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The 9
nights festival of Navratri begins on the first day of Ashwina of the
bright fortnight. Seeds are sown, sprouting is watched, the planets are
consecrated, and on the 8th and 9th days, Goddess Durga, Vijayashtami
and
Mahanavami are worshipped.
The Devi Mahatmya and other texts invoking the Goddess who vanquished demons are cited.
The day after
Navratri i.e. the 10th day after Ashwina, is Dussera which celebrates
the victory of lord Rama over Ravana. Ravana is burnt in effigy, often
giant dummies of Ravana stuffed
with fireworks are shot with arrows
until they blow up before a large, applauding audience.
The day
after Navratri i.e. the 10th day after Ashwina, is Dussera which
celebrates the victory of lord Rama over Ravana. Ravana is burnt in
effigy, often giant dummies of Ravana stuffed with fireworks are shot with arrows util they blow up before a large, applauding audience.
The most characteristic dances
of Gujarat during Navratri are the Rasa and Garba dances which are
performed at all levels of society by men and women.The Rasa is performed in Gujarat India on Navaratra;The most
impressive artistry of the Rasa dances of Gujarat and Saurashtra is
displayed in the Dandiya Rasa by men. It is a counterpart of the Garba
of the women. The dancers use sticks at the end of which tiny bells
(ghungrus) are tied so that they give off a clear jingling sound when
they strike one another. This dance has a very complicated rhythm
pattern and even though the dancers begin in a slow tempo, the dance
develops in such manner that each person in the circle not only performs
a solo dance with his own sticks, but also has a complex multiple
relationship with both his partners on either side as also partners
opposite him in the circles. The circle keeps breaking sometimes into
two concentric circles and sometimes into three or four circles within
the orbit of a larger circle.Today in the
cities and town the dance is a social activity and entertainment rather
than religious agricultural or fertility symbol.
Ahmedabad is
one of the greatest places to enjoy Navratri. All kinds of Rasa-Garbas,
Dandia ras etc. are practiced in this period, feasting and fasting are
important cultural aspects of this day, and various rituals are
performed at temples of the 9 Goddesses of Hinduism. The atmosphere is
electric and revelry is in the air. The best places to enjoy the
atmosphere of Navratri in Ahmedabad. Navratri dress
Navratri Festival Start from 16th to 24thOctober 2012
Ganesha Chaturthi also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is the Hindu festival celebrated on the occasion of birthday of Lord Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati,
who is believed to bestow his presence on earth for all his devotees in
the duration of this festival. It is the day Shiva declared his son Ganesha
as superior to all the gods, barring Vishnu, Lakshmi, Shiva and
Parvati. Ganesha is widely worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity
and good fortune and traditionally invoked at the beginning of any new
venture or at the start of travel.The date usually falls between 19 August and 20 September. The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Anant Chaturdashi
The birth of Ganesha, the god of wisdom and destroyer of all obstacles, hasoften been a story that Hindu children grow up listening to. Though
there are many different stories describing his birth and the reason
behind his elephant head, (for example, Brahma Vaivarta Purana tells
that Lord Shani was responsiblefor baby Ganes
ha getting an elephant head), the following is the most
popular one. Validity of the story from the eyes of today's scientific
beliefs can be debated. But there is something that can only be
appreciated and learnt lessons from: Symbolism in the birth of Lord
Ganesha.
Mythology: The Divine Birth of Ganesha
One day Parvati was at home on Mt. Kailash preparing for a bath. As she
didn't want to be disturbed, she told Nandi, her husband Shiva's Bull,
to guard the door and let no one pass. Nandi faithfully took his post,
intending to carry out Parvati's wishes. But, when Shiva came home and
naturally wanted to come inside, Nandi had to let him pass, being loyal
first to Shiva. Parvati was angry at this slight, but even more than
this, at the fact that she had no one as loyal to Herself as Nandi was
to Shiva. So, taking the saffron paste (for bathing) from her body and
breathing life into it, she created Ganesha, declaring him to be her own
loyal son.
The
next time Parvati wished to bathe, she posted Ganesha on guard duty at
the door. In due course, Shiva came home, only to find this strange boy
telling him he couldn't enter his own house! Furious, Shiva ordered his
army to destroy the boy, but they all failed! Such power did Ganesha
possess, being the son of Devi Herself!
