river Ganga. These tunnels are known as Mir Kasim Tunnel and is presently located in Sri Krishna vatika. 

The fort also houses Gurgin Khan palace which was later used by collector of Munger.

The Fort also has Machli talab, a Shivalaya (Shiva temple) that is made inside a pond which has fishes. 

The fort has Chandi Asthan a famous Shakti Peetha.

The fort also houses Shuja palace now this is being used as a Prison. Below is picture of it.

In Munger, Sita Kund is also vary famous.This place is 4 miles from Munger. This is a natural hot water well. The specialty is that near Sita Kund, Ram kund, lakshman Kund, Bharat kund and Satrughan kund are also located but  they have cold water. You can view the water bubbles only in Sita kund. Below, are few pictures of it.

Below, is a picture of water bubbles in Sita Kund.

Below are pictures of Ram, Lakshman, Bharat and Satrughan Kund resepctively.

I do not know if ever I can visit Munger again but definitely it has many things that will never allow one to forget this place. 

  

May the kingdom of Bali be established.

Hi Readers,

I just read a few articles on Mahabali and Vamana Avatar and I am being curious to find answers to my questions.So, just posting all I know about this and posting my controversial questions too. Mahabali the demon king was a very righteous person. There are many infact who are referred to as demons in our Hindu mythology, demon or Asura but they were very good human beings. Why it is referred to as Asura, is because their origin was from Dravida or from Diti. They are not the Aryans, popularly Aryan Bhramin clan which migrated to India from Iran. This story of Aryan starts with King Yajati as the first Aryan King. You can refer to my previous article " Have you ever wondered what is the meaning of your name?" So, King Mahabali was from this clan and he ruled over present Indian state Kerala.

He was a righteous ruler, in his kingdom there was no poverty. There was no suffering, there was no discrimination on basis of caste or class. Everyone in his kingdom was happy and they all loved their King Bali. Bali was son of Devamba and Virochana. He was the grandson of Prahlad, the well known devotee of Lord Vishnu. Prahlad had nurtured Bali and had instilled on him, strong sense of righteousness, peace and devotion.

He later wanted to expand his kingdom and wanted all the three loks (Martya or Patala lok, Prithivi and Swargalok) under him. He performed Aswamedha Yanjna to enable him power to maintain his rule over all the three worlds.

At this point, Devas being humilated by the defeat from Bali approached their protector Vishnu to get back their kingdom. Vishnu as a dwarf Bhramin boy (Vamana Vishnu Avatar) approached Bali during this Aswamedha Yajna and asked him to give in charity three foot step long land. Bali even though warned by Sukhracharya, promised the disguished Vamana to give him land. Vamana then expanded his body to such an extend that his one step covered both Martya and Prithvi lok ( earth and underworld) together. In his second step Vamana covered heaven or Swargalok. Admitting his defeat, Bali then offered his own head as a stepping stone. Vamana put his third step on Bali's head and forced him to enter Patala lok (underworld).
At this time, Asuras protested and Bali said, all the creation living or dead belongs to the supreme, so he can call anyone anytime. Vishnu was pleased by the devotion of Bali, so he raised him immediately from Patalalok to Suthala (the supreme position in heaven). Also, gave him permission to visit his people and kingdom yearly.

Thus, Balipratipada ( the day after no-moon day or Deepavali Ambasya) is dedicated as the day when Bali visits his kingdom. People of Kerala and Malyali clan celebrate Onam ( welcome ceremony for their beloved King Mahabali). People clean and decorate house, they dress well and preapare all the best dishes at home, as mark of time and reign of King Mahabali. People pray that once this Kaliyug comes to an end and Satya yug starts, the Kingdom of Bali would return. All their grief, sorrow would vanish and they would live happily as in times of King Mahabali.

