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Celebration of the Republic Day

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on the 15th August 1947. It was two and half years later that the Indian constitution came into existence on the 26th of January 1950. It is celebrated as a national holiday to mark the transition of India from a British Dominion to a republic on the 26th of January. This is one of the 3 national holidays in India.

A richly nurtured history: Significance of the Republic day, India

Regarding the history of the festival, during the transition period from 1947 to 1950, the king George VI was the head of the state. Lord Mountbatten and C. Rajagopalachari served as the governer general of India in this period. The 26th of January was when; the first president of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected. Most of all, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was the head of the constituent assembly and played a played a major role in the formation of the constitution.

Celebrations for the Republic day, India

This occasion being a very important one, a grand parade is held at the capital, New Delhi annually. It takes place from the Raisiana Hill near the Rashtrapati Bhavan (the place of the president), along the Rajpath (path of the leaders), past India gate and on to the historic red fort. The commander in chief of the Indian armed forces that is none other but the president of India, takes the solute. The different regiments of the army, navy and the air force march past in all their finery and official decorations. The parade includes amusement displays on horses by the military men, other vibrant displays that include missiles, tanks, etc; the ceremony is traditionally ended with a flypast by the Indian air force jets. This is the largest scale celebration-taking place in India for the republic day.

Celebrations on a smaller scale are held in state capitals, where mostly the governer of the state unfurls the national flag. If he is absent for some reason, the Chief Minster takes the initiative. It is a big deal in school where children march past the hoisted tricolor flag, and have a small ceremony of their own. Sweets are distributed amongst the children. Many other places perform the flag hoisting ceremony and pay their respect the Republic day, and their nation, India.

The Bengali Language Movement / Bhasa Andolon

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The Bengali Language Movement, also known as the Language Movement (Bengali: ভাষা আন্দোলন; Bhasha Andolon), was a political effort in Bangladesh (then known as East Pakistan), advocating the recognition of the Bengali language as an official language of Pakistan. Such recognition would allow Bengali to be taught in schools and used in government affairs.

When the state of Pakistan was formed in 1947, its two regions, East Pakistan (also called East Bengal) and West Pakistan, were split along cultural, geographical, and linguistic lines. In 1948, the Government of Pakistan ordained Urdu as the sole national language, sparking extensive protests among the Bengali-speaking majority of East Pakistan. Facing rising sectarian tensions and mass discontent with the new law, the government outlawed public meetings and rallies. The students of the University of Dhaka and other political activists defied the law and organised a protest on 21 February 1952. The movement reached its climax when police killed student demonstrators on that day. The deaths provoked widespread civil unrest led by the Awami Muslim League, later renamed the Awami League. After years of conflict, the central government relented and granted official status to the Bengali language in 1956. In 2000, UNESCO declared 21 February International Mother Language Day for the whole world to celebrate[1], in tribute to the Language Movement and the ethno-linguistic rights of people around the world.

Procession march held on 21 February 1952 in Dhaka

The Language Movement catalysed the assertion of Bengali national identity in Pakistan, and became a forerunner to Bengali nationalist movements, including the 6-point movement and subsequently the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. In Bangladesh, 21 February is observed as Language Movement Day, a national holiday. The Shaheed Minar monument was constructed near Dhaka Medical College in memory of the movement and its victims.

History of International Mother Language Day / Biswa Bhasa Dibas

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On 21 March 1948, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the Governor general of Pakistan, declared that Urdu would be the only language for both West and East Pakistan. The people of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), whose main language is Bengali, started to protest against this. On 21 February 1952, (8 Falgun 1359 in the Bengali calendar), students in the present day capital city of Dhaka called for a provincial strike. The government invoked a limited curfew to prevent this and the protests were tamed down so as to not break the curfew. The Pakistani police fired on the students despite these peaceful protests and a number of students were killed.

