Durga Puja pandals coming up for Navratri

         New Delhi: Makeshift temples called Durga Puja pandals are being put up all over Delhi for Durga Puja and Navratri celebrations. Most of the pandals are showcasing various art forms of different states. Many pandal organisers have used attractive colours schemes to create a special ambience. "The colour of this pandal is blue and orange. It is based on Bihar's Madhubani paintings. So, this is the main concept of our puja," said Ashim Banerjee, General Secretary of Puja Committee. Many pandals have put up idols of Goddess Durga with her children slaying the demon Mahishasura. On the occasion of Durga Puja, many cultural programmes mark the festivities. Food stalls have also been set up to add up to the festive mood. Legend has it that Durga Puja was celebrated by Rama who invoked the Goddess in his battle against Ravana. "Goddess Durga is also believed to have visited her mother's place for four days," said a resident Indrani. It is a festive time for relatives and friends to get together. "There is happiness around since all relatives come together and enjoy," said Sikha Sengupta, another resident. Bengalis celebrate the puja by buying new clothes and exchanging gifts. In West Bengal, Orissa, Tripura, Assam, it is the year's biggest Hindu festival. Durga's Puja is celebrated from the sixth to tenth day of the waxing moon in the month of Ashshin, which is the sixth month in the Bengali calendar. Occasionally however, due to shifts in the lunar cycle relative to the solar months, it may also be held in the following month, Kartik. In the Gregorian calendar, these dates correspond to the months of September/October. The pujas are held over a five-day period, which is traditionally viewed as the coming of the married daughter, Durga, to her father, Himalaya's home.
Sept 30, 2006

Navratri: Ashtami celebrated with great fervour

         New Delhi/Kolkata: Ashtami, the eighth and the most auspicious of the nine-day Navaratri festival, is being celebrated since early morning today. Devotees were seen thronging the immensely popular Kalkaji and the Jhandewala temples here, as well as hundreds of other smaller ones. Devotees offering flowers, sweetmeats and coconuts, apart from other offerings to the Goddess Durgar brought brisk business to the hawkers lining the sidewalks. Priests led the chants and rituals to mark the Maha Ashtami Puja while devotees joined them with all fervour. In Kolkata, devotees marked their most auspicious day of the festival with elaborate rituals since early morning at the pandals (makeshift temples) in their localities. Festivities are grandly celebrated in Kolkata as it is considered very important to worship Goddess Durga on Maha Ashtami, the auspicious eighth day of the annual Durga Pooja festival, which culminates in the immersion of the idol on the last day. "The Maha Ashtami Puja which falls on this day of the Durga Puja is the biggest festival of the Bengalis. This day is the most significant one. Everyone in our neighbourhood wakes up very early and gets ready for the morning prayers. Devotees line up from the early hours to offer flowers. After the prayers, the Prasad (sacred and blessed food) is distributed and no one touches non vegetarian food today," said Aradhana, a devotee from Kolkata. In northern parts of the country the day holds an added significance as little girls are worshipped as "Kumari" or incarnation of Durga. Revered and welcomed, the little girls are offered material gifts and sweetmeats apart from small cash gifts. Goddess Durga is worshipped by Hindus the world over during the month of October, There is a public display of idols in Pandals and the idols are immersed in the sea, rivers and lakes on the last day of the nine-day festival. Prayers, processions and musical programmes mark the festival, which symbolises the triumph of good over evil. Durga is depicted as a powerful goddess, riding a raging lion, holding aloft weapons of war in her ten hands.
Sept 30, 2006

Kali dance of navratra festival under way

         Daraganj (Uttar Pradesh): As navratra festival gets underway, devotees here took out a procession with a 'Kali Dance' depicting the manifestation of Goddess Durga. Hindus believe, Goddess Durga, manifestation of power in Hindu pantheon, descends on earth during Navratri to rid it of the demons from the netherworld and bless her devotees with happiness and prosperity. In Daraganj, near Allahabad, a devotee dress up as Goddess Durga and dance through the streets for the whole night for three days from the fourth day of Navratri imitating the Goddess destroying the demons. "A devotee dress up as goddess and people religiously worship the god. The man dressed up as goddess gets the strength of the god," said Mehendra Shukla, dressed up to perform kali dance. A large number of villagers cheered as the Shukla danced through the streets. "The dancer covers a distance of two and a half kilometers in 10 hours, dancing his way," said Purushottam Lal, organiser of the traditional kali dance. The Navratri festival, celebrated at the onset of summers and winters, marks the obeisance to the power of Goddess Durga, a manifestation of the Mother Goddess in Hindu mythology. The nine days of Navratri stand for the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga.

