Janmashtami 2010

Janmashtami 2010 is around the corner and the festivities are set to begin from today itself. The birth of lord Krishna that is to be celebrated on the 2nd of September but will redeem the mood of festivity from today as the mid night hours are marked as the time of the great birth in Hindu mythology. Click here: Krishna Kanmashtami Festival, wallpapers, pictures and sms

Last year that is in 2009 the festival of Janmashtami was observed in the month of August falling on the 14th of the month but this time it is September instead. The Brahmin sect named smartha celebrates this occasion on the 1st of September that is a day before the original occasion. Lord Krishna set foot on earth during the Rohini Nakshatra extending in the Rashi of Vrishabha.

This occasion is referred through various names across India like Shri Krishna Jayanti, Janmashtami, Sree Jayanthi and Gokulashtami but its importance is no less where ever it is celebrated. Devotees observe fasts, chant hymns and blow Conch during the hours of celebration on this eight day of Savana following the full moon period. The idol of lord Krishna is bathed with a mixture called the panchamrit which is later distributed among devotees in the form of a blessing.

The celebration that is marked for two consecutive days is referred to as Krishnashtami on the first and Kalashtami on the second day. After the fasting period is consummated observers offer prayer called”Aarti” in reverence to the lord. Devotees also mark the period with extended chanting of prayers called the mantras and shlokas so that a pious and religious atmosphere can be created during the holy festival.

So here comes another big Indian festival, janamastami. The festival sees the birth of the most loved and notorious God in the Indian mythology, Lord Krishna. The Indians celebrate this festival with great zeal and vigour and revere the day as ultimate victory of fate over cruelty.

According to the hindu mythology, janamashtami is celebrated to mark the birth of janam of lord Krishna.

As far as the mythology goes, Devaki and Vasudev were held in prison by Devaki’s crule brother Kamsa as there was a prediction that Devaki’s eighth child would kill Kamsa. So, Kamsa in order to reatain his life killed all the seven children of Devaki and when the eighth child was born Vasudev took the child to his friend’s place Nand and Yashoda. And thus, lord Krishna was saved.

Krishna is considered as the eighth re incarnation of Lord Vishnu and he is considered as the preserver of the universe. His life at Gokul has been depicted very well and playful in the hindu mythology.

He was loved by everyone in his village. Lord Krishna is famous for his playful attitude towards his gopies.

As far as the celebrations are concerned, all the homes are lit up colorfully with different lightings and various jhankis are presented. Children emulate different Gods and Goddesses and people revere them with great faith. Hymns of Lord Krishna are played everywhere. The night ends with having a Satvik meal at the end.

Krishna Janmashtami

This year janmashtami 2010 is on 2nd September 2010. This pious festival is celebrated wherever Indians reside all over the world. This wonderful festival of janmashtami is celebrated as a birthday of Hindu God Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna is also known as the prophet of God Vishnu Ji.

Janmashtami is also known as also known as Krishnashtami, Saatam Aatham ,Gokulashtam, Ashtami Rohini, Srikrishna Jayant, Sree Jayanthi or sometimes merely as Janmashtami. This ious festival of Janamashtami is observed Astam Tithi which is also known as the eighth day of Krishna Paksha during the month of Shraavana acording to the Hindu Calendar. Janmashtami Collection of Pictures, Wallpapers, Songs, Photos 2010, Janmashtami MP3 Song & Pictures 2010

On the day of Janmashtami people celebrate this festival with zest and zeal. On the occasion of janmashtami people go to temples and bow in front of lord Krishna. People make wishes and lord Krishna fulfills all the wishes of his followers. So many hymns are sung by his followers in his praise. Some people dance also.

For celebrating the birthday of their God Lord Krishna people play various plays like Mahabharata, Rasa Lila especially on the occasion of Janmashtami in the areas like Mathura and Varindava. There is one more ceremony that is fulfilled on this day and it is Dahi Handi. Dahi Handi is akind of mischief that is played by Govindas all over the world. For this mischief people hang Dahi Handi very high. This Dahi Handi is kept full of butter. Govindas make teams and try to break this Dahi Handi full of butter.

For this ceremony people pay heavy amount of money to Govindas as a prize. This huge amount of prize is given to only that particular team of Govindas which break it successfully. Many teams of Govindas try to break Dahi Handi. For making it interesting contest people hang it very high.

