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

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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.” 

Source: Times of India 
Rakshabandhan festival is celebrated by every Hindu family of Haridwar, Rishikesh & all over India.

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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 5^th and 4^th 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 16^th 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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Hustle – bustle of Kanwar Mela in Haridwar

The city, Haridwar become a perfect example of Ganga Yamuni tehzeeb these days. On one side, Ramazan is approaching its last days of fasting and Islamic devotees wearing skull cap can be seen around offering prayers in mosques.

The hustle-bustle of the Kanwar mela in Haridwar & Rishikesh came to an end on Monday with devotees offering Ganga water in temples to mark Shivaratri fest.

The last day of Kanwar mela (Sunday) witnessed a deluge of dak kanwarias on bikes and other vehicles reaching the holy city to fetch water from Ganga River to be offered at their native Shiva temples. Clad in saffron Ts and shorts, these Hindu devotees could be seen everywhere in the Haridwar city as well as in Rishikesh. If the fortnight long fest had 30% rush of kanwarias, 70% darted to the sanctum sanctorum in the last two days.

An eyewitness to the rush, a resident of Shivalik Nagar, Haridwar said, “I counted 63 bikers in one minute crossing the road leading to Haridwar Roorkee national highway.”

“This time it was total reversal in the influx pattern of kanwarias and the turnout was far more than expected. Earlier it used to be 70% Kanwarias on foot and 30 % on bikes and heavy vehicles but this time it turned out to be the other way round 30 % on foot and 70 % on vehicles, “SSP Rajeev Swaroop said.

Capacity of Bairagi camp is to hold 30,000 vehicles and it busted to its seams on Saturday and Sunday, with other dweeps like Chamgadar tapu filling to their capacity as well, he added.

The bedecked temples of Haridwar such as Daksh Mandir in Kankhal. Bilwakeshwar temple on hill bye pass road, Neeleshwar mahadev on Nazibabad highway, Til Bhandeshwar mahadev beckoned thousands of devotees on Monday morning.

Since early morning, devotees thronged the temples to offer bilwa leaves, and fruits and milk on the Shivalinga.

However, a drizzle and light showers after 9am left many devotees confined to their homes. 

Source: Times of India.

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