Telengana divine festival - BATHUKAMMA Panduga

The much awaited Bathukamma festival, unique to Telangana region started on Monday (15th October 2012). The festival will go on for nine days and conclude a day before Dasara.

The BATHUKAMMA festival (Panduga) is one of the most famous festivals of Andhra Pradesh especially of Telangana region celebrated mainly by the women. Celebrated during Navarathris it honours goddess Gouri on the name of Bathukamma. In Telugu, ‘Bathukamma means ‘come alive Mother Goddess’. Bathukamma panduga, teh spring festival, is the second largest festival after Dasara or Vijaya Dashami in Telangana Region. Celebrated during Durga Navaratri, the 9-day festival will conclude one day before Dussera.

Myth: Once upon a time King Dharmangada of Chola Dynasty used to rule South India. After many prayers and rituals, his wife gave birth to Princess Lakshmi. Baby Lakshmi survived many accidents. So, the parents named her Bathukamma (Bathuku = life, Amma= suffix to female names and mother). Since then Bathukamma festival is celebrated by young girls in Telangana region. The purpose of this festival is to pray to the Goddess in the belief that the young girls would get husbands as per their wish. Further, married women celebrate the festival to pray to the Goddess for good health and prosperity of their family. Flowers are arranged on a plate or square wooden plank or a square bamboo frame in a conical layout. On the top, gynecium of a pumpkin flower or a cone made of turmeric to represent Bathukamma is installed. 

This floral arrangement is worshipped as Goddess Bathukamma. This festival is mainly celebrated by unmarried young girls, though men and women also participate in collecting and arranging the flowers as Bathukamma.

During the festival, Goddess Gauri is worshipped in the form of Bathukamma. Colours, flowers and water are all intrinsic to the festival and the goddess herself is not one rooted in a shrine but turmeric and placed on top of conical flower arrangements that signify both life and eternity in their colours. The goddess is created each year and immersed duly on the 10th day of the festival in local water bodies. There was a distinct grandeur and to a lesser level still is that one can only associate with a festival of the nature, where fun and frolic is the order of the day. This largest festival of Telanagna region, Batukamma festival was started centuries ago and still celebrated as grand cultural event in this region

Batukamma is a beautiful flower stack, arranged with different flowers usually in seven concentric layers in a conical mound. The flowers used for making Bathukamma are unique seasonal flowers, most of them with medicinal value. The men folk of the house go into the wild plains and gather local flowers called Gunuka, Tangedi, Lotus, Alli, Katla, Teku flowers which bloom in this season in various vibrant colors all across the uncultivated and barren lands. Women prepare Bathukamma with the flowers leaving a little length base, some dip in colours, some scented and arrange them on a wide plate or wooden plank and stack them up in a conical mound and decorate them with a Pumpkin flower on top of Stack.

On this final day of Bathukamma, immersion of Bathukamma (Bathukamma visarjan) in water bodies is celebrated with utmost devotion and enthusiasm through out Telangana region. 

Women participate in the festival with great fervour dressing up in their best, wearing traditional Silk Sarees and jewellery while young girls wear Langa-Oni (Half-Saree) the traditional attire of young girls of the region. The women gather in large numbers along with their Bathukammas in their locality place them in the middle and dance around them while singing soul stirring Bathukamma folk songs. Synchronising steps and claps in unison provide a splendorous look to the festivities.

The songs are more of the stories of common woman, her dreams, her responsibilities, plights sung spontaneously most of the time. Some times the songs describe just the beauty of the nature and some times reflect the socio-economic and political conditions of the region. Interestingly most of the songs are sung spontaneously.After singing and dancing, Bathukammas are set afloat in lake or river. Lakes with floating Bathukammas in the evenings are a visual treat. On the occasion, the women exchange Turmeric and Kumkuma (Sindhur) which married women consider most auspicious.

On the culmination of Festivities, Maleeda, a prasadam made of jaggery, is prepared and distributed among the women. People wishing to watch Bathukamma festival being celebrated in its true sense and full glory must visit Warangal Fort which is about 150 Kms from the state capital Hyderabad on its last day before festival of Dussehra.It has also legendary mansions in the history of the Region. There is a legend about Bathukamma festival mentioned in Telugu books. 

Daksha performed a Yagna and invited everyone but his youngest daughter, Gauri, who married to Lord Shiva against his wish. Against Shiva’s will, Gauri went to the Yagna and insulted along with Lord Shiva. She was unable to tolerate the insult and sacrificed her life by setting herself ablaze. Wishing to bring her back, women present her flowers and make turmeric idol of the Goddess and sing and dance around the idol of Bathukamma. Another legend of Batukamma Festival is also mentioned in one of the historical texts scripted in Telugu. Centuries ago, King Dharmangada of Chola Dynasty used to rule South India. He was childless for many years after marriage. After performing many pujas and rituals, his wife gave birth to Goddess Lakshmi. Baby Lakshmi survived many accidents. So, her parents named her Batukamma Since then, Batukamma festival is celebrated by women in Telangana region.

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Kanaka Durga Temple , Vijayawada

Vijayawada is famous all over the world for the temple of Kanaka Durga, also called as Sri Durga Malleswara Swami Temple. The Kanaka Durga temple is situated on Indrakeeladri Hills of Vijayawada. Kanaka Durgamma as the locals call is the presiding deity and is said to be the Goddess of power, riches and goodwill. The temple is said to be the second largest temple in Andhra Pradesh and equally popular as Tirumala.