21 February was proclaimed the International Mother Language Day by UNESCO on 17 November 1999. Its observance was also formally recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution establishing 2008 as the International Year of Languages.[1]

International Mother Language Day originated as the international recognition of Language Movement Day, which has been commemorated in Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan) since 1952, when a number of Bangladeshi university students were killed by the Pakistani police and army in Dhaka during the Bengali Language Movement.

International Mother Language Day is observed yearly by UNESCO member states and at its headquarters to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

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Subhas Chandra Bose affectionately called as Netaji, was one of the most prominent leaders of Indian freedom struggle.

He was born on January 23, 1897 in Cuttack, Orissa. He passed Indian Civil Services Exam; elected Indian National Congress President in 1938 and again in 1939 (this time defeating Dr. Pattabhi Sitaramayya who had been backed by Mr. M.K. Gandhi [The Father of the Nation â€“ India] and the Congress Working Committee); formed a new party All India Forward block; organized Azad Hind Fauj to overthrow British Empire from India. He has been denied his rightful place in the annals of Indian history.

He was also a devout Hindu and spent much time in meditation. He was strongly influenced by Swami Vivekananda's teachings and was known for his patriotic zeal as a student. He supported empowerment of women, secularism and other democratic ideas. But, Netaji also seems to have decided that no democratic system could be adequate to overcome India's poverty and social inequalities, and he advocated for an authoritarian state, similar to that of Soviet Russia (which he had also seen and admired) would be needed for the process of national re-building.

Sayings of Netaji:

1. As soldiers, you will always have to cherish and live up to the three ideals of faithfulness, duty and sacrifice. Soldiers who always remain faithful to their nation, who are always prepared to sacrifice their lives, are invincible. If you, too, want to be invincible, engrave these three ideals in the innermost core of your hearts.

2. Give me blood and I shall give you freedom!

3. Gird up your loins for the task that now lies ahead. I had asked you for men, money and materials. I have got them in generous measure. Now I demand more of you. Men, money and materials cannot by themselves bring victory or freedom. We must have the motive-power that will inspire us to brave deeds and heroic exploits.

4. I have no doubt in my mind that our chief national problems relating to the eradication of poverty, illiteracy and disease and the scientific production and distribution can be tackled only along socialistic lines.

5. Nationalism is inspired by the highest ideals of the human race, satyam [the true], shivam [The God], sundaram [the beautiful]. Nationalism in India has ... roused the creative faculties which for centuries had been lying dormant in our people.

6. It is our duty to pay for our liberty with our own blood. The freedom that we shall win through our sacrifice and exertions, we shall be able to preserve with our own strength.

7. No real change in history has ever been achieved by discussions.

Nataji's INA song -

Kadam kadam badhaye ja
Khushee ke geet gaye ja
Yeh zindagi hai kaum ki
Tu kaum pe lutaye ja

Jai Hind! Jai Hind!! Jai Hind!!!

Tagore's Paintings

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Vieled Woman, 1928. medium - water color.

Bird, medium - water color. 1929.

Dancer, medium - water color.

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Self portrair, 1935. medium - water color.

Tagore repudiated Knighthood

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Rabindranath Tagore

The Poet's Letter to Lord Chelmsford, the Viceroy , repudiating his Knighthood in protest for Jalianwallahbag mass killing.