There is lot of religious significance of this in Hindu religion. A fast is observed a day before this festival of Janmashtami. When the clock strikes 12 so it is deemed that Lord Krishna has taken birth in the jail where his atrocious maternal uncle Kansa was keeping his parents in prison.

On Janmashtami when lord Krishna takes birth at 12’o’ clock in the midnight people preen him with tons of jewelry and new clothes are put on to him. But before this Lord Krishna is bathed with pious water. In addition to it many hymns are sung in the ecstasy of his birth. Moreover, he is worshipped by everyone after he is placed in a cradle.

After this his Aarti is done by his followers from the bottom of their heart. After Aarti which is a day break special prayer, fast is deemed to be completed.

On this pious day of janmashtami ladies draw the design of children’s footprints outside their houses with the help of rice paste. The direction of the footprints is kept towards the inside direction of the house that indicates the entry of Lord Krishna in their house as an infant.

This pious festival of Janmashtami is celebrated all over the world with lot of faith in Lord Krishna. So this time Janmashtami is coming on 2nd of September 2010. I hope Janmashtami 2010 will bring prosperity and love all over the world. Moreover, I request all the people of the world to do something more like planting trees on our mother earth. As this earth is our mother so keeping it neat and green is also our duty. So everyone lets shake hands together on the occasion of janmashtami 2010 and make a resolution of keeping our mother earth neat and green by planting more and more trees.

So this is the only one message that I want to spread all over the world on this occasion of Janmashtami. So that our million more generations get to see this pious festival of Janmashtami in future.

So It is my humble request to everyone around the world to send Janmashtami sms to your loved ones but kindly spread the message of keeping the earth neat and green also. If you do so today so many more generations will get to see this wonderful festival of Janmashtami. So everyone lets come and celebrate this janmashtami2010 in forests also and plant some trees.

Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa the epitome of love and faith, graced Earth on August 26, 1910, born to Albanian parents. Today as the world unites to celebrate the 100th birthday of the missionary, let’s take a look at Mother Teresa’s biography-

She was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in what is now Skopje, Macedonia. From the young age of 12 she answered the call of the heavenly Father and by 18 she was ready to set forth on her duty to serve as a nun. She left home to join Sisters of Loreto, the Irish community that sent nuns to India. In 1929 she arrived here and on May24th 1931 took her vows and was given the name by which we now recognize her.

The world outside the school St. Mary’s where she taught initially troubled her. And finally she set forth on her missionary work, helping the poor in Calcutta in 1948. Soon after just 2 years, she was able to form “The Missionaries of Charity” whose mission was to look after those whom the world ignores. Her efforts got recognition and soon the Society turned into International Religious Family when Pope Paul VI passed a decree to that effect.

Since then there was no looking back for her as she strove tirelessly to help the poor and the needy. In 1997 when Mother Teresa breathed her last, she was buried in the order’s headquarters and now hundreds of the faithful flock to the site to pay their respects to her. In 2003 she was beatified by the Vatican. Mother Teresa is yet to attain sainthood as a medical miracle is still awaited to prove her divine powers.

Mother Teresa’s 100th birthday is being celebrated all over the world. In India, specially Kolkata special mass had been organized. Cardinal Telesphore Placidus Toppo of Ranchi presided over the mass that was held in the Missionaries of Charity headquarters. The chapel was decorated with flowers and candles were lit. The crowd that gathered to hear Pope Benedict XVI’s message at the service was huge. The Pope has said-”I am confident that this year will be, for the church and the world, an occasion of joyful gratitude to God for the inestimable gift that Mother Teresa was in her lifetime and continues to be through the affectionate and tireless work of you, her spiritual children.”

Sister Nirmala who succeeded Mother Teresa and Sister Prema the head of the Missionaries of Charity then proceeded to release white doves as a mark of peace & compassion for all. In all over India the festivities are huge. President Smt. Pratibha Patil also addressed the public ceremony in New Delhi which was hosted to honor Mother Teresa today. Even the Indian leading comics publisher Amar Chitra Katha has announced a special comic book on Mother Teresa.

Elsewhere, the Nobel Peace Prize winner’s 100th birthday is being celebrated with much pomp & gaiety specially in New York. The Times Square is also gearing up to celebrate the cemetery birthday celebration of Mother Teresa by putting up white & blue boardings and neon lights to light up the evening as the Great White Way.

Mother Teresa quotes and photographs are being put up everywhere. Indeed the great missionary’s 100th birthday will be commemorated all year long in a legendary fashion.

