Raksha Bandhan-'Festival of Brother and Sister'

The legendary pledge of security between a brother and a sister against all odds and misfortunes that may be in store for them is taken on Raksha Bandhan day that is celebrated on Purnima, i.e., the day of the full moon in the month of Sawan in Hindu calender. As per English calendar, it falls in July or August.

On this day sister ties “Rakhi” on the right hand of her brother. The delicate thread of a Rakhi signifies the toughest bond of them all - that of a brother and a sister. The simple unassuming act of tying a Rakhi on one’s wrist isn’t just a festive occasion. It evokes strong and intense emotions and symbolize that the brother will safeguard her from all kinds of difficulties throughout her life.

Raksha Bandhan is a very old Indian festival celebrated all over India. The unspoken pledge between the siblings to reinforce a protective bond transgresses even religions and borders instances of which can be easily found in ancient Indian literature as also in modern history books. It isn’t without surprise that Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs as well as Parsis are known to partake in the occasion that signifies sibling love irrespective of religion, race or community.

Pongal - Thanksgiving!

This festival of Pongal falls in the month of January and as such this Pongal festival marks the favourable course of the Sun. 'Pongal' comes from the word 'ponga' which literally means 'boil' and so 'pongal' connotes 'spillover' or that which is 'overflowing'. It's also the name of the special sweet dish cooked on the Pongal day. Pongal continues through the first four days of the 'Thai' month (In Tamil Year) that starts on January 14 every year.

The first day is celebrated as the BHOGI PONGAL. On this day before sunrise a huge bonfire is lit in front of the houses and all the useless household things are thrown into the fire. The burning of all that is old is symbolic of the starting of a fresh new year.Homes are cleaned till they literally shine and are adorned with "Kolam" designs drawn with white paste of newly-harvested rice and outlines of the Kolam designs with red mud. In villages yellow pumpkin flowers are set out in cow-dung balls in the middle of the designs. The harvest of rice, turmeric and sugarcane is brought in and kept ready for the next day's festivities.

The second day of Pongal is known as SURYA PONGAL and is dedicated to Lord Surya, the Sun God. The preparation of this special dish needs a new mud-pot called Pongapani on which artistic designs are drawn. A plank is placed on the ground, a large image of the Sun God is sketched on it and Kolam designs are drawn around it. This icon of the Sun God is worshipped for divine benediction as the new month of 'Thai' begins. While the `Puja' is being performed, the neck of the Pongapani is tied with fresh turmeric and fresh ginger saplings with tender green leaves. The green leaves are symbolic of prosperity, the turmeric of auspiciousness, ginger for the spice of life. The special dish called "Sarkkarai Pongal" is cooked in this mud-pot. After the rituals of puja are over "Sarkkarai Pongal" with sticks of sugarcane is offered to the Sun god as a thanksgiving for the plentiful harvest. Sugarcane that is offered is symbolic for sweetness and happiness in life.

The third day is MATTU PONGAL which is the festival of cattle. To the village people cow, the giver of milk and the bull which draws the plough in the fields are very valuable and therefore the farmers honour their dumb friends by celebrating it as a day of thanks-giving to them. The cattle are washed; their horns are painted and covered with shining metal caps. Multi-coloured beads, tinkling bells, sheaf’s of corn and flower garlands are tied around their necks. They are fed with Pongal and taken to the village centres. The resounding of their bells attract the villagers as the young men race each other's cattle. The entire atmosphere becomes festive and full of fun and revelry. Big commotion is seen when the game "Manji Virattu" starts in which groups of young men chase the running bulls.

The fourth and final day marks by the name of KANUM PONGAL when coloured balls of cooked rice are placed in the open air by girls for the birds and crows to eat. With each ball of rice that the sister makes she prays for her brother's happiness and the brothers and sisters wherever they may be remember each other.

Pongal is a festival when god is praised with a simple faith and sincerity. Old vices are all washed out and all that is good is welcomed in this New year. This festival is of all living things, of man, his beast and his crop and of the birds that fly in the sky making man look up to the heaven in joy and thankfulness to God for everything that He gives to man specially peace and happiness and the feeling of brotherhood.

Trip to Blackpool,UK....

In another one fine week end we planned for a trip to Blackpool. Truly speaking we don't know about the places in Blackpool. But from some of my friends I came to know that Blackpool is very nice place to visit. We reached the Manchester Railway station.We get into the train,bcoz of the weekend the train was somewhat crowded.Nearly two hours journey from Manchester.We reached Blackpool by 11 am.First of all we planned to see the Beach.We came out from the railway station and asked one person for the way to beach.He guided us.We reached the beach by 10Min's walking. Wow!!! Really very nice beach.We walked along the sea shore. On the way we saw many places like theme parks,shopping malls.

We walked along the sea shore by watching the sea and the shops.we purchased many things like hat,bags,sweets, mask etc...And also we tried many fun games(but we didnt win even a single prize :-( ).After some time we all are taken our lunch at Mc-Donald. The restaurant was very busy,because of the week end.So we spend nearly 45 Min's for our lunch.

After finishing our lunch again we continued our walk . We planned to get into one horror park. After getting the tickets we entered into the park with some fear ,because it was very dark. (But we didn't show it in our faces :-)..).After five Min's on the way of seeing all the things we all were afraid because of the floor,looked like a mud. Nice experience. After watching all the things we entered into another one theme park. In that park we tried some rides and we bought some things for us. Here also we played many games.And also we saw one restaurant with name 'laughing donkey'.We took some snaps of that restaurant . After that we reached the south part of the beach. The place name is called as South beach. After seeing this place it was around 6.00 pm in the evening. So we planned to return back to the railway station. In that moment only we thinked about the distance that we walked . Yes we walked around 4 miles from the railway station.....returned back again to railway station by walk :-( .... we reached the station at around 7.00 pm .

Trip to London...

We planned London trip during Bank Holiday weekend - 25, 26 & 27 August 2007.
(We ? - Sukumar,Pravin,Sive,Murugaiyan and Rajesh)
Day 0 - Friday (24Th)
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We started at 5.15pm from Manchester Piccadilly, Charlton street by MEGA BUS (Stagecoach) and reached London - Victoria station (both train & bus stations are close) at 10.00pm and we hired a taxi to the place called Clapham South and driver charged 13 pounds for the ride and the charge seemed to be nominal as the final amount was displayed by Taxi Meter.

Day 1 - Saturday (25Th)
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We stayed in Euro Lodge at Clapham South. The city is very well connected by underground trains (called as tube) and DLR trains. First we went to Tower Bridge which built on the Thames river.Awesome view and and wonderful place and its a must see place in the world. Its called London Tower Bridge. We took a train from clapham south to station called Tower Bridge station and we walked down the street (on the side of the street, London Dungeon is located where scary show is done, light-hearted people are not advised to go there :-) ).
keep moving forward for some more distance, we can see the right tower from the street slit and marching ahead, we can see the full view of the London tower. Such a marvellous towers standing tall on the Thames river. The beauty of it is, the bridge in between opens and closes accordingly when big ships move through that. We got a chance to see the bridge getting opened and closed, such an awesome view.we shot still & motion pictures. we moved around it and on the way, there are small fountains to cool the place as the heat was very high on that day (this is my version). The temperature could be around 32-35 degrees. It is high when compared to western standards, not with Indian weather :-). The aesthetic view cannot be described by mere words, u have to watch, feel and experience the pleasure & joy over there.... really amazing stuff. then we took a stroll, walked down the lane near to Tower Hill having the castle & museum. We didn't have much time to spend inside, but, we shot some pictures.Similar case for cruise as well, we didn't have time either for that too. we took pictures of Thames, Castle, Eat-Out places, Tower Bridge as much as possible. We had lunch there itself and we took a train from London Bridge to Chairing Cross and then another train from Chairing Cross to Greenwich. yes.That's the place where GMT is set.Lots and lots of clocks, voyage information, latitude & longitude calculations that helped the voyagers - James Homestead, James Cook, huge telescopes (one was 28 inches) and astronomical information, constellation and stars, Copernicus theory. etc. etc..more scientific and mathematical information. James had burnt some of his inventions due to plagiarizing his inventions by Sir Isaac Newton (SIN) as it was mentioned there. anyway, the hatred was present at that time itself. Another place we pictured was Queen's Hall - very spacious, huge hall with lawns and meadows on both sides - stealing our eyes. Really a wonderful view.Walking down the man-path with greenish patches on both sides took our soul out, literally.Of course, smooches, hugs, cuddles all over the places in the park. Hehehehehe....:-).. some shopping at Greenwich - some t-shirt and key chains...kind of souvenir, of course, we did also shop at Thames Bank....then, headed back to Chairing Cross. From there, we alighted at Kennington station for a change and then reached Clapham South around 9pm on Saturday.The sunshine was so bright that was up to 7.30 to 8.00pm...really a good day to start with.

Day 2 - Sunday (26Th)
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We started by 9.30am in the morning from the Euro Lodge. The place we planned to go was London Eye. we took a train from Clapham South directly to Waterloo. From the Waterloo station, it was just 5 minutes walk and as soon as we saw the giant wheel spinning very slowly,I thought, not to indulge myself into that as it was 100 feet high from the surface. However, finally, I was left with the option of entering into it with ticket that costed 15 pounds. Its really really an amazing view, awesome location. actually, it spins in anticlockwise direction and while each capsule moving, we can see the entire London city important places as it goes up and comes down on the Thames Bank. loads and loads of pictures, movies.In fact, the tickets can be booked online and time would be mentioned in the ticket. Since, we went directly and bought the tickets at the counter, we stood in the queue that toked some 20 minutes to board into the glass capsule that can accommodate 15 people (allowed). The incredible was little later: while the capsule comes down, a picture would be shot as there was a camera on the side which people hardly notice. Fortunately, I was on that side and my picture was caught in that and they sold such pictures of our interest for 10 pounds (2 copies) or 1 picture copy + 1 key chain + 1 magnet - each having our photograph that is shot by inbuilt camera.. lovely one to cherish, reminisce later... after that, we walked down on the bank of Thames with Star Wars kind of museum on left and the other bridge leading to Houses of Parliament and Big Ben (the clock, sadly, it did not bang :-( ). More pictures on the way to these two places and on the bridge itself...one of us bought honey-soaked peanuts for munching while gazing and walking....Sun was scorching compared to Western standard of temperature...mind you, we didn't have lunch then. we boarded into the train there at Westminster station and reached Kennington for the change to visit Buckingham place close to James Park underground station. Just 10 minutes walk will talk you to gigantic palace with wide road taking you to the statue. Yes, hug statue in front of the palace was really enthralling. I just shot 5 minutes of motion picture circling around that statue with large pillars holding it. Then, walked straight down to the palace entrance which is forted by grilled gates about 12 feet high. There were two guards as if they were asked to stand like straight line. Unbelievable discipline shown by those guards , they were attired in read & black suits. Spending some more time there - in and around that place, having a very good time. We pictured all of us by requesting one Indian there.I guess is that Indian is Telugu....Sun was still scorching, no doubt about that. But, people from all over the world, all over the country were literally mobbing the places. Absolutely crowded, it was like a carnival going around. Moving your back or forth, will disturb others as they would be taking pictures in different angles. Fantastic experience... we started from there around 4.30pm, walking in the park, I had chicken sandwich as my lunch. :-)) that was little expensive. Took a train from James Park to Chairing Cross(????) and then to East ham to have lovely south-Indian food. We had our snacks-cum-lunch at Saravana Bhavan in the evening, after a very long time we had south-Indian dishes like pongal, sambar-vad-idly,plain dosa, uthappam, filter-coffee. (I had Pongal,Idly,Poori,coffee and Gulab jamun...big list isnt it :-)... ) Then, after worshipping Goddess Mahalakshmi nearby.Yes,there is a hindu temple. The place is of high Indian population, especially tamilians..nice to hear the tamil all over that place and it made me feel as if I was walking through t.nagar, usman road...finally, we walked down for 15 minutes to reach Temple of Lord Muruga. It was really a good one-Lord Muruga with Valli & Devayanai. Lord Bhuvaneshwar was bravely sitting and salvaging everyone who goes there. there was Rudram-Chamakam being chanted by tape recorder.It was very religious as I listed to it after a long break. Having some pictures shot there, headed back to Clapham South. one interesting thing was one of our friend went outside after successfully swiping at turnstile in Eastham station. Unfortunately, the tunstile did not allow him to open as the ticket was reused to enter at the same place. The station assistant helped him to re-enter. We realized such thing after he experienced it.

Day 3 - Monday (27th)
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As this was a last day of London trip, we planned to visit few more places, but eventually ended up with Trafalgar Square only. It is in Zone 2 so, ticket for Zone 1 and zone 2 was enough. we just alighted at Kennington and changed the train to Trafalgar Square. It was fabulous first-sight as there was a huge pillar in centre of the city. In front of National Gallery which portrays the Christianity, other war pictures, angels. the paintings are absolutely superb with fine ray of beauty was emanating from each piece of work. Absolutely fantastic. We spent time in and around that place which is surrounded by cool water ponds, of course those ponds are not meant for public use. we started from there around 1pm, had lunch at McDonald's nearby and started our journey back to Clapham South by 2pm. Spent time in the greenish park in front of our Euro Lodge and headed back to Victoria station and waited waited and waited for the bus. of course, time was so pleasant as guys were gazing and shopping. The return journey took 5 hours to reach Manchester Piccadilly and we reached by 10.30pm.Another interesting thing was, for coming back to Wilmslow, the charge was 40 pounds and we were surprised by the amount and decided to wait and go by train. Yes, it was last train to Wilmslow and reached home by 11pm. overall, it was fantastic, fabulous and wonderful experience. Despite the heat, everything else was most enjoyable. Thank God, it was not raining, otherwise, we couldn't even have come out of our rooms... most memorable experience....

Deepavali-Light Up Your Life!

Deepavali Celebrations
In India, Deepavali is normally a one day celebration although preparations are made weeks in advance, especially with the making of Deepavali cakes and savories.
Before the arrival of Deepavali, families busy themselves cleaning and washing their houses and cleaning their compounds. A day before Deepavali, the womenfolk draw koelam in and around the house.
The mango leaves which hang in front of the door of every Hindu home are changed. Santanam (sandal paste) and kunggumam pottu are placed on these leaves. This signifies auspiciousness.
Every one gets up early in the morning, well before 5am, on Deepavali day. The mother or wife puts a dash of gingerly oil on the forehead of the children or husband. The woman of the house gets this singular honor because women are considered goddesses from the Hindu point of view and on Deepavali day this view of women is emphasized. They represent the Goddess Lakshmi, symbol of material and spiritual prosperity. This act stresses the crucial role of the mother-figure, and of women generally, in the home and society. It reminds the men in the family to treat their mother, wife, sisters and women in general, with respect. The oil bath is acknowledged by Indian sages and ayurvedic physicians to be beneficial to health. The oil bath is purificatory in intent and is a symbolic rite, a symbolic cleansing leading to a new beginning. That is why an oil bath on this day is considered equivalent to a bath in the holy Ganges River.
New clothes, on which a dash of santhanam is placed on the eve of Deepavali, are then worn. The whole family gathers for the Lakshmi puja in their home shrine. Following this, the children prostrate at the feet of their parents and crave their blessings. The wife touches the feet of her husband for his blessing. He then puts the kunguma pottuon her forehead. Through this act, the son and daughter ask for forgiveness from their parents for any wrong they may have done, for any harsh words spoken, for any selfishness shown. The parents not only forgive them but, with open-palmed hands, bless them with health, wealth, wisdom and God-consciousness. By touching the feet of the husband, the Indian wife acknowledges that he is her first god. Through the act, she asks for forgiveness and blessings. The husband blesses her, then puts the kungumam pottu indicating his love for her. By placing the sacred kungumam pottu on her forehead, the husband is reminded that she is the Goddess Lakshmi and he should treat her as befitting a goddess. The act reminds him that he has to be faithful to her. By marrying him, she gave up everything to come with him. He is therefore reminded to care for her and give her a good live.They then go to the temple to pray.
Then the whole family sit down for their Deepavali breakfast. Cakes and goodies are then given to neighbors, and guests are treated to a joyful time. On Deepavali day only vegetarian food must be eaten. There must be no consumption of alcohol. The celebrants should try to be as “pure” in their thought, word and deed as possible on this day.
Lights
Light is the most important of the Deepavali symbols. Light brings warmth and illumination. By having lights in the house, one is reminded to always light up one’s own life and to bring light into the lives of others to be, in effect positive thinker. One is reminded to wake up from the slumber of ignorance and to pursue knowledge, whether secular or spiritual, although the latter should, to the devout Hindu, be the ultimate goal. As light dispels darkness, so should knowledge dispel ignorance. Acquiring knowledge is therefore of great importance and a man is expected to pursue it with intensity of purpose. Through learning, man is expected to advance to the stage of enlightenment in which he realizes that God is the Light of lights, that God brings warmth and love and illumination to all beings and therefore there can be no light greater than God.
And where is this light to be found. The Hindu sages say: “The light is within you. Meditate and become aware of this light. Withdraw the senses and fix the mind on this self-luminous light in order to enjoy the real Deepavali.”
The Aim Of Deepavali
The aim of Deepavali celebrations is to get man moving on the spiritual path and ultimately attain illumination, become one with God. One need not be a Hindu to do this. Every man can go about it his way, following the percepts of his own religion.
Hindu sages hold that outer appearances are not significant, only the essence is. And the essence is that every being is a creation of the same God although that God is called by many names just as what is called water in English is called thanni in Tamil, chooi in Hokkien, and air in Bahasa Malaysia although all these words describe the same thing.
Deepavali reminds one of the goal of life according to the Indian view : the merging of the Atma (individual soul) in the Paramatma (Universal Soul).
As they light the lamps in their houses, those celebrating Deepavali are reminded to light the lamps of wisdom, goodness and God-consciousness in themselves. It is through this that they can attain the “Light of Lights” - God.
May all be blessed with excellent health,peace,fullness,auspiciousness;

Trip to United Kingdom...

I am working in one of the MNC in chennai . I got an on-site opportunity to work in UK. We are eight people together going to stay in UK. Amazing isn't it.We started from India on 13Th June. We have to go thro' Dubai to reach Manchester. We started from Chennai at around 9.30 am . We reached Dubai international airport @ 12.00 noon. We are all taken our lunch @ Dubai airport.Truly speaking we enjoyed our lunch. And we started at around 2.00 pm from Dubai airport.From Dubai to Manchester is 7 hours journey. We have to fly for around 7 hours .We spend our time by chatting and watching films inside the flight.
We reached Manchester @ 8.30 pm. We finished all the formalities in the airport and we reached our hotel by 9.30.we started our work from 14Th June onwards........