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Your Excellency,

The enormity of the measures taken by the Government in the Punjab for quelling some local disturbances has, with a rude shock, revealed to our minds the helplessness of our position as British subjects in India. The disproportionate severity of the punishments inflicted upon the unfortunate people and the methods of carrying them out, we are convinced, are without parallel in the history of civilised governments, barring some conspicuous exceptions, recent and remote. Considering that such treatment has been meted out to a population, disarmed and resourceless, by a power which has the most terribly efficient organisation for destruction of human lives, we must strongly assert that it can claim no political expediency, far less moral justification. The accounts of the insults and sufferings by our brothers in Punjab have trickled through the gagged silence, reaching every corner of India, and the universal agony of indignation roused in the hearts of our people has been ignored by our rulers- possibly congratulating themselves for imparting what they imagine as salutary lessons. This callousness has been praised by most of the Anglo-Indian papers, which have in some cases gone to the brutal length of making fun of our sufferings, without receiving the least check from the same authority, relentlessly careful in something every cry of pain of judgment from the organs representing the sufferers. Knowing that our appeals have been in vain and that the passion of vengeance is building the noble vision of statesmanship in out Government, which could so easily afford to be magnanimous, as befitting its physical strength and normal tradition, the very least that I can do for my country is to take all consequences upon myself in giving voice to the protest of the millions of my countrymen, surprised into a dumb anguish of terror. The time has come when badges of honour make our shame glaring in the incongruous context of humiliation, and I for my part, wish to stand, shorn, of all special distinctions, by the side of those of my countrymen who, for their so called insignificance , are liable to suffer degradation not fit for human beings. And these are the reasons which have compelled me to ask Your Excellency, with due reference and regret, to relieve me of my title of knighthood, which I had the honour to accept from His Majesty the King at the hands of your predecessor, for whose nobleness of heart I still entertain great admiration.

Yours faithfully,
RABINDRANATH TAGORE

Calcutta,
6, Dwarakanath Tagore Lane,
May 30, 1919

(The letter was published in The Statesman, June 3, 1919)

Rabindranath Tagore

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Related topics : Tagore's Paintings

Letter to the Viceroy, repudiating his Knighthood

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Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941), Nobel prize-winning Bengali poet, author, songwriter, composer, philosopher, artist, and educator was the youngest son of Debendranath Tagore, a leader of the Brahmo Samaj, which was a new religious sect in nineteenth-century Bengal and which attempted a revival of the ultimate monistic basis of Hinduism as laid down in the Upanishads. He was educated at home; and although at seventeen he was sent to England for formal schooling, he did not finish his studies there. In his mature years, in addition to his many-sided literary activities, he managed the family estates, a project which brought him into close touch with common humanity and increased his interest in social reforms. He also started an experimental school at Shantiniketan where he tried his Upanishadic ideals of education. From time to time he participated in the Indian nationalist movement, though in his own non-sentimental and visionary way; and Gandhi, the political father of modern India, was his devoted friend. Tagore was knighted by the ruling British Government in 1915, but within a few years he resigned the honour as a protest against British policies in India.

" Pluck this little flower and take it, delay not!

I fear lest it droop and drop into the dust.

I may not find a place in thy garland, but honour it with a touch
of pain from thy hand and pluck it. I fear lest the day end
before I am aware, and the time of offering go by.

Though its colour be not deep and its smell be faint, use this
flower in thy service and pluck it while there is time. "

First published in 1910, Tagore’s collection Gitanjali [Song Offerings] of mystical and devotional songs was translated to English in 1912. It would be the first of many volumes that earned him much acclaim in the East and West. It includes an Introduction by fellow Nobel prize-winning poet William Butler Yeats; These lyrics...which are in the original, my Indians tell me, full of subtlety of rhythm, of untranslatable delicacies of colour, of metrical invention—display in their thought a world I have dreamed of all my live long. Some written in colloquial language and many with themes of naturalism, mysticism and philosophical insight, only a fraction of Tagore’s works have been translated to other languages. There are varying interpretations from one to the next by different translators although Tagore himself translated many.

A humanitarian and social and religious reformer, Tagore came to dislike the British Raj ruling over his people although he was caught between their culture and that of his own peoples’. As a patriot, he composed the music and lyrics for India’s national anthem “Jana-Gana-Mana” [Thou Art the Ruler of All Minds] and when Bangladesh became independent in 1971 they chose Tagore’s song “Amar Sonar Bangla” [My Golden Bengal] as its national anthem. With his flowing white beard, robes and riveting brown eyes, the famous polymath is fondly remembered and esteemed for his hundreds of poems and songs popularly known as Rabindrasangeet; his vast collection of paintings and drawings; and the various dramas, novels, essays, operas, short stories, travel diaries, correspondence, and autobiographies that he wrote. Tagore’s life and works have made him a cultural icon, studied the world over even into the 21st Century.