Janmashtami 2010

Janmashtami 2010 is around the corner as this year it is going to be celebrated on the 1st and 2nd of September accordingly. Janmashtami which marks the birth of Lord Krishna, the famous Hindu deity comes on the eighth day of the Savana (monsoon) month according to Hindu calendar. Mythology has it that Lord Krishna was born under the Rohini nakshatram in the mid night hours.

It also states that the dark night of his birth was full of weather turbulence while he was born in the boundaries of a prison. His both parents were imprisoned by his cruel uncle Kansa, and his birth was to mark an end to his atrocities. 5,227 years ago in the year of Visvavasu, lord Krishna came to this earth when the moon entered the Rohini Nakshatra. The celebration for this festival is observed for two days as the Ashtami and Rohini Nakshatra tithi may not be on the same day.

The first day of celebration is called as the Krishnashtami while the second is called Kalashtami. The main celebration of this occasion begins by the midnight as devotes bathe the lord in a mixture of five elements called the panchamrit and then sing hymns, dance and rejoice to celebrate his birth.Many observe fast for the two consequent days while some fast for a single day until midnight hours. Click here for Janmashtami Wallpapers

Gayatri Mantra

The most sacred and revered hymn in the Hindu religion is the Gayatri Mantra. The Gayatri Mantra goes like this:-

“Om bhur bhuvah svah
Tat savitur varenyam
Bhargo devasya dheemahi
Dhiyo yo nah prachodayaat”

Though the hymn can be chanted on any occasion, but the Gayatri Japam Day which is on the following day of Purnima or Full Moon day in the month of Shravan is considered the most sacred for recitation of the mantra. On this day Brahmins who are proficient in any of the Vedas (Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurveda) across India especially South India recite this hymn.

The Mantra is based on the Gayathri who is considered the Supreme Goddess and the Mother Goddess of the Hindu mythology. Earlier every Hindu irrespective of the stage of life in which he is, i.e Celibacy (Brahmachari), Familial (Grihastha) or old age (Vanaprastha) had to observe this day, but nowadays mostly Brahmins observe this day. While reciting the mantra it’s mandatory for the Brahmin to wear Janeyu, the sacred thread which is also known as Jandhyam, Yagnopaveeta or Janivar. The mantra has to be recited 108 times. On the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan or Avani Avittam also, Gayatri Mantra is recited. In the year 2010, the Gayatri Japam Day has fell on August 25.

Raksha Bandhan

Rakshabandhan, the popular Hindu festival is being celebrated all over the country with great enthusiasm. Today, on August 24, 2010 sisters will tie Rakhi i.e. a sacred thread around the wrist of their brothers and they will meanwhile take vows to look after them and to be on their sides in all ups and downs for the rest of their lives.

This festival that affirms the love of brothers and sisters has found different ways in this era. For those of you who are finding it difficult to get your message across to your brothers or sisters, here is something that will help you across. You can sms or greet them on their cellphones. Then social networking sites like Orkut provide a good alternative. And our old melodies always come to our rescue in times like this. You can look for options from classics like:

•    Chhoti Behen
•    Resham Ki Dori
•    Kajal
•    Hare Ram Hare Krishna

We can also look for messages as a good option:

•    This sacred thread reminds me of our sacred relation which will continue forever and ever….

•    May God bless you with all his choiciest blessings not only on this special occasion but the whole year long.

•    May this Rakshabandhan come as a beautiful day where all your unfulfilled wishes come true…God Bless You!!!

You can sing or send these songs/messages to your valued relations to make this occasion really memorable and to tell them their incomparable importance in your lives. May you have a really happy Rakshabandhan ahead.

raksha bandhan 2010

Raksha Bandhan shall be celebrated all over India on the 24th of August, the full moon day of the Shraavaanmaasa. The occasion is an expression of brother-sister bonding and highlights the significance of their relationship.

On the day of Raksha Bandhan, sisters visit their brothers’ homes and do a puja on them, applying tilak and rice on their forehead and doing aarti. They then tie a thread called Rakhi, around the brothers’ wrist and pray for their good health and well being. The brothers in turn promise to take care of their sisters. They also give sisters a gift as a token of love.

In modern times, it is not always possible for a brother and sister to be beside each other on Raksha Bandhan. Education and professional commitments often require them to be away from the loved ones. However, such people express their wishes and love via messages sent online or the short messaging system. Sisters send their loving wishes for the brothers’ success and the fulfillment of all their dreams. They also pray for the siblings’ long life and happiness. In this way, the tradition of Raksha Bandhan is followed with great affection and love even in these modern times. Click here for Raksha Bandhan’s SMS, Greetings, e-cards, Quotes, songs , wallpapers, etc..

