Prosperous Pongal

Pongal History:

Origin and History of Pongal can be dated back to the times of the Sangam Age ie. from 200 BC to 300 AD sanskrit Purana also contains mention Pongal. Originally Pongal festival was celebrated a Dravidian harvest festival.

As part of the Pongal festival customs, seeing 'Pavai Nonbu' one of the most prominent festive occasions that took place during the Pallava rule. Celebrated in the Tamil month Margazhi, this festival was initiated by young girls offered prayers to God to send rain, thereby paving the way to bring prosperity to people. Entire months of this feast, do not keep milk or dairy products. They do not oil their hair during this period. All these traditions led to the celebration of Pongal festival days.

Legends of Pongal festival:

The story of Lord Shiva:

When it came to pass that Lord Shiva asked his bull, Basava name visiting Earth and meeting people. He was asked to convey the message that people should take an oil massage and bath every day, and as far as dining is concerned, they can only eat once a month.

By mistake mistakenly sent the bull to the people that they should eat every day, and oil massage and bathing, as it should happen only once in a month. This action of Basana made Lord Shiva very angry. As a result, Lord Shiva punished him to live on earth forever and help people in plowing the fields and growing more food.

The story of Lord Indra:

As it happened that Lord Krishna in his childhood days decided to teach Lord Indra a lesson when he was a bit too arrogant after being king of all gods. Lord Krishna went meet cowherds told them to stop worshiping Lord Indra. This made Lord Indra got angry and he created a major thunderstorm with rain, which continued three consecutive days. See this disaster people went to Lord Krishna to cry for help. Then Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan Mountain and it is also with a single finger. This incident made God Indra realized his mistake.

Pongal Celebrations:

The Pongal festival normally falls on 15 January. For the Tamils, it is one of the most prominent festivals, the celebration of which is with full joy and enthusiasm. The entire South India is actively involved in preparations. The chilly weather acts as a messenger for the people of South India as it suggests those of Pongal festival.

The party is thoroughly enjoyed by people on four consecutive days. It starts with Bogi Pongal and ends with Kaanum Pongal, which is also known as Thiruvalluvar Day. This festive occasion has a lot of importance, especially for those farmers who put their heart and soul of sowing and harvesting of crops. The Pongal festival celebrations of the end of harvest season.

During the Pongal festival, the markets are flooded with different kinds of farm produce. Among Hindus have celebrated as a thanksgiving festival, where people offer their sincere thanks to the Hindu gods showering their blessings on them. On the first day is more popularly called Bogi Pongal, people thank the Lord Indra, the God of heaven. 

The second day dedicated to Lord Surya. The third day is meant to thank the cattle. The fourth day is known as Kaanum Pongal, marks the end of the Pongal festival. On this day people go shopping, visit their friends and relatives, exchange greetings and wished each other 'Happy Pongal'. People visit their local temples and seek divine blessings. The entire nation swings, sings and dances to the strains of music.

Pongal Kolams:

When it's time for Pongal festival celebrations, almost all houses in the entire south India adorned with beautiful colorful Kolams. Elaborate designs signature white or other colors powder. The tradition of Kolam making is not new. Infact, it can be traced back to the times of Indus Valley Civilization (2500 BC).

In the epic of Mahabharata, it was indicated that the gopis as milkmaids used to draw Kolams to reduce their pain by not having Krishna with them. The art of Kolam making is practiced in almost all states, but known under different names such as Alpana in Bengal, Mandana in Rajasthan, Muggulu in Andhra Pradesh and Puvidal in Kerala, Rangoli in Maharashtra and Karnataka and Sanjhi in Uttar Pradesh.

Kolam is not only an aesthetic art, but a means to express the happiness and prosperity. The rice flour find their way into shape Kolam patterns for Pongal. The red color is used to restrict Kolam is believed to ward off evil spirits. About Pongal festive occasion, get the whole family busy with the task to make Pongal kolam designs. A Kolam is simplistic in design, or may consist of intricate patterns.

Four days of Pongal:

The celebration of Pongal festival continues for four consecutive days. The festival usually fall in the month of Shravan. It is basically a harvest festival which is celebrated with fervor and joy of people in the southern states of India. The Harvest Festival of Pongal witnessed a lot of activities. Infact, the entire South India comes alive when it is time to Pongal celebrations.

Four days of Pongal:

Day 1: Bogi Pongal:

The first day marks the beginning of a new start. Therefore, on this day, all old entries are discarded and thrown away.

Day 2: Surya Pongal:

The term Pongal means boiling over. The second day begins with boiling fresh milk to an extent that it crosses the boundary of the vessel. This is one of the main traditions of Pongal festival. Delicious sweets are prepared for the near and dear. People visiting the homes of their friends and relatives and exchange greetings.

Day 3: Maattu pongal:

It is a day to thank the cows and buffaloes, as they have an important role to play in the harvesting of crops. Had they not been there, it would not have been possible to plow the land. The third day witnesses the hosting agreement a violent bull taming contest that often has been described as Jallikattu.

Day 4: Kaanum Pongal:

This is the most happening days. Known as Kaanum Pongal, the fourth day designed to celebrate and freaking out with friends and family. People go on family picnics, eat sugarcanes and decorate their houses with beautiful Kolams.

Glorious Diwali

Diwali History:

There are a lot of interesting legends associated with the origin and history of Diwali. Legends of Deepawali festival mainly consists of stories plucked from the religious scriptures Hindus. One thing common to these stories is that they all end up with the message that good always triumphs over evil. Well, in this article, we will give you information on Diwali story. Read more about the history of Diwali.