         Jammu: Devotees yesterday flocked the temple of Kali near the river Tavi on the border separating India and Pakistan in Jammu to celebrate the Navratra festival. This temple holds a special reverence among devotees. It is said that during the 1965 Indo-Pak war, Indian soldiers used to worship here for victory. On the contrary, the temple could not be seen by Pakistani soldiers. "We come here on Navratra. People come here particularly on Sunday and Tuesday. Devotees have a great faith in Kali," said a devotee. "Devotees pay a visit in the holy period of Navratra to receive the blessings of Kali. People consider that Kali fulfills their wishes," said another devotee.
Sept 28, 2006

Sikh shrine in Switzerland
by Ravinder Singh Robin

         Langenthal: Sikhs held a religious procession yesterday at Langenthal city in Switzerland to mark the opening of a Sikh shrine. Devotees said the shrine 'Gurdwara Sahib' was the result of a decade-long effort, claiming that it was the first shrine to be built in the traditional way in the country. Earlier, the Swiss Sikhs visited shrines on rented accommodations. "We had been making efforts and preparations for this shrine for the past ten years, this is for the first time, I think in the entire Europe, that the Gurudwara has been constructed in a traditional way," said Ranjit Singh, a devotee. Local Swiss population supported the event. "It's a very happy day for Sikh community in Switzerland. The first centre you can open - the whole protestant church that I represent is very happy with you," said Markus Sahli, one of the leaders of the Protestant Church Federation. The Sikhs of Switzerland started the project in 1996 when they applied for permission to start construction of the Gurdwara Sahib. The process of seeking permission took nearly two years. The foundation stone was laid on January 11, 2001, and construction at the site began in October 2002.
Sept 24, 2006

Shraadh: Pilgrims feed crow idols in Allahabad
by Virendra Pathak

        Allahabad: A large number of Hindus arrive here to perform Puja during Shraadh, the ceremony for the salvation of their forefathers. But people are disappointed on not finding enough crows needed to feed as ritual. As pollution has drastically brought down the number of birds in the area, Hindus flocking to Allahabad to conduct rituals are now managing with the idols of crows. The person performing the last rites is expected to feed a cow, dog and crow as part of the ritual, which is considered a complete homage to the dead bringing peace to his or her soul. "As a ritual for the ancestors we are supposed to feed a cow, a dog and a crow. Cow and dog are easily available but we could not find a crow. So we had to observe the tradition with the idol of a crow. We supposed that will fulfil the absence in the ritual," said Gautam Chandra Golcha, who performed the rituals with the idol of a crow. But many put the blame for decreased number of birds on the use of harmful chemicals in the food items. "Crow population is dwindling because they feed on the animals who feed on the crops which are tended with harmful pesticides. So, it is actually the poison of the fertilizers which is taking a toll on them," said D.N. Shukla, professor of Botany in Allahabad University.
Sept 19, 2006

Women allowed to perform rituals in Gujarat temples
by Snehal Vayeda

           Dwarka (Gujarat): Gender discrimination in the matter of priesthood in temples will end soon with the historic judgement by a district court here allowing women priests take charge in temples. Following the Court orders in Jamnagar of Gujarat, Hindu women will now have equal rights to participate in all temple ceremonies. The court nullified a tradition, which debarred women from performing rituals in temples. Since time immemorial, the right to be a priest has been the exclusive domain of males following age-old norms that debarred women from becoming priests. But the historic decision came after a petition was filed by Padmavati Kantilal Vaidya, the daughter of deceased Dwarkadas Lajibhai, the chief priest of Dwarka temple till 1939. In her plea before the court, she claimed her right to perform rituals in the temple after her widowed mother, Ambabai, who used to perform all religious services, also died in 1983. Prior to the Chief priest Dwakadas Laljibhai's tenure, the services in the temple used to be performed by Gugali Brahmins. But before his death, Laljibhai had given his responsibilities to his wife, Mai Ambabai. But soon after Ambabai's death in 1983, her relatives prevented her daughter Padmavatiben Kantilal Vaidya to serve in the Dwarka temple. A case was filed in the District Court in Jamnagar, which subsequently lifted a traditional ban on women performing rituals in the temples. Now, women will have equal rights to participate in all temple ceremonies just like any male priest. "I have full faith on Lord Dwarkadheesh. When I filed a case I knew that I will get justice. I am happy that I have got the chance to devote myself for the working of God in the temple," said Padmavatiben Kantilal Vaidya. According to a trustee of the managing committee of Dwarkadeva Sansthana Samiti, Dhodakiya , Padmavatiben is a regular visitor of the temple and performed prayers. She has always been eager to serve at the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Krishna's idol. "Padmavatiben had filed a case against her relatives because they were not allowing her to serve the Dwarkadeesh (or, Lord Krishna). Now, after a long hearing of the case she has been permitted to perform services in the temple of Dwarkadheesh by the District court of Jamnagar," said H.L. Dhodakiya, Managing Trustee, Dwarkadeva Sansthana Samiti Women here have welcomed the court order. "The court of Jamnagar has decided the case in our favour and we are very happy at this. Other women should also take a lesson from this to avail justice wherever and whenever it is denied.," said Chandikaben, a devotee. Dwarka, located on the western coast of Gujarat, features in most of the legends related to Lord Krishna. It is from here that he is believed to have ruled his Kingdom. Later, this place was regarded as a place of pilgrimage. Dwarkadheesh temple, also known as Jagat Mandir, is built on the north bank of the Gomti Creek.