This
surprised Shiva. Seeing that this was no ordinary boy, the usually
peaceful Shiva decided he would have to fight him, and in his divine
fury severed Ganesha's head, killing him instantly. When Parvati learned
of this, she was so enraged and insulted that she decided to destroy
the entire Creation! Lord Brahma, being the Creator, naturally had his
issues with this, and pleaded that she reconsider her drastic plan. She
said she would, but only if two conditions were met: one, that Ganesha
be brought back to life, and two, that he be forever worshipped before
all the other gods.
Shiva,
having cooled down by this time, and realizing his mistake, agreed to
Parvati's conditions. He sent Brahma out with orders to bring back the
head of the first creature he crosses that is laying with its head
facing North. Brahma soon returned with the head of a strong and
powerful elephant, which Shiva placed onto Ganesha's body. Breathing new
life into him, he declared Ganesha to be his own son as well, and gave
him the status of being foremost among the gods, and leader of all the
Ganas (classes of beings).
In India, festivals are the celebration of togetherness, of being one of
the family. Raksha Bandhan is one such festival that is all about affection,
fraternity and sublime sentiments. It is also known as Raksha Bandhan which
means a 'bond of protection'. This is an occasion to flourish love, care,
affection and sacred feeling of brotherhood.Not a single festival in India is complete without the typical Indian
festivities, the gatherings, celebrations,
exchange of sweets and gifts, lots of noise, singing and dancing. Raksha
Bandhan is a regional celebration
to celebrate the sacred relation between brothers and sisters. Primarily,
this festival belongs to north and western region of India but soon the
world has started celebrating this festival with the same verse and spirit.
Rakhi has become an integral part of those customs. Rakhi Images
The story of Rani Karnavati and Emperor Humayun is the most significant
evidence in the history. During the medieval era, Rajputs were fighting
Muslim invasions. Rakhi at that time meant a spiritual binding and
protection of sisters was foremost. When Rani Karnawati the widowed queen of
the king of Chittor realised that she could in no way defend the invasion of
the Sultan of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah, she sent a rakhi to Emperor Humayun.
The Emperor touched by the gesture started off with his troops without
wasting any time.
Lord Krishna and Draupathi
In order to protect the good people, Lord Krishna killed the evil King
Shishupal. Krishna was hurt during the war and left with bleeding finger.
Seeing this, Draupathi had torn a strip of cloth from her sari and tied
around his wrist to stop the bleeding. Lord Krishna, realizing her
affections and concern about him, declared himself bounded by her sisterly
love. He promised her to repay this debt whenever she need in future. Many
years later, when the pandavas lost Draupathi in the game of dice and
Kauravas were removing her saari, Krishna helped her divinely elongating the
saari so that they could not remove it.
Preparation of Rakhi Festival
Generally, the fancy Rakhis and delicious sweets are prepared long before
the Shravana Purnima. According to the Indian tradition, the family members
get ready for the rituals early in the morning. They take a bath to purify
mind and body before starting any preparations. Sisters prepare the puja
thali which consists of roli, tilak, Rakhi threads, rice grains, aggarbattis
(incense sticks), diyas and sweets. After offering the rituals to the
deities of the family, the sister perform aarti of their brothers and ties
Rakhi on their wrist. Then, they put kumkum powder on the forehead of their
brother and offer sweets. All these rituals take place amid the chanting of
the following mantras :
"Suraj shakhan chhodian, Mooli chhodia beej
Behen ne rakhi bandhi / Bhai tu chir jug jee",
Which means "The sun radiates its sunlight, the radish spreads its
seeds,
I tie the rakhi to you O brother and wish that may you live long."
After her prayer for a long life for her brother, she says that she is tie
the ever-protective Raksha to her brother's wrist and chants:
"Yena baddho Balee raajaa daanavendro
mahaabalah
tena twaam anubadhnaami rakshe maa chala maa chala"
This means," I tie you the rakhi that was tied to king Bali, the
king of Demons,
O Rakhi I pray that you never falter in protecting your devotee.
In return, brothers pampers and blesses the sisters and promises to protect
her from all the evils of this world. He also present a token of his love
and affection as a Rakhi gift. The rituals performed on Raksha Bandhan may
differ from place to place but they carry the same aura throughout the
globe.
The most important thing we've learned, So far as children are concerned, Is never, NEVER, NEVER let Them near your television set -- Or better still, just don't install The idiotic thing at all. In almost every house we've been, We've watched them gaping at the screen. They loll and slop and lounge about, And stare until their eyes pop out. (Last week in someone's place we saw A dozen eyeballs on the floor.)