Legend of Rama and Sita:

Lord Rama was asked to leave the kingdom Ayodhya with his wife Sita and younger brother Lakshman to his father Dashratha who was king of Ayodhya. Lord Rama returned home after completion of 14 years of exile. Lord Rama defeated Ravana, the demon of Lanka and protected people from the clutches of this evil spirit. When he came home after his victory, he received a warm welcome by people of Ayodhya. The day was observed as an occasion to celebrate the victory of Rama over Ravana, thus the truth triumph over evil.

Legend of King Bali and Vamana Avatar:

The story revolves around the name of the king Bali, who was very generous. When it came to some of the gods, went to meet Lord Vishnu and requested him to keep a track of the king's power. At the request of several Gods, Lord Vishnu visited the earth, disguised in the form of a dwarf priest named Vamana. Dwarf met the king and said that he is the ruler of the three distinctive worlds: earth, sky and the world below the clouds. Vamana asked him to give him the space he can cover in three steps. The king laughed, thinking that a dwarf would hardly be able to cover every room, and he agreed to his request. It was then that the dwarf was transformed into Vishnu and his three step covered the whole earth, sky and universe. As a result, became king in view of the part of the world below the clouds.

Legend of Narkasur and Lord Krishna:

The story is about Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who succeeded in defeating the demon Narkasur. Narkasur had created havoc, creating fear in people's heads. He would abduct beautiful women and forcefully make them live with him. Lord Vishnu heard screams from the victims and appeared in the form of Lord Krishna and fought with the devil Narkasur and finally succeeded in freeing women from the clutches of the monster Narkasur. It is a fantastic story that speaks of good triumph over evil.

Legend of Krishna and the Mountain:

Long back in the village of Gokula, it happened that people offered prayers to Lord Indra, who was believed to send the rain and make crops grow. It was at this time that Lord Krishna came and asked people to pray Mount Govardhan by mountains and land around it was quite fruitful. This made God angry Indra, and he brought a thunderstorm. This incident shocked people and went to Krishna for help. So, Lord Krishna lifted the mountain with his one finger, giving a sigh of relief that the people of Gokula village. It also paved the way for growing crops. This incident reminds Hindus to thank God for nature.

Diwali Celebrations:

Diwali, festival of lights, is celebrated in style throughout India. It is one of the most popular celebrations in the country to celebrate the glory and greatness. India is known for its Diwali festival celebration. The tendency to celebrate Deepawali is not new. Since time immemorial, people have been enthusiastically taking part in Diwali celebrations. 

The essence of Diwali is to spread light of knowledge. It teaches us to leave the road to resort to hostility and friendship. Amid the hustle bustle of city life, we get so lost in ourselves that we forget to thank those who are special to us. There are many people in our lives who deserve thanks for making us become what we are today. Diwali is the right opportunity to do so. On the one hand, where it allows you to strengthen your bondage of love and friendship, then on the other hand, it preaches you to forgive people, and replace hatred with love.

When it comes to Diwali celebrations, there is a spark in the eyes of any person. All feel excited at the thought of celebrating their sweet home with different kinds of decorative items such as candles and small clay lamps. People begin to make party preparations many days before Diwali. Family members get engrossed in the task of cleaning their houses. Banners by Happy Diwali is located at the main entrance door.

Dear beautiful rangolis characters in a form which contains a broad range of traditional symbols that are considered to be associated with the Diwali festival. The cooking shows that tell you about how to make delicious mouthwatering dishes for Diwali. Magazines are filled with Diwali recipes. Old furniture has been replaced with new ones. Melas are held in various parks and gardens, specially enjoyed by young children. Highlights of mela consists of the merry go round swings, cultural programs, snack stalls and games. 

In the evening time, Lakshmi Ganesh Puja is performed. People offer their gods and seek divine blessing. So the feast, specially prepared for Diwali is served to all. People visit temples and pray to the gods shower their blessings on them. They visit their near and dear and wish them 'Happy Diwali'. Candy and greeting cards are exchanged. Children will delight in burning fireworks. Short game is also part of the festive celebration.

Five days of Diwali:

Diwali, festival of lights, is celebrated with full enthusiasm for the Indian people. The festival teaches people to spread the love on the above path of enmity. The celebration of Diwali festival continues for 5 days and each day has a different message and philosophy associated with it. In this article we will give you information about the five days of Diwali.

Day 1: Dhanteras:

It usually falls on the dark fourteen days in the month of Kartik. It is on this day that Lord Dhanwantari came out of the ocean with Ayurvedic for the treatment of ailments. On the day of Dhanteras observe the beginning of Diwali celebrations. At the time of sunset, Hindus take a bath and offer lit the diya lamp with Prasad to Yama Raj, the Lord of Death. They pray to the Lord to protect them from the clutches of untimely death. Supply is made around some sacred tree as Tulsi.

Day 2: Choti Diwali:

The second day marks the celebration of Choti Diwali. This day has religious significance for many people, since it is this day that Lord Krishna defeated the devil Narakasur, giving a sigh of relief to the people. As part of its celebration, people massage their bodies with oil to bid goodbye to fatigue. It is said that on the night of choti Diwali, you should not turn Yama Diya.

Day 3: Lakshmi Puja:

On the third day, people worship the goddess Lakshmi, who is believed to be associated with good luck, wealth and prosperity. The house is thoroughly cleaned and the family members who come together to offer prayers.