exploring

Rabindranath Tagore was born on 7 May 1861 in Jorasanko (Tagore House), Calcutta, India. He was the fourteenth child born to Debendranath Tagore (1817-1905) and Sarada Devi (d.1875). Tagore’s grandfather Dwarkanath Tagore (1794-1846) was a social reformer and wealthy landowner. The Tagores were a progressive family, their home a hub of social activity and culture; they often hosted theatrical and musical performances in their mansion. Many of the Tagore children became respected authors, poets, musicians, and Civil Servants. Devendranath traveled widely during his career and was a proponent of the Brahma Samaj faith, a social and religious movement also known as the Bengal Renaissance; Rabindranath too would embrace its philosophy.

Although there were times spent swimming in the Ganges River and hiking, Tagore’s childhood days were mostly confined to the family estate under the watchful eye of, sometimes abusive, servants. He rarely saw his father and his mother died when he was thirteen. After failing to flourish in the conventional school system, Rabindranath obtained his early education with tutors at home where he studied a wide array of subjects including; art, history, science, mathematics, Bengali, Sanskrit, and English, Hindu Scriptures Upanishads, Romantic poetry like that of Percy Bysshe Shelley and classical poetry, notably that of Kālidāsa (c.1st century BCE-5th Century CE).

At a very early age Tagore was writing his own poetry. Some poems were published anonymously or under his pen name “Bhanusingha” [Sun Lion], but he was soon a regular contributor to various magazines including Balaka and Bharati. His first collection Kabi Kahini [Tale of a Poet] was published in 1878. He also started writing short stories including his first: “Bhikharini”(1877) [The Beggar Woman]. Tagore would travel and lecture extensively to parts of Asia, Europe, North and South America during his lifetime—his first trip at the age of thirteen was with his father to various parts of India. Then, with the intent to become a barrister, he was off to England to attend the University College in London from 1878-1880, although he did not finish his degree. He wrote one of his most famous poems during these years: “Nirjharer Swapnabhanga” (1882) [The Fountain Awakened from its Dream];

" I shall rush from peak to peak,
I shall sweep from mount to mount,
With peals of laughter and songs of murmur
I shall clap to tune and rhythm. "

At the age of twenty-two, on 9 December 1883, Tagore married Bhabatarini (later known as Mrinalini) Devi (1873-1902), with whom he would have five children; daughters Madhurilata (1886-1918), Rathindra (b.1888), Renuka (1890-1904), Mira (b.1892), and son Samindranath (1894-1907). In 1890 Tagore moved to the vast family estate in Shilaidaha, a region now part of Bangladesh. His wife and children joined him in 1898. He traveled by barge throughout the rural region among the Padma River’s sandy estuaries, collecting rents from the tenants and learning the villagers ways, charmed by their pastoral life working the rice fields, watching the fishermen with their nets, visiting school children, and attending feasts in his honour. He gained much inspiration from the people and the landscape and it became a prolific period of writing for him, works including Chitra: A Play in One Act (1896), Manasi (poetry, 1890) [The Ideal One], and Sonar Tari (poetry, 1894) [The Golden Boat].

The next period of Tagore’s life involved his founding of the school Shantiniketan (now known as Visva-Bharati University) in 1901, on part of the family estate lands near Bolpur, West Bengal. An experimental school, Tagore based it on the ashrama model with pioneering emphasis on learning in a harmonious and natural setting. He felt that a well-rounded education using all the five senses and not relying on memorising by rote was the better way to teach children. It is now a prestigious open air University, a universal meeting place for East and West. It claims many notable figures among its alumni including Indira Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi adopted many of it ways of teaching. When Tagore’s wife died just one year after its founding he wrote the poems in Smaran [In Memoriam]. Other works written or published during this period were; Katha O Kahini (1900) [Tales and Stories], Naivedya (poetry, 1901), Kheya (poetry, 1906), Raja (play, 1910) [The King of the Dark Chamber], Dak-ghar (1912) [The Post Office], The Crescent Moon (1913), Gitimalya (1914) [Wreath of Songs], Songs of Kabîr (1915), Stray Birds (1916), Sadhana: The Realisation of Life (1916), and Balaka (1916) [The Flight of Cranes], and the poems “Fruit-Gathering” (1916), “The Fugitive” (1921) and “The Gardener” (1915);