This story actually attracts controversy. Why was Bali killed by the Supreme God Vishnu when he was righteous, religious and had great devotion and dedication for his fellow men? According to north Indian tradition, where the Arya rules, it is said to be as Bali had become too proud. Anything in excess is not acceptable by the almighty and he wants to make a balance, so he killed Asura King Mahabali. Just to show that being proud of oneself is also not acceptable under being right. But, yes when everyone is imperfect in the Kaliyug, why did King Mahabali had to be taken just because he had grown the sense of proud. It is true being proud is not correct, but why this hard penance for a righteous King like Mahabali. Was it that Indra was afraid of Bali, so being a god it was Vishnu's first duty to protect his fellow Devata but not let the mighty King Mahabali rule? If so then was Vishnu not partial? If God can be partial then what should be expected of others. Why was it afterall that the kingdom Bali was not allwoed to expand. Would not it be a boon to everyone?

I have several questions in my mind. I know all this can be said as going against the religion. But, no I am not against anything, I am just being curious to get the answers. May be someone who has deeper knowledge on this could provide me the right answers. But, where do I search them... Ha Ha.. In the world of fake Gurus, I have no trust left to believe any of them.

Still we complain?

Hi Readers,

Today, I just want to post randomly on whatever crazy things come to me. From yesterday night, I am feeling little uneasy. Its not that I have any problem in my life, but the problem is I think a lot. May be I care a lot sometimes to the height that my care for someone actually is a pain for them. I have tried and changed myself  forcing my views, ideas many a times on others. But, yes I must admit I just can't spare myself thinking and worrying about it. Especially this happens to me for all those whom I love. May be this is common or may be there could be people who would think and worry lesser than I do. But, yes I do.

I just read a blog on God Hanuman and His mother's conversation. That moved me. Anjana(Hanuman's Mom) asked him after the battle between Ram and Ravana got over, and Ram came out victorious.

Anjana said :- Hanuman, you are so mighty that had you swung your tail across Lanka, all the demon's would have finished. Why was it required that you built the Ram Setu and take all the pain of just being with and obeying Ram.

To this Hanuman answered:- It is not my story and besides that no-one asked me to.

I just thought about it, I know the problem and may be I know how to fix it. But, did someone need my help. Why do I need to impose my crazy rule's. But, yes the truth is I am a simple human being, my heart runs errand if I see my people in problem. I just can't stop worrying. I know worry won't make anything and all problems can't be fixed just in few moments. Some time, time and patience is required. Sometimes, you know that people are not in right direction, still you need to let them go strike against a hard wall, and then figure out the right path.

I remember the time, when our parents did not had all the modern gadgets. People used to clean, cook and do everything manually without any help of electronic gadgets, they cooked for us, fed us well and managed to see to it that we are well educated. Now, its our turn, we have help of gadgets to cook, clean and make it faster that too not by using any extra effort. Still, we complain? We can't prepare breakfast for our spouse, we cant make lunch , we have packaged food, ready to eat but still we complain.Why can't we be smarter than our parent, why can't we be faster. But, no we can't why, just because we are here to enjoy our life. Its a kind of non-co-operation movement against our family.

Many families break, many people stay together but have no love, why? Just because we do not want to put in a bit of extra effort. There is always a loud noise of I can't do, I can't take this anymore. This does not happen else where, why me etc...?

But, yes be aware there are few double standard(as I name them) people, they act smart. When you are in a gathering with family and friends, they would say, I do this ...I do that.. But, in real life they won't do anything. When it comes to them, they are always sick or have head ache...LOL The problem is everyone understands them, all know they are selfish but nobody can say anything to them, as it only attracts stupid drama.

Some people are crazy enough to act like they are fool, they don't know what to do and how to do. But, how long will this drama last. Will you be able to fool around always? Or will there be someone with you always to bear you?

What our Hindu mythology says is that, God(be it Hanuman or Ram) as in above context or Krishna as in Mahabharat all knew the end. They could have done it in just few secs but God also let others reveal their own story, make their own path. He allowed others to move errand and slowly and steadily restored peace. Truth always had a victory over False, but it always takes lot of time and energy to reach there.