Day 4: Govardhan Puja:

The tradition of worship Govardhan was initiated by Lord Krishna, which made people Vraja perform a Puja in the inauguration of Govardhan. Since then, every year people have been performing Govardhan Puja.

Day 5: Bhaiya Duj:

Bhaiya duj is a day for brothers and sisters. On this day, Sister vermillion on the forehead of her brother and pray for his long life. Brother presents a gift to his sister and bless her that she can make the best of things in her life.

Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayak Chaturthi "is one of the major traditional festivals celebrated by the Hindu community. It is observed in the Hindu calendar month Bhadrapada from the Shukla Chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period). Normally day falls sometime between August 20 and 15 . September. The festival lasts 10 days, when Ananta Chaturdashi and is traditionally celebrated as Ganesha's birthday.

According to Hindu mythology, Ganesha is the son of Shiva (god of destruction in the Hindu trinity of Creator, Preserver-Destroyer) and consort Parvati (Shiva). The sweetest and most adorable Indian god Ganesha or Ganpati is an elephant head on which rests a stylish headband, four plump hands, combined with a big belly with each hand holding its own symbolic object - a Trishul or a trident in one or encourage Ankush (from his own broken teeth) in another, a lotus flower in the third and a rosary (which is sometimes replaced by modaks, your favorite candy) in the fourth. Revered as a god of good omen and wisdom, Ganesha is also known for being a crook and his sense of humor. 

It is believed that Lord Ganesh was born on a day session (chaturthi) of bright half of the Hindu lunar month Magh. Since then, chaturthi an association between Ganesh and has been established. Thus the festival dedicated to the worship of Lord Ganesha on this day is named Ganesh Chaturthi Chaturthi.

There is an interesting story about the strange birth of Ganesha. It is believed that once while Parvati was bathing, created a human figure from some unguent and balm, gave him life and asked him to guard the door while she bathed. After a long period of meditation on Mountain Kailash (Lord Shiva's residence), Shiva chose that moment to pass to visit his half, but was interrupted by the man-god Parvati had posted at the door. Outraged at the cheek of this stranger, Shiva cut off his head only to discover moments later that he had killed Parvati's son! For fear of enraging his wife, Shiva immediately sent his gana (servants) to make him head of the first living creature they find. Well, the first living creature happened to be an elephant. The following instructions, the head was cut and brought back to Shiva, sitting inside Parvati's son, who returns to life. This elephant-headed god was welcomed at the first family of Hindu heavens and named Ganesha or Ganapati, which literally means the head of the will, or assistants of Shiva. Ganesha is the chief god in the Hindu pantheon. This brave guardian of the bathroom door Parvati now seen as more favorable to God new beginning. He is worshiped in every festival and before a trip to persons or embarking on a new business. Will also carefully guarding entrances to temples and homes, peeping out of calendars and happily adorn marriages and other such occasions.

Nobody knows when and how Ganesh Chaturthi was celebrated for the first time. But according to historian Shri Rajwade before Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations dating back to the time of the reign of dynasties as Satavahana, Rashtrakuta and Chalukya. Historical records show that the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Maharashtra began Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja, the great Maratha ruler, to promote culture and nationalism. And he had continued ever since. There are also references in history to similar celebrations in the Peshwa times. It is believed that Lord Ganapati was the family deity of Peshwas. After completion of the Peshwa regime, Ganesh Chaturthi is still a family affair in Maharashtra during the period 1818 to 1892.

1857 was a landmark year for India and even more so in the context of freedom of India. It was the year of the Sepoy mutiny, armed rebellion against the ruling of the British Empire from the Indian soldiers. This was the first war, which India to regain their independence from their white rulers. Although it does not succeed, this battle marked the beginning of the struggle for Indian independence. Many speakers, leaders and freedom fighters all over India came together to make a total opposition to British rule. One of these prominent leaders Bal Gangadhar Tilak, an Indian nationalist, social reformer and freedom fighter. Highly valued by the indigenous population, especially in Maharashtra, Tilak is commonly known as "Lokmanya," or "to be treated by people." The Tilak, who brought the tradition of Ganesh Chaturthi and reshaped the annual Ganesh festival from private family celebrations into a public event queue.

Lokamanya saw how the Lord Ganesha is worshiped by the upper layer and the base for India. The visionary who was Tilak account of the cultural importance of this deity Ganesha Chaturthi and popularized as National Holiday "to close the gap between the Brahmin and non-Brahmin and find an appropriate framework to build a new base unit including" in their struggle nationalists against the British in Maharashtra. He knew that India could not fight their rulers, until it resolved the differences in your account. Therefore, to unite all social classes Tilak chose Ganesha as a rallying point for the indigenous protest against British rule because of its attractiveness as a "god Everyman." 

It was around 1893, in the initial stages of Indian nationalism, which Tilak started to organize the Ganesh Utsav as a social and religious function. He first put on large public images of Ganesha in pavilions, and establish a tradition of immersion in the tenth day. Festival of Community involvement and facilitate participation in the form of learned discourses, dance drama, poetry recitals, concerts, debates, etc., which served as a venue for ordinary people from all castes and communities, a time when all social and political meetings were banned by the British Empire, for fear of conspiracies that are hatched in them. A large festival in Peshwa era, acquired Ganesha Chaturthi this time a more organized form all over India are largely attributable to the efforts of Lokmanya. 

Since then, Ganesh Chaturthi was celebrated throughout Maharashtra as well as in other states with large community enthusiasm and participation. With Indian independence in 1947, was declared to be a national festival.