Mother Kanakadurgeswari seated atop the Indrakilaparvatha at Vijayawada is the supreme Goddess of Andhra Pradesh, attracting lakhs of tourists since time immemorial. This temple occupies a covetable place in the scriptures; for several of the Sivalilas and Saktimahimas were enacted on and around it, making the region a place of unparalleled spiritual eminence of everlasting significance.

The deity in the temple is considered very powerful as it is said to be Swayambhu (self-manifested). The great saint Sri Sri Sri Sankara Bhagavatpadulu (Adi Shankaracharya) visited this temple in 8th century and installed "Sri Chakra" at the feet of the goddess

Kanaka Durga Temple History

History of Indrakiladri Mountain: There lived a Yaksha by name Keela who was meditating upon Goddess Durga. Please with his penance, Goddess Durga appeared before him to grant him the boon he wished. Keela was so mesmerized by the Goddess that he asked Her to stay in his heart forever. Goddess Durga blessed him saying that his desire would be fulfilled after She killing Mahishasura in Kritha yuga and turned him into a mountain with River Krishna flowing at its feet.

As per her boon, She resided on this mountain in the form of "Mahishasura Mardani" with eight arms after killing Mahishasura. All the Gods from heaven descended to worship her. This way the mountain came to be known as Indrakeeladri (or Indrakiladri).

How To Reach Kanaka Durga Temple

Bus facility is available to reach the temple from Railway station, Bus Stand and Ratham centre for every 15 minutes. If you are in Vijayawada, you can avail the local transportation to reach the temple which is convenient and economic option. If you are looking for comfort, you can always hire a cab.

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The immersion of Lord Ganesha

The culmination of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival is with the most important Ganesh immersion ceremony or Ganesh Visarjan. In 2012, it is on September 29. When to immerse the Ganesh idol? Or when is the Ganesh immersion day? This is a perplexing question for many. Normally, Ganesh Visarjan takes place on Ananta Chaturdashi day. But there are no hard and fast rules for Ganesh Immersion, it usually depends on family tradition. 

2012 Dates of Lord Ganesha immersion

One day  – September 20

Three days – September 21

Five Days – September 23

Seven  – September 25

Ten days  – September 28

Ananta Chaturdashi last day– September 29

Why are the Ganesh Statues Immersed in Water at the End of the Festival

Hindus worship idols, of their gods because it gives them a visible form to pray to. They also recognize that the universe is in a constant state of change. Form eventually gives away to formlessness. However, the energy still remains. The immersion of the statues in the ocean, or other bodies of water, and subsequent destruction of them serves as a reminder of this belief.Some families perform the ceremony on the very next day. It is believed that Ganesha comes and stays in the idol for a day and returns the next day.There are other families which perform the Ganesh immersion or Visarjan on the 1.5 days, 3rd, 5th, 7th or the 10th day.

Today, many people choose the least crowded day to immerse the Ganesh idol.Those who opt for an eco-friendly Ganesh immersion, do it in a bucket or a tank. In Mumbai, artificial lakes are created to avoid water pollution. This year the governments and NGOs are running a strong campaign for the use of eco-friendly Ganesh idols.

Environmental pollution caused by Ganesh Chaturthi festival

Widespread campaigns are already on for an eco-friendly Ganesh Chaturthi festival but still a large section of the society are unaware of the pollution and environmental damage caused by Plaster of Paris idols and chemical paints. Some large Ganesha Pandal committees, to attract maximum crowd conveniently forget the environmental impact caused by the idols. The main pollution is caused by the Plaster of Paris Ganesh idols and the chemical paints used in them.

Plaster of Paris (POP) is not a naturally occurring material and contains gypsum, sulphur, phosphorus and magnesium. The idols take several months to dissolve in water and in the process poison the waters of lake, ponds, rives and seas.

The chemical paints used to decorate the Ganesh idol contain mercury, lead, cadmium and carbon and this increases the acidity and heavy metal content in the water.Several accessories used during the Ganesh Puja like Thermocole, plastic flowers, cloth, incense, camphor and numerous other materials are dumped carelessly adding more strain to the already polluted rivers and lakes.

Careless dumping of Ganesh idols in waterbodies blocks the natural flow of water. This results in stagnation and breeding of mosquitoes and other harmful pests.The polluted water causes several diseases including skin diseases.The pollution from Ganesh Chaturthi idols also damages the ecosystem, kills fishes and water plants.In many areas, the same polluted water gets pumped into homes.

Alternatives

Use eco-friendly clay idols painted with natural colors.

Use permanent idols made of stone and perform a symbolic immersion and reuse the idol each year.

Avoid public waterbodies to immerse the idols, instead immerse idol in bucket or tub.
"Jai bolo Ganesh maharaj ki Jai"

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Sri Vara Siddhi Vinayaka Temple-Kanipakam

There is a general belief that Lord Ganesha is the upholder of truth and in Kanipakam, many people experience this belief when they confront the idol of Lord Ganesha. Day-to-day disputes between people are resolved by taking a special oath. The accused in the dispute are made to take a dip in the pushkarini (Temple tank) and swear before the lord. There are instances when the person who committed the sin accepts his mistake as soon as taking the dip or much before entering the temple. It is said that the lord makes the sinner repent and feel guilty for his sinful deeds. To experience this divine power, one has to visit this beautiful temple of Lord Ganesha at Kanipakam.

There are some other temples to visit like Sri Manikanteswara Swami temple and Sri Varadaraja swami temple around the Kanipakam temple.