Pretshila Hill: Prayers for salvation of ancestors

         Gaya (Bihar): People thronged at the temple dedicated to Pretraja (God Yama) at the top of Pretshila Hill, near here, where they believe the dead ancestors would attain salvation and come to pray to ward off restive spirits disturbing their lives. Many believe the souls of people, who die in accident or suffer a painful death, are trapped and at times possess their family members. "It is believed that here at Pretshila ('Preta' means ghost or spirit and 'Shila' means rock), ancestral spirits can receive salvation and move on to their final destination. Here, rituals for dead are performed. Three qualities are ruling here, Rajogun, Tamogun and Satogun. They symbolise the trinity-Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. And this is a sanctum," said Bhola Pandey, the temple priest. While the priests conduct the rituals, the family members of the deceased sitting in rows or circles offer prayers. They also circum-ambulate the sacred 'shila' three times. People, from far and near, come to Pretshila to ward off 'preta' possessing their dear ones. The possessed individuals take on the personality of the dead and speak gibberish in semi conscious state. Some of them even claim they can foretell future. Most of the impoverished devotees say they have tried modern medicines, but all in vain. So, coming to Pretshila remains their last ray of hope. "We have come here to do 'Pind daan' for our Uncle who passed away at the age of 25. His death was caused due to some evil influence. Our family members started having visions of him, and in his appearance, he would ask everyone to bring him here in Gaya. So we have come here for him," said Rameshwar Dayal Srivastava, a devotee. It is believed that Lord Rama took a bath at a tank, now known as Ramkunda at the Pretshila Hill and performed 'pind daan' for his ancestors. During the 'Shradh Paksha', (falling this year from September 8- 22) 'Pind daan' or 'Shrad' (rituals for the dead) is performed.
Sept 11, 2006

Shraadh: Boom for boatmen's business in Gaya
by Surya Pratap Singh

         Gaya: There is lot of rush in Gaya as a large number of Hindus arrive to perform the Pind Daan for peace to the departed souls of their ancestors. The boatmen at river Falgu make money on the occasion as people are required to go across the river Falgu to perform the rituals on a special raft all made of pitchers. These local rafters ferry thousands of people across the river from Vishnupad temple to Sita Kund, during the fortnight known as Pitripaksh, a period when Hindus perform certain ritual for the deceased family members. But with the coming up of a bridge, people prefer to crossover using it. "We do this work for just 15 days. Earlier, we would be engaged for nearly four months but with the coming-up of the bridge, it is reduced and, in the same way, our earnings too. When we are not ferrying people, we either net fish or do odd labour jobs," said Bihari Kevat, a boatman. During Pitripaksh, the visitors also include a lot of old-aged and feeble pilgrims who arrive here to perform ritual. It is difficult for them to walk up the 650 stairs to reach the Vishnupad temple's premise. Thus, they are carried up the steps in palanquin type chairs. And, this also gives them a chance to make some extra money. "We charge money according to the weight of the person. If the person is heavy we charge more money, otherwise, we charge the nominal rate. There are more than 650 stairs, so it is not easy to carry and climb the stairs. We charge money for the to and fro service," said Bakhari, a palquin-bearer. Carrying devotees gives many a chance to earn. Many devotees even prompt their children to skip the school and lend a helping hand during this peak season. "Lord Brahma had performed Yajna ritual here and here is a saying that if a person performs rituals during the specific time, the near ones who have died will get peace, that's why people perform the rituals here," said Dev Kumar, a priest. Legend has it Lord Rama and wife Sita had performed this religious rite known as "Shradh" and "Pinda Daan" for the departed soul of Rama's father Dasharath, the King of Ayodhaya. Hence, the name Sita Kund came into existence where they performed puja. Some individuals revere these two locations across the river and relate their existence to pre-Vedic times. As for the Pitripaksh, a fair is held every year starting from the day of Anant Chaturdashi of Bhadra Suklapaksh according to the Hindi Calendar. This year the fair started on September 6 and will last till September 22. Lakhs of Hindus visit Gaya every year to offer Pind Daan, a ritual observed for salvation of the departed souls of ancestors. It is believed that by performing "Pind Daan" (or, donating in the name of ancestors to priests) in Gaya in the Pitripaksh, it helps the spirit of the dead to attain salvation. The ritual gives a deep sense of belonging to family members who arrive here to pray for the soul of loved ones. "I have come here to offer the Pind Daan as this is the time to perform such rituals so that the souls of the elders who have died will get peace," said Ashok Kumar, a visitor from Delhi.
Sept 11, 2006

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