It was the golden era of the famous king Mahabali of Kerala whom the people remember even today and celebrate his coming back to their region with great fun and enthusiasm.

It’s on this day that famous festival of Onam is celebrated which is generally a harvesting festival. Various preparations are made for this big day where people of the Malayalee express their thanks and love to their king.

There will be many people who will celebrate this festival with all the singing and dancing on this Monday.

Besides this there would special events and performances organized in the city of Goa where the Malayalee population would celebrate by cooking special traditional dishes and enjoying the feasting with friends and family.

The popular mythical story for this legend says that the great king mahabali was famous for his generosity across the world and so one day when the famous incarnation of lord vishnu  asked him to prove his generosity, he told him to ask anything in the world to which Vaman asked for the stretch of land measured by his three small steps.

So when it was time to complete his wish, vaman in the first step covered the whole of earth and his next step covered the heaven. Seeing this, the great generous king mahabali offered himself to Vaman to which the incarnation of Vishnu readily accepted and seeing his generous spirit granted him the boon to come back to Kerala which was his favorite kingdom once every year.

Onam is celebrated to commemorate this home coming of mahabali. This year there has been numerous onam wishes, onam greetings, onam pictures and onam quotes circulating among the people through internet this year.

“Let this harvest festival of colors bring in unity, peace and prosperity and pave the way for the development of the nation,” he said.

According to M. Karunanidhi, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, his government has respect for the feelings of all the parts of society. In the year, 2006, the present chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M karunanidhi also came up with a special day off in the districts of Nagercoil, Nilgiris and Coimbatore. These states were chosen because they have considerably more population than many other places.

“This was extended to Chennai in 2007. It is a proof of our commitment to respect the just sentiments people of other States residing in Tamil Nadu,” he said.

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Chief, J. Jayalalithaa, feels that the Onam festival discourages the feelings of differences of caste and creed.

Here are some really useful resources for you for this Onam check out below -

Click here for Pookalam Wallpaper,  Onam Images and Pookalam Designs

Click for Onam Greetings, songs, cards,  Sms, Messages and Onam Quotes

Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is observed every year in India to celebrate the warm love shared between a brother & a sister. Literally translated it means the ‘knot of protection’ that a sister ties to her beloved brother’s hand to remind him of his duty to protect her and care for her life-long. The knot isn’t only the sign of fulfillment of duty but also signifies the bond of love and affection between them. Click here Raksha bandhan 2010: the epitome of love and affection

Celebrated in the Hindu month of Shraavana on a full moon day, Raksha Bandhan 2010 falls on Tuesday August 24^th. Like every year, sisters get dressed in new clothes and arrange a special ‘rakhi thali’ or a plate containing the items ogf worship, sweets and a specially decorated rakhi for their brother. The sister ties the rakhi to her brother’s wrist and then feeds him sweets.

The brother too is expected to feed her sweets and in return give her some small token of affection in the form of gifts. The beauty of this festival is that it doesn’t bind a girl to tie rakhi just to her brother by blood. She can tie rakhi to any male for whom she has sisterly affections.

Rakhi greetings are shared by all on this beautiful occasion and the shops abound in special rakhi gifts meant for the sisters. Rakhi cards are sent to beloved brothers who reside far across and can’t come over to get the rakhi tied. For those setted abroad, the provision of online rakhi stores have proved a boon.

Many shops sell rakhis online that are then parceled off to other countries or simply delivered there from their foreign branches. Entire ‘rkahi thalis’ can also be sent this way. So if you have a brother abroad, then don’t worry you can still send him a rakhi through these services. Rakhi sms greeting are also sent nowadays between brothers and sisters many days prior to the festival.

Before we start getting ready to celebrate Raksha Bandhan 2010, let’s take a look at a little history behind this beautiful festival. The origin of this festival is still unknown, but perhaps according to mythology the 1^st rakhi was teied by Lord Indra’s wife to Vritra-Indra so as to ascertain that the duel is won by Indra as Vritra-Indra would be bound by tradition to protect his sister’s spouse.