History

The formation of the temple and the idol of God have an amazing history behind it. According to the legend of the temple, there were three brothers, each of them dumb, deaf or blind. They were earning their livelihood by cultivating a small piece of land. One of them used to irrigate the field through channels while the other used to work on drawing water from the well. One day they noticed that the water in the well got dried up and they could no longer continue their work. Seeing this, one of them got into the well and started digging it up. He was startled to see the iron implement hitting a stone like formation. Later, blood started oozing out from it and the entire water in the well turned blood red in color

Another amazing feature of the idol is that it is still growing in size, earlier only face was visible and now abdomen and knees. 

Temple Local Info 

The temple opens at 4:30am with the early morning prayers. Special Pooja is performed once in a year and Prasadam will be sent to the member devotees. Nitya Annadanam, that is, free meals is provided daily in the afternoon for nearly 150 members and the tickets are issued near the place where annadanam takes place. 

Money should be sent through Bank Drafts, Money orders, or personally

To,

Executive officer (EO)

Sri VaraSidhi Vinayaka Swami Vari Devasthanam,

Kanipakam.

Donations can be made for Nitya Annadanam which starts with a minimum cost of Rs.1116/-. The money has to be donated in the form of bank drafts, money order or can be given personally

Click here for the details of daily sevas like Paalabhishekam, SankataHaraGanapati Vratham, Special Abhishekam, Pavalimpu Seva (EkanthaSeva), Nithya Kalyanotshavam, Vunjala Seva 

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Top Tourism Destinations in Hyderabad, India

Hyderabad is a wonderful blend of the old-world charm and vibrant city life. It is the capital city of Andhra Pradesh and reminds us of the royal grandeur which is quite obvious from its age old monuments and splendid architectures. On your tour to Hyderabad, you will come across some impressive architectural instances that bears testimony to the rich culture and heritage of this town. Sightseeing being an indispensable activity of any vacation, there are many tourist destinations in Hyderabad that would simply leave you awe-struck.

Historical Monuments: Mecca Masjid, Charminar, Golconda Fort, Qutb Shahi Tombs, Paigah Tombs, Paigah Mosque(Spanish Mosque)-Begumpet, Chow Mahalla Palace.

Religious places: Birla Mandir, Sanghi Temple, Chilkur Balaji Temple, Ananda Buddha Vihara, Charminar, Makkah Masjid, Shahi Masjid

Museums and Planetarium: Salar Jung Museum, City Museum, AP State Archaeology Museum, Birla Science Museum, Birla Planetarium

Lakes of Hyderabad: Durgam Cheruvu, Osman Sagar, Himayat Sagar, Hussain Sagar, Shamirpet Lake, Rukn ud Daula Lake, Mir Alam Tank, Saroornagar Lake.

Parks and Gardens: Nehru Zoological Park, NTR Gardens, Indira Park, KBR National Park, Kotla Vijayabhaskara Reddy Botanical Gardens, Lumbini Park, Lotus Pond, Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park, Mrugavani National Park, Public Gardens

Miscellaneous: Ramoji Film City, Ravindra Bharati, Necklace road, Laad Bazaar, Shilparamam, Shilpakala vedika, Keesara, Rachakonda, Ananthagiri hills 

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The largest Sri Maha Vishnu Temple in the world

Angkor Wat (Cambodia-Country)  is not only the largest Hindu Temple, but also one of the wonders of the word. Yet, unknown to many Hindus all around! An architectural marvel and a piece of world heritage. Indians know more about Taj Mahal and almost nothing about this temple at Angkor Wat. Religion apart, this beautiful temple and it's intricate architectural wonder that signifies a symbol of Science and Mathematics in ancient times. There might not have been any Civil Engineering at that time, but even today the Engineers of Modern days, will have to bet their heads to recreate smething like this. Likewise, there are many wonders which people do not know about. We are lost in Eiffel Tower and things like Egyptian Pyramids, but there are lot more of Indian marvels and structures, in other places - why, even in China, Japan & Singapore also!

Angkor Wat (or Angkor Vat) is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia, built for king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. The largest and best-preserved temple at Angkor, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre- first Hindu, then Buddhist- since its foundation. The temple is the epitome of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors drawn by its architecture, its extensive bas-reliefs and the numerous devatas adorning its walls.

Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. Stretching over some 400 km2, including forested area, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. They include the famous Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations. UNESCO has set up a wide-ranging programme to safeguard this symbolic site and its surroundings.

Etymology

The modern name, Angkor Wat, means "City Temple"; Angkor is a vernacular form of the word nokor, which comes from the Sanskrit word nagar. Wat is the Khmer form of the Pali word "vatthu", meaning "temple grounds". Prior to this time the temple was known as Preah Pisnulok (Vara Vishnuloka in Sanskrit), after the posthumous title of its founder.

Brief synthesis

The park is inhabited, and many villages, some of whom the ancestors are dating back to the Angkor period are scattered throughout the park. The population practices agriculture and more specifically rice cultivation

Criterion (i): The Angkor complex represents the entire range of Khmer art from the 9th to the 14th centuries, and includes a number of indisputable artistic masterpieces (e.g. Angkor Wat, the Bayon, Banteay Srei).

Criterion (ii): The influence of Khmer art as developed at Angkor was a profound one over much of South-east Asia and played a fundamental role in its distinctive evolution.

Criterion (iii): The Khmer Empire of the 9th-14th centuries encompassed much of South-east Asia and played a formative role in the political and cultural development of the region. All that remains of that civilization is its rich heritage of cult structures in brick and stone.

Criterion (iv): Khmer architecture evolved largely from that of the Indian sub-continent, from which it soon became clearly distinct as it developed its own special characteristics, some independently evolved and others acquired from neighboring cultural traditions. The result was a new artistic horizon in oriental art and architecture.

