World Smile Day

As is well known by now throughout the world Harvey Ball, a commercial artist from Worcester, Massachusetts created the smiley face in 1963. That image went on to become the most recognizable symbol of good will and good cheer on the planet.

As the years passed Harvey Ball became concerned about the over-commercialization of his symbol, and how its original meaning and intent had become lost in the constant repetition of the marketplace.  Out of that concern came his idea for World Smile Day. He thought that we, all of us, should devote one day each year to smiles and kind acts throughout the world.  The smiley face knows no politics, no geography and no religion.  Harvey’s idea was that for at least one day each year, neither should we.  He declared that the first Friday in October each year would henceforth be World Smile Day. Ever since that first World Smile Day held in 1999, it has continued every year in Smiley’s hometown of Worcester, MA and around the world.

After Harvey died in 2001, the Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation was created to honour his name and memory.  The Foundation continues as the official sponsor of World Smile Day each year.

This website was created to provide information about World Smile Day, Harvey Ball and Smiley.  Browse the archives to learn more about past World Smile Day events, Smiley and his creator – Harvey Ball.  And be sure to join the celebration this year on Friday, October 6th, and “Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile”!

Sometimes all it takes to make the day better is a smile, whether it’s one someone gives to you, or one you share with another. Little acts of kindness can bring a shining smile to someone who has otherwise had a terrible day, and it can change everything that follows. Whether it’s just a simple compliment, a cheery hello, or a gift of something small to help brighten their day, World Smile Day encourages you to take action to bring a few more smiles into the world.

It all starts with keeping your eyes and heart open to the people around you, and recognizing when someone nearby could use a momentary lift to their day. Everyone can make a difference on World Smile Day, just by being caring and compassionate and helping those around them have the best day they can have. Those who are truly ambitious can check out the World Smile Day website and look into becoming a World Smile Day ambassador. World Smile Day Ambassador’s go the extra mile in setting up events at local businesses, schools, parks, even online to help spread the simple joy of a smile to the world.

To honour the memory of a man who only wanted to see people smile, we shall all help his dream come true. Colours are directly associated with joy and happiness. Spread smiles by spreading colours. Makes beautiful card for all your loved ones, walls can be painted with a beautiful message on them that instantly makes people smile, a bunch a colourful balloons can bring on a big smile on any kids face, old age homes can be decorated with party strips that come in over hundred colours so that they have a sense of warmth and happiness just by spending some time with you all. These small little acts can put a big smile on any persons face for a very long time. This World Smile Day SREAD A SMILE 🙂

 

 

World Teachers’ Day

The United Nations’ (UN) World Teachers’ Day celebrates the role teacher’s play in providing quality education at all levels. This enables children and adults of all ages to learn to take part in and contribute to their local community and global society.

Numerous events are organized in many different countries all over the world on 5^th of October. These events include validating all those teachers or people who have helped us and the community to grow and prosper. The day may also be marked by conferences emphasising the importance of teachers and learning, extra training sessions for teachers, recruitment drives for the teaching profession among university students or other suitably qualified professionals and events to increase the profile of teachers and the role they play in the media.

International organizations such as TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) and Education International organize international, national and local events. In some areas posters are displayed and pupils and ex-pupils are encouraged to send e-cards or letters of appreciation to teachers who made a special or memorable contribution to their education.

Also trade unions or other professional organizations that represent teachers play an important role in organizing World Teachers’ Day events in many countries. These include:

• The Australian Education Union.
• The Canadian Teachers’ Federation.
• The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (Canada).
• The All India Secondary Teachers’ Federation.
• The Japan Teachers’ Union.
• The Teachers Council (New Zealand).
• The National Union of Teachers (United Kingdom).
• The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (United Kingdom).
• The National Education Association (United States).

 

This teacher’s day let us all make an effort for those who stood by our side no matter what. Let’s make their day colourful and bright. Small little gestures can make a big difference. Present them with beautiful flower and let them know that they made our lives happy and joyous just like this flower. Make them colourful little cards with beads, glitters or confetti’s and pour your heart out to them. Make an effort for just a day to reciprocate what they have been doing for us for years now.

On October 5, 1994, the first World Teachers’ Day was held. And every year since then this day has been celebrated. However, local events may be celebrated on near by dates to avoid it falling during the vacation times. In 2002, Canada Post issued a postage stamp to commemorate World Teachers’ Day.

On October 5, 1966, the Special Intergovernmental Conference on the Status of Teachers in Paris, France, was closed and representatives of UNESCO and International Labour Organization signed the “Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers”. On October 12, 1997, the 29th session of UNESCO’s General Conference was opened. During this conference, on November 11, 1997, the “Recommendation concerning the Status of Higher Education Teaching Personnel” was adopted.

World Nature Day

It’s an unarguable fact that much more than any other species in the world it’s human who has harmed nature the most. In search of “quality of life” and “modernization” we’ve often overlooked the balance of nature. Today things have worsened so much that some of our most popular cities in the world have become too polluted to live. When men realized this mistake, it started taking steps to preserve the balance that it had traditionally spoiled. World Nature Day (WND) is one such step towards preserving nature. It’s celebrated on 3rd of October every year to raise awareness towards preserving the balance of nature.

In some schools teachers and students plant trees to celebrate WND. In this era of forests being eliminated by this is perhaps the most common yet most effective way of giving back what we’ve snatched from the nature. Some organizations and NGOs try to raise public awareness about the benefits of nature on the day by taking out rallies and distributing pamphlets etc. This is also a nice way of making an impact towards preserving the nature.

World Nature Day was first celebrated by World Nature Organization (WNO), which is an Intergovernmental Organization (IGO) focused on protecting the environment.  The organization was established by emerging African countries, countries surrounding the Caribbean and countries surrounding Pacific Ocean; all of which are threatened the most by climate change. First World Nature Day was celebrated by the organization on October 3, 2010. Since then it’s being celebrated every year on the same date.

While schools and organizations celebrate WND in their own ways, you as an individual can also try to add something to the nature on this day by following these few ideas. Turn off all your light bulbs, laptops or any other sources of heat and greenhouse emission when they’re not in use. If possible, try to avoid using all of them for an hour. Save water. Instead of using buckets try using thin whole showers to take bath for avoiding water wastage. Avoid food wastage – cook as much as you need and if it still remains then feed birds or other animals with it.

 Pollution and climate change have become universal problems for almost every country in the world. Therefore, it’s critical to have such events to continuously remind people about saving the earth from such deteriorating environmental conditions.

Nature is always associated with the colour green. It symbolizes life and all of what this planet is offering us. Show your support by wearing green colour clothes and taking small little steps mentioned above. Save the planet that has provided us with our existence. Go green.

Gandhi Jayanti

 

Gandhi Jayanti is a national holiday in India celebrated on 2nd October. This day is celebrated in the honor of the birthday of the Father of the nation, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi or Bapuji.

All over the world this day is celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence as Gandhiji was the preacher of non-violence. He is a symbol of peace and truth.

Gandhiji was born on 2nd October 1869, in Porbunder, a small town in Gujarat. He studied law in U.K and practiced law in South Africa. In his autobiography “My experiments with Truth” Gandhiji described his childhood and teen age years, his marriage with Kasturba at the age of 13 and a sheer dedication for his motherland. He has set an example of simple living and high thinking.

In his honour schools have celebrations where in kids dress up as simple as he used to and perform skits and plays depicting his morals, values and lifestyle. Khaki cloth was what he always wore and promoted to be used as it was entirely made in India. Khaki as a colour has also gained significant importance over the period of time. It is a soothing nice tone that goes well with everything.

He was against the addictions like smoking, drinking and non-vegetarianism.Gandhiji was a pioneer of truth and non-violence. He started the ‘Satyagraha’ (non-violence) movement for the Indian freedom struggle. He played a very significant role in achieving independence for India from British rule. He proved to the world that freedom could be achieved through the path of total non-violence.

All the organizations throughout the country remain closed on this day. Special event is organized at Raj Ghat, New Delhi where Gandhiji was cremated. People do prayers, pay homage and sing Gandhiji’s favorite song

“Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram, Patit Pavan Sita Ram.”

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”

This Gandhi Jayanti let’s show our patriotism towards the father of the nation and slip into his shoes one step at a time. Let us all move out of our homes wearing Khaki clothes and stand up as one nation.

Dussehra

 

Many people of the Hindu faith observe Dussehra through special prayer meetings and food offerings to the gods at home or in temples throughout India. They also hold outdoor fairs (melas) and large parades with effigies of Ravana (a mythical king of ancient Sri Lanka). The effigies are burnt on bonfires in the evening. Dussehra is the culmination of the Navaratri festival.

There are many local celebrations in some areas in India that can last for up to 10 days. Local events include performances of the Ramleela (a short version of the epic Ramayana), a large festival and procession including the goddess Chamundeshwari on a throne mounted on elephants in the town of Mysore in the state of Karnataka, the blessing of household and work-related tools, such as books, computers, cooking pans and vehicles in the state of Karnataka, the preparation of special foods, including luchi (deep fried flat bread) and alur dom (deep fried spiced potato snacks), in Bengal.