Day, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in the states of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and many other parts of India. The festival is so popular that the preparations begin months in advance. Days before the actual worship, houses are cleaned and set tents on street corners to house the idols of the Lord. Develop systems for lighting, decoration, mirrors and flowers. The craftsmen who make idols of Ganesh compete with each other to make larger and larger sculptures. The size of the relatively bigger place from 10 meters to 30 meters high. These are installed in tents and in homes before Puja (worship). During the festival, the Lord is honored with great devotion and prayer services take place daily. Length of stay varies from Lord one place to another, where worship is completed, the statues are carried on vehicles plunging into the sea after one, three, five, seven and ten days. Thousands of processions converge on the beaches to immerse the holy idols in the sea. This procession and immersion is accompanied by dancing and the sound of drum beats, exciting, devotional chants and exploding fireworks. As the idol is immersed in the middle tight chants of "Ganesh Maharaj Ki Jai!" (Hail Lord Ganesh) festival ends with pleas to God to return next year with chants of "Ganpati Bappa Morya, varshi lauka pudcha ya" (Hail Lord Ganesh, return again soon next year). Tourists from all over the world come to attend this wonderful event on the sun kissed beaches of Goa and Mumbai.

While celebrated all over India, Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations are more extensive in the states of Maharashtra, Goa (This is the biggest festival for Konkani people all over the world) Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and other areas which are former states of the Maratha Empire . Outside India, is celebrated by Newars in Nepal.

In the 21 century, soon with the world becoming a global village, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated around the world where there is a presence of a Hindu community.

Elements of Diwali

Diwali Decorations:

When it is time for the celebration of Diwali festival, markets get filled up with various kinds of decorative elements, ranging from beautiful banners and door hangings to decorative candles, diyas and lamps. When people talk about Diwali, festival of light, the first thing that strikes the mind is without doubt the Diwali decorations.

Initially, the task of decorating the house Diwali, and makes it seem brighter, the first and most important is to clean the house thoroughly, so it is completely free of dust. People generally use a fresh coat of paint on walls and doors to lend a revitalizing look to their dwelling place. Diwali is the time to decorate your house in a traditional manner using a variety of decorations for Deepawali festival. These decorations help many to add pizzazz to your home.

When you do not want to spend lots of money on buying new furniture for your house, so it is best to change the basic settings of furniture and other decorative pieces. It will give your house a different look. The traditional elements that affect the market for many years, is under constant modification to suit the needs of modern times.

To give your home a festive charm, go hunting for some traditional door hangings, which are decorated with mirror work. As part of Diwali decorations, draw people rangolis, which is very pleasing to look at. If you wish to further strengthen the appeal rangoli, you can line it with decorative diyas and candles. Illuminate your entire house with colorful lights. Place diyas in every nook and corner. Decorate your house during Diwali time is fun and enjoyed by all.

Diwali Diyas:

At the time of Diwali festival, the markets witnessed extreme overcrowding. This is because people rush to the markets to shop for Decorative Diwali Diya lamps. Diwali is a festival that is observed to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. It spreads the light by overcoming darkness. Here light is related to the knowledge and consciousness and darkness is used to ignorance, which prevents the road to humanity and leads people to commit inhuman acts. Since the lamps and diyas contribute greatly to the lighting of the area, they are considered to be crucial.

Diwali diyas play a major role in illuminating the home and the people are of the belief that Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha visit only those homes that are well lit. Lamps made of clay are also used for illumination of the houses. Candles are positioned in different corners of the rooms. Diya These lamps are also used to beautify the rangoli and thus make it more visually appealing. Diyas are placed before the idols of gods, while performing the Lakshmi Ganesh Puja. These days, you can find a fantastic range of Diwali diyas and candles on the market as those conducted by Zari and mirror work. The Ganesh diyas are very popular.

Diwali Rangoli:

To give a warm welcome to the guests, beautiful rangolis is pulled outside the main gate of the house. Well, the tradition of rangolis on Deepavali is not new and is not transmitted from one generation to another. It is believed that the gods visit the households that are beautifully decorated on the occasion of Diwali. Diwali rangoli patterns vary from region to region.

Diwali rangoli making is the art that adorns the doorstep of the house with a nice design. The rangoli is basically a floor painting, which are usually based on a theme. Popular motifs include Birds, fish, lotus and snakes, which are indicative of unanimity between humans and animals. Celestial images, like the sun and moon are increasingly finding their way into the design of the rangoli design.

The design of the interface model of two triangles represent the Saraswati, the goddess of learning and knowledge. The twenty four petals of the lotus flower is formulated in such a way that the surrounding triangles. In the outer circle, traces of goddess Lakshmi favorites. For every corner there is a footprint. Design of rangoli differs from place to place as in northern Bihar, the footsteps of Lakshmi is drawn in such a way that the toes point inward, indicating the construction of Laxmi in the house.

All that goes into making a rangoli consists of rice, flour, legumes, leaves, and a sincere effort. Most of you will come to see rangolis in white color because it's a color that stands for purity, peace and serenity. Rice is a symbol of prosperity. Therefore, a pasta made from rice and used to create wonderful rangolis for Diwali. To fill the white rangoli to give it a distinctive look, people sometimes use turmeric. Vermillion is also increasingly moving towards rangoli, since it is considered very promising.

Diwali Puja:

The festival of Diwali to bring people together to offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha who is believed to bring good health, wealth and prosperity. There is an appropriate time to perform the Diwali Puja. People keep their doors and windows open at the time of Diwali Lakshmi Puja, which gives a welcome to the gods. It is believed that the gods home visits on the occasion of Diwali.