Raksha Bandhan though a Hindu festival had achieved a more secular following even during ancient times. Alexander the Great’s wife had also tied a rakhi to her husband’s enemy King Porus to prevent him from defeating Alexander. The Moghul era has also seen Raksha Bandhan being followed. The Rajput widowed queen Rasni Karnawati had tied a rakhi to Emepror Humayun to save her homeland Chittor from invasion by Bahadur Shah.

In India Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in different forms. ‘Rakhi Purnima’ is celebrated mostly in the northern & southern parts of our country on the full moon day in Shraavan month. In the state of Orissa it’s celebrated as ‘Grahma Purnima’ wherein the cattle are worshipped and special ‘mitha’ are prepared. ‘Nariyal Purnima’ sees the worship of Lord of the seas Lord Varun, by the people of Goa, Maharashtra & Gujarat.

They offer a ‘nariyal’ or coconut to the seas as a form of respect & worship. Uttarkhand apart from observing the customary Raksha Bandhan also celebrates it as the ‘Janyo Punyo’ i.e. the changing of the sacred thread on the poornima. ‘Kajari Purnima’ hold special meaning for the mothers blessed with a son & the farmers of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand & Bihar.

It’s a festival beginning on Kajari Navami or the 9^th day after Amavasya or new moon. Pavitropana is also celebrated by many in Gujarat to culminate all the paryers done that year in the form of worship of Lord Shiva.

So get ready to celebrate Raksha Bandhan 2010 in your special way. Forget all the fights you had with your sister and grab a special gift for her. Ranging from chocolates and stuffed toys there is a wide variety of gifts on sale to commemorate rakhi celebarations. The same goes true for the darling sisters. Rakhis in every imaginable form are available. If it’s a younger brother you are tying a rakhi to, get a cute cartoon designed rakhi. For the classy ones, get bejeweled rakhis that are adorned with semi-precious stones.

Raksha Bandhan 2010 is next week on august 24^th. Gives you ample time to start shopping if you haven’t yet already. So what are you getting your sister this Rakhi? And have you selected that special rakhi for your brother yet?

Onam

Onam begins with the first month of Malyalam calendar known as Kolla Varsham, marked as August-September in English calendar and Bhadon in Hindu calendar.
Onam celebration continues for ten days, which begins Atham and culminates with Thiru Onam. These are the most imperative days in for Onam festivities. Their occurrence depends upon the position of stars.

Celebrations of Onam commence from lunar asterism and Atham (Hastha) occurs ten days before Thiru Onam. Atham is very holy and auspicious for Keralites while Thiru corresponds to the Shravan Divas in the month of Chingam, hence it is also called Sravanotsavam.  Click here Onam Pookalam Festival 2010 Wallpaper, Onam 2010 Images, Pookalam 2010 Designs

It is believed that Onam is celebrated in the honor of King Mahabali. According to the belief of people in Kerala it is the day when Lord Vishnu in the avatar of Vaamana, visited King Mahabali and sent him to patala.

Pleased with King Mahabali’s generosity Lord Vaman granted him a boon to which Mahabali wished to visit his people in Kerala and it is this day of Thiruonam that his spirit visits.  Hence, these days are celebrated to honor him.

His kingdom has witnessed the golden therefore pay homage to their King by celebrating his visit in Chingam. Devotees lay flower mats in their courtyard, prepare delicacies and dance to welcome him.

Chingam is a month of harvest, in this month Kerala bestows its beauty to the full bloom. Fields glow as gold and flowers spread fragrance everywhere. Kerala appears as heaven on earth in this season.

The festivals that are celebrated in India signify the unity of friends and family and mark their togetherness in god and bad time. One of these is Raksha bandhan which is celebrated with all the love and affection in the family and sentiments of fraternity and unlimited affection.

The term Raksha Bandhan denotes protection and can be literary translated into the bond of protection. This particular festival encourages and advocates the sentiments of love and affection among the siblings.

Almost all the festivals in India are celebrated with fun, excitement traditional songs and dances which have become part and parcel of these festivals and the festivities.

The auspicious festival of Raksha badhan celebrates and glorifies the relationship of a brother and sister who wait all year long for this auspicious day.

This festival begins with the enthusiastic sisters preparing the special Pooja thali and for this they use Roli, chawal and aarti to begin the tilak and blessings for their brothers.

The ceremony starts with payers to the almighty father to protect and bless the brother sister pair and increase the trust and faith in their relationship after which the sister ties the rakhi or the Raksha sutra on the wrist of the brother who in return promises to take care of her sister and help her in all the situations whether good or bad.

The brother also gives a return gift to his loving sister which signify his commitment to rakhi and its promise to protect his sister from all the danger all his life.

Women get up early in the morning, clean their homes and after taking bath prepares a rangoli, on which the sacred pot or the Kalasha is placed for the puja. The pot is filled with rice and water, surrounded by mango and betel leaves. A coconut is also decorated and placed on the pot. The Kalasha also gets decorated with flowers, fruits, grains, clothes, jewellery and even money.

The puja begins with the worship of Ganesha, to ward off the evil and obstacles. Later the Varamahalakshmi worship also starts and the woman concerned performs the puja with a bunch of nine threads with nine knots.

Chanting of Lakshmi Ashtottara Shatanama forms an important part of the rites. Then, an offering of nine dishes are presented to Lakshmi and in the end sings praise of the goddess.

Other married women are then invited into the house as the goddess and are gifted with sweets. Ladies who enter the house are presented with tamboolam. The next day the water from the kalasha is sprinkled all over the house.

The legend behind Varamahalakshmi goes like this: Goddess Lakshmi instructs one of her devotees named Charumati to go on a fast to let her dreams come true. She does so along with the other women of her neighborhood. As soon as they concluded their Vrata, they were blessed with all kinds of riches.

Thereafter, women started observing this puja for good health and prosperity. In addition, the occasion is also mentioned in Skanda Purana as narrated by Lord Shiva to Parvati. He reveals that this puja blesses one with prosperity, food, health, progeny and long life of husband.

Varalakshmi Vratam

The story goes that a pious lady from Magadha was blessed by goddess Lakshmi in her dreams. The next day the lady-Sarmadi decided to worship godess Lakshmi in an elaborate manner by holding this Varalakshmi Vratam pooja. Other ladies who soon heard of Saramadi’s blessed dream decided to follow suit & joined her in worshiping the Devi.

Mostly observed by married women, the Varalakshmi Vratam is observed by holding fasts all day. The Sanskrit translation of the words literally mean “Vara Lakshmi Vrata” pr the fast held to worship goddess Lakshmi. Mostly women form the states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu & Karnataka observe fasts on Varalakshmi Vrata.

This year too women had observed the fasts & worshipped goddess Lakshmi to grant them Dhana – Money, Dhanyam – Food, Arogyam – Health, Sothu – Property & others.

Pateti Celebrations

Pateti refers to the New Year’s eve as per the Shenshai calendar followed by orthodox Parsis. New Year’s day follows it and is called the ‘Nowroz’. Many Parsis also call the New Year’s day Pateti, thus eliminating the difference.

What does the word Pareti mean? It originates from the word ‘patet’ which is the Middle Persian word meaning repentance. Thus, the significance of Pateti lies in thinking and introspecting about one’s words and actions so as to repent the bad ones and move towards being a better human. This way, the new year can sink in on a positive note.

Pateti comes in August as per the Gregorian calendar.  However, it will change in the coming years because Shenshai calendar does not account for leap years.

Celebrating Pateti:

Pateti 2010 is marked with a lot of excitement. The pateti festival is celebrated with home decorations and special foods and fragrances.  Usually, on the pateti festival, the door thresholds of homes are decorated with designs. They usually make a fish, with red powder used for marking the eye of the fish.

Incense sticks called Agarbatis, are lit. Earlier sandalwood would be burned and then the person would walk around to fill the home with its fragrance but now sprinkling of sandalwood powder is practiced. On the Parsi New Year, sandalwood is sprinkled on coals put on the censer. Flowers are also used.

Parsi New Year greetings and gifts include new clothes. Parsis bathe and visit temples in the morning, wearing these new clothes. Children are particularly excited about this part of Parsi new year festivity.

Special food like traditional breakfast including Ravo made from suji (semolina), milk and sugar, and Sev – fried vermicelli is served. This is cooked in sugar syrup. It’s a sweet dih garnished with silver.Other sweet eats can be  suterfeni (fine vermicelli swirls) and jalebi. Pateti is something Parsis look forward to, it is no different for the Parsi new Year in 2010!

Onam

Onam is a major festival in Kerala which marks the occasion of return of the benevolent and revered king Mahabali back from netherworld to review the welfare of the subjects he once ruled upon.

Onam, rich in culture and heritage, is celebrated with great fervour and customs galore in the month of ‘Chingam’ of the Malayalam calendar, Kollavarsham. This year the very special day out of 10 days of the traditional harvest festival, called as Thiru Onam falls on September 7 and is hugely anticipated by locals and the eager tourists who are interested to take back small piece of this amazing heritage.

Trivandrum, Thrissur and Kottayam would be the cities which would be bedecked with decorations and fanfare and the State Government is only too happy to announce ‘Tourism Week’ at this time because what better than caparisoned elephants, glittering fireworks, events, carnivals and the famous Kathakali dance to prove your point of a miraculous and joyous inheritance of culture.

Onam Pookalam

All the Pookalam designs, exquisite wallpapers, pictures and greetings are available during this festival season.

Onam: the History

The story goes that once upon a time very long ago, Kerala had a wise and judicious king in the Asura (Demon), Mahabali. He was not only a benevolent ruler but cared about his subjects with an almost fatherly devotion. His popularity though, earned the ire of the Gods who feared their thrones and evoked concern from the God mother, Aditi. Hence, Lord Vishnu seeking to remove Aditi’s qualms took the avatar of Vamana (a Dwarf) and landed at a Yajna being held by the Demon king. Mahabali was impressed by Vamana and granted him a single wish ignoring the warning by his preceptor, Shukracharya.

The king however, did not budge from his stance since he considered going back on a promise to be a great sin. Vamana wished only for 3 paces of Land. Once his simple enough wish was granted Lord Vishnu assumed his true form and in one step owned the sky and in the next he conquered the netherworld. Everyone was quivering in anticipation of Earth’s destruction with the Lord’s final step but the tender and loving king offered his head instead. He bore the brunt of the last step to be pushed way down to the netherworld but Lord Vishnu couldn’t ignore the sacrifice and honesty which distinguished the great emperor Mahabali. He was allowed to visit his people once every year to ascertain their well-being and then depart in peace to his abode in the netherworld.

Onam

Onam is a tribute to the king who ruled the hearts and to acknowledge his greatness.
Onam: The Festivities, Customs and much more……
The vanquished king, Mahabali is first offered a flowery welcome with every house decorated with a carpet called Pookalam. The courtyards, freshly plastered with dung for purification purposes, also contain two earthen mounds symbolising both Mahabali and Lord Vishnu. The main Onam’s highlight is its classic feast served on Banana leaves called Ona Sadya. People of any caste or creed cannot ignore the sweet smelling Payasam at all.

Get your own fabulous Pookalam designs to get the hang of it and feel the real essence of Onam.

Onam: Boatraces

Onam is incomplete without Vallamkali or its traditional boat-races. It’s most vividly entertaining in Karuvatta, Payippad, Aranmula and Kottayam regions. They have special boats for the races which resemble Snakes and are referred to as Chundans since they represent the raised hood of the majestic cobra eager for the kill. Odis are also part of the attraction which are small and nimble, classic example of Kerala’s royalty. They are adorned with gold tasselled umbrellas of silken textures.

The Churulans boast of magnificently curled prows and sterns. Then there are also the Veppus, which are cook boats at best. The boat races have a dedicated fan following too ranging in thousands who throng the banks to witness sheer power, skills and a brilliant tandem.

Does your wallpaper feature the latest Onam wallpapers too? Go ahead; take your pick out of the numerous wallpapers available online and in stores if you’re in the blessed land of Kerala

Onam: Be there

Onam is simply a festival you shouldn’t miss. It is surely the incarnation of the secular ideals we hold on to. Hindus, Christians, Muslims and the like, all join in this stupendous celebration of joy and thanksgiving gesture. It is not a surprise that they find they are welcome and truly a part of the customs without any visible effort to blend in. it is about new clothes, great food, splendour, diversity and a unity unheard of but found only in India.

If you really want to make sure to be a part of the festivities, make sure you are stocked with your quota of Onam special Greetings, Onam Pookalam Designs and the especially graphic Onam wallpapers.

Onam Greetings

Onam Pookalam this year begins on August 23rd Monday. The festival that celebrates the arrival of spring is celebrated with much fanfare in the southern state of India-Kerala. The annual harvest festival of the Keralites is a much awaited festival that is celebrated with great enthusiasm amongst the Malyalees.

Onam Pookalam is mostly famous for the traditional Pookalam or flower designs that adorn the entrances of the Kerala households. From Atham to Thiruvonam, the great festival of Onam is celebrated for over 10 days in Kerala. Onam greetings are exchanged are family get together to celebrate the good harvest of the year and worship the Gods thanking them.

The Atham day sees girls and boys get together to decorate their courtyard with beautiful designs entirely decorated with flowers. Onam Pookalam carpet as it is called is said to welcome the great King Mahabali, who is said to visit his beloved kingdom of Kerala on Onam. The boys gather the flowers and girls arrange them in intricate Onam Pookalam designs. Click here Onam 2010 Pictures | Onam Greetings | Onam Songs | Onam cards, Onam Sms, Messages Onam Quotes

As the festivities carry on for 10 days, more flowers are added to the design making the Onam Pookalam flower design an elaborate one. Many times Onam Pookalam competitions are held in the villages and schools for arranging the best design.

The legend goes that the great demon King Mahabali was sent to the ‘Patala’ or underground by the Vamana avatar of Lord Vishnu. The reign of Mahabali is described in the history of Kerala as the ‘golden age of prosperity’.

On Onam the king is said to emerge from Patala to pay a visit to his kingdom and thus the Malayalees gear up in festivities to welcome their king. Women are dressed in their finest jewelry and flowers and even the men wear new clothes and decorate their houses holding special prayers.

Another significance of Onam Pookalam is the celebration of a good harvest and the arrival of spring. Onam Pookalam greeting are exchanged with special gifts called Onakkodi. Thiruvonam is the day when Kerala is bedecked in all its finest glory. Over the years the festival of Onam Pookalam has attained a secular nature and is thus celebrated by all communities of people in Kerala.

The feast Onasadya is eagerly looked forward to by all. As many as 10-15 vegertarian dishes are served on banana leaves to those gathered. The snake boat races of Onam Pooakalam are another elaborate affair. These races are held every year on Onam. Also a special set of games are played by all & sundry like Talappanthukali, Kayyankali, Archery or Ambeyyal, Kutukutu, Pulikali, Kummattikali, Thumbi Thullal, Kaikotti kali etc.

This year too celebrate Onam Pookalam by sending special Onam greetings and text messages. You can even search online for unique and beautiful Onam Pookalam designs patterns. There are many sites that offer great recipes for all the traditional items that are cooked for Onam.

So go ahead and celebrate Onam Pookalam with your near and dear ones this year on Monday August 23rd and don’t forget to have a unique & large pookalam decorating your courtyard!

Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan, a popular Indian festival, celebrates the brother and sister relationship. If there are days to cherish your loved one, days to celebrate parenthood and even a day dedicated to grandparents, then it is no surprise that this relationship be celebrated with as much enthusiasm, if not more. Raksha Bandhan Wallpapers Click here

In India, brothers use Raksha Bandhan as an opportunity to show their love for their sisters, while the sisters, by tying the sacred thread of protection called ‘Rakhi’ implicitly prays for the brother’s wellbeing. On Raksha Bandhan, what adds to the merrymaking is the exchange of gifts. In modern day, as our culture and lifestyles evolve, gifts become a more important part of every festival.

Yet, at the core of it, gifts exchanged on Raksha Bandhan mark a more long lasting bond. The entire family is involved. It is not uncommon to see married women visiting their maternal homes to tie a Rakhi to their brothers. At the same time, those located away from the city are sent out rakhis by post. This seals the sacred bond, nurtured on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, as also throughout the year.
Raksha Bandhan, this year, will fall on 24 August. Since it is a working day, a lot of people working in offices where it is not a compulsory leave will be taking an off. Many complete the rituals early morning before going to office. It is a mixed bag. What remains constant is the feeling behind it and the spirit of ceaseless love. After all, Raksha Bandhan speaks for itself.

india independence day picture

US President Barack Obama in his Independence Day message to India has congratulated the people of the country for being an inspiration and kindling a ray of hope for those all over the globe. He asserted that the India’s non violent freedom movement that culminated in its independence on 15th August 1947 has had important effects on the US and many other countries. He gave the example of Martin Luther King Jr. the civil rights movement leader who always projected Mahatma Gandhi as their role model.

The President further added that India’s faith in democracy, fight against terrorism and extremism, supremacy of law etc shall become sources of inspiration for the entire world.

President Obama is expected to visit India in November and hoped that the occasion will lead to the strengthening of bonds between the two countries. The large Indian community in the US shall act as a catalyst in holding the nations together, opined Obama. The strategic partnership will also be in the path of growth, making it one of most important ones of the century. He added that Indians have already earned a proud place in history and shall continue to march ahead towards further progress in the future. Click here for Independence day sms, songs, massage, wallpapers