Integrity

The Angkor complex encompasses all major architectural buildings and hydrological engineering systems from the Khmer period and most of these “barays” and canals still exist today.

All the individual aspects illustrate the intactness of the site very much reflecting the splendor of the cities that once were.

The site integrity however, is put under dual pressures:

a)  endogenous: exerted by more than 100,000 inhabitants distributed over 112 historic settlements scattered over the site, who constantly try to expand their dwelling areas;

b)  exogenous: related to the proximity of the town of Siem Reap, the seat of the province and a tourism hub.

Authenticity

Previous conservation and restoration works at Angkor between 1907 and 1992, especially by the École Française d’Extrême-Orient (EFEO), the Archaeological Survey of India, the Polish conservation body PKZ, and the World Monuments Fund have had no significant impact on the overall authenticity of the monuments that make up the Angkor complex and do not obtrude upon the overall impression gained from individual monuments

History of Angkor Wat Temple

Historical Description

The initial design and construction of the temple took place in the first half of the 12th century, during the reign of Suryavarman II (ruled 1113 – c. 1150). Dedicated to Vishnu, it was built as the king's state temple and capital city. As neither the foundation stela nor any contemporary inscriptions referring to the temple have been found, its original name is unknown, but it may have been known as Vrah Vishnu-lok ( literally "Holy Vishnu'-Location'", Old Khmer' Cl. Sanskrit). after the presiding deity. Work seems to have ended shortly after the king's death, leaving some of the bas-relief decoration unfinished. In 1177, approximately 27 years after the death of Suryavarman II, Angkor was sacked by the Chams, the traditional enemies of the Khmer. Thereafter the empire was restored by a new king, Jayavarman VII, who established a new capital and state temple (Angkor Thom and the Bayon respectively) a few kilometres to the north.

In the late 13th century, Angkor Wat gradually moved from Hindu to Theravada Buddhist use, which continues to the present day. Angkor Wat is unusual among the Angkor temples in that although it was somewhat neglected after the 16th century it was never completely abandoned, its preservation being due in part to the fact that its moat also provided some protection from encroachment by the jungle.

One of the first Western visitors to the temple was António da Madalena, a Portuguese monk who visited in 1586 and said that it "is of such extraordinary construction that it is not possible to describe it with a pen, particularly since it is like no other building in the world. It has towers and decoration and all the refinements which the human genius can conceive of." However, the temple was popularised in the West only in the mid-19th century on the publication of Henri Mouhot's travel notes. The French explorer wrote of it:

"One of these temples—a rival to that of Solomon, and erected by some ancient Michelangelo—might take an honourable place beside our most beautiful buildings. It is grander than anything left to us by Greece or Rome, and presents a sad contrast to the state of barbarism in which the nation is now plunged."

Mouhot, like other early Western visitors, found it difficult to believe that the Khmers could have built the temple, and mistakenly dated it to around the same era as Rome. The true history of Angkor Wat was pieced together only from stylistic and epigraphic evidence accumulated during the subsequent clearing and restoration work carried out across the whole Angkor site.

There were no ordinary dwellings or houses or other signs of settlement including cooking utensils, weapons, or items of clothing usually found at ancient sites. Instead there is the evidence of the monuments themselves.

Angkor Wat required considerable restoration in the 20th century, mainly the removal of accumulated earth and vegetation.[7] Work was interrupted by the civil war and Khmer Rouge control of the country during the 1970s and 1980s, but relatively little damage was done during this period other than the theft and destruction of mostly post-Angkorian statues.

The temple is a powerful symbol of Cambodia, and is a source of great national pride that has factored into Cambodia's diplomatic relations with its neighbour Thailand, France and the United States. A depiction of Angkor Wat has been a part of Cambodian national flags since the introduction of the first version circa 1863.[9] From a larger historical and even transcultural perspective, however, the temple of Angkor Wat did not became a symbol of national pride sui generis but had been inscribed into a larger politico-cultural process of French-colonial heritage production in which the original temple site was presented in French colonial and universal exhibitions in Paris and Marseille between 1889 and 1937.

The splendid artistic legacy of Angkor Wat and other Khmer monuments in the Angkor region led directly to France adopting Cambodia as a protectorate on 11 August 1863 and invading Siam to take control of the ruins. This quickly led to Cambodia reclaiming lands in the northwestern corner of the country that had been under Siamese (Thai) control since 1351 AD (Manich Jumsai 2001), or by some accounts, 1431 AD.[11] Cambodia gained independence from France on 9 November 1953 and has controlled Angkor Wat since that time.

During the midst of the Vietnam War, Chief of State Norodom Sihanouk hosted Jacqueline Kennedy in Cambodia to fulfill her "lifelong dream of seeing Angkor Wat."

In January 2003 riots erupted in Phnom Penh when a false rumour circulated that a Thai soap opera actress had claimed that Angkor Wat belonged to Thailand.

Aerial view of Angkor Wat

Miniature model of the central structure of Angkor Wat. In the foreground the cruciform terrace which lies in front of the central structure.

Image Courtesy www.whc.unesco.org

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Lord Ganesha Festival

Ganesh Chaturthi is also know as vinayaka chavathi,The Celebration of  vinayaka Chavathi continues for five,seven,nine and  elevens days,ending on Ananta Chaturdashi and some people will extend it to twenty one days.

Etymology

“Lord Ganesha” the word Ganesha is a Sanskrit word which derived from gana & isha and a group, multitude or categorical system refers to gana and the word “isha” master or lord. 

History of Lord Ganesha

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Ganesha is the son of lord  Shiva and parvathi.There are many stories, why Ganesha been born and how he got the elephant head and lord ganesha’s mother Parvati, one day disappointed because of her appointed guards were out of lord shiva’s army failed to stop him from barging into her private chambers.  She decided to guard her for while until she completes her bath. She created a body from dust and oil and infused life into that body and told him that “I am your mother” and ordered until my bath, guards the entrance, 

Lord shiva came to see Parvati and lord shiva was unaware of his son and as his duty lord Ganesha blocked his way and would not let him in and that time, lord shiva became irate and in great anger fought with lord Ganesha, whose head got severed from his body.

As soon as, Parvati returned from her bath and saw her son, she got very aggrieved anguish and threatened to destroy the heavens and earth.Later, the gods and shiva pacified her and soon after sent out the ganas, to get the head of first living being his head towards in north direction, as north direction is associated with wisdom. After a while they found an elephant sleeping and faced towards north and ganas took the elephants head, returned to lord shiva and he emotionally involved the elephant’s head to the body and revived him back to life.

This elephant-headed god was welcomed into the first family of the Hindu heavens and named Ganesha or Ganapati.He is worshipped during every festival  Ganesha as initial God

                    

Ganesha is the god of wisdom and prosperity of  and  is invoked before the beginning of any auspicious work by the Hindus..It  is  celebrated  on of  fourth day of the waxing moon period in the month of Bhaadrapada according to the Hindu calendar.In Most of  the cities Vinayaka chavathi celebrations will start in the evening with Arthi pooja and ends with bajna's.The festival is celebrated with immense enthusiasm in

Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh for ten days,And eleven days in some places.

                                         

why and when a ganesh chaturthi celebration begins, but the earliest celebrations were started in the times of reign of dynasties of satavahan, rashtrakutha, chalukya.  As per historical records, ganesh chaturthi initiated in Maharashtra by chatrapati Shivaji maharaja. 

many stories revealed about lord Ganesha, and his presence in universe as a lord. Ganesh chaturthi will fall between in the month of august  and september.While vinayaka chavathi  celebrated all over India,

Ganesh Chaturthi festivities are most elaborate in states like Maharashtra, Goa (It is the biggest festival for Konkani people all over the world), Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, and other areas which were former states of the Maratha Empire. Outside India, it is celebrated in Nepal by the Newars.As the idol is immersed amidst loud chants of "Ganesh Maharaj Ki Jai!" (Hail Lord Ganesh), the festival comes to an end with pleas to the Lord to return the next year with chants of "Ganpati bappa morya, pudcha varshi laukar ya" (Hail Lord Ganesh, return again soon next year).

Tourists from all over the world come to witness this wonderful event in the sun kissed beaches of Goa and

Mumbai.Even muslims and christians will also celebrates vinayaka chavathi they present ganesh idols to well wishers and wish them.

It was around 1893, during the nascent stages of Indian nationalism, that Tilak began to organize the Ganesh Utsav as a social and religious function. He was the first to put in large public images of Ganesha in pavilions and establish the tradition of their immersion on the tenth day.

Vinayaka chavathi special recipes:

Modak:It is a famous Indian sweet, prepared especially on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. It is known as Lord Ganesha's favorite sweet. Thus, majority of the people consider it a must to make Modak on the

very first day of Ganesh Chaturthi. The celebrations are regarded incomplete without Modak, a sweet that is greatly associated to Ganesh Chaturthi.

Motichoor ki ladhu:It is thought to be the favorite food of Lord Ganesha. In fact, the sweet also finds a mention in the aarti of lord Ganesha, where a line goes "ladduan ka bhog lage, sant Karen seva". So, when it is occasion of Lord Ganesha's birthday i.e. Ganesh chaturthi, then how one can forget to make the sweetmeat.

Ravva Laddu:Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha. It is believed that Ganesh Ji is fond of sweet food and thus, His birthday is celebrated with variety of sweets and other dishes. A special sweet dish called Modak and many other sweets, along with milk, is offered to idols of Lord Ganeshji at home and in temples.

Moong Dal Ka Halwa,Purna poli,Puliyodarai,Besan Ke Laddu,Kaju Ke Barfi,Karanji.These are the special dishes prepared by hindus on vinayaka chavathi.

May the Lord Ganesha bless us, on which you initiate things to lead to a success in our lives.

"Jai Bolo Ganesh Maharaj Ki Jai"

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Gnana Saraswati Temple, Basar

Goddess Of Learning,Saraswathi Devi Basara, abode to Gnana Saraswati, is a small village near Nizamabad city that comes under Adilabad district of Andhra Pradesh. Here is located the ancient temple of Gnana Sarasvati - the Goddess of Knowledge. It is believed to be one of the two oldest temples of Goddess Saraswati in India, the other being located in Kashmir. Sited at the convergence of rivers Mangira and Godavari.

Saraswati Temple appears serene and pious in the rustic setting. According to the legends, Veda Vyas did penance on the banks of Godavari. He used to bring fistful of sand daily after bath to make idols of Goddess Saraswati, Lakshmi and Kali. Since the 6th century, Basar has been a pilgrimage centre for the Hindus. However, the present structure of the temple is believed to have been erected by Chalukya kings. In the sanctum sanctorum, the idol of Goddess Sarasvati adorns the sight, along with Goddess Lakshmi. In the 17th century, the idols of the temple were reinstated by a chieftain of Nandagiri (Nandeed) subsequent to destruction caused by the Muslim invaders.