" One morning in the flower garden a blind girl came to offer me a
flower chain in the cover of a lotus leaf.
I put it round my neck, and tears came to my eyes.
I kissed her and said, “You are blind even as the flowers are.
You yourself know not how beautiful is your gift.”

Tagore’s novel Ghare-Baire (1915) [The Home and the World], Mother, today there comes back to mind….those wonderful eyes of yours…They came at the start of my life’s journey….giving me golden provision to carry me on my way…. inspired an adaptation to the screen in 1984. Glimpses of Bengal: Selected from the Letters of Sir Rabindranath Tagore (1885-1895) was published in 1920.

Now with a loyal following in his own country, Tagore traveled to the United States and England to speak of his work at Santiniketan. He also brought some English translations into prose of his songs in Gitanjali, which was soon read by many fellow authors including Ezra Pound, Ernest Rhys and Yeats. After it earned him the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913 because of his profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful verse….he has made his poetic thought….a part of the literature of the West…. he was invited to numerous North American and European cities, thereby embarking on a lengthy tour to give readings and lectures on various topics. He met many other illustrious figures of the day including Albert Einstein, Robert Frost, Thomas Mann, H.G. Wells, and Mahatma Gandhi. In 1915 he was bestowed a knighthood by the British Crown, though he renounced it in 1919 due to the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in which hundreds of innocent men, women, and children were killed by soldiers of the British Indian Army. It was one of many political statements Tagore made during his lifetime.

In 1921 Tagore and agricultural economist Leonard Elmhirst founded the Institute for Rural Reconstruction, “Shriniketan” [Abode of Peace], near Santiniketan. Much of his time was taken with its organisation, but he also continued to travel extensively and maintain his prodigious output of writings. In 1937 he was stricken by a lengthy illness, becoming comatose at times, and never fully recovered. However he did manage to keep writing during these last five years of his life, during which he suffered much; many have said he produced his finest work then. Rabindranath Tagore died on 7 August 1941 at the family estate Jorasanko, where he had been born.

" All the great utterances of man have to be judged not by the letter but by the spirit—the spirit which unfolds itself with the growth of life in history. " Sadhana: The Realisation of Life (1916)

Tagore had early success as a writer in his native Bengal. With his translations of some of his poems he became rapidly known in the West. In fact his fame attained a luminous height, taking him across continents on lecture tours and tours of friendship. For the world he became the voice of India's spiritual heritage; and for India, especially for Bengal, he became a great living institution.

Although Tagore wrote successfully in all literary genres, he was first of all a poet. Among his fifty and odd volumes of poetry are Manasi (1890) [The Ideal One], Sonar Tari (1894) [The Golden Boat], Gitanjali (1910) [Song Offerings], Gitimalya (1914) [Wreath of Songs], and Balaka (1916) [The Flight of Cranes]. The English renderings of his poetry, which include The Gardener (1913), Fruit-Gathering (1916), and The Fugitive (1921), do not generally correspond to particular volumes in the original Bengali; and in spite of its title, Gitanjali: Song Offerings (1912), the most acclaimed of them, contains poems from other works besides its namesake. Tagore's major plays are Raja (1910) [The King of the Dark Chamber], Dakghar (1912) [The Post Office], Achalayatan (1912) [The Immovable], Muktadhara (1922) [The Waterfall], and Raktakaravi (1926) [Red Oleanders]. He is the author of several volumes of short stories and a number of novels, among them Gora (1910), Ghare-Baire (1916) [The Home and the World], and Yogayog (1929) [Crosscurrents]. Besides these, he wrote musical dramas, dance dramas, essays of all types, travel diaries, and two autobiographies, one in his middle years and the other shortly before his death in 1941. Tagore also left numerous drawings and paintings, and songs for which he wrote the music himself.

Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)

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Mahatma Gandhi - The Father of the Nation

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Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948), also known as Mahatma Gandhi (the name "Mahatma" was given by Rabindranath Tagore), was born in Porbandar in the present day state of Gujarat in India on October 2, 1869. He was raised in a very conservative family that had affiliations with the ruling family of Kathiawad. He was educated in law at University College, London. In 1891, after having been admitted to the British bar, Gandhi returned to India and attempted to establish a law practice in Bombay, without much success. Two years later an Indian firm with interests in South Africa retained him as legal adviser in its office in Durban. Arriving in Durban, Gandhi found himself treated as a member of an inferior race. He was appalled at the widespread denial of civil liberties and political rights to Indian immigrants to South Africa. He threw himself into the struggle for elementary rights for Indians. He was murded on January 30, 1948 in New Delhi by the fanatic Hindu Nathuram Godsey. Gandhi was a Hindu as well and born in the second highest cast. Hindus hold the belief that people get born in a cast in which they stay their whole life. When their behavoir according to the religious rules of Hinduism is good they get in a higher cast in their next life. On the other hand, if they behave badly they get in a lower cast. There are also the Untouchables or people without a cast. People from other casts treat them badly and very often would not even touch them. They live in the biggest poverty and have hardly any chances to live a good life.

young age

In the time Gandhi was born India was a colony of the British Empire. The British ruled the country for several hundred years. Many people lived in great poverty because the British took all the wealth. After school Gandhi went to London and studied Law in an university. He became a lawyer. Shortly after he was back in India an Indian firm wanted him to go to South Africa where he worked for them. In South Africa the Indians were not welcome by the white settlers. One day Gandhi got pushed out of the train when he refused to leave his seat for a white person. It was then that decided never to be pushed down again and to fight for the rights of minorities. He started to lead the Indian workers in South Africa and fought for their rights. He made a very important rule for himself which he used his whole life: never to use violence in his fights, even if others would use violence against him. So he started to fight for the rights of Indian workers in South Africa and he had great success. And he never used violence.

He started a project (ashram) where people from different religions lived together in peace and freedom. He never made no secrets of anything and was a nice and friendly person throughout his whole life. When he came back to India crowds were already waiting and cheering for him at the harbour and people celebrated his arrival. But that did not make him happy. He wanted to live like most of the people in India: out in the countriside and poor. He wanted to be one of them, one of the country he was born in but was away from for so long. So he started travelling through the country by train in the third class wagons. There he saw a lot of India and a lot of the ways how people lived and worked there. Very soon he became the leader of the Indian Campaign for Home-Rule. The Indians loved him because he was so close to them. He lived in the country and lived an easy life of joy and satisfaction. And he started spinning. He continued spinning for the rest of his life from then on. He had the opinion that a lot of poverty in India was the result of all the clothes that were produced in and imported from Great Britain to India. Since spinning used to be a common job for people in the Indian villages, Gandhi believed that these imported goods destroyed great parts of India´s economy and thus many people lost their work. Gandhi encouraged the people to start spinning again if they do not have anything better to do because so they could make some money and would produce something. One day - as a symbolic event - he asked his followers on a big meeting to throw all their British clothes on a big fire. He encouraged them not to buy any more British clothes but to produce and buy their own Indian clothes. After that many people started to boycott British goods. People in the British factories got unemployed but more people in India had something to do. That was only one step to India's independence from the British.