At the time of Diwali Pooja, making people offering to Agni Devta, the Lord of fire. It is a way to offer food, especially prepared for the Diwali festival, the gods. Diwali Puja mainly consists of sixteen steps where each step represents a ceremony to be performed by a Hindu in his life that welcomes the gods that give them a place to sit, wash their feet, offering food and clothing to them and find their divine blessings.

The tender also includes fresh flowers and various herbs. The second thing is associated with Deepawali Lakshmi Ganesh Puja singing songs, chanting, ringing of bells and blowing of conch shells. To avert the evil spirits, small lamps made of clay, better known as diyas, are lit. It also serves as a means to express their own information. 

After the Puja is over, the sweets are offered to the goddess as 'Naivedya'. It is then distributed in the form of 'Prasad' to the people. It is followed by exchange of gifts and greeting cards. Yummy feast is served to all. People visit their friends and relatives to wish them Happy Diwali.

Diwali Food:

When it is time to resuscitation your energy for Diwali celebrations, magazines are filled with recipes for Deepawali. When you talk about Diwali food, the first thing that strikes the mind is without doubt the Diwali sweets. The cooking shows in great demand in the days of Diwali festival, and almost all women get hooked on the television to watch these shows. The best part is that the chefs also provide an overview of all the Diwali recipes, which helps to ensure that you have not overlooked anything.

If you want to greet your loved one in a special way on the festive occasion of Diwali may be a better idea than to prepare his favorite dish? Not only is it a very inexpensive way to wish your beloved, but also serves as one of the best ways to express your feelings for each other. There are many people who can be credited for that you get to where you are today. On this festive occasion, invite your near and dear and serve them nice lip

smacking food.

Below are given some ideas on making the dishes for Diwali, check out:

      * Badam Doodh 

      * Besan Ladoo 

      * Dahi Wada 

      * Gajar Ka Halwa 

      * Gur Ke Chawal (Rice with Jaggery) 

      * Malpua 

      * Moong daal Halwa 

      * Sitaphal Rabdi 

      * Meethi Kachori

CHHATH FESTIVAL

The Chhath Festival is basically a big festival in Bihar, but is celebrated with the same devotion in Delhi as well. This festival, which honors the Sun God, is celebrated six days after the festival of Diwali. The Chhath Puja celebrations do not include much ado, but it is a festival of prayer and sacrifice, which was launched in the dark. Through this festival, people express their thanks and seek blessings of natural forces, especially sun and river. It is believed that the prayers of the devotees are always answered during the festival, and at the same time, they are also punished for making an atrocity.

More than festive, festival of Chhat Puja in Delhi is an opportunity for the part of fans, leading to his treatment. For Chath celebrations in New Delhi, several Ghats (dams) are reserved by the river Yamuna in the city. The Puja takes place on these Ghats alone. Performed by both men and women, Puja preparation starts with the end of Diwali. Whole period, is a spartan lifestyle followed. First and foremost, the house is cleaned and family members of the person performing Puja take a holy dip. The whole festival of Chhath, prepared food and less salt totally vegetarian without even onion and garlic. Although the vessels used are mostly earthen oven oven and people sleeping on the floor. 

The person performing Chath Puja noticed a fast from sunrise to sunset and end up eating sweets. Then a second soon found that the continued thirty-six hours, and ends at the entrance to the last day. On the last day of Puja begins on the banks of a river some time before sunrise. People who perform Puja remain in the river water from the late midnight until the time of the first ray of sunlight touching the ground. From that time, devotees start flooding of the river with offers to Sun God. This is followed by the distribution of prashad among the devotees.

CHHATT FESTIVAL:

Chhatt celebrated in Bihar and Jharkhand, where more people from these areas migrated to.

The colorful FESTIVAL:

There are many festivals celebrated by Hindus in Bihar and Jharkhand. The Hindu festival of Chhatt are unique to this region. Chhatt is dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, and therefore is also known as Surya Shashti. Chhatt celebrated as thanks for the sun to provide the necessities of life on earth, and also to accommodate special requests. 

Chhatt word indicates the number six and thus the festival begins on the sixth day of the Hindu month Kartik in the Hindu lunar calendar, which falls in late October and November.

Beliefs:

It is generally assumed that they want the fans always be given. Even supporters fear punishment for any misdeed in Chhatt. Therefore, the city remains safe and experiences peace during this time when even criminals prefer to behave.

The days Festivity:

Festival Chhatt is marked by celebrations and rituals, which last 4 days.

Day 1:

The devotees bathe in the sacred river Ganges to wash away their sins. They also clean their homes thoroughly.

Day 2:

The devotees observe a fast for the entire day, which is broken in late evening, after performing Puja (worship ceremony) at home. They offer kheer (rice pudding) and fruit for God, and then share it with family and friends.

Day 3:

The day is spent preparing Prasad (offerings) at home. In the evening the devotees go to a riverbank or pond where Prasad offered to the setting sun. The devotees return home to another colorful celebration. Under a canopy of sugar cane sticks, they place clay elephants containing diyas (earthen oven oven) lamps, and baskets filled with Prasad. Agni (fire god) is worshiped.

Day 4:

On the last day of the festivities the devotees, family and friends go to the riverbank. Prasad offered to the rising sun. The devotees break their fast and Prasad shared with all those people around.

Festivals and rituals:

Chhatt are very happy and colorful festival. All the people dress in their best clothes. Devotional folk songs are sung both at home and on the riverbank. Millions of people gather on the banks of river Ganges in Patna (Capital of Bihar) to celebrate Chhatt. The streets are kept clean by volunteers who also decorate all streets leading to the River. 

