Prince Charles & his
his wife Camilla are scheduled to
arrive at Dehradun airport for their visit to the Uttarakhand State next
week. They will leave for Rishikesh to attend program at Parmarth NiketanAshram Rishikesh. Later the royal couple will visit Indian military academy & the Forest research Institute in Dehradun city for their official program. Prince
Charles will stay at resort in Narendranagar. He will also meet Chief Minister
Vijay Bahuguna.
31 October 2013
27 August 2013
Janmashtami Festival in Haridwar Rishikesh
As per mythology, Lord Krishna was born at midnight of the eighth and the ninth day of Krishna Paksh in the month of Bhadrapad of the Hindu calendar, which in this year falls on August 28 and 29, respectively. It is said that Lord Krishna was the eighth in carnation of Lord Vishnu.
Prateek Mishrapuri, the President of the Indian Oriental
Studies Society says that other incarnations of Lord Vishnu embody certain
aspects of the Lord, whereas of all the ten incarnations of the Lord, Krishna
is the only perfect avatar (incarnation) embodying all the 16 kalas (art of
life). As there are several dimensions of Lord Krishna, Kanha, Kanhaiya, Makhan
Chor, Nandlal, Girdhari, Murlidhar, Gopal and so on.
“We all find the reflections of this facet or that in his
life. We identify with Krishna. He is a man among gods and a god among men. He
is a superman, a perfect man, lives life at its best, striking a balance
between earthly desires and spiritual aspirations,” says Pradeep Joshi, a
scholar of the Hindu scriptures. In his childhood days, Krishna is a makhan
chor, indulging in child like pranks like all of us. In his youth he is a
romantic lover, playing the flute, casting a love spell on Radha and the gopis.
Krishna is an eternal lover and Radha the eternal beloved. This eternal craving
of love in the human heart exists in all of us. This Makhan chor and the
eternal lover is also a great warrior, who vanquishes evil forces for the good
of mankind. The great warrior becomes a profound philosopher, an observer on
the battle field of Kurukshetra. The message he gave to Arjun at the beginning
of the battle of Mahabharat is of deep wisdom and is the last word in the art
of living.
On this pious occasion, all the temples and ashrams are
tastefully decorated and illuminated. The decorated and illuminated. The Udasin
Nirmal Panchayati Bara Akhara is bathed in light and pageants are put up to
depict the various facets of the life of Lord Krishna. Children, enacting the
role of Radha and Krishna, playing the flute, are a major attraction for the
spectators, especially for women and children. At the Radha Krishna Mandir in
jwalapur there is a recital of the katha narrating the life of the Lord, which
is followed by an enthralling keertan in which hundreds of devotees take part.
At Bhuma Niketan in Bhupatwala area of Haridwar the jhankis (pageants), showcasing all the ten
incarnations of Lord Vishnu are put up, which attract a large number of
devotees. The jhankis put up at Garibdasi Ashram in front of the Haridwar Railway
Station and at the Bharat Mata Mandir are also major attractions for people.
Also Rishikesh Jairam Ashram and Parmarth NIketan, Rishikesh attract thousands of
devotees, while at Roorkee the impressive jhankis, portraying the epic drama of
Lord Krishna’s life are a delight to the eyes.
The eight – year-old
Renu of Govindpuri, Haridwar, loves the festival of Janmashtmi especially
because of the beautiful jhankis. “I, along with my parents, visit all the
jhankis in the temples of Haridwar and the BHEL every year,” says Renu with
glee.
However, for Divya Parashar, a housewife of Nirmala Chawani,
the day is special for its rituals. “Every year, on this occasion, I fast,
offer prayers and prepare delicious food and visit temples with my family in
the evening,” says Parashar.
On a wide note, Kamla Joshi of Dadubagh Kankhal says that
Krishna was a protector of women. “His Protected Draupadi when the Kauravas
were trying to strip her. We need a Krishna today when hundreds of Draupadis
are being subjected to atrocities,” opines Joshi.
Vijendra Singh Chauhan of the village Missarpur brings
another view of Krishna,a life, “Krishna,s wandering in the forest of Vrindavan
on the bank of river Yamuna should inspire us to protect our forests and
rivers.”
Ramanand Puri, a saint from Haridwar says that Krishna,s
teaching of Nishkam Karma is the only way to lead a tension free life.
“Janmashtmi is not only a day of performing rituals. It is an occasion to
imbibe the message of Lord Krishna,s life,” sums up the noted saint.
Source: Times of India
19 August 2013
Rakshabandhan Festival
Unconditional Bond of
Love and Protection
Rakshabandhan is a festival celebrating the sacred, precious
and loving relation of a brother and sister, wherein the latter ties the
auspicious thread on the former’s wrist praying for his well-being while the
brother pledges to love and protect her sister against all the odds, harms,
troubles and difficulties. This frail of thread of rakhi is considered stronger
that binds the most beautiful relationship in an inseparable bond of love and
trust.
To this, Rahul Juneja, pursuing graduation, says, “Rakhi is a
special occasion to celebrate this emotional bonding by getting a holy thread
tied around the wrist. This thread, which pulsates with sisterly love and
sublime sentiments, is rightly called so. For me, it’s a precious bond of
protection that signifies that strong must protect the weak from all that’s
evil.”
On the positive note, many city folks feel that this ritual
not only strengthens the bond of love between brothers and sisters, but also
transcends the confines of the family.
Another youngster,
Suraj Malhotra, the eldest one of sisters, remarks, “Rakhi is the festival of
love, care and righteousness. It brings together people of all sects and is
much appreciated for this unifying element that it brings with it. As my sister
ties the bond of love, in turn, I acknowledge their unconditional love with a
promise to stand by them through all the good and bad times. For me, it’s an
opportunity to reunion and celebration.”
Jining the brigade, Anchal Singh a class 12 student, vocals,
“Rakhi instantly reminds me of fun-filled childhood days and my crazy. But
absolutely adorable brother. I fought with him, hated him and disclosed some of
his deep dark secrets but also my life wouldn’t be the same with out him. He
taught me how to protect myself: by showing me how I should talk to bullies and
even myself. And now even if he’s all grown up, I can look past the good and
bad childhood experience and appreciate him for the sensible man he’s turning
into. He is a role model, teacher, beat friend, superhero, role model and an adviser
to me.” Anchal adds, “Rakhi in addition to sweets, gifts, good food and family
get together, brings so many sweet trips down memory lane that reminds me of
all the roles he played in my life. This festival means a lot to him and he
truly promises to protect me forever.”
Prashant Srivastava, a
graduate, opines,”Sisters are a treasure. Apart from making fun, bullying, and
the nasty things you say to each other, the relationship between siblings is
the strongest and most affectionate, and Rakshabandhan is the perfect day to
celebrate this love.” Prashant adds,” For me the bond of love and protection
for my sister isnot restricted to a single day. No doubts, this day is an
opportunity to show my concern for her but what soever my sisiter has done for
me. I cannot repay her ever in my life. Being the spoil brat in my family, she
rather played a role of a protector. She taught me good manners, instilled
family values and helped me to become wiser.”
Rakshabandhan festival is celebrated by every Hindu family of Haridwar, Rishikesh & all over India.
World Photography Day - Haridwar Rishikesh Tourism
The world photography, which was first coined by Sir John
Frederick William Herschel in 1839, is derived from the two words, phos (light)
and graphein (to write) Photography is the result of combining several
discoveries. Long before first photographs were made, Chinese philosopher Mo Ti
and Greek mathematicians Aristotle and Euclid had already described a pin whole
camera in the 5th and 4th centuries BC.
Ritesh Sah from Kumaon University states that “The other
factors, which facilitated the development of photography were the discovery of
silver nitrate by Albert Magnus, the discovery of silver chloride by George
Fabricus in the 16th century and William Homberg’s description of
the photo chemical effect in 1694.”
The first permanent photograph was an image produced in 1826 by
the French inventor Joseph Nicephore Niepce. In partnership with Louis Daguerre
of Paris they refined the process of photography. Unfortunately in 1833 Niepce
died of stroke and it took six years when on January 7, 1839, Daguerre
announced that the first photographic plate has been developed that the first
photographic plate has been developed. The French Government bought the patent
and immediately on August 9, 1839, it announced the invention as a gift ’free
to the world’.
Another photographic process, the Calotype was also invented by
William Fox Talbot in 1839 and together both the inventions have marked August
19, 1839, as the year of the invention of photography.
Over 170 years later in 2009 Korske Ara rounded the worldphotoday.org
and brought the World Photography Day concept of life. On August 19, 2010, the
first global online gallery was established and the same day the world
Photography Day was celebrated.
Korske Ara, the founder of World Photography Day, announced, “I
believe that a photograph has the power to tell stories, freeze memories,
inspire generations and initiate change. I am passionate about photography and
the ability it has to change the world.”
Anup Sah a nted photographer and Chairman of the Florist
League, said, “On August 18, the photographers of Nainital are going to
celebrate the World Photography Day by organising the Sam Circuit International
Photography Council (IIPC), New Delhi and the Florist League India.”
Uttarakhand can boast of having one of the best photographers
in the country like Amar Nath Singh, Anup Sah, Tirish Kapoor, Brijmohan Joshi,
Rakesh Sah, Raja Sah, Rajeev Kala, Ahed Tanveer, Brij Mohan Bisht Mahendra
Singh Mohan, Kalyan Singh Sanjwan, Lokesh Pande, Vineeta Yashaswi, Deep Bisht
and Damu Lohani etc. Anup Sah and Brijmohan Joshi have been conferred the
Diamond Grading by IIPC, Amar Nath Singh the platinum and Mahendra Singh Mohan
the gold.
The other photographers have also achieved laurels at the
national level in wild life, landscape and nature photography etc. Trish
Kapoor, an International Judge in photography and his series on Kailash
Mansarover has achieved international acclaim.
Senior citizen, BL Sah is of the view:”Even during the British
period Uttrakhand had attained national recognition in the field of photography
owing to dedicated photographers like Gangi Sah, NL Sah, Ratan Lal Sah and Priya Lal, who laid the
foundation of photography.”
Brijmaohan Joshi, an eminent photographer, an art historian and
founder of the organization ‘Parampara’, who brought the scenic splendor and
culture of Uttarakhand to the International Circuit through his mesmerizing
photographs, avers, “International Photographic exhibition in nainital in which
photographs of the best photographers in the country and from 20 other nations
will be exhibited is beaing dedicated to Balbir Singh, a handicapped
photographer from Nainital whose presence was felt internationally, but before
he could reach the Everest in the world of photography, death laid its icy
hands on this extremely talented artist in March this year.”
He was the first handicapped photographer in the country who
was awarded the Platinum Grading by IIPC and Associateship by Photography
Social Welfare, Government of India had also honoured him with the best Handicapped
Employee Award at the national level. Only last year on the occasion of the
World Photography day, he shared, “Korske’s vision is becoming a reality to
celebrate the power and impact of photography.” Little did we know that this
was the last tribute of the great artist to World Photography and this year we
will be meeting in his memory for this unique celebration.
Source: Times of India
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