Be good to yourself and do good to others, that makes happiness spread. Never misuse the freedom , instead utilize that freedom to reach a greater level.

New altered box from old magazine papers

 Hi Readers,

I have another recycled craft, that is really useful and just requires things lying around in house. I have made this box with an old shoe box and magazine papers. Just you need fevicol or mod podge to stick the papers.

I just rolled each paper to make a pipe and stick gum and then covered the entire lid with it. This gave a really different and cool look. Yes, you can decorate this with rhine stones, ribbons and buttons. I just wanted a simpler looking one so that it does not absorb much dust and would require little or no cleaning effort from my end. This box is really useful for me to store away my crafty items and organize my table. 

Hope you like it . Post your valuable feedback at the comment section, it would be helpful for me to improvise my work.

Thank you.

Expect the best.Prepare for the worst. Capitalize on what comes.

Hi Readers,

After a very long time, today again I am back with my post. I was out busy with other priorities of life. This year so far has been a fluctuating year for me on every respect. I had set a few expectations and goals for myself. However, for some of my goals life's uncertainity has been my biggest hinderance, and I have set them for a later date. For some other, I am still hopeful, working and giving my time there. I have actively engaged myself in some activities that consume my time.

Its really nice to be busy, learning new things, exploring new things.Few months back I was totally confused and now I am back again with much of hope and enthusiasm to explore. I wonder if everyone has same confusion state like I have sometime. I spend quite a lot of time thinking what would be my prioprity after 5 yrs. Will it be my family or my career? I know from my own experience and from my friends that balancing family and career is the biggest challenge for a woman. Men, I most say are lucky in this repect as by virtue they never have to select anything in this. They never have to give up career for their family. However, for a woman this is the most important thing.

For today's world, though working woman is empowering not only herself but her family. It still remains a big challenge to handle family and career. Some jobs are most suited for women, mostly in fields of education and government jobs, where there is relaxation in terms of mental tension. There is flexibility of dedicating time to work. You are blessed if you work in the city where your extended family stays or you are in your native. This is helpful as you get both moral and physical support from a larger family and friends when you need them. For people like me who stay away in a different city from their native, things become tough. You get very little help from your own extended family as all would be busy in their own life. You also get less help from friends as the number of reliable people decrease in a new place.

There is lot of things written and said about working women, empowering them and helping them balance their personal life with professional. Sometimes, it appears easier said than could be actually executed.What is the solution for such confusion?

I read a news article on confusion( Dwividha) today, when you have more options that leads to more confusion and the responsibility of making the choice increases. Life is by choice, so if you want to achieve higher aspect of life, in an organization, home or in country, then one has to take responsibility. the power of option is available to human beings, where as animals have fewer options. The Tiger has no option of eating flesh or grass. Therefore, we human being are privileged that nature has provided ample options to us. The problem with our generation is that we want everything without any load. We want good results without any effort for it.

Be it a women who wants to merely keep balance between personal and professional life, we need to give in effort. If we want to enjoy the higher aspects of life, somewhere we have to work towards meeting it. Yes, one thing we can always expect the best to come and prepare for the worst of all our life choices. Yes, do not forget to capitalize on what you possess. This three are the essential factors that can give you enormous energy to pass through any difficult phase in life. Once, you have made the choice, there is no control on the result that will come out of it. It could be favorable or not but be responsible enough to accept it. For example, you want to travel from Hyderabad to Delhi, you have choice of flight and train, both these categories again have options to choose from. But, once ticket is booked, you have option to cancel or board. However, once  you board you do not have any other option left till you reach your destination. Accept the result of all your choices.

If you have some money , you have option to either spend whole or save. You have option to partly save and spend. You can save and capitalize, so that it serves you in rainy day or you can spend and enjoy few days. But, whatever is your choice, do not regret when rainy days are in. Instead accept it, learn from it and make a more responsible movement next time.