The Prasad includes sweets and fruit kept in small baskets made of bamboo.

The food is exclusively vegetarian and it is cooked without salt, onions and garlic. Emphasis on maintaining the purity of food.

When a family begins to exercise Chhatt Puja, it is still every year in the following generations. If unable to perform the Puja itself for personal reasons, it is recommended that you should help one another, performing Puja by providing funds or Prasad instead of completely missing the Puja.

Places of activity:

The sun temples in Aurangabad and Baragaon near Nalanda, actively celebrate Chhatt. During the festival, it is very crowded. All the devotees go to the banks of the river to offer their prayers to the sun god.

Over the years, people from both Bihar and Jharkhand moved to other states and even other countries for education and careers. With them they took along the festival Chhatt so it is now celebrated in many other places.

Marvell Chhatt are some things to experience and enjoy. There are beautiful folk songs sung to Chhatt. It is a pity that most of them are passed down in families, but are not recorded for others to hear and enjoy.

Recently, a few famous singers tried to recreate folk songs. A few examples may be found in 'Chhatt Geet'. Hope you enjoy listening to them and will go out and buy the CD or tape from a reputable dealer.

Chateau Marmont - Hollywood's Celebrity Hideout Hotel

Chateau Marmont Hotel in West Hollywood will unfortunately always be remembered as the place where Saturday Night Live comedian John Belushi died of an overdose. Fortunately, Chateau Marmont is also known as a lush hideaway for the rich and famous in the middle of the lively and legendary Sunset Strip.

Schwab's Drugstore, the Brown Derby restaurant, the Trocadero and Mocambo nightclubs are all gone. Chateau Marmont Hotel is one of the few survivors of Hollywood's golden age in the 1930s. Actually Chateau is still a cutting edge place for the rich and famous, thanks to boutique hotelier Other Belazs acquire the property in 1991. Fortunately, he renovated hotel without losing its historic beauty and character. He upgraded its services by actually adding the room service (yes, Chateau Marmont never had room service) and a small restaurant specializing in "French-California cuisine." 

When the Chateau Marmont was built in 1927, it was conceived as an upscale apartment building, modeled after the Chateau d'Ambroise, a chateau in France's Loire Valley, where Leonardo DaVinci spent the last three years of his life. Back in the thirties, Chateau Marmont only became a hotel because the high rents could not draw enough residents during the Depression.

Since the Chateau Marmont was originally built as apartments, this has worked to its advantage because each room has the homey feel of an apartment in contrast to the sterile feel of a typical hotel room. Another advantage: the building's structure, unique for its time, was designed to be earthquake safe, and it actually survived five major Southern California earthquakes, including the devastating 1994 Northridge earthquake. These characteristics, combined with his adventures in Hollywood glory and debauchery, Chateau Marmont is a home away from home for so many celebrities who check in for several months at a time.

According to hotel's own press release, the Chateau Marmont the kind of place where you can avoid your room for weeks and nobody will think anything of it. "Chateau's physical layout is ideal for privacy, its inhabitants are able to skirt around all public places 

on their way to their cars. And there are "green" views on all sides, successfully muffling the fact of the hotel's proximity to the Sunset Strip.

The actor Robert DeNiro lived at the Château in two years. Boris Karloff lived here for five years. In the fifties, Occupied billionaire Howard Hughes in the penthouse, brings a number of mistresses here. In the forties, advised Columbia Studios head Harry Cohn his hard partying male stars like William Holden and Glenn Ford, "If you want to get into trouble, do it at Chateau Marmont."

Director Oliver Stone shot part of "The Doors" movie at the Chateau, reintroduce Jim Morrison's tumble off the roof of his bungalow. Members of rock group Led Zeppelin once rode their motorcycles through lsobby. Screenwriter William Goldman wrote "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" here. James Dean crawled through the window of director Nicholas Ray's suite to audition for "Rebel Without a Cause." 

The hotel consists of fifty rooms and suites, four bungalows and nine cabins. Room Rates start at $ 199 a night for a single room.

Computer Security - Start from Emails in Keeping Safe

With the creation of information-hour, computer has become increasingly important to people's life and work. As one of the most common and important means of communication, E-mail is also easy to be attacked by hackers or viruses online. So we should be mindful of security while using e-mail. Now I would like to present some useful tips for maintaining email security. 

  

Enable spam filter

Spam Filter is always included in web and calculate users can enable or disable it according to their requirements. For this function, it is necessary to activate and use it to block unwanted emails. But sometimes, it can not recognize junk e-mail correctly, you need to control unwanted e-mail file, if there are some misclassified emails. 

  

Deal with junk e-mails properly

When the junk e-mails have been found, you can delete them immediately. But they are always kept in the litter box or junk mail box, empty the litter box or junk mail box if there is any suspicious file to spare. 

  

Use anti-virus program for maintaining your PC security

To keep our computers safe, is one of the best and effective ways to equip our computers with power safety tool like Spyware ceases. Since most computer viruses can replicate themselves and spread by infecting a large number of documents, set the automatic scan and remove the files found in due time will be good for your computer's security. 

  

Keep your software and system update

When our computers get connected to the Internet, the possibility of infection must be growing by the day. And because of update of the virus as well as computer malware, we should have our computer system and security software up to date. So we can easily get rid of all the latest threat. 

  

As mentioned above, defend and preserve are just beginning to keep our computers away from the virus, the more important thing is to adopt meaningful and effective ways to deal with computer problems.