The "Charka" for making clothes

Another very important step to independence was that he asked the whole nation to strike for one day. And they did. Nothing worked on that day. There was virtually no traffic, mail was not delivered, factories were not working and - for the British a very important thing - the telegraph lines did not work and the British in India were cut off their mother country. It was then that they first realized Gandhi's power in India. There was another very important event on India's way to independence. The British had control of the salt that was taken out of the sea. Indians had to pay taxes for the salt nobody could live without. Gandhi thought that the rule over the salt industry was one of the British basics to rule India. He started a march over 140 miles (about 200 kilometers) to the ocean. When he started, Gandhi had only a few hundred followers but when they reached the sea they were a group of many thousands of people. People from many villages which they came by decided to walk with them. When they arrived at the sea Gandhi took a handful of salt. That was a symbolic action and he asked everybody to do the same. After the police "cleaned" them all away from the beach they decided to walk into the salt factories and take salt from there. The British ordered soldiers to stand before the gate to the factories and not let anyone in. The protesters walked to them and tried to walk in, only five at a time. And the soldiers hit them all until they could not walk any further. Women picked them up and took them away. No one on the side of the protesters used violence.

People were walking with Gandhi

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Most of Gandhi's actions were a great success. The reason was that the British did not know how to act against an enemy who does not use violence. But it was very important as well that the media all over the world talked about Gandhi and his actions because otherwise there would not have been enough public pressure upon the British officials. More and more people everywhere in the world agreed with Gandhi when they saw the British violence against the non-violent people. And they loved him because he was so close to the people in his country. To work together with the press and to have no secrets was one of the important things of his work. Gandhi went to jail very often in his life. He was arrested several times in South Africa as well as in India. He used the time in jail to think and plan other actions.He also used the time to think about how he could help the Untouchables. He was a religious man and believed in casts but he did not think that God wanted Untouchables to have no rights. He went for long walks through India to collect money for the Untouchables and he fought for their rights his whole life. He also fought for the peaceful understanding of different religions. When fights broke out between Hindus and Moslems he tried to talk to them and when that did not help he started to fast which he did a lot of times in his life. Once he nearly fasted to death when Hindus and Moslems fought against each other. Then the fights stopped and the two religions started to live together in peace again. He also fasted when he heard of violence against the British or against soldiers or policemen. Violence made him very sad and he had more than once the feeling that all he had done was useless when people fought each other again.

Gandhi was leading people

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When people came to him and said that it would be their right to kill someone if that person had killed their son or wife Gandhi used to reply: "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind". During the Second World War Britain did not have much power to keep India as a colony anymore and they started to talk about independence. After the war, in 1947 India got finally independent and the British left the country. But Gandhi did not feel like celebrating because religious fights broke out again. But with his speeches to the people and finally with his fast he stopped the violence and people lived together again. But India was divided into India and Pakistan. Pakistan was the part where most people were Muslims and India was the part with mainly Hindus. Gandhi did not want to divide the country but he could not help it. Shortly after his last fast with which he stopped the religious violence a fanatic Hindu shot him at his daily prayer.

Gandhi with a smile

Gandhi never received the Nobel Peace Prize, though he was nominated for it five times between 1937 and 1948. Decades later however, the Nobel Committee publicly declared its regret for the omission. When the Dalai Lama was awarded the Peace Prize in 1989, the chairman of the committee said that this was "in part a tribute to the memory of Mahatma Gandhi".

Gandhi and his influence in the nonviolent movement

I think Mohandas Gandhi was one of the most significant persons in the 20th century. He was the one who proved that it is possible to fight very successfully without violence. He fought his whole life with humanity, tolerance, ideas and without violence. He showed the way to a better world. And still today there are many people who love him and who use his philosophy to change the world. A very important example is the fight against wars. Usually people who fight against a war try to fight without violence. They march through cities and try to convince people not to go to the war or something like that.