Before this monster was invented?' Have you forgotten? Don't you know? We'll say it very loud and slow:
THEY ... USED ... TO ... READ! They'd READ and READ, AND READ and READ, and then proceed To READ some more. Great Scott! Gadzooks! One half their lives was reading books! The nursery shelves held books galore! Books cluttered up the nursery floor! And in the bedroom, by the bed, More books were waiting to be read! Such wondrous, fine, fantastic tales
They'll now begin to feel the need Of having something to read. And once they start -- oh boy, oh boy! You watch the slowly growing joy That fills their hearts. They'll grow so keen They'll wonder what they'd ever seen In that ridiculous machine, That nauseating, foul, unclean, Repulsive television screen! And later, each and every kid Will love you more for what you did.
No doubt every Shakespeare fan has his or her own short list of the Bard's greatest works. Although each play is a treasure that I have enjoyed more than once, I have whittled down my list of favorites to the following ten. For extensive resources just click on the play name.
Since its first recorded production, Hamlet has engrossed playgoers, thrilled readers, and challenged even the most gifted actors. No other single work of fiction has produced more commonly used expressions. If you are sure in your heart of hearts that every dog will have his day, you are echoing the philosopher-prince. 2. Macbeth Each time I read this whirlwind tale of murder, betrayal, and lusty ambition, I find an even greater appreciation for Shakespeare's unsurpassed ability to tell a riveting story with transcendent poetic imagery. In our modern history of tragic theatre, Macbeth has no equal.
3. Julius Caesar Although there were earlier Elizabethan plays on the subject of Julius Caesar and his turbulent rule, Shakespeare's penetrating study of political life in ancient Rome is the only version to recount the demise of Brutus and the other conspirators.
4. The Tempest Hailed as a stunning climax to the career of England’s favorite dramatist, The Tempest is a play praising the glories of reconciliation and forgiveness. Some believe that Prospero’s final speeches signify Shakespeare’s personal adieu from the stage.
5. 1 Henry IV Many believe 1 Henry IV to be Shakespeare's greatest history play. The unforgettable characters Hotspur, Prince Hal, King Henry, and the jovial John Falstaff affirm John Dryden's assertion that Shakespeare was "the man who of all modern, and perhaps ancient poets, had the largest and most comprehensive soul."
6. King Lear Despite the relatively simple primary plot -- an aging monarch who decides to divide his kingdom amongst his three daughters -- King Lear is the most complex and analytical of all Shakespeare's great tragedies. The play is an efficacious exploration of the boundlessness of evil, suffering, and love.
7. Romeo and Juliet Celebrated for the radiance of its lyric poetry, Romeo and Juliet was tremendously popular from its first performance. The sweet whispers shared by young Tudor lovers throughout the realm were often referred to as "naught but pure Romeo and Juliet."
8. King John In the shadow of Shakespeare’s second tetralogy of history plays lies this neglected masterpiece. The play is cursed with the egregious reputation of being Shakespeare’s great artistic failure. Never has a work so remarkable been so consistently underrated. With its vigorous plot, immortal verse, and subtle combination of Tudor and Machiavellian theories on kingship, King John is worthy of rediscovery.
9. Much Ado About Nothing The happy conclusion of Much Ado About Nothing is the reason we classify the play as a comedy. However, the true humor in the drama is left to the remarkable collection of supporting characters who dazzle us with wit and confound us with absurdity.
10. The Winter's Tale The Winter's Tale is considered a romantic comedy, but tragic elements are interwoven throughout the play. First produced at the Globe around 1610, it is one of Shakespeare's final plays. For a first-hand account of the staging of The Winter's Tale in Shakespeare's London, please Hindi Comedy Plays
The most characteristic dances
of Gujarat during Navratri are the Rasa and Garba dances which are
performed at all levels of society by men and women.The Rasa is performed in Gujarat India on Navaratra;The most
impressive artistry of the Rasa dances of Gujarat and Saurashtra is
displayed in the Dandiya Rasa by men. It is a counterpart of the Garba
of the women. The dancers use sticks at the end of which tiny bells
(ghungrus) are tied so that they give off a clear jingling sound when
they strike one another. This dance has a very complicated rhythm
pattern and even though the dancers begin in a slow tempo, the dance
develops in such manner that each person in the circle not only performs
a solo dance with his own sticks, but also has a complex multiple
relationship with both his partners on either side as also partners
opposite him in the circles. The circle keeps breaking sometimes into
two concentric circles and sometimes into three or four circles within
the orbit of a larger circle.Today in the
cities and town the dance is a social activity and entertainment rather
than religious agricultural or fertility symbol.