Basic accounting software package

Error free accounts is one of the key factors for a smooth flow of business. Accounting requirements for a business venture vary with the volume of operations. But the common accounting processes are prevalent in every scale of operation are creditors, debtors, salaries and trail balance. Human efforts in this direction, maybe not 100% correct every time. To make accounting process faster, convenient and virtual flawless, several accounting periods, software packages have emerged. These packages are unique functional modules for each accounting needs, and they act as a financial information system.

Accounting software packages can be developed in house, or you can buy a tailored package according to your requirements from third party software vendors. Complexity and cost of these packages vary depending on specification. A good accounting software package has separate modules for both core services and core accounting activities. Accounts payable, receivables, billing, general ledger, sales and purchase order and inventory transactions are the key accounting activities. Along with all the above, accounting software packages have unique modules for non-core activities such as debt collection, electronic payments, payroll, time sheets and purchase requisition.

You can get an accounting software package for your business from resellers, developers and consultants. You have to pay a licensee fee for this purpose. You are free to do customization options and adding support services according to business needs by paying them an extra fee. While purchasing these software packages, be sure to go to an easy to install and use one. Purchase of accounting software packages along with other software packages such as CRM software can offer you a discount on the price.

Antje Wilmer is freelance writer on e-commerce. He has written articles and blogs on e-commerce and small business CRM. Interprise.co.uk offers CRM applications to the customers.

Subash Chandra Bose

In this stunning rural West Bengal State of India has always contributed to its maximum share of the countries welfare by providing many spiritual and great personalities who have been the valuable property in the country. In this great people of remarkable and praisable person was Subash Chandra Bose. When India was held in a very bad way as the English people, who have treated the Indians very cheaply, but this people Subash Chandra Bose was an Iron Man. 

  

            Subash Chandra Bose was born on 23.01.1897 to janakinath Bose and prabavathi.he was the ninth boy to them. In earlier days our forefathers used one to say that the ninth boy will rule the world, whose name by Subash Chandran, there have been strong and very bold freedom together familiar to the whole world as Subash Chandra Bose. 

  

            Subash Chandra Bose has never been like a normal human being, he has always been a special person out of altruism, he never turned his attraction towards worldly liking like money, fame, etc., his only ultimate ail and wanted Indian freedom that He has fought hard with the English people, who directs him to go to jail many times when he had a miserable part of his life when Subash was in prison Calcutta mayor elections announced by the British people. Since the period Subash was hurtled into jail, general public was very hyper and angry with the British Government. So they decided to make a nomination for mayor election on behalf of Subash. In elections Subash won it in a unique way. But he was not released by the British government, which he was released only after the penalty period of the 1930th 

  

            Subash Chandra Bose was headed ashore meeting of 22.01.1938 and by the clear and knowledge's speech, he was attracted by the word heart of all public, leading to enormous freedom to feel in public. He resigned the post of the Congress leadership 09.05.1939 and started a new party, the Indian forward block was started on 16.05.1939 and to open its branch in Tamilnadu he came up to Madurai. Later he formed the Indian national force as part of the Indian military, which was managed by him very well in this force nearly 7.30 lakhs soldier worked. The proportion of new accessions force increased to 30 lakhs. 

  

  

            The sole aim and pulled Subash was Indian freedom. 18.03.1944 The Indian national force began its attack booting from Manipur through nag soil. British force was unable to cope with Indian national force, and they began to give up, and the results of Manipur was captured by our force. 

  

            Later Subash wanted to do a talk in Singapore and from there he wanted to go to Japan and meets all the generals. 16.08.1945 In Singapore, he went from Bangkok and from there he went to Sycon on 17.08.1945 from Sycon he started to Japan, but on the way to Japan in the air near parmosa island in the plane where Subash got met with a fire, accident and Subash was dead by noon inexpertly 2.30 .. this news reached the people of different ways, leading them to a big push, and people stop all their ordinary business and began to met to share their sad feeling for Subash. 

  

            Dream of Subash came true on 15.08.1947 after 350 years under British rule government. India became an independent country. 

    

            The powerful words that created great sensation and raised up patriotic feeling in the heart of the Indian was ... ... ... .. JAIHIND 

  

            To honor this great man Indian government has issued a stamp of 15 paisa and 55 paisa in the years 1964 and later in the year 1968 has issued a stamp of rs1.

PARAM VIR CHAKRA.

India's highest military award presented to the courage and devotion of the military persons in the presence of the enemy is known as Param Vir Chakara and it is equal to the British Victoria Cross, U.S. Medal of Honor, or the French Legion of Honor. This prize has been awarded posthumously for many of the warriors, after their death. Param Vir means "the bravest of the Brave" in sanskrit. Param denotes highest Vir means warriors and Chakra means wheel.

The prize was established on 26 January 1950 (India's Republic Day), as the President of India, with effect from 15 August 1947 (Independence Day) may be awarded to officers or enlisted personnel from all branches of the Indian military for their bravery. The second highest award of the Indian government after Bharat ratna). Allocation of decoration carries with it the right to use PVC as a post nominal abbreviation. 

Cash compensation also distributed to the recipients for persons under the rank of lieutenant (equivalent to their service) on the death of the beneficiary, that pension is transferred to his widow until her death or remarriage. By March 1999, fellowship at Rs. 1500 per month granted, in addition, many states have recognized individual pension rewards. 

Subedar Major Bana Singh of the Eighth Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry was the only serving personnel of the Indian Defense business with a Param Vir Chakra until the Kargil operations. Most of them awarded posthumously. 