Another very popular example is the fight against nuclear energy or nuclear weapons. Demonstrators sit on the road in front of a nuclear power station or block the way of trucks or trains that carry nuclear waste. Or, very popular example, the French tests of nuclear weapons in the pacific 1996. People opposed them and the press all over the world was talking about these tests. That was non-violent resistance. Marches all over the world and other non-violent actions. Another good example is "Greenpeace". They fight for nature and their most important weapon is the public opinion. They do not use violence but they use the press. The actions they do are very spectacular and interesting for the whole world. Many people all over the world agree with what they are doing. An example for not using violence even if others use it against them was when they went very close to where the French wanted to test their nuclear weapons and the French soldiers entered their boat and destroyed lots of things and hit the Greenpeace activists. And all that was filmed by Greenpeace and these pictures were sent all over the world and came in the news everywhere. Also Martin Luther King did not use violence in his fight for the rights of the black people in America.

An example which all of us see and experience from time to time is the strike. Gandhi made the strike as a way of fighting popular and it is still widly used today. In the beginning of the 20th century the British Empire was the biggest empire in the world. India was it's biggest colony and was very important to Britain. Gandhi managed to get India independent of the British. The biggest Empire in the world lost a war of independence against a country like India that not even used violence and good weapons for its fights. That was a sign for the world. And especially for the other countries ruled by the British. It was then that many of those countries saw their chance for independence. Gandhi showed them the way. That was one of the main causes for the independency of many of those countries.

In the 1960's most colonies in Africa became independent and also Indochina became independent. I think that was also one of the things Gandhi caused or helped causing. Gandhi fought for the rights of minorities and people who were pushed down their whole life. He encouraged every one to stand up for their rights and to fight against cruelty. He showed the whole world how easy it is to fight for the rights and how successful it can be if there are many people fighting for the same cause together. Many people in the whole world decided to start fighting for their rights when they realized how successful Gandhi was. That was the start of many fights for humanity and for rights of minorities. Good examples are the fights of the blacks in North America. Especially Martin Luther King fought under the influence of things Gandhi had said. Or the fights in South America under Ché Guevara or even the fights of Aborigines in Australia. But those are only a few examples.

Fights for rights happened and still happen all over the world again and again because there are always people who push others down. I think Gandhi played a big part in the fight for humanity and the rights of minorities. I think Gandhi was and is still a very significant person. He changed people's minds and opened lots of people´s minds. Still today when people see the movie that was made about his life and his fights they think about this person and how successful non-violence and rebellion can be. And that it is important to save the (human) life and not to destroy it.

What is the History of Yoga ?

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The history of Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Yuga' which means ‘to join'. Yoga is an ancient philosophy that came from India that promotes personal health, growth and wellness. It doesn’t conflict with any religion but has impact on our spiritual path.

Even though no one is sure who invented yoga most modern forms are traced back to the yoga Sutras. Patanjali, an ancient philosopher and physician wrote them around 500 BC. Again no one is sure of the exact date they were written, however we do know are that it became a tradition and was practiced regularly around soon there after and the Sutras written by Patanjal became the basis for the practice of yoga. The practices and philosophies are just as valid and popular today as they were then.

Yoga has become popular with many western medical practitioners and therapists as a treatment for a large variety of physical and emotional illnesses.

The practice of yoga is not a form of religion or a cult, nor do you need to be a contortionist, or stare at a candle and breath incense, and it's not just for young people who are thin and supple.

What yoga is then? Yoga is more than an exercise, it's a way of life that aims for the union of the body, mind and spirit through exercises and postures, breathing techniques, and meditation. The practice of yoga promote greater flexibility and strength, creates greater mental clarity and focus as well as allowing for emotional balance in your body.

Yoga does involve concentration, focused breathing, and discipline. A greater union of mind, body, and spirit is the result of practicing yoga and anyone regardless of age, experience, body type, or physical abilities can practice yoga. While it does help to have a little knowledge, you don't need to know all the words or understand their meanings in order to receive the benefits that yoga provides. Yoga can give you the sense of satisfaction that only meditation and physical exercise combined can give you. The beauty of that is it can be carried out all in one exercise program! The more dedicated you are, the more you will get out of yoga. It offers a chance to have true union between your mind, body and spirit. Yoga is right in the middle between physical exercise and meditation.

In physical sