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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Edakkal Caves-Kerala, India

Edakkal Caves Situated on Ambukuthi hills, the caves are 10 kms from Sultanbathery, in Wayanad district. F. Fawcett, the then Superintendent of Police, who was also a pre-history enthusiast, accidentally discovered the caves in 1894. Archaelogists consider the caves as one of the earliest centres of human habitation.

The local legend says that the caves were formed by arrows fired by Lava and Kusha, the sons of Lord Rama. A few locals also believe that Lord Rama killed Surpanakha (sister of Ravana), in the narrow gap at the end of Edakkal cave.

Another local legend associates the caves with Kutti Chatan (the little devil of Malabar) with the goddess Mudiampilli. The locals believe that the Goddess killed the demon in the cave by splitting the hill and even today they perform an annual pilgrimage to the peak of the hill to perform a puja (ritual offering) in her honor

Edakkal Caves Formed by a large split in a huge rock, the two natural rock formations represent the world's richest pictographic gallery of its kind. The caves contain several paintings and pictorial writings of the New Stone-Age Civilization which speaks volumes of the bygone life and civilization.

Edakkal caves are located at a height of 1000 m on Ambukutty Mala near Ambalavayal. The New Stone Age pictorial writings on the walls of these natural caves at Edakkal are evidence of the civilisation that existed in these regions in prehistoric times. The caves can be accessed only by a 1 km trekking trail from Edakkal. Morning hours are the best time to visit the caves.

‘Edakkal’ means ‘a stone in between’ which actually depicts the composition of this historical tourist spot which is a cave formed as a result of the gap in a huge rock formation. This rock has 2 layers and can be entered inside through a narrow passage which is sort of steep enough to raise your adrenalin flow.Is this the only rock with a specific shape? Or character? Am I trying to say this rock has got life? How a historical wonder in the middle of thick rain forests about 1200 meters above sea level claims interest? Why can’t we take a break from the myth.En-route to heaven Nearly a kilometer of trekking, down the rocky aisles could take you to the entrance of the historical caves. You don’t feel like taking chances by trekking with no trekking shoes on? No bother at all, get inside a jeep parked nearby avidly awaiting for someone and now it’s your turn to cruise your way towards Edakkal caves.

Edakkal caves, located at around 1200 meters above sea level in Wayanad district of Kerala, the green paradise and home to all spices.You would never know till you visit Guess what? You have just reached the main entrance; you may still have to climb a few more steps-believe it or not, it’s not the right place for hip-hop or hard core punk steps- to the historical caves with extra ordinary works of wall carvings of people, fox, deer, dogs, elephants etc. Various archeologists who visited and studied this site have written that, it was not just one culture but an array of cultures has been born here. It’s an incredible view to see a mystifying combination of infinite number of lines taking different forms and figures depending on the intensity of light flashing through the caves.

Many thousands of tourists visit Wayanad a year, but none of them misses Edakkal caves. Providing a bird’s eye view of the southern states of India including Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, Edakkal caves at Wayanad is a feast for the nature lovers.

Get a Grip man Sounds annoying, yeah? Oops, didn’t mean it that way exactly. You should get well gripped foot wears while visiting Wayanad.Edakkal caves can be slippery in every sense during rainy seasons.

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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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Hindu Adhyathmikam: Was Taj Mahal a Hindu Temple? - YES !!!

Hindu Adhyathmikam: Was Taj Mahal a Hindu Temple? - YES !!!

The Taj Mahal is as much a Islamic structure as is mathematics a muslim discovery! The famous historian Shri P.N. Oak has proven that Taj Mahal is actually Tejo Mahalaya - a shiv temple-palace. His work was published in 1965 in the book, Taj Mahal - The True Story. However, we have not heard much about it because it was banned by the corrupt and power crazed Congress government of Bharat who did not want to alienate their precious vote bank-the muslims.

After reading Shri Oak's work which provides more than adequate evidence to prove that Taj Mahal is indeed Tejo Mahalaya, one has to wonder if the government of Bharat has been full of traitors for the past 50 years! Because to ban such a book which states only the truth is surely a crime against our great nation of Bharat.

20 major evidences of Tejo Mahalaya....

1) Name (Tejo Mahalaya - Taj Mahal)

2) Temple tredition around Taj mahal

3) Documentary evidence

4) European Visitor's Accounts

5) Sanskrit Inscriptions on the walls of Mahal

6) Missing elephants

7) Koranic patches

8) Carbon 14 test by archeologists

9) Vedic architectural Evidence in and around mahal.

10) Inconsistencies

11) Treasury well inside of Mahal

12) Mumtaj Burial Date unknown

13) Baseless Love stories

14) Cost

15) Period of construction

16) Records doesn't exist

17) The Hindu dome

18) Tomb is the grave, not the building

19) Pre-Shahjahan References to the Taj

20) Forged documents

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The Khairatabad Ganapati Deva in Hyderabad

One of the Tallest Ganapathi Deva in India

The Khairatabad Ganapati Deva in Hyderabad is one of the tallest Ganesha idols made in India during Ganesh Chaturthi festival.This festival is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada, starting on the shukla chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon).This year 2012, Ganesh Ustav starts on 19-09-2012.

The Khairathabad Ganesh Utsava Committee founded in 1954 by Late Mr.s.Sankarayya.He is a freedom fighter.Since then every year it is developing by the committee mambers,now the 58th years of the ganesh celebrations will be start on 19th September 2012 and ends on 29th September 2012

Three months prior to the Ganesh Chathurthi, the construction of the idol begins. Nearly 200 workers lead by an sculpturist works day and night for three months to construct the biggest idol, nearly 55 feet height.The Idol of ganesha locates at a major junction of Khairathabad.This Khairatabad circle is one of the  busiest circle in the city.The roads leading from the junction are towards and from Somajiguda, Ameerpet, Hussain sagar, Lakdi-ka-pul, and Anandnagar. One such extension of Khairatabad circle is the Raj Bhavan Road, where the residence of the Governor of Andhra Pradesh is located.

Below Image is final Design of Ganesh Vigraha 2012

Getting There

Khairtabad is connected by MMTS Hyderabad, a local train service. Buses are run by the state-owned APSRTC, and is well connected to all parts of Hyderabad

khairathabad Ganesh Utsava Committee

S.Sudarshan +91-939-135-8555 (Founder & Organiser)

S.Raj Kumar +91-98666 61588 (Organiser)

Sandeep Raj +91-939-180-1299 (Joint Secretary)

E-Mail: ganapathideva@gmail.com

Image curtesy www.ganapathideva.org

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Ghost Town in India-Bhangarh

a popular tourist spot for Ghost Lovers

Located between Jaipur and Alwar in Rajasthan, Bhangarh is India's very own ghost town. Known as one of the most haunted places in the country, it is famous for its historical ruins. It is definitely worth a visit for its temples, havelis and a palace. However, be sure to finish all your sightseeing during the day as the spooky place is strictly out of bounds at night.

A signboard displayed by ASI, a Government of India organization clearly states Entering the borders of Bhangarh before sunrise and after sunset is strictly prohibited. Legal action would be taken against anybody who does not follow these instructions. All this talk about the supernatural has resulted in making it one of the popular tourist destinations today.

Such is the town's reputation that even the Archeological Survey of India doesn't have an office here though government rules state that every historical site must have an office of the ASI. The nearest one is a kilometre away — enough distance between officials and the spooks

According to one legend, the beauty and charisma of the Princess of Bhangarh Ratnavati, was incomparable to anyone in all of Rajasthan. As soon as she turned eighteen, she started getting matrimonial offers from other regions. In the same region lived a tantrik, a magician well versed in the occult, named Singhia. He was madly in love with the princess knowing that nothing could ever come of it. One day when he saw the princess' maid in the market buying scented oil for her, he thought that this was his chance. He used his black magic on the oil which would hypnotize the princess by her merely touching the oil and would surrender herself and run to him.

His plan did not work out as the princess had seen the tantric enchanting the oil and thus poured it on the ground. It touched a stone, which started rolling towards the tantrik and crushed him. Dying, Singhia cursed the palace with the death of all who dwelt in it, without any rebirth in their destinies. The next year there was a battle between Bhangarh and Ajabgarh in which Princess Ratnavati lost her life.

Even the Mahabharatha is said to talk of the Pandavas staying here while in exile. Yogiraj Hiranath, a sage during the reign of Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur, corroborates the fact that Bhangarh did have a princess called Rani Ratnawati who was adept in the art of wizardry.

The grounds of Bhangarh are enclosed by a partially ruined wall. The beautifully carved temples Gopinath, Shiva, Mangla Devi and Keshava Rai are definitely worth a visit. There's also the dancer's haveli. The most mysterious building of all is the chhatri that stands atop the hill, which is believed to have been inhabited by the tantrik.

a walk to the palace through the remains of what once used to be a bustling town is a fragrant affair with the aroma of kevda wafting in from a nearby grove. Bhangarh was also a well-laid out town and could serve as an excellent model for present-day town planners.

Each shop along the route still has a vacant space for an idol. But what is strange is that there are no roofs on the houses, shops and even the palace. Locals say that whenever a house is built in the vicinity, its roof collapses! And in the village closest to Bhangarh, people have made roofs over their heads — but only those made of straw!

The town continues to draw visitors many of whom claim to have heard sounds of music and tinkling of anklets. Some even swear they have heard spine-chilling screams. Whether its fact or myth, you decide.

GETTING THERE

BY ROAD : Bhangarh is a 47-km drive from the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar, Rajasthan. From Delhi, visitors need to first get to Alwar, which is about 150 km away, and then drive 34 km to Sariska. There are no luxury buses on the route, so the best option is a taxi

BY RAIL : Shatabdi runs from Delhi to Alwar every morning. From there, visitors can take a taxi upto Sariska

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Ananthagiri Hills-Ranga Reddy

Ananthagiri hills is located 6kms from Vikarabad. This is one of the big forest area in Rangareddy district. There is a Vishnu temple in this forest area which is called Ananta Padmanabha Swami Temple. Temple will be flooded with pilgrims during the weekends. The temple will be open through out the day.

Forest guest house is 1 km from Ananta Padmanabha Swami Temple. There is practically not much to see or do, but if u are nature freak and want to be away from the clatter of city crowd you can chill out here.

This trip can be for a day visit or if u are in a group try to plan for a week end so you can stay in the forest guest house over the night and enjoy time and nature

Ananta Padma Nabha swami temple

Ananta Padma Nabha swami temple is located at a distance of 5kms from Vikarabad. The deity in this temple is that of Ananta padma nabha swami (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu). According to the sthala purana Markadeya swami (a devotee of Siva) did penance for nearly 1400 years for the Darshan of Lord Vishnu. Then Lord Vishnu appeared to him as Ananta Padmanabha Swami in ShaliGraha form, this is in a cave.Even now piligrims need to have a darshan of the Lord by going inside a small cave..Temple will be flooded with pilgrims during the weekends. The temple will be open through out the day.

There is a special darshan called "Nija roopa darshan" (only the idol of god with out any decoration) from morning 5:00 a.m to afternoon 2:00 p.m.Temple closes at 8:00 p.m.

The temple is surrounded by forest. From the temple there are some steps which lead to 2-3 small temples and there is also a very old Pushkarini (small water pond, from where the water is used for Temple).Along the walk we can also see a lot of ruined close to dilapidated structures.There are many small caves which are carved out of the hillock, may be devotees used to stay in these earlier.

This is an ideal place for trekking and forest walking. Temple offers hotel rooms at a cost of 200 per day. There is a Forest guesthouse close to the temple on the way to Vikarabad. This is bang on the Main road and on a small hillock, giving a panoramic view of the forest.

This place there is practically not much to see or do, but if u are nature freak and want to be away from the clatter of city crowd u can chill out here.

This trip can for for a day visit or if u are in a group try to plan for a week end so u can stay in the forest guest house over the night and enjoy time and nature

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