Shivratri: Hindus take holy dip in Ganga

          Varanasi/New Delhi: Hindu devotees took bath in the holy Ganga river in Varanasi on the occasion of Maha Shivratri on Sunday. Maha Shivratri marks the marriage anniversary of Lord Shiva with Parvati. "People take a dip in the holy water of the river on this holy day, to wash off their sins and attain bliss," said Shubhankar Chakravarty, a devotee. Amidst chanting of hymns, the "Shiv Lingam" or the phallic symbol of Lord Shiva, which is usually made of stone or metal, is worshipped by washing it with milk, curd, ghee (clarified butter) and honey or rose water. Hindus celebrate Shivratri by making offerings of flowers, sweets and incense at temples.

          In capital New Delhi, people queued up since early hours in the morning to offer prayers in temples. Lord Shiva forms part of the trinity of gods, along with Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu, in the Hindu mythology. While Lord Brahma is the god of creation and Lord Vishnu the god of preservation, Lord Shiva is the god of destruction. Maha Shivratri occurs on the 14th night of the new moon during the dark half of the month of Phalguna (between months of February and March). On a moonless night at this time every year, occurs the night of Shiva. This is the night when he is said to have performed the Tandava or the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction. Devotees of Shiva fast during the day and maintain a long vigil during the night.

          There is a legend behind Shiva's phallic form. It is believed that once Brahma and Vishnu were having an argument as to who was supreme. Brahma declared himself to be the Creator of all and thus more revered. Vishnu claimed that since he was the Protector, he commanded more respect. At that moment a huge lingam ablaze with flames appeared from nowhere. Both the gods were so overwhelmed by its constantly increasing size, that they forgot their quarrel and decided to determine its size. Vishnu took the form of a boar and went to the netherworld while Brahma in the form of a swan ascended to the skies. Neither could ascertain the size. Just then, Shiva appeared out of the lingam and proclaimed that he was the progenitor of both of them. He was the Creator, Preserver and the Destroyer. He demanded that thereafter he be worshipped in his phallic form, the lingam.

         On the day of Shivratri, the lingam is bathed with the five sacred offerings of a cow, called panchagavya. Thereafter, the five foods of immortality - milk, clarified butter, curd, honey and sugar - are placed before the lingam. Dhatura and jati, though poisonous fruits, are believed to be sacred to Shiva and thus offered at his temple. Eleven is considered to be the sacred number of the Lord. Special celebrationa are held at important Shiva temples at Chidambaram, Kalahasi Khajuraho and Varanasi. Feb 26, 2006

Art of Living: Silver jubilee held in Bangalore
by KG Vasuki

          Bangalore: The silver jubilee of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art of Living Foundation will be held here at the Jakkur Airfield on the outskirts of the city for three days from February 17. A mega stage has been erected at the Jakkur airfield and more than two million people from about 140 countries are expected to participate in the event. "The idea was instead of going for regular plastic kind of flashy show we want to represent India in some way so that is how the whole concept came in. The stage is basically around 500 odd feet by 250 feet and it starts from 6 feet level and goes to 40 feet level at the rear. It is going to accommodate 3500 musicians and 500 swamijis. There are around 40 mandapas also," said Uday from Khore's design Centre, Bangalore. According to Guru Shri Shri Ravi Shankar, the Art of Living has evoked natural response of love in the agonized world and would continue to do his best to bring peace everywhere. This event will bring people together as one world family and he would continue to work to bring a rapprochement between two warring communities at Ayodhya. This event also coincides with his birthday. "Time has not impacted me. I am just saying the same truth whatever I have been saying twenty five years ago and I'll continue to say...be natural, be compassionate and see the whole world as your family. It is up to the people to call it a cult or religion, that is their freedom but to me it is the essence of spirituality, the essence of life...to live life happily for oneself...to be useful for the society," said Shri Shri Ravi Shankar. "I 'll always emphasise on non-violence and peace...that is my nature and I'll continue to bring communities and people together. That effort will continue," said Shri Shri Ravi Shankar. People from diverse cultures, background, countries and continents have already started arriving at his ashram at the outskirts of Bangalore to take part in this mega event. Art of Living followers from Russia, the US, Canada Mauritius, African continent, Kosava, Pakistan, China, Morocco would meditate side by side for world peace at what is perhaps the largest collective meditation in history. More than ten thousand foreigners have already descended at his ashram and are taking part in the on going celebrations and other activities. One of the Art of Living teachers from Australia feels that it was like being part of one family. Another from Africa feels it was great experience to be here. "I am just finishing my teacher's training course and I am here for the silver jubilee celebrations. Well I have been in Art of Living for four and a half years and ever since I did the course I felt, there was a great value in it. It certainly relieves stress...Amongst that, there is a great family, international family and we have lots of fun, love and energy as well," said Mallika, from Australia. The twenty five years of Art of Living, Yoga way of life is bringing lakhs of devotees of Guru Ravishankar to the high-tech city for a spiritual bout. The Art of Living Foundation is the largest volunteer based Non- Governmental Organization in the world. The Foundation's service projects, programs on yoga, meditation and stress elimination have benefited over 20 million people representing all walks of life, religions, cultures and traditions. The Silver Jubilee, as well as being a celebration, has a much more important role. It will be the launch for the largest global humanitarian project ever undertaken. The Art of Living Foundation will establish the One World Family Fund which will be used to support various humanitarian services and social programs worldwide. This centralised Fund will enable the Art of Living Foundation to develop long-term strategies that will help extend its reach into the community and to respond immediately to global disasters and situations as needed.
Feb 16, 2006