Many Hindus also believe that it is lucky to start a new venture, project or journey on Dussehra. They may also exchange gifts of leaves from the Shami tree as a symbol of the story of the Pandavas brothers’ exile in the Mahabharata stories.

It is a very large-scale event with people celebrating the triumph of good over bad. Everyone gets dressed up in his or her best of ethnic clothes, women carry beautiful dupattas with different colourful embroidery or designing on them and they circle around the bonfire celebrating ravana’s defeat.

Public Life

Government offices, post offices and banks are closed in India on Dussehra. Stores and other businesses and organisations may be closed or have reduced opening hours in the spirit of happiness and marking this great event.

Background

Dussehra celebrates the Hindu god Rama’s victory over the demon king Ravana. The epic Ramayana tells the story of the Lord Rama who wins the lovely Sita for his wife, only to have her carried off by Ravana, the demon king of Lanka.

Ravana plays an important role in the Ramayana. Ravana had a sister known as Shoorpanakha. She fell in love with the brothers Rama and Lakshamana and wanted to marry one of them. Lakshamana refused to marry her and Rama could not as he was already married to Sita.

Shoorpanakha threatened to kill Sita, so that she could marry Rama. This angered Lakshamana who cut off Shoorpanakha’s nose and ears. Ravana then kidnapped Sita to avenge his sister’s injuries. Rama and Lakshamana later fought a battle to rescue Sita. The monkey god Hanuman and a huge army of monkeys helped them.

The Mahabharata is another series of Hindu stories that play a role in the Dussehra festival. The Pandavas were five brothers who fought evil forces with a set of distinctive weapons. They abandoned their weapons and went into exile for one year. They hid their weapons in a Shami tree and found them at the same place when they returned from exile. They then worshipped the tree before going to a battle, which they won. This epic is also commemorated during Dussehra.

Symbols

Symbols seen throughout the Dussehra/Vijaya Dashami celebrations include:

• Bonfires and fireworks
• Paper and wood effigies of Ravana.
• Red spots (tika) painted on people’s foreheads.

The effigies of Ravana are often burnt on the bonfires.

The entire commemoration is worth experiencing. It is a mesmerising and joyous occasion. The burning orange flame, people dressed up in their colourful, bright and attractive outfits, children running around bursting crackers that emit sparkles, a gathering of all the residents of an area and uniting against the odds as one is something that creates a thousand memories. It is a celebration with a very deeply rooted moral cause.

 

Navratri Day 9– Navmi

Siddhidatri is the ninth form of Goddess Durga. She is worshipped on the ninth day of Navaratri. Siddhidatri has supernatural healing powers. She has four arms and she is always in a blissful happy enchanting pose. She rides on the lion as her vehicle. She blesses all Gods, saints, yogis, tantrics and all devotees as a manifestation of the Mother Goddess. The color to wear on the seventh day is Purple.

Let the last day of Navratri, i.e. 9th day to play around in listed dress colors be the best as Purple symbolizes luxury and power. This color is associated with royalty too. Purple combines the calm stability of blue and the fierce energy of red. The color purple is often associated with royalty, nobility, luxury, power, and ambition. Purple also represents meanings of wealth, extravagance, creativity, wisdom, dignity, grandeur, devotion, peace, pride, mystery, independence, and magic. The color purple is a rare occurring color in nature and as a result is often seen as having sacred meaning. Lavender, orchid, lilac, and violet flowers are considered delicate and precious. The color purple has a variety of effects on the mind and body, including uplifting spirits, calming the mind and nerves, enhancing the sacred, creating feelings of spirituality, increasing nurturing tendencies and sensitivity, and encouraging imagination and creativity.

The ninth and the last day of Navratri festivities end with the worship of the ninth manifestation of the Goddess Durga, the Goddess Siddhidatri. ‘Siddhi’ means ‘achievements’ or ‘perfection’ and ‘datri’ means ‘the one who gives’. So, when her devotees with full faith revere Maa Siddhidatri, then she blesses them with powers and positive energy.

The ever victorious, Maa Siddhidatri is also known as Goddess Laxmi, hence she is the symbol of wealth, happiness and success.

In her physical appearance, Maa Siddhidatri sits on a lotus flower and rides on a lion. She has four arms. In her right upper hand, she holds chakra and in her right lower hand, a mace (gada). She holds a lotus flower in her left upper hand and a conch shell (shankh) in her left lower hand. Maa Siddhidatri is the symbol of wealth, happiness and success.
Maa Siddhidatri is the symbol of wealth, happiness and success. Siddhidatri is the ultimate form of Shakti or the ‘female goddess’ who is worshiped by all other gods. Mata Siddhidatri has achieved all the 8 siddhis and is thus half the body of Lord Shiva. According to the Markandeya Purana, the eight siddhis are: Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Ishitwa and Vashitwa. Goddess Siddhidatri governs all these siddhis and a person who prays to the Goddess on this day attains all these powers. When we see Lord Shiva in the Ardhnareshwar avatar, Mata Siddhidatri comprises half his body.

How Maa Siddhidatri is worshipped:

As India is a country with diversities, the procedure of worshipping the Goddess Durga is also varied in all parts of our country. In North India, the ninth day of Navratri is the last day of the Ramleela functions, as on this day, Lord Rama is believed to have killed demon Ravana and rescued his wife, the Goddess Sita from his confinement. On “Maha Navami”, little girls up-to 12 years of age visit their neighbor homes to have sacred food (prasad) which consists of puri, chane, halwa, coconut, banana and some money. The devotees of Goddess Durga, who observe fast during Navratri, invite nine girls to their homes to seek blessings of all nine manifestations of the Goddess Durga. Legend it is said that the Lord Shiva worshipped Maa Siddhidatri to attain half form of his body as that of the Goddess Shakti. That’s why, Lord Shiva is also known as “Ardhnareshwar”.

The Maha Mantra that is chanted to seek blessings and attain siddhis from Maa Siddhidatri is:

“Siddh Gandharv Yagyadhair Surair Marairapi, Sevyamana Sada Bhooyaat Siddhida Siddhi Dayanee”

Navratri Day 8- Ashtami

 

Maha Gauri is the eight form of Durga Maa. Maha Gauri is intelligent and calm. It is said that due to her long austerities in the deep forests of the Himalayas her color transformed from white to black. However, later when Lord Shiva cleaned her with the water of the Ganges, her body regained its beauty and she came to be known as Maha Gauri, which mean extremely white.

Let this 8th day of Navratri be playful, sweet, romantic and looking cute. It’s a color signifying universal love, so let love fill in your entire city. For all you mothers out there on 8th day with your cute and beautiful kids, it’s a day to look the best with matching outfits with your babies.

She is also the symbol of peace, calmness, beauty and love. Wearing pink is considered auspicious on Ashtami as the colour is also considered as a symbol of care, compassion and universal love. Here are a few exciting ways to wear pink this Maha Ashtami:

1) Pink lehengas and anarkali gowns are bright and beautiful and are perfect to dance the night away in. Silver embroidery looks lovely on this colour. You can also accessorize it right with simple earrings and kadas.

2) If you still haven’t worn a sari this Navratri, then Ashtami is just the right time to wear one. A pink sari has the power to brighten your day. You can get all decked up in a pink kanjeevaram sari. You can also tie your hair into a bun and adorn it with gajras. Golden jhumkas and kadas are a nice touch to this look

3) Hot pink is a difficult colour to manage. The rule is to keep it simple and classy. And that is exactly what you are going to do. A full sleeves, bright pink colour salwar kameez. A matching dupatta, red lips and only eyeliner can work wonders for you.

 

She is described to be pristine white in colour and very beautiful. Due to her fair complexion Goddess Maha Gauri is compared with the conch, the moon and the white flower of Kunda. She is depicted wearing white coloured clothes only because of that Devi Maha Gauri is also known as Shwetambardhara.

Just like Goddess Shailaputri, this avatar of Maa Shakti is also depicted mounting a bull, because of which she is also known as Vrisharudha. Devi Maha Gauri is shown having four hands. She carries Trishul in one right hand and keeps the second right hand in Abhaya Mudra. She adorns Damaru (tambourine) in the one left hand and keeps the second left hand in Varada Mudra to give divine blessings to her devotees.

According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Maha Gauri has the power to fulfill all the desires of her devotees. Individuals who worship the Maa Maha Gauri are believed to get rid of all the sufferings in life. She is also believed to govern the planet Rahu, hence people must pray to her to get relief from bad effects of the said celestial body described in Hindu mythology. Devotees must offer night-blooming jasmine to Devi Maha Gauri and chant this mantra:

ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः॥

Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah.

Navratri Day 7 –Saptami

 

This is the seventh form of Mother Durga and is worshipped on the seventh day of Navaratri. She has a dark complexion, disheveled hair and a fearlessness posture. A necklace flashing lightning adorns her neck. She has three eyes that shine bright and terrible flames emanate from her breath. She is black like Goddess Kali and holds a sparkling sword in her right hand battle all evil. The color to wear on the seventh day is Blue.