The medal was designed by Savitri Khanolkar, which is a circular bronze disc with a 1-3/8 inch (about 3.5 cm) diameter raised circle, the state emblem. About this, four replicas of Indra Vajra's (Almighty mythical weapons of the ancient Vedic King of Gods). Ornament is suspended from a straight bar and the name of the edge. Words Param Vir Chakra are written in Hindi and English. The band includes Param Vir Chakra is 32 mm long and purple. 

The awardees of PVC are listed below: 

Major Somnath Sharmna 

Lance Naik Karam Singh 

II Lt Rama Raghoba Rane 

Naik Jadu Nath Singh 

Comnpany Havildar Major Piru Singh 

Captain Gurbachan Singh Salana 

Major Dhan Singh Thapa 

Subedar Singh Jogindar 

Major shaitan Singh 

Havildar Abdul Hamid 

Lt. Col. Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore 

Lance Naik Albert Ekka 

Flying Officer Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon 

II Lt Arun Khetarpal 

Major Hoshiar Singh 

Naib Subedar Bana Singh 

Major Ramasamy Parmeshwaran 

Lt. Gen. Kumar Pandey 

Gren Dier Yogendra Singh Yadav 

Rifleman Sanjay Kumar 

Captain Vikram Batra

PADMA SHRI PADMA VIBHUSHAN AND PADMA BHUSHAN

Padma Shri Award is the first award presented by the Government of India to Indian citizens who sign and appear in different areas, which give contributions of different activities including art, journalism, literature and education, medicine, Public Affairs, Science and Engineering, Social Work, Sport, Commerce & Industry, etc. 

Padma Shri award is the fourth in the list of civilian awards after the Bharat ratna, Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan. On its front the words "Padma" and "Shri", in Devanagari, in addition to and in the lotus flower. The geometric pattern on both sides are in polished bronze. All embossing is in white gold. 

Until February 2008, the total number issued in 2095 prices, different people have received these prices on their performance in different fields, below is a list of examples of people who have received these prices these days ... 

Dr. Bir Bhan Bhatra, medicine, 

Dr. Mohan Lal, medicine, 

Dr. Krishnaswamy Ramiah, the Science & Engineering, 

Nargis, the arts, 

Satyajit Ray, the arts, 

Dr. M. G. Ramachandran, the arts, 

Ustad Bismillah Khan, the arts, 

Mother Maria Teresa, of Social Work, 

Mrinalini Sarabhai, the arts, 

Dr. Dharmendra, medicine, 

Mohamed Rafi, the arts, 

Sunil Dutt, the arts, 

Gemini Ganesh, the arts, 

K. J. Yesudas, the arts, 

  

Padma VIBHUSHAN AND Padma Bhushan 

India's second highest civilian award given by Indian government Padma Vibhushan which involves' a medal and a reference, and is awarded by the President of India and was established on 2 januar 1954th This price comes after the Bharat ratna and before the Padma Bhushan. This prize is awarded to prominent personalities for their service to the nation in every region, including public service. 

History 

Created by presidential forces on January 2, 1954 this award Padma Vibhushan was created as the first class on a three-class "Padma Vibhushan" prices. The structure was later amended in 1955, and there is no record of the award will be presented for any of the recipients of the original structure. Award was suspended between 1977 and 1980 and no body to be concluded between 1992 and 1998. . 

Medallions Details 

  

First medallion (1954-1955)

Originally medal was a circular gold medal, 1-3/8 inches in diameter, with an embossed lotus flower in the middle with the inscription "Padma Vibhushan" above and a floral wreath below and the back of the Indian state emblem and the legend Desh Seva (National Service) and a lotus flower wreath below. There is nothing here that this construction was used to present a medal to one of the awardees. 

Second medallion (1955-1957) 

 The medal design was changed in 1955 to be an "essentially circular" 1-3/16 inch tinted bronze medal with geometric patterns and the center had a lotus flower with four large petals embossed in white gold. Above and below this flower with the name decorated with Padma Vibhushan was minted in silver gilt. 

Current medallion (1957-present) 

In 1957, the medal design preserved, but the material changed from tinted bronze to polished bronze. 

Important Awardees: 

1954 Dr. Zakir Hussein Public Affairs Andhra Pradesh India 

1955 J.R.D. Tata Trade and Industry Maharashtra, India 

1962 Padmaja Naidu Public Affairs Andhra Pradesh India 

The last 2008 awardees list: 

2008 E. Sreedharan, Delhi Metro India, 

2008 Lakshmi Mittal Niwas Industry, India, 

2008 Justice Dr. ASAnand, Public Affairs, Delhi, India, 

2008 Rattan Tata Industries, Maharashtra, India, 

2008 Sachin Tendulkar, Sports, Maharashtra, India. 

Padma Bhusan award is an Indian civilian award established on 2 January 1954 by the President of India and lies in third place in the hierarchy of civilian awards after the Bharat ratna and Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Sri and awarded to recognize the known high-class service to the nation, in any field. 

List of Awardees

At 1-Feb-2008, 1003 people have received the award and notable among them are: 

ALMudaliar, Literature & Education, Tamilnadu, India. 

Homi Jahangir Baba, Science & Engineering, Maharashtra, India. 

M. S. Subbulakshmi, Art, Tamilnadu, India. 

Sunil Manohar Gavaskar, Sports, Maharashtra, 

S. Balachandar, Arts, Tamilnadu, 

Kapil Dev Nikhanj, Sports, Delhi 

Rajini Kanther & P. Susheela Arts, Tamilnadu.