Shabri Kumbh: Gujarati fair begins

          Dang: The three-day Shabri Kumbh Mela (Fair) organized by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) started here this morning amidst tight security. Devotees took a dip in the Pampa Sarovar and then resumed their journey towards the temple of 'Mata Shabri'. Shabri was a devotee of Lord Rama. Devotees from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are attending the fair. It is expected that about 0.5 million people will congregate at the spot. Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, RSS supremo K S Sudarshan, VHP leader Ashok Singhal, religious leaders Sadhvi Rithambhara, Morari Bapu and Asaram Bapu are expected to visit the fair grounds. Security has been beefed in Dangs District as the Christians are apprehensive about their safety because of the staunch Hindus. This fear has its roots in the incident of December 1998 anti- Christian violence, which is still fresh in their memory, where some Hindu agitators attacked a few churches and schools. However, Suresh Kulkarni, Secretary of the Shabari Kumbh Organising Committee, has assured safety of the devotees. To avoid any mishap, special security cover has been provided to 182 Christian institutions and patrolling has been intensified in all the 311 villages of the district, said Dangs Superintendent of Police B K Srimali. Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati (Jyotirmath), Swami Satyamitranand Giri, Sants Morari Bapu and Asaram Bapu, Dr Pranav Pandya (Gayatri Parivar), Swami Awadheshanand Giri (Haridwar), Sadhvi Ritambhara, Sadhvi Shiva Saraswati and a few others will address the Dharma Sabha. Kailash Sharma, the chairman of the Kumbh organising committee, said that this mela will provide a platform for the Schedule Castes and Tribes from all over the nation to gather at one place, which in turn would promote national integration.
Feb 11, 2006

Muharram: Martyrdom of Imam Hussain observed
by Bilal Butt/Ashok Pal/Sudhakar

         Srinagar/Gwalior/New Delhi: Muslim observed the religious ritual of Ashura, which marks the "martyrdom" of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad in the battle of Karbala, on Thursday. In Srinagar, mourners carried "Tazias" (a replica of Imam Hussein's tomb) recited memorial hymns and beat their chests. "Today is the 10th Muharram, the martyr's day of the grandson of Prophet Mohammad. He sacrificed his life for truth and humility," said Mohammad Abbas, a devotee. "Today's is an important day for Islam. It won't be wrong if we say that Islam's foundation is based on this day. The sacrifices by Hussain is something which needs to be deliberated and not just be written in books," said Altaf Hussein. Devotees in Gwalior observed Muharram by walking on fire, which is believed to be a trap laid by their enemy and they have to come out of it. Embers were thrown on women and children wrapped in clothes. "The question of burning does not arise (while walking on the fire) because one does not remember it. If we regard it as fire then we will be burnt. We do not see it as fire. We think that the fire has been set by the enemy and we need to come out of it. This also reminds us of Aga Hussein," said Shakeel Ahmed Miaji, a Muslim cleric. Meanwhile, the Shias observe the festival in a different manner. They put on black clothes since black is regarded as a colour of mourning. Majalis (assemblies) are held during the first nine days where Shia orators relate the incident of the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain and his party. Decorated taziyas, bamboo and paper replicas of the martyr's tomb, were carried through streets in the national capital New Delhi. On the 10th day of Muharram, large processions are taken out and the followers come out into the streets holding banners and carrying models of the mausoleum of Hazrat Imam Hussain and his people. Fasts during the month of Muharram are not obligatory but if one wishes to fast in these days then it is believed that the person is entitled to a great reward by Allah. It is considered important to fast on the tenth day of Muharram, called Ashura. Muharram, one of the four sanctified months of the year is also the first month of the Islamic calender. During this month, while on a journey, Hazrat Imam Hussain along with his family members and followers were surrounded by the forces of Yazid, a Muslim ruler. They were deprived of food and water and many of them were put to death. The incident occurred at Karbala in Iraq in 61st year after Hijra. The dispute was the result of a disagreement among Muslims on the question of succession after the demise of Hazrat Ali, the fourth caliph. It was on this day in the 13th century that Imam Hussein was killed by the army of Yazid, who was said to be a usurper of the Caliphate or a self-imposed successor to Prophet Mohammed. Imam Hussain was killed along with 72 of his relatives, friends and supporters. But his sister is reported to have escaped along with some children from settlements set on fire by the army of Caliph.
Feb 9, 2006

Mahamastakabhisheka of Lord Bahubali begins

          Shravanabelagola (Karnataka): The ten-day Mahamastakabhisheka or head-anointment ceremony of the world's largest free standing statue of Lord Bahubali atop the Vindhyagiri Hill in Karnataka began on Wednesday morning. Colourfully-attired devotees attending today's ceremony walked up the 617 steps in a determined manner with kalashes (holy pots) to reach the stone-made monolith and pour items like rarefied butter, sugar, honey, milk and holy water from its head to its toe amidst the sounding of cymbals and drums. Over 30 lakh devotees from all over the world have arrived here to watch the grand ceremony which takes place after every twelve years. The first ceremony of this millenium has brought large number of Jain pilgrims to pay respect to their deity Lord Bahubali. The ceremony is performed to signify the attainment of Keval Jnana (enlightment) by him after remaining in meditation for 12 months. Bahubali was the king of Podanpur and the younger of the two sons of the first Jain Tirthankar, Rishabhdev. The fifty-seven feet high statue of Bahubali in Karnataka attracts lakhs of devotees every year to this small serene village where there still exists only one hotel. The organisers, Gomateshwara Bhagwan Sri Bahubali Swami Mahamastaka Abhisheka Mahotsava Samiti has set up 22,000 tents for devotees who have arrived for offering Kalashas. These tents at Kalasha Nagar have all the facilitiesand are divided into four categories with rents ranging from Rs 4,500 to Rs 150. S K Jain and S C Jain who have come from Delhi entused by the grandeur of the ceremony says,"We have been attending the Mahamastakabhisheka from 1967. We booked the kalasha nearly two months ago. The entire family looks forward to this visit once in 12 years. We live in tents and go back after performing our rituals," stated Police have tightened the security and every vehicle entering the town is checked at all entry points as the threat of terrorist activities loom large after the recent attack in IISC , Bangalore.
Feb 8, 2006

Bhojshala temple security tightened

          Dhar (Madhya Pradesh): The Basant Panchami festival is round the corner, and the security has been tightened at the disputed Bhojshala temple in Madhya Pradesh. The festival which coincides with a Muslim holy week falls on February 3. Thousands of pilgrims are expected to arrive at the controversial shrine to celebrate Basant Panchami. While Hindus consider the shrine a Saraswati temple, the Muslims refer to it as the Kamal Maula Masjid. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has worked out a compromise by allowing Hindus to worship at the temple on Basant Panchmi while the Muslims congregate here for prayers every Friday. However, it is a religious flashpoint as the Hindu festival coincides with the Friday prayers. The civil administration says they are exploring all avenues to prevent any communal flare-up. The minority Muslims in the area appealed to the Hindus to cooperate with them to maintain peace. "We have asked the Hindu Jaagran Manch (HJM) (Hindu Awakening Forum) to cooperate with us. We live in the same place and our purpose will meet its end only if we work together. We are doing it in a very short notice so we expect you to help us," Jafaullah Khan, a Muslim cleric, said.

         Basant or spring which coincides with Panchami or the waxing moon at the end of January or early February is considered auspicious by Hindus. In 1952, tension between the Hindu and Muslim communities had surfaced when Hindus planned to celebrate Bhoj Diwas at the structure. According to the Hindu activists, the grand red sandstone Bhojshala monument was a university of the religion s sacred language Sanskrit until it was attacked and rebuilt by Muslim rulers in the 13th century. Hindu fundamentalist groups Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) and the HJM had argued that the monument is a temple and that Muslim prayers inside it should be stopped. Even Hindu politicians were trying to turn this into another Ayodhya. The Babri mosque in Ayodhya was torn down by Hindu zealots in 1992, sparking nationwide riots that left about 2,000 people dead. The mosque was built by Muslim rulers in the 16th century after they tore down a temple marking the birthplace of the god Ram.

         According to historians, the Hindu ruler Anand Rao Pawar gave a written order in 1930 that Muslim worship should be performed in the monument. Under the Directive of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) - 1997, Hindus were allowed to pray at the monument every Tuesday and Muslims were allowed worship there every Friday. On other days the complex would be open to tourists. Hindus were banned from entering Bhojshala for five years after communal riots broke out in Dhar and other sensitive parts of western Madhya Pradesh in 1998. According to Hindus, a spring festival in honour of Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of learning, was celebrated in Bhojshala, which has carvings in Sanskrit, the ancient language of Hindu sacred texts.

         Meanwhile, three more men were arrested under the National Security Act for their alleged involvement in violent incidents relating to attempts by Hindu activists to forcibly enter Bhojshala on February 18, closed to public since 1997. Gujarat had also witnessed one of the worst bloodletting in 2002 after a suspected Muslim mob torched a train, killing at least 59 pilgrims. Over 1,000 Muslins were killed in the wave of reprisal. Human rights activists put the toll, mostly Muslims, at over 2,500.
Feb 2, 2006

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