Starting your 7th day of Navratri with a Royal blue color outfit can make you feel superior as it is said significantly about that color. This color of Navratri 2017 in Mumbai will sure bring out best of denim outfits, casual wears among youths in colloge premise and some bright beautiful dresses be seen on railway platforms and offices by pround working womans of Mumbai city. Royal blue can be a bright or a dark shade for this 7th day.

A royal blue color outfit makes you feel good. Apart from being the common color of casual wear among youths in colleges, people also wear this color on the festive days.

The 7th day of Navaratri is dedicated to Maa Kalratri, the 7th Avtar of Maa Durga. Here, Kaal means time and death and Kaalratri means the One who is the Death of Kaal. Maa Kalratri destroys ignorance and brings light into the dark. Well, this form also depicts the dark side – the super power that creates havoc and removes all things bad and dirty. But to Her devotees, She brings calmness and courage.

Maa Kaalratri has dark complexion. Donkey is Her mount, She has bountiful hair and four hands. One of the two left hands holds a cleaver and the other holds a torch, and the right two hands are in “giving” and “protecting” mudras. She has three eyes emanate rays like lightning and Her necklace is shining like thunder. When She inhales and exhales air, flames appear through Her nostrils. Ganesha advises you to wear Blue, Read and White colour on this day.

Maa teaches us that sorrow, pain, decay, destruction and death are unavoidable and cannot be ignored. These are the truths of life and denying them is futile. We must accept their presence and significance to realise the fullness of our being and our potential.

Chant this mantra to worship Maa Kaalratri…

वाम पादोल्ल सल्लोहलता कण्टक भूषणा |
वर्धन मूर्ध ध्वजा कृष्णा कालरात्रि भर्यङ्करी ||

Vāma pādōlla sallōhalatā kaṇṭaka bhūṣaṇā | vardhana mūrdha dhvajā kr̥ṣṇā kālarātri bharyaṅkarī ||

Navratri is a special occasion. A time for new beginnings and offering your dedication and reverence to the Goddess Shakti. This Navratri, bring home and institute a beautiful, divine symbol of the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi herself by spreading love and dedication amongst all.

 

Navratri Day 6- Shashti

 

The sixth form of Mother Durga is known as ‘Katyayani‘. She has three eyes and four hands and is worshipped on the six day of Navaratri. The legend behind her name goes thus: Once upon a time, there was a great sage called Kata, who had a son named Katya. Kata was very famous and renowned in the lineage of saints. He underwent long austerities and penance in order to receive the grace of the Mother Goddess. He wished to have a daughter in the form of a goddess. According to his wish and desire the Mother Goddess granted his request. Katyayani was born to Kata as an avatar of Durga. The color to wear on the sixth day is Red.

A beautiful long red color dress on a graceful persona catches many eyes. Red is color of 6th day of Navratri and it also signifies power, danger, and brightness. It is also said that it affects human respiratory rate and blood pressure. So girls do take care of those curious eyes whose blood pressure goes high in no time looking at you. The gorgeous Ghagra choli in red colour paired up with beautiful accessories in golden make the perfect look for this day.

The sixth day of Navratra is dedicated to Mata Katyayani, the sixth form of Durga. Katyayani was born to Sage Katya of the Katya clan, and hence her name reiterates that same fact. The epitome of love and anger, the idols of Katyayani are portrayed as ones with four arms and three eyes, and mounted on a lion.

 

Here’s a mantra dedicated to Goddess Katyayani:

कात्यायनि महामाये महायोगिन्यधीश्वरि । नन्द गोपसुतं देविपतिं मे कुरु ते नमः ॥

Katyayani Mahamaye Mahayoginyadheeshwari

Nandgopsutam Devipatim Me Kuru Te Namah

 

Benefits of Katyayani Mantra:

If your marriage is getting delayed, this mantra will remove all the hurdles, Manglik Dosha from your horoscope. Married couples too can chant this mantra for blissful married life and to have a child soon. Couples that are in love but are yet to get their parents’ consent for marriage can also chant Katyayani Mantra.

This year the Sixth Day of Navratri is on 2nd of April. Though there are five Navratras that fall in a year out of which Sharad Navratri festival and Chaitra Navratri festival are the most popular ones amongst the household people.

The Navratri festival holds utmost importance and significance in Hinduism, as this nine-day festival is like the nine colours of Navratri depicting all the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga.

During this period, the thrust is on the Navratri Puja so that it can be commemorated with great zeal and enthusiasm, thus experiencing the nine colours of the glory of Goddess Durga.

The 6th day of Navratri exemplifies Maa Katyayani and the Hindu Mythology envisages that, Devi Katyayani bestows her grace and blessings on married women who worship and express their deep reverence towards the Goddess. The act of piety and devotion towards Goddess Katyayani embodies an element of an ancient tradition that embarked from Gokul in Braja. It is surmised that during this venerable period, with the onset of the winters, Gopis in Gokul used to observe fast in the first month of winters to effectuate their yearn of getting married to Lord Krishna. And this is the primal reason that the sixth day of Navratri festival has been contemplated to be consequential and pronounced for those women or girls who have treaded into the age of marriage and thus it is a devout to the worship of Katyayani Mata.

Navratri Day 5 – Panchmi

The fifth aspect of the Mother Durga is known as ‘Skanda Mata’ – the mother of Skanda or Lord Kartikeya, who was chosen by gods as their commander in chief in the war against the demons. She is worshipped on the fifth day of Navaratri. The Lord Skanda in his infant form accompanies her. The color to wear on the fifth day is white.

White is associated with the color of perfection, purity and peace. Wearing a white color dress or saree on day 5 as on list of Navratri color will sure give a feel of peace and harmony with a joyful day seeing white outfit varieties all around in groups, be it inside local trains or office. Energy level on this day will be soothing and high all around.

On the fifth day, Maa Skandamata will be worshipped. Maa Skandamata symbolizes the mother form of Goddess Durga and is benevolent and kind. Praying to her the devotees earn blessings in two-fold as the Lord Skanda or God Kartikeya is also worshipped since he is sitting in his mother’s lap.

Goddess Skandamata is four-armed and rides a lion-like Goddess Durga. She carries a lotus in one of her hand, a water-bearer or a bell in another, one of her hands is always depicted in a blessing gesture extended towards her devotees and in her fourth hand, she holds Lord Skanda or Murugan who is seated on her lap. She is depicted as a fair complexioned goddess seated on a lotus for which she is also called Goddess Padmasana.

Goddess Skandamata awards salvation, power, prosperity, and treasures to her devotees. She also provides wisdom to her devotees who worship her. The devotee who worships her attains all achievements and success in their life and bears a pure heart. Goddess Skandamata should be worshipped with a pure heart devoid of worldly bondage and utmost devotion; the Goddess blesses the person who does this.

According to legends, the birth of God Skanda can be found in the Skanda Puran. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati’s energies combined into a divine form when they were meditating. Lord Indra came to know about this and instructed Lord Agni to steal this divine energy as it was foretold that the child born out of the energies of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati will kill the demon Tarakasur.

When Goddess Parvati found what Lord Agni had done she cursed him to be all-burner who would not know the difference between right and wrong and will scorch anyone who touches him and will forever be surrounded by black smoke. Shiva’s son Kartikeya takes birth from the six Kritikas (Mother) and not Goddess Parvati. Lord Kartikeya was named thus because he was born and reared by the Kritikas. However, Goddess Parvati took him back from Kritika Lok and accepts him as her son making her a great mother and setting an example in front of the world. Goddess Parvati took Lord Kartikeya back to Mount Kailasha riding a lion in the form of Goddess Skandamata and blesses him to fight against the demon Tarakasur.

Day 5 of the Navratri is entirely dedicated to her. Her aura of peace and harmony makes white the colour of this day. One can wear simple elegant outfits in white colour and jazz the entire look up with heavy accessories. Steel look jewelry look best with the white colour.

Navratri Day 4– Chaturthi

Kushmanda is the fourth form of the mother goddess and is worshipped on the fourth day of Navaratri. The meaning of the name ‘Ku-shm-anda’ is as follows: ‘Ku’ = a little; ‘ushma’ = ‘warmth’; ‘anda’ = ‘the cosmic egg’. So she is considered the creator of the universe. The universe was no more than a void full of darkness, until her light spreads in all directions like rays from the sun. Often she is depicted as having eight or ten hands. She holds weapons, glitter, rosary, etc., in her hands, and she rides a lion. holding kalash, chakra, gada, kamandal, rosary, lotus, bow and arrow. Devotees worship her for good health, prosperity and strength. She is also known as Ashtabhuja. The color to wear on the fourth day is Orange. The fourth day is dedicated to the goddess ‘Kushmanda’, the creator of the entire Universe.

A tip, Orange goes great with black and a double color top with a denim will look awesome without any accessories on day 4th of Navratri. Yet every color radiates some energy and is associated with some kind of emotions. Orange color represents creativity and enthusiasm and is one best color for attraction in crowd. It is associated with joy, sunshine, and the tropics. Orange represents enthusiasm, fascination, happiness, creativity, determination, attraction, success, encouragement, and stimulation.