 There is nothing extraordinary about temple's architecture yet its popularity is certainly creditable. Pilgrims from far and near come to pay their homage to the 'Goddess of Wisdom'. Basant Panchami and Navaratri are the major festivals observed at the temple. 'Akshara Gnana' is a special ritual, in which devotees bring their children to the temple. The significance of the ritual lies in the fact that it marks the formal starting of child's education. The child is given little bit of turmeric paste to taste, believing that it will clear his/her vocal chords for better learning. The Goddess answers all the prayers of the committed devotees, filling their life with bliss and happiness

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భారత పురాణాలు: శివుడు చెప్పినట్లు చేద్దాం

భారత పురాణాలు: శివుడు చెప్పినట్లు చేద్దాం: శివాజ్ఞ లేనిదే చీమైనా కుట్టదంటారు. అంతటి ఆ లయకరకుడు మానవాళికి పుణ్యసంపాదన కొన్ని కొన్ని సులభ మార్గాలని ఉద్దేశించాడు. ఈ విషయాలన్నీ మహాభారతం అనుశాసనిక పర్వంలో ఉన్నాయి. ఒక రోజు పార్వతిదేవి పరమేశ్వరుడిని మానవులు ఏం చేస్తే సులభంగా పుణ్యాన్ని సంపాదించుకోవచ్చో చెప్పమని అడిగినప్పుడు శివుడు స్వయంగా ఆమెకు ఇలా వివరించాడు.

    ప్రాణాన్ని కలిగి ఉన్న ప్రతి జీవికి నీరు ఎంతో అవసరం. అలాంటి జలాన్ని దానం చేయడం ద్వార స్వర్గ సుఖం కలుగుతుంది. బంగారాన్ని దానం చేస్తే దాతకు పవిత్రత చేకూరుతుంది. గోవు ప్రత్యక్ష దైవమె. అలాంటి గోవును జ్ఞానవంతుడికి దానంమిస్తే ఆ గోవుకు ఎన్ని రోమాలు ఉన్నాయో అన్ని సంవత్సరాలపాటు దాతకు స్వర్గప్రాప్తి కలుగుతుంది. అందులో కపిల గోవుదానం ఇంకా ప్రశస్తమైనది. భూమిని దానం చేసిన వారికి భూమి ఉన్నంతకాలం స్వర్గసౌఖ్యం కలుగుతుంది. భూమి నుంచి అనేకానేక వస్తువులు ఉద్భావిస్తుంటాయి. కనుక భూమిని దానం చేసిన వారికి ఆయా వస్తువులు దానం చేసిన ఫలితం కూడా దక్కుతుంది. భూదానం వల్ల ఎన్నెన్నో పాపాలు తొలగిపోతాయి. దానాలలో కన్యాదానంవల్ల దేవతలంతా సంతోషిస్తారు. కన్యదాతకు తేజం, సంపద, కీర్తి కలుగుతాయి.

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Hyderabad-Bonalu

History of Hyderabad Bonalu

The festival’s history can be traced to as recent as the 18th century, unlike most other festivals whose ancestry can be traced back to the hoary past. The story has it that in 1813, Suriti Appaiah, a ‘doli’ bearer in a military battalion, was transferred to Ujjain. Cholera broke out in Hyderabad around that time claiming thousands of lives.

Appaiah and his associates went to the Mahankaal temple in Ujjain and prayed that if people were saved from the epidemic, they would install the idol of Mahankali in Secunderabad. On their return, they installed a wooden idol of the goddess in Secunderabad in July 1815. This was replaced with a stone statue in 1964.

Following brahminical traditions, all hoary Hindu festivals are marked by astrological precision: their timings marked in terms of the sun/moon entering certain constellations in certain months. But Bonalu is a festival of the farming and lower classes and is certainly not brahminical. So the timing of the celebrations is not so rigorous

Where and When in Hyderabad

Bonalu is celebrated in various parts of the city on different days, all Sundays. On the 1st Sunday of “Ashaada”, celebrations are held at the temple at Golconda fort. On the 2nd Sunday, at Ujjain Mahankali in Secunderabad, and the 3rd Sunday, at the Matheswari temple of Lal Darwaza in Old City.

About Bonalu

Bonalu involves the worship of Kali and her various forms. She destroys disease and keeps pestilence at arms length. Three deities Maisamma, Pochamma and Elamma, are worshipped. The performances are marked by an element of aggression. Potharaju, a masculine power, is believed to weed out all evils. During Bonalu, colourful brass pots, smeared with haldi and kumkum, and decorated with neem leaves are offered to the goddess. The pots usually contain a mixture of raw rice, jiggery, and milk. Sometimes, curd is also used. 

The Ritual of Hyderabad Bonalu

Earlier they used to sacrifice a male-buffalo. Now goats and chickens are sacrificed to ward off the ‘evil spirit’ Women carrying Bonalu are believed to possess the spirit of Mother Goddess, and when they go towards the temple, people pour water on their feet to pacify the spirit. On the first day of Bonalu, phalaram bandlu, a buffalo cart, laden with fruits is taken around (phalaru means fruits and bandlu, carts)

Rangam in Hydearabad Bonalu

Rangam, or Forecasting of the Future, Women under spell foretell the year ahead when devotees ask about the future.On the second day of the festival, a ritual known as ‘rangam’ is held. Here, a woman stands on a wet clay pot and makes predictions. This is held mostly between8.30 am and 9.30. An hour later, a procession is taken out on an elephant up to Mettuguda. Earlier, Mettuguda was the border of the city. To this day, the tradition continues.

Ghatam

Ghatam is a copper pot, decorated in the form of mother goddess. The Ghatam is carried by a priest , who wears a traditional dhoti and body with smeared in turmeric . The Ghatam is taken into procession from first day of the festival till last day, when it is immersed in water . The Ghatam in usually accompanied by drums.

Ghatam is followed after Rangam. The festival concludes with immersion of Ghatam. The ghatam of Haribowli's Akkanna Madanna Temple leads the procession, placed atop an elephant and accompanied by mounted horses and models depicting Akkanna and Madanna. It ends in the evening with a glittering procession and display followed by immersion of ghatams at Nayapul

                          

A carnival like atmosphere, where thousands of people wait along the main streets of Laldarwaza to Nayapul and watch the exquisitely and elaborately decorated Ghatams. Young men dance in a unique style to the drum beats and folk songs alongside Pothraju, dress-up in various mythological roles.

The Ghatams of the Old city procession include the Mahankali temples in Haribowli Akkanna-Madanna, Laldarwaza, Uppuguda, Miralam Mandi and Kasaratta, the Jagadamba temple of Sultanshahi, Bangaru Mysamma temple of Shalibanda, Alijah Kotla and Gowlipura, and Sultanshahi, Darbar Mysamma of Aliabad and Mutyalamma temple of Chandulal Bela.

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Gnana Saraswati Temple, Basara

Goddess Of Learning,Saraswathi Devi

Basara, abode to Gnana Saraswati, is a small village near Nizamabad city that comes under Adilabad district of Andhra Pradesh. Here is located the ancient temple of Gnana Sarasvati - the Goddess of Knowledge. It is believed to be one of the two oldest temples of Goddess Saraswati in India, the other being located in Kashmir.Sited at the on ergence of rivers Mangira and Godavari, Saraswati Temple appears serene and pious in the rustic setting.

According to the legends, Veda Vyas did penance on the banks of Godavari. He used to bring fistful of sand daily after bath to make idols of Goddess Saraswati, Lakshmi and Kali. Since the 6th century, Basar has been a pilgrimage centre for the Hindus. However, the present structure of the temple is believed to have been erected by Chalukya kings. In the sanctum sanctorum, the idol of Goddess Sarasvati adorns the sight, along with Goddess Lakshmi.

In the 17th century, the idols of the temple were reinstated by a chieftain of Nandagiri (Nandeed) subsequent to destruction caused by the Muslim invaders. There is nothing extraordinary about temple's architecture yet its popularity is certainly creditable. Pilgrims from far and near come to pay their homage to the 'Goddess of Wisdom'. Basant Panchami and Navaratri are the major festivals observed at the temple.

'Akshara Gnana' is a special ritual, in which devotees bring their children to the temple. The significance of the ritual lies in the fact that it marks the formal starting of child's education. The child is given little bit of turmeric paste to taste, believing that it will clear his/her vocal chords for better learning. The Goddess answers all the prayers of the committed devotees, filling their life with bliss and happiness

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Medaram: Largest Tribal Religious Congregation in the World

Medaram: Sammakka Sarakka Jathara 2012

వరంగల్లు జిల్లా కేంద్రము నుండి 110 కిలోమీటర్ల దూరములో తాడ్వాయి మండలములో ఉన్న మారుమూల అటవీ ప్రాంతమైన మేడారంలో దట్టమైన అడవులు, కొండ కోనల మధ్య ఈ చారిత్రాత్మకమైన ఈ జాతర జరుగుతుంది. సమస్తగిరిజనుల సమారాధ్య దేవతలు, కస్టాలను కడతేర్చే కలియుగ దైవాలుగా, ఆపదలో ఉన్నవారిని ఆదుకునే ఆపధ్భాందవులుగా, యావదాంద్ర దేశములోనే గాక అఖిల భారత దేశములోనే వనదేవతులుగా పూజలందుకుంటున్నారు మన సమ్మక్క-సారక్క.

      12వ శతాభ్దములో నేటి కరీంనగర్ జిల్లా జగిత్యాల ప్రాంతములోని 'పొలవాసను' పాలించే గిరిజన దొర మేడరాజు ఏకైక కుమార్తె సమ్మక్కను ఆయన మేనల్లుడైన మేడారం పాలకుడు పగిడిద్ద రాజుకిచ్చి వివాహము చేసారు. ఈ దంపతులకు సారలమ్మ,నాగులమ్మ, జంపన్న అనే ముగ్గురు సంతానము కలిగారు. రాజ్య విస్తరణ కాంక్షతో కాకతీయ ప్రభువు మొదటిప్రతాపరుద్రుడు పొలవాస పై దండెత్తేడు. ఆయన దాడికి తట్టుకోలేక మేడరాజు మేడారం పారిపోయి అజ్ఞాత వాసము గడుపుతుంటాడు. మేడారాన్ని పాలించే కోయరాజు 'పగిడిద్దరాజు' కాకతీయుల సామంతునిగా ఉంటూ కరువు కాటక పరిస్థితుల కారణముగా కప్పము కట్టలేకపోతాడు. కప్పం కట్టక పోవడం, మేడరాజుకు ఆశ్రయం కల్పించడం. కోయ గిరిజనులలో సార్వభౌమునికి వ్యతిరేకంగా విప్లవ భావాలు నూరిపోసి రాజ్యాధికారాన్ని ధిక్కరిస్తున్నాడనే కారణముతో పగిడిద్ద రాజుపై ఆగ్రహం చెందిన ప్రతాప రుద్రుడు అతడిని అణచి వేయడానికి తన ప్రధాన మంత్రి యుగంధరుడితో సహా మాఘ శుద్ద పౌర్ణమి రోజున మేడారం పై దండెత్తుతాడు.

        సాంప్రదాయ ఆయుధాలు ధరించి పగిడిద్ద రాజు, సమ్మక్క, సారక్క, నాగమ్మ, జంపన్న, గోవింద రాజులు వేర్వేరు ప్రాంతాల నుండి గెరిల్లా యుద్ధాన్ని ప్రారంభించి వీరోచితంగా పోరాటము చేస్తారు. కాని సుశిక్షితులైన అపార కాకతీయ సేనల ధాటికి తట్టుకోలేక మేడరాజు, పగిడిద్దరాజు, సారలమ్మ, నాగులమ్మ, గోవింద రాజులు యుద్ధములో మరణిస్తారు. పరాజయ వార్త విన్న జంపన్న అవమానాన్ని తట్టుకోలేక సంపెంగ వాగులో దూకి ఆత్మహత్యకు పాల్పడతాడు. అప్పటి నుండి సంపెంగవాగు జంపన్న వాగుగా ప్రసిద్ధి చెందినది.    

                  

       ఇక సమ్మక్క యుద్ధ భూమిలో కాకలు తీరిన కాకతీయుల సైన్యాన్ని ముప్పు తిప్పలు పెడుతుంది, వీరోచితంగా పోరాటం సాగించింది. గిరిజన మహిళ యుద్ధ నైపుణ్యానికి ప్రతాప రుద్రుడు ఆశ్చర్య చకితుడయ్యాడు. చివరికి శత్రువుల చేతిలో దెబ్బతిన్న సమ్మక్క రక్తపు ధారలతోనే యుద్ధ భూమి నుంచి నిష్క్రమించి చిలుక గుట్టవైపు వెళుతూ మార్గ మధ్యములోనే అద్రుశ్యమైనది. సమ్మక్కను వెదుక్కుంటూ వెళ్లిన అనుచరులకు ఆమె జాడ కనిపించలేదు, కాని ఆ ప్రాంతములో ఒక పుట్ట దగ్గర పసుపు, కుంకుమలు గల భరిణె లభించినది. దాన్ని సమ్మక్కగా భావించి అప్పటి నుంచి ప్రతి రెండేళ్లకు ఒకసారి మాఘ శుద్ద పౌర్ణమి రోజున సమ్మక్క జాతరను అత్యంత భక్తి శ్రద్ధలతో జరుపు కుంటున్నారు.

       జాతర మొదటి రోజున కన్నెపల్లి నుంచి సారలమ్మను గద్దెకు తీసుకువస్తారు. రెండవ రోజున చిలుకల గుట్టలో భరిణె రూపములో ఉన్న సమ్మక్కను గద్దెపై ప్రతిష్టిస్తారు. దేవతలు గద్దెలపై ప్రతిష్టించే సమయములో భక్తులు పూనకంతో ఊగి పోతారు. మూడవ రోజున అమ్మవార్లు ఇద్దరు గద్దెలపై కొలువు తీరుతారు. నాలుగవ రోజు సాయంత్రము ఆవాహన పలికి దేవతలను ఇద్దరినీ తిరిగి యద్ద స్థానానికి తరలిస్తారు. వంశ పారంపర్యముగా వస్తున్న గిరిజనులే పూజార్లు కావడం ఈ జాతర ప్రత్యేకత. తమ కోర్కెలు తీర్చమని భక్తులు అమ్మవార్లకు బంగారము(బెల్లము) నైవేద్యముగా సమర్పించుకుంటారు.

తెలంగాణా కుంభమేళా:తెలంగాణా లో జరిగే అతిపెద్ద, విశిష్ట గిరిజన జాతర మేడారం సమ్మక్క-సారలమ్మల జాతర, ఈ జాతర రెండు ఏండ్లకు ఒక సారి జరుగుతుంది, సుమారు 900 సంవత్సరాల చరిత్ర కలిగిన ఈ జాతర ను 1940 వ సంవత్సరం వరకు చిలుకల గుట్టపై గిరిజనులు మాత్రమె జరుపుకునే వారు, కాని 1940 తర్వాత తెలంగాణా ప్రజలంతా కలిసి జరుపుకుంటున్నారు,ఏటేట జనం పెరుగుతుండడంతో జాతరను కొండ కింద జరపడం ప్రారంభించారు, అమ్మవార్ల చిహ్నం గా గద్దెలు ఏర్పాటుచేయబడి ఉంటాయి, ఈ గద్దేలపైకి జాతర రోజు అమ్మవార్ల ప్రతిరూపాలుగా ఉన్న కుకుమ భారినేలను తీసుకు వస్తారు, పూర్తిగా గిరిజన సాంప్రదాయంలో జరిగే ఈ జాతర కు తెలంగాణా నుండే కాకుండా మధ్య ప్రదేశ్, చెత్తిస్ ఘడ్, మహారాష్ట్ర, ఒరిస్సా రాష్ట్రాలనుండి సుమారు కోటికి పైగా భక్త జనం వచ్చి అమ్మవార్లను దర్శించుకుంటారు.

విశిష్టతలు: ఆసియా లోనే అతిపెద్ద గిరిజన జాతరగా మేడారం జాతరను UNESCO గుర్తించింది.

         ఈ సంవత్సరం ఫాల్గుణ పౌర్ణమి రోజు(ఫిబ్రవరి 8 నుండి 12 వరకు) ప్రారంభమయ్యే జాతర నాలుగు రోజులపాటు జరుగుతుంది. 2006 నుండి రాష్ట్ర ప్రభుత్వం జాతరను అధికారికంగా నిర్వహిస్తుంది.       

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