Sunday marks the fourth day of Navratri when devotees worship the Goddess as Kushmanda. She is believed to be the Goddess who created the universe with her smile. Kushmanda is an eight-armed figurine

Different regions of the country have different ways of worshiping the Goddess and performing the rituals. Here, we talk about the traditions:

How to worship Kushmanda Devi: Devotees offer green cardamom, pumpkin and fennel seeds. Red bangles, red clothes and red flowers are also offered to Kushmanda devi. Chant “Ya Devi sarvabhooteshu maa kushmanda rupen sansthita, namastasyayi namastasyayi namastasyayi namo namah”. Devotees also recite the Durga Saptashati after offering the puja

Best time for the pooja: The best time for puja on Sunday is from 7am to 11:20am. However, since the chaturtha tithi is the entire day, devotees can offer puja at any time.

Mythological story around Kushmanda: It is believed that there was darkness everywhere when the universe did not exist. Devi Kushmanda smiled and the light of her smile created the universe. Kushmanda Devi resides at the core of the Sun and she provides energy to the Sun. She rides a lion.

What to eat and wear: Green is Devi’s favourite colour, so devotees should eat green-coloured food and wear green clothes.

 

Navratri Day 3- Tritya

The third facet of Goddess Durga is ‘Chandraghanta’, who is worshipped on the third day of Navaratri, for peace, tranquility and prosperity in life. She has a ‘chandra’ or half moon in her forehead in the shape of a ‘ghanta’ or bell. That is why she is called ‘Chandraghanta’. She is charming, has a golden bright complexion and rides a lion. She has ten hands, three eyes and holds weapons in her hands. She is the apostle of bravery and possesses great strength to fight in the battle against demons. The color to wear on the third day is Grey.

It is a cool and balanced color and goes best with other color shades in dresses. With major portion of dress be Grey and less of other combination that looks best, balance your accessories, shoes etc. with this moody color. You can also try shouting out with some dark accessories or silver wear on Day 3 of Navratri.

Maa Chandraghanta is worshipped. She is the bestowal of peace and serenity. She showers Supreme bliss and knowledge on her devotees.

She is the third form of ‘Maa Durga’ whom we worship throughout the nine days of Navratri. Maa Chandraghanta carries an aural serenity.

Maa Chandraghanta got her name so because she has a ‘Chandra’ – a moon on her forehead which appears as a ‘ghanta’ – a bell. The sound of the bell wards off evil spirits from her devotees.

One can invoke Maa with this mantra –

या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ चंद्रघंटा रूपेण संस्थिता।

नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:।।
पिंडजप्रवरारुढ़ा चन्दकोपास्त्रकैर्युता !
प्रसादं तनुते मह्यं चन्द्रघंटेति विश्रुता !!

It means, I join hands in front of the supreme Goddess and adore the goddess with a bell shaped mark of moon on her forehead and I ask for the forgiveness for all the bad deeds I have done in my life.

Maa has a body of gold and she rides on a lion. She has ten hands, out of which eight carries weapons to destroy the evil and wrongdoer while two are in a position of giving blessings and stopping harm.

She is always ready to help her devotees, to kill the evils troubling them and bless them with peaceful life.

With a crescent moon on her forehead, elegant garb and weapons in her hands she gives appearance of a strong female with composed countenance.

She establishes justice and gives her devotees the courage and strength to fight challenges.

The rituals to be followed on the third day of Navratri to worship ‘Maa Chandraghanta’ are to be followed diligently. One should first worship all the Gods, Goddesses and Planets in the ‘Kalash’ and then offer prayer to Lord Ganesha and Kartikeya and Goddess Saraswati, Lakshmi, Vijaya, Jaya – the family members of Goddess Durga.

Navratri Day 2- Dwitya

 

The second day is the day of Bharmacharini. She is the second form of Mother Goddess. Bharmacharini means one who practices devout austerity. The name is derivative of the word ‘Brahma’, which means ‘Tapa’ or penance. She enlightens us in the magnificent embodiment of Durga with great powers and divine grace. She holds a rosary in her right hand and a water utensil in her left hand. She is blissful and endows happiness, peace, prosperity and grace upon all devotees who worship her.

Filled with bliss and happiness, she is the way to emancipation – Moksha. The color to wear on the second day is Green. The goddess Bharmacharini is also worshiped as the unmarried form of the Goddess Pavrati.

The day 2 of Navratri will give a feeling of Eco-Friendliness with light and dark shades of Green color this year. Green is the color of life. It is a spectacular colour that represents so many different emotions. It makes you feel connected to mother Earth as it is the colour of the nature, it relaxes and soothes you, it also represents renewal, nature, and energy, is associated with meanings of growth, harmony, freshness, safety, fertility, and environment. Green is also traditionally associated with money and finances.

Men and women have lots of choice wearing green color traditional dresses. Women are also seen wearing brightly colored Chanya Choli, Lahenga Choli or Ghagra choli. They also add Odhini with bandhani (tie-die), Abhla (big mirrors) or with thick Gujarati borders or simply a beautiful top with denim jeans. Women also wear heavy jewelry, such as necklaces, sparkling bangles, and waist belts and long oxidized earrings. Boys and men wear kafni pyjamas with a Ghagra – a short round kurta – above the knees and pagadi (turban) on the head with bandhani dupatta, kada (men’s bracelet), and mojiris (traditional shoes).

The colour to wear on this day of Navratri is green as she undertook great penance to get Lord Shiva to marry her; she is associated with pious strictness.

 

Navratri Day 1- Pratipada /Ghatasthapana

The first day is the day of Shailaputri Devi. Shailaputri literally means the daughter (putri) of the mountains (shaila). Variously known as Sati Bhavani, Parvati or Hemavati, the daughter of Hemavana – the king of the Himalayas, she is the first among Navadurgas. Her worship takes place on the first day of Navratri – the nine divine nights. The embodiment of the power of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, she rides a bull and carries a trident and a lotus in her two hands. The color to wear on the first day is Yellow.

 

The colour yellow is believed to be a colour of the planet sun and is dedicated to Maa Shailputri. This festival is celebrated on a very grand scale in all of Gujarat. Different regions adopt this festival in their own different ways and enjoy it to the fullest. The entire event is very joyous and colourful. People dance around in circles, wearing colourful clothes. Yellow also represents energy and happiness and is believed to be an appropriate shade to start the festival with. Opt for a beautiful bright yellow sari or lehenga and style it with silver or gold jewelry.

 

The Sharadiya Navratri begins on September 21 and ends on September 29 this year. It is that time of the year when devotees joyfully make preparations for Maa Durga’s arrival.

The Navratri puja and celebrations begin with Ghatasthapana, also known as Kalash Sthapana. Ghatasthapana is a ritual that symbolizes feminine power.

 

It is assembled using a number of Puja items that are symbolic and holy. Here’s how it is put together:

A shallow pan like utensil with a wide mouth made of clay is often used as the base. Three layers of each of mud and seeds of Sapta Dhanya / Navadhanya (seven or nine different grains) are scattered in the pan. Sprinkle water so that the seeds get enough moisture to thrive and germinate.

 

A Kalash (made of brass/copper or silver) smaller than the mouth of the claypan is filled with Ganga Jal or normal clean water. A few currency coins, supari, Akshat (Raw rice mixed with turmeric powder) and Durva grass are put in the water. Then five leaves of the mango tree are placed around the neck of the Kalash. And finally, placing a coconut with its fiber protruding upward covers the neck of the Kalash. Some people put raw rice, coins, dried turmeric fruit and kumkum in the Kalash instead of water.

This Kalash is then kept right in the middle of the pan with the mud and Navadhanya.

Then a Haldi-kumkum tika is put on the Kalash.

You can even cover the Kalash with a fresh piece of coloured cloth and put a small garland around it.

Once the Ghata is prepared, place it in your Puja room on a wooden platform. Then you need to invoke Goddess Durga in the Kalash and thus invite her to your home to accept your offerings and prayers.

After invoking the Goddess (which is similar to Prana Pratishthan), you need to perform the Panchopachara Puja wherein you would be required to greet her with chandan, flowers, incense, an oil lamp and fruits or Prasad.

Where the sky and the sea meet.

If you just go and sit by the sea for an entire day, you will experience more colours than what you’ve seen in your entire lifetime. The horizon makes a fine mark between the sea and the sky, diving the canvas in two halves.

From when the sun begins to rise in the east till when it finally sets in the west, you can see nothing but vast expanses of gloriously spread colours. The sky and the sea are seen as the lovers dying to feel each other.

The chemistry, warmth, love and passion between the two entities can be seen in the form of the different shades that you witness on any casual day by the beach. Now imagine all of these colours making your life exhilarated, jubilant and ecstatic.

One wall starting with a subtle tone of blue that calms you down, flowing into deeper shades as you move and finally transforms into a warm orange that comforts you, which further goes on becoming red that fills you up with the passion. It appears like a beautiful wave of colours that you find yourself immersed in.

These colours make you feel in so many different ways and take you with them on a journey to the land of serene beauty. Where the sea and the sky meet, is where the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow lies

Anant Chaturdashi

 

 

The Hindu festival Ganesh Chaturthi begins on August 25 and ends on September 5 after ten days, as per the Hindu Luni-Solar calendar. The festival is celebrated in the honour of the elephant-God, Ganesha’s birthday. Ganpati, the younger son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati is known by 108 different names. On Anant Chaturdashi, devotees who bought idols of Ganesha to their homes amidst huge celebrations finally part ways with him by immersing him in water bodies, which is marked as a send off back to his parents. Special prayers and delicacies are made in honor of the festival. Generally, people bid adieu to the samuhik or public idols after ten days of celebrations.

Anant Chaturdashi in 2017 is on Tuesday, the 5th of September. Anant Chaturdashi is performed on the fourteenth day (Chaturdashi) of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapad.

Anant Chaturdashi has two main significances. The first is that on this day is that it is the day of the immersion of Ganpati (also called Ganapati Visarjan). On this day, the festival of Ganpati comes to an end; the installed murtis of Lord Ganpati are taken to a lake, river or a sea in great processions to be immersed in the waters. Thus Lord Ganesha is departed, only to be welcomed the next year with equal excitement in the next year.

The second reason for Anant Chaturdashi is that on this day people recite and listen to the stories and legends of God Vishnu who is Anant, the infinite and recite hymns from the Vedas. This is sometimes also called Ananta Vrat.

The celebration is the most extravagant affair one has ever seen. People from all over the world come to India to witness it. People move slowly in processions dancing to the crazy beats of dhols, they carry the idols in huge trucks that are beautifully decorated with flowers of all colours, all the members of one procession are colour coordinated so as to avoid getting lost in the sea of devotees, they all play with powder colours by applying them on each other and throwing it in the air. The quirky music, the carefree dancing, the vivid colours and so much more make the festival what it is. It brings out the spiritual side out of us, yet does not leave the fun element.

Anant Chaturdashi is considered an awe-inspiring festival around many parts in India and is seen celebrated by a mix cultural audience. In order to experience diversity at it’s best, this occasion is a must on the checklist.

Teacher’s Day

 

In India Teacher’s Day is celebrated on 5th of September as a tribute to the contributions made by the teachers towards the community. Since 1962 the day commemorates the birthday of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakhrishnan, a great teacher and a staunch believer of education, known for his contribution towards the education system of India. According to Dr. Radhakhrishnan, “teachers should be the best minds in the country”.

What you grow up to be is entirely dependent on the person who raises you. A teacher can be your parents who teach you the right morals, a teacher can be your relatives who support you and are there for you at all times, a teacher can be your friend who helped you through your difficult time and a teacher is also obviously the one who guided you during those tough schooling years. That is why in India we dedicate an entire day to value, cherish and be grateful to all those amazing teachers who helped us become who we are today

The birthday of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakhrishnan came to be celebrated as Teachers Day when some of his students requested him to allow them to celebrate his birthday ‘5th September’. Dr. Radhakhrishnan said, “instead of celebrating my birthday separately, it would be my proud privilege if September 5 is observed as Teachers’ day”. Since then 5th September is observed as Teachers Day throughout India. On this day we honor our beloved teachers who for their selfless effort towards shaping the carriers of their students and elevating the education system of India as a whole.

Most schools have elaborate functions and ceremonies to validate the gurus. These ceremonies include extravagant performances such as classical dances and dramas wherein the kids get all dressed up in beautiful and colourful costumes in respect of the teachers, they exchange pretty hand made cards with colours and their creativity bursting out of them followed by a treat consisting of all the mouth watering dishes one can think of, laid out on the table like a piece of art with the perfect look and colour scheme which is extremely hard to resist.

On 5^th September this year let us acknowledge all those wonderful beings that have been the lantern that showed us the path through out dark times and express how we feel about them. Because teachers are those who take a HAND, open a MIND and touch a HEART.

Onam

 

Onam is an annual Hindu festival with origins in the state of Kerala in India. It falls in the Malayalam Calendar month of Chingam, which in Gregorian calendar overlaps with August–September. Onam is an ancient festival of Kerala and is also one of the important and eagerly awaited festivals of the state where its traditional aspects unravel in the fullest measure. Apart from being the harvest festival, ushering in a mood of celebration, it commemorates the golden reign of King Mahabali, the benevolent king of the Keralites.

Onam is a major annual event for Malayali people in and outside Kerala. The farmers to mark their prosperous summer harvests initially celebrated this festival. It includes Vallam Kali (boat races), Pulikali (tiger dances), Pookkalam (flower arrangement), Onathappan (worship), Onam Kali, Tug of War, Thumbi Thullal (women’s dance), Kummati kali (mask dance), Onathallu (martial arts), Onavillu (music), Kazhchakkula (plantain offerings), Onapottan (costumes), Atthachamayam (folk songs and dance), and other celebrations. It is the New Year day for Malayali Hindus.

Flower markets in the city gear up to embrace this occasion. The streets are filled with vibrant coloured flower and it looks like the prettiest canvas. People are dressed up in their marvelous clothes, taking activeparticipation in all the ceremonies.

Onam is the official state festival of Kerala with public holidays that start four days from Onam Eve (Uthradom). It is celebrated by Malayali diaspora around the world. Though a Hindu festival, non-Hindu communities of Kerala participate in Onam celebrations considering it as a cultural festival. However, some non-Hindus in Kerala denounce its celebration as a cultural event because they consider it as a religious festival.

The entire city is decorated with beautiful flowers and festive ornaments. Everywhere you look people are jolly and enjoying this festival to it’s best. The city has all the shades that we dreamt of having in our colour pallet as kids. It is an affair to remember, a remarkable event that one must definitely attend at least once in their lifetime.

Eid al-Adha

 

 

Roughly 14.2% of the Indian population consists of Islamic followers and they hold the second largest share. As compassionate citizens, it is our duty to value and respect all the festivals and cultures. In the light of this thought we pay our attention to the biggest Islamic festival Bakra Eid. This year the celebration begins in the evening of 1^st September and goes on till the evening of the next day.

Eid al-Adha also called the “Sacrifice Feast” is the second of two Muslim holidays celebrated worldwide each year. It honors the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismaeel, as an act of obedience to God’s command. Before he sacrificed his son, God intervened by sending his angel, who then put a ram in his son’s place. In commemoration of this, an animal is sacrificed and divided into three parts: the family retains one third of the share; another third is given to relatives, friends and neighbors; and the remaining third is given to the poor and needy.

In the Islamic lunar calendar, Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah. In the international calendar, the dates vary from year to year drifting approximately 11 days earlier each year.

We are all so caught up and busy with our personal affairs that we forget to acknowledge this paramount festival of our fellow residents. This Eid instead of considering it a yet another public holiday, let us all participate in all the rituals, the prayers and the ceremonies, dress up in the finest clothing to perform the Eid prayer with everyone in the mosque, relish the amazing feasts prepared especially for today, be nice to everyone and feed those who are in utmost need of it.

There are colours everywhere you look. Men dressed in their cleanest white clothes displaying purity, women wearing their beautiful dresses with sequences and embroideries showing what’s best in trend and kids running around in their fancy little outfits having the time of their life. The most prominent colour that is seen everywhere is Green. The mosques freshly painted, tapestries hanging around, the beautiful decorations pinned up on each and every wall, all portraying all most a hundred different shades of green. This festival depicts the colours of life and nature at it’s best.

Let’s celebrate Eid like everyone else, share the feelings of brotherhood, be kind and helpful to everyone and most importantly spread the love that all of us deserve equally.

Eid Mubarak!

Ganesh Chaturthi

 

Lord Ganesha’s birthday falls every year during the months of August or September depending upon the luni-solar calendar. Ganesha is celebrated as the god of good beginnings, prosperity and obstacle remover.

His birthday is observed throughout India as a public or private event according to individual preference. The festival is marked with installation of Ganesha clay idols privately in homes, or publicly on elaborate pandals. Observations include chanting of Vedic hymns and Hindu texts prayers and vrata. Offerings and Prasad from the daily prayers that are distributed from the pandal to the community, include sweets such as modak that are believed to be a favorite of the elephant-headed deity.

The festival ends on the tenth day after start, wherein the idol is carried in a public procession with music and group chanting, then immersed in nearby water body such as a river, pond or ocean, thereafter the clay idol dissolves and Ganesha is believed to return to Mount Kailasha to his parents Parvati and Shiva.

This occasion brings out the atmosphere of festive and joy throughout the entire city. Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most beautiful festivals experienced. It is the festival of good food, dancing, singing and most importantly colours.

If you just lift your head up, you’ll find bright colours all around you. The majestic idols painted in the most perfect colour combinations, the pandals made with the vibrant coloured fabrics, people wearing flamboyant traditional clothes, decorations with eye-catching beads, emeralds and pennons. All of this makes the festival what it is.

Even during the final immersion people throw powder colour at each other and in the sky making the affair so blissful. The entire experience is something that one will remember for the rest of their life. A lot of tourists from all over the world come to India to escapade this festival.

Ganesh Chaturthi lasts for eleven days and each day is a different than the other. In a lot of places, fun filled activities are planned in order to entertain the kids and to get the adults involved. Over all it is a full time of dance, music, entertainment and tradition. It is a devotional approach that makes the city look smaller by bringing everyone closer.

INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY

INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY

 

In today’s fast moving world we are so caught up with your own lives, we don’t appreciate the beautiful and amazing things happening around us. We follow routines like robots. We get up, prepare to go to work, spend our entire day doing things we have no interest in, get back home all tired and simply dose off. Take one day out of your busy and hectic life and just observe. This morning when you get up don’t just rush with your morning coffee or tea, stand by the window and look at replicas of you running around the street all helter skelter. As you head towards your office don’t bury your head in the laptop or mobile, have a conversation with the person driving you or any stranger who is boarding the same train as you, get to know their story. Their story might just amaze you. At office don’t just work for the sake to deadlines, try enjoying what you are doing. With a little effort absolutely anything can be made interesting. Finally at the end of this day get yourself to sit on your dining table and eat food, don’t slouch on the couch and watch your daily TV show. Have dinner with your family, ask them how their day was and laugh over old fond memories. Compare your monotonous days to this day and tell me if it wasn’t fun. I understand you can’t do this every single day, but just a few happy Tuesdays can make your week go by so much smoother. Your youthfulness can’t be defined by your age. The United Nations declared 12 August to be celebrated as International Youth Day.  This day was originally meant to cherish the progeny of the nation. However this year, all of us together will bring a twist in it. If you walk by Marine drive on any casual Sunday, you’ll always find a group of old people sitting and just laughing, chatting up on old days. A person walking their dog, playing with it like they have absolutely no responsibility that they have to deal with once they get home. A group of friends just chilling and having tea. Not every day can be a Sunday, but some elements can definitely be included in your routine and made far less nerve wrecking. Just listening to the word “YOUTH”, gets you all nostalgic thinking of your good old days and regret all that you miss. But if you regret wasting time, you are simply wasting more time. It is time you bought some changes instead of just thinking about it. You can feel the vibrancy, the zeal and the enthusiasm rush through your body all over again. Don’t just sit at home, go out to the movies, hold hands in the park, watch the sunset and paint the town red. Everyone has a kid somewhere hidden inside him or her; you just need to find yours. Don’t spend only 12^th of August doing what you love, dedicate your entire life to it and you will not age a day over thirteen. This 12^th of August unleash the toddler in you and let it roam in the wilderness because you only get one chance at life, live it your best. Youthfulness is about how you life your life, not when you were born. Make every day count. Happy International Youth day.

 Stay youthful with the colours of life. #Truecoloursoflife #snowcempaints.com

Maha Shivratri

Maha Shivaratri for the year 2018 is celebrated/ observed on Wednesday, February 13. Maha Shivaratri is a festival also known as Great Night of Shiva and Shivaratri celebrating the Lord Shiva.

Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honour of the god Shiva. There is a Shivaratri in every luni-solar month of the Hindu calendar, on the month’s 13th night/14th day, but once a year in late winter (February/March, or Phalguna) and before the arrival of spring, marks Maha Shivaratri which means “the Great Night of Shiva.”

It is a major festival in Hinduism, but one that is solemn and marks a remembrance of “overcoming darkness and ignorance” in life and the world. It is observed by remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, doing Yoga, and meditating on ethics and virtues such as self-restraint, honesty, no injury to others, forgiveness, and the discovery of Shiva. The ardent devotees keep awake all night. Others visit one of the Shiva temples or go on pilgrimage to Jyotirlingams. This is an ancient Hindu festival whose origin date is unknown.

The major Jyotirlinga Shiva temples of India, such as in Varanasi and Somnatha, are particularly frequented on Maha Shivaratri. They serve also as sites for fairs and special events.

The Isha Yoga Center near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu is frequented during the festival. Around 600,000 to 800,000 devotees participate in the all-night festival conducted by Sadhguru, and visit the 112-foot Adiyogi Shiva statue at the center.

The Mandi fair is in the town of Mandi is particularly famous as a venue for Maha Shivaratri celebrations. It transforms the town as devotees pour in. It is believed that all gods and goddesses of the area, said to number more than 200, assemble here on the day of Maha Shivaratri. Mandi, located on the banks of Beas, is popularly known as the “Cathedral of Temples” and one of the oldest towns of Himachal Pradesh, with about 81 temples of different Gods and Goddesses on its periphery.

Maha Shivaratri is the most important festival in Kashmir Shaivism, found in north Himalayan region of the Indian subcontinent. It is celebrated as the anniversary of the marriage of Shiva and Parvati.

Central India has a large number of Shiva followers. The Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain is one of the most venerated shrines consecrated to Shiva where a large congregation of devotees gathers to offer prayers on the day of Maha Shivaratri. Tilwara Ghat in the city of Jabalpur and the Math Temple in the village of Jeonara, Seoni are two other places where the festival is celebrated with much religious fervour.

In Gujarat mahashivratri mela is held at Junagadh where bathing in the Damodar Kunda is considered holy. According to myth Lord Shiva himself comes to bath in the Damodar Kunda.

Maha Shivaratri is celebrated widely in the temples all over Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.

Lord Shiva is known to have swallowed poison, which he held in his throat that in turn turned him blue. Maha Shivratri is often linked to the colour blue. The colour blue symbolizes the vast sea and sky, and is associated with feelings such as depth, stability, wisdom, loyalty, truth, faith etc.

 

Republic Day

Republic Day honors the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January 1950 replacing the Government of India Act (1935) as the governing document of India.

The Constitution was adopted by the Indian Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949, and came into effect on 26 January 1950 with a democratic government system, completing the country’s transition towards becoming an independent republic. 26 January was chosen as the Republic day because it was on this day in 1930 when Declaration of Indian Independence (Purna Swaraj) was proclaimed by the Indian National Congress as opposed to the Dominion status offered by British Regime.

Much effort is put towards organizing events and celebrations that occur on Republic Day in India. Large military parades are held in New Delhi and the state capitals. Representatives of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force and traditional dance troupes take part in the parades.

A grand parade is held in New Delhi and the event starts with India’s prime minister laying a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate, to remember soldiers who sacrificed their lives for their country. India’s president takes the military salute during the parade in New Delhi while state governors take the military salutes in state capitals. A foreign head of state is the president’s chief guest on Republic Day.

Awards and medals of bravery are given to the people from the armed forces and also to civilians. Helicopters from the armed forces then fly past the parade area showering rose petals on the audience. School children also participate in the parade by dancing and singing patriotic songs. Armed Forces personnel also showcase motorcycle rides. The parade concludes with a “fly past” by the Indian Air Force, which involves fighter planes of flying past the dais, symbolically saluting the president. These leave trails of smoke in the colors of the Indian flag.

There are many national and local cultural programs focusing on the history and culture of India. Children have a special place in these programs. Many children receive gifts of sweets or small toys. A prime minister’s rally also takes place around this time of the year, as well as the Lok Tarang – National Folk Dance Festival, which occurs annually from January 24-29.

Every institution or organization such as buildings, schools, offices, hospitals etc host flags in their respective premises. All the participants put up entertaining and patriotic performances and speeches. They all dress up in the colours of the flag including white, saffron, green and blue, spend time together and share snacks. This day brings out many emotions and unites everyone as residents of this beautiful country India.

 

Vasant Panchami

Vasant Panchami, also spelled Basant Panchami, is a Hindu spring festival. It is observed on the fifth day of the Indian traditional calendar month of Magha, which typically falls in the Gregorian months of January or February.

The festival is celebrated in various ways depending on the region. Many revere goddess Saraswati, the Hindu deity of learning, arts and music. She is celebrated with visits to her temples, by playing music, as well as the day when parents sit down with their children, initiate them into writing letters of alphabet or study together.

Others mark it as the festival of god Kama, the Hindu deity of love, by remembering the loved one particularly one’s spouse or special friend, celebrating it with spring flowers. Its link with the god of love and its traditions have led some scholars to call it “a Hindu form of Valentine’s Day”. Others wear yellow clothes and eat yellow rice to emulate the yellow mustard (sarson) flower fields, or play by flying kites.

The Vasant Panchami also marks the start of preparation for Holika bonfire and Holi, which occurs forty days later.

According to a popular belief, goddess Saraswati – the deity of knowledge, music, arts, science and technology – was born on this day and people worship her to achieve wisdom. According to the Hindu Mythology, Lord Brahma created the universe on this day. This festival is celebrated in north India with full glee and delight.

As per another Basant Panchami story, God Rama ate half tasted grapes of Mata Shabari on Basant Panchami. To commemorate the beliefs, the festival of Basant Panchami is celebrated. The day of Basant Panchami is considered as the beginning of life. This day is the day of arrival of happiness. The season of spring is the season of rebirth and renewal. In this season, fields of yellow mustard charm everyone’s heart. Therefore, it is also considered auspicious by many to wear yellow on Basant Panchami.

The color yellow is the predominant color associated with the festival, the origins of which are supposed to be the fields of mustard, which can be seen in Punjab and Haryana during this period. Kite flying is also commonly associated with this festival. Children as well as adults fly kites on this day to celebrate freedom and enjoyment. ‘Yellow’ is the dominant color of this festival as it signifies the ripening of fruits and crops. The mustard fields in North India blooms during this season giving a yellow coat to nature. People wear yellow clothes, offer yellow flowers to Goddess and put a yellow, turmeric tilak on their forehead. They visit temples and offer prayers to various gods. New clothes are purchased for this festival and many delicious dishes prepared for this particular occasion.

Another tradition associated with this day is that of initiating studies in the young. Young children often begin learning on this day, which is believed to be the reason why the school sessions start in the month of March. Sweets with a yellow hue are also distributed on this day and people can also be seen donating books and other literary material to the poor.

Swami Vivekananda Jayanti

Swami Vivekananda was an Indian Hindu monk. He was a key figure in the introduction of the Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the western world. The 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda (12 January 2013) was celebrated all over India and in different countries of the world. Year-long events and programs were organized by different branches of Ramakrishna Math, Ramakrishna Mission, central government and different state governments of India, education institutions, youth groups etc. Bengali film director Tutu (Utpal) Sinha made a film The Light: Swami Vivekananda as a tribute to Swami Vivekananda on his 150th birth anniversary. The movie was released on 23 August 2013.

 

Swami Vivekananda was always seen wearing orange and white colour clothing. Orange symbolizes emotions such as warmth, joy, enthusiasm and happiness and white is a statement for peace. He was associated with the youthful and young energy and the colour of his clothes reflected the same.

 

The Government of India in the year, 1984 decided to celebrate the birthday of great Swami Vivekananda i.e. 12th January as a National Youth Day every year. As the Government of India had quoted and realized that ‘ the philosophy of Swamiji and the ideals for which he lived and worked could be a great source of inspiration for the Indian Youth.’

The National Youth Day is observed all over India at schools and colleges, with processions, speeches, recitations, music, youth conventions, seminars, Yogasanas, presentations, competitions in essay-writing, recitations and sports on 12 January every year.

Swami Vivekananda’s lectures and writings, deriving their inspiration from Indian spiritual tradition and the broad outlook of his Master Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa, are the source of inspiration and have motivated numerous youth organizations, study circles and service projects involving the youth.

Last year i.e. the 155th Birthday Tithi Puja of Swami Vivekananda was celebrated in the Temple of the Ramakrishna Mission, New Delhi, on Thursday, the 19th January 2017.

The day started with Sehnai recital at 4.30 a.m. when the gates of the temple were opened for devotees. At 5.00 a.m. with the blowing of the conch shell, the mangalarati started. After the Aarti was over, Vedic chanting was done by monastics of the Order.

Br. Madhurachaitanyaji did the Special Puja under the guidance of Swami Amritapurnanandaji. Swami Swasamvedyanandaji Maharaj simultaneously did Chandipath and a few devotional songs were rendered on Swamiji when puja started. Afterwards khichuri prasad was distributed to people and about 100 persons including monastics, volunteers and devotees took prasad sitting in the dining hall.

Every year Swami Vivekananda Jayanti or the National Youth Day is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm. The celebrated events are a perfect blend of spiritual and fun filled activities. And it is always looked forward to as it was in the honour of a very great man who still resides in all of our hearts.

Pongal

Pongal is a harvest festival dedicated to the Sun. It is a four-day festival, which according to the Tamil calendar is usually celebrated from 14 January to 17 January. This day coincides with [Makara Sankranti] which is celebrated throughout India, Nepal and Bangladesh.

 

Pongal is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Tamil people in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, the Indian Union Territory of Pondicherry, and the country of Sri Lanka, as well as Tamils worldwide, including those in Malaysia, Mauritius, South Africa, the United States, Singapore, Canada, Myanmar (Burma) and the UK. Thai Pongal corresponds to Makara Sankranti, the harvest festival celebrated throughout India.

 

Many cultural events in Chennai and the rest of Tamil Nadu are held during Pongal such as Chennai Book Fair and Lit for Life. From 1916 to 1952, annual cricket matches between Indians and Europeans called Madras Presidency Matches were held during Pongal.

Pongal is the happiest festival for farmers. They all celebrate their crop and harvest by gathering and performing their traditional rituals. They dress up in their colourful outfits. The colours seen all over the place marks this festival. The beautiful outfits, the mesmerizing decorations, the ritual goods etc are just examples.

The entire festival is stretched over four days.

Bhogi

The day preceding Pongal is called Bhogi. On this day people discard old belongings and celebrate new possessions. The people assemble at dawn in Tamil Nadu to light a bonfire in order to burn the discards. Houses are cleaned, painted and decorated to give a festive look. The horns of oxen and buffaloes are painted in villages. In Tamil Nadu farmers keep medicinal herb (neem, avram, sankranti) in northeast corner of each fields, to prevent crops from diseases and pests. This day is celebrated in Punjab as Lohri and in Assam as Magh Bihu.

 

Thai Pongal

On the second day of Pongal, the puja or act of ceremonial worship is performed when rice is boiled in milk outdoors in an earthenware pot and is then symbolically offered to the sun-god along with other oblations. All people wear traditional dress and markings, and their is an interesting ritual where husband and wife dispose off elegant ritual utensils specially used for the puja.

 

Maatu Pongal

Maatu Pongal is celebrated the day after Thai Pongal. Tamils regard cattle as sources of wealth for providing dairy products, fertilizer, and labor for plowing and transportation. On Maatu Pongal, cattle are recognized and afforded affectionately. Features of the day include games such as the popular Jallikattu, known as the taming of bulls.

 

Kaanum Pongal

The Fourth day is known as Knau or Kannum Pongal day. On this day, a turmeric leaf is washed and is then placed on the ground. On this leaf are placed, the left overs of sweet Pongal and Venn Pongal, ordinary rice as well as rice colored red and yellow, betel leaves, betel nuts, two pieces of sugarcane, turmeric leaves, and plantains. In Tamil Nadu women perform this ritual before bathing in the morning.

Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti refers both to a specific solar day in the Hindu calendar and a Hindu festival in reference to deity Surya (sun) that is observed in January every year. It marks the first day of sun’s transit into the Makara (Capricorn), marking the end of the month with the winter solstice and the start of longer days.

 

Makar Sankranti is one of the few ancient Hindu festivals that have been observed according to solar cycles, while most festivals are set by the lunar cycle of the lunisolar Hindu calendar. Being a festival that celebrates the solar cycle, it is a very colourful and bright festival. Everyone dresses up in gorgeous ethnic clothing, elders make special desserts, kids run around with their kites, fighting about who is capable of flying it the highest.

 

Makar Sankranti is observed with social festivities such as colorful decorations, rural children going house to house, singing and asking for treats, melas (fairs), dances, kite flying, bonfires and feasts. Many go to sacred rivers or lakes and bathe with thanksgiving to the sun. Every twelve years, the Hindus observe Makar Sankranti with one of the world’s largest mass pilgrimage, with an estimated 40 to 100 million people attending the event. At this event, they say a prayer to the sun and bathe at the Prayaga confluence of the River Ganga and River Yamuna at the Kumbh Mela, a tradition attributed to Adi Shankara.

 

In Maharashtra on Makar Sankranti day people exchange multicoloured halwa and til-gul laadoo (sweetmeats made from sesame seeds and jaggery). Puran poli  (a kind of a sweet bread) and some gram flour, which has been toasted to golden in pure ghee, are offered for lunch. While exchanging til-gul as tokens of goodwill people greet each other with the words “til-gul ghyaa, aani goad-goad bolaa” meaning ‘Accept this til-gul (sweet) and utter sweet words’. The underlying thought in the exchange of til-gul is to forget the past ill feelings and hostilities and resolve to speak sweetly and remain friends.

 

Makar Sankranti is all about prayers, sweets, and kites. Festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated with great zest in all parts of India. On the day of Makar Sankranti, The sun starts its journey to the Northern Hemisphere. Speaking from astrological perspective, the sun enters Makar rashi (Capricorn, the sunsign). Devotees take dips in the holy water and offer prayers to the sun.

Makar Sankranti is a blissful festival celebrated by Hindus. All enthusiasts step out of their houses and enjoy flying kites. Colourful kites fill the sky on the auspicious day of Sankranti. The significance of Makar Sankranti is greater in Maharashtra. People send greeting cards to their friends and relatives. Offering prayers to various deities starts today. People visit temples to bow their heads in front of supreme power.

CHAKRAS AND THEIR RELATION WITH COLOURS

The human body consists of 7 principal chakras which are the centers through which energy flows. They lie across seven different points on the spinal cord and are connected to different glands and organs in the body. Each chakra has its own governing colour that corresponds to the order of the colours of the rainbow. Each chakra is a centre of energy that expands to the surface of the body, thus connecting to the aura. Let’s find how each chakra and their respective colours play a role in our lives.

The Crown chakra is denoted by the colours Violet or White – The Divine

The Crown Chakra is found at the crown of the head and is represented by the colours Violet or White. This gives us access to higher states of consciousness as we open to what is beyond our personal preoccupations and visions. This colour and chakra is associated with the universal, connection with spirituality, consciousness. Use this energy to clean your being of negative and blocked energy.

The Third Eye Chakra is denoted by the Colour Indigo – Intuition

The third eye chakra is the center of intuition and foresightedness. It’s located on the forehead, between the eyebrows, It connects us to our spiritual self, also enables us to see the larger picture by imagining things and relating them to each other effectively by sharing essential ideas. It is represented by colour Indigo, which is a very spiritual color that promotes a feeling of being wise and spiritually developed. Use this energy to connect with yourself, and contemplate on the people and the situations in your life.

The Throat Chakra is denoted by the Colour Blue – Communication

The throat chakra is related to the element of sound. It is represented by the colour blue and is located at the center of the neck at the level of the throat. It is very crucial in the body and is associated with the human being’s ability to listen attentively and also to communicate with other people. The colour symbolizes self expression, expression of truth, creative expression, communication, perfect form and patterns. Use this energy to invigorate your true individuality, will power and your power to convert dreams into realities.

The Heart Chakra is denoted by the Colour Green – Love

The Heart Chakra adds colour to our life by adding compassion, love, and beauty. It acts as a center of integration of earthly matters and higher aspirations. It is located in the center of your chest and is represented by the colour Green which brings to mind thoughts and feelings of compassion, kindness and love and can make you feel healthy, alert and empathetic. Use this energy to encourage both self- love and trust, to be forgiving.

The Solar Plexus Chakra is denoted by the Colour Yellow – The Intellect

The Solar Plexus Chakra is represented by the colour of the sun, Yellow. It’s located just about three inches below the navel, at the center of your lower belly. This chakra is characterized by the expression of will, personal power, and mental abilities. Yellow represents mental courage, self-determination and strength. Use this colour energy to develop your aptitude to make right decisions and trust yourself.

The Sacral chakra is denoted by the Colour Orange – The Emotions

The Sacral chakra is represented by the colour Orange, which is the colour of creativity. It is located bellow the navel and promotes a feeling of warmth and security. The sacral chakra is the center of our feelings and sensations that is particularly active in our sexuality and the expression of our sensual and sexual desires. Use this colour energy for help in guidance as regards desire, and express your creativity and life force.

The Root Chakra is denoted by the Colour Red – The seat of Kundalini Power

The Root Chakra is said to be the densest of all the other chakras. It is the colour of life and the most powerful chakra. It’s represented by the colour red which represents passion fire and danger. It’s located at the base of the spine, connecting the spine and the suprarenal glands. The root chakra promotes the need for stability, safety and security. Use this colour energy to overcome your fear of the future and death.

Diwali

This festival is celebrated in the Hindu month of Kartika, which falls sometime during October or November. It is celebrated to mark the return of Lord Rama from 14 years of Exile and his victory over the Demon Ravana. In many parts of India, Diwali is celebrated for five consecutive days and is one of the most popular festivals in India.  Hindus regard it as a celebration of life and use the occasion to strengthen family and relationships. In some parts of India, it marks the beginning of the New Year. It is celebrated not only in India but also abroad. The Hindus worship the Lord Ganesha and Goddess Laxmi during Diwali.

One of the most significant festivals in Indian culture, Diwali, the festival of lights, sees millions attend firework displays, prayers and celebratory events across the world every autumn.

Hindus, Sikhs and Jains for a variety of reasons celebrate the festival, although the main theme, which runs throughout, is the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.

To celebrate, houses are decorated with candles and colourful lights and huge firework displays are held while families feast and share gifts.

Diwali is the five-day festival of lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world. The festival, which coincides with the Hindu New Year, celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. The actual day of Diwali is traditionally celebrated on the festival’s third day, which this year falls on Thursday, October 23. The festival usually falls between the middle of October and the middle of November, although this is decided upon by the Hindu lunar calendar. While each faith has its own reason to celebrate the festival, one of the most popular stories told is the legend of Lord Rama and his wife Sita returning to their kingdom in northern India from exile after defeating the demon king Ravanna in the 15th century BC.

On the first day of Diwali, people consider it auspicious to spring clean the home and shop for gold or kitchen utensils.

On the second day, people decorate their homes with clay lamps and create design patterns called rangoli on the floor using colored powders or sand.

The third day is the main day of the festival when families gather together for Lakshmi puja, a prayer to Goddess Lakshmi followed by mouth-watering feasts and firework festivities.

The fourth day is the first day of the new year when friends and relatives visit with gifts and best wishes for the season.

On the last day of Diwali, brothers visit their married sisters who welcome them with love and a lavish meal.

This is one of the biggest and most auspicious festivals celebrated by Hindus. The entire festival is strongly marked by the presence of colours everywhere.

Starting from beautifully decorating the homes with pretty and colourful flowers to making designs outside of homes with powder colours. From wearing beautiful outfits depicting their tradition to giving gifts wrapped in packing papers with attractive designs and shades. It is a joyous and heartfelt celebration that one participates in with all excitement and love.

 

Dhanteras

The first day of Deepawali is called Dhanvantari Triodasi or Dhanwantari Triodasi. It is al also known as Dhan Theras. Dhan means “wealth” and Trayodashi means “13th day”. In popular practice it is an auspicious day for shopping of utensils and gold. This year it will be celebrated on 17.10.2017.
In deeper terms, on this day Lord Vishnu’s un-manifest energy flows through Shri Laxami Devi’s Surya nadi (the right channel of the Kundalini) and the channel is activated. Thus the rays generated during the day are full of the ‘Tej tatva’ or the fire element. These ‘Tej’ rays spread all over the Universe and the whole Universe is illuminated by shiny golden particles.

Goddess Laxami’s chaitanya present in these golden particles provides opulence, prosperity and creates an environment conducive for spiritual practice. Hence on this day Goddess Laxmi is worshipped with utmost devotion. Because of the ritualistic worship with spiritual emotion, the Lord and controller of wealth – Kuber enters the earth’s environment and in this process Lord Ganesha removes the hindrances in way.

Thus by worshiping the coupled Divine energy of Goddess Laxami- the creator of wealth, Lord Kuber- the distributer of wealth and Lord Ganesha – the remover of obstacles in way, devotees are blessed with ability to attract wealth and thus fulfilling their desires.

This day has much significance. Many legends, beliefs and rituals are associated with celebration of this day.

Some among this are:

Buying Valuables. In a trance-like state, yamraj sat on top of the heap and spent the whole night listening to the melodious songs, thus missing his deadline and sparing the prince’s life. For this reason, this is considered an auspicious time to buy jewelry.

As per beliefs to appease lord Yamraj and to safeguard once family against sudden calamities or death like situations the oil filled diyas are kept burning throughout the night at main entrance and in southern corner of the house. This ritual is popularly known as Yamdeepdaan.

 

People celebrate this festival with great joy and happiness. They dress up in fancy ethnic clothes in bright colours such as yellow orange and red as a sign of wealth and prosperity. All the gold shops are lined up with customers excited o get their coins and jewelry as a sign of blessing.

Dhanteras is also an occasion to worship an incarnation of Vishnu – Lord Dhanwantari, the deity of health and the spirit of knowledge, as good health is first and foremost for everybody.

As per legend, Once Lord Indra was cursed by sage Durvasa that “The pride of wealth has entered his head and let Lakshmi leave him.” Lord Vishnu advised the devtas to churn the sea of milk.

Further when the sea is churned, Lakshmi who has disappeared will appear again and her grace will be bestowed on devtas. For churning the same, Mandara Mountain became the churning rod and Vasuki, the king of the serpents, became a rope. Lord Vishnu took the form of a tortoise and hoisted Mandara Mountain on his back and the churning started.

During churning in the midst of the waves of the sea of milk, a goddess with heavenly looks came into view.

The gods and demons continued to churn the ocean for Amrit or nectar, Finally Dhanavantri emerged carrying a jar of the nectar. Thus the churning of the ocean resulted in the immortality of the Devtas and was the reason for Lakshmi’s emergence.

 

CELEBRATING THE WORLD OF COLOURS

We, consciously or unconsciously, associate colours with almost everything we do or relate to. It plays so much in the choices we make. Whether it is choosing the food you want to eat or the clothes you want to wear, colours have huge influence in our decision making.

All the more, there is so much meaning and symbolism attached to colours that speak volumes even in void of words. Consider this, for most of us ‘red’ would mean romance or communism but not peace, and ‘black’, death and sophistication but not life; we presume things to be or not just with one glance!

Fascinatingly, most of the times colours also reflect our personality and thoughts. What makes a particular community wear black? Or why do the priests wear white? Indeed, the significance that colours carry is enormous.

It’s not the big inventions that changes minds, but small realizations that impact the world around you. Though colours add life to our universe and echoes the marvel of creation, most of the times we have failed to appreciate the value of its perpetual presence around us.

With being more than just a sight for the eye,if we can capture the heart of this reality, don’t you think the way we perceive things and the way we communicate would have so much more depth? Now, wouldn’t that be a life to die for?

And so this season, let the light that penetrates the thickest of darkness expand your consciousness; let the virtues of you or lifepaint your relationships with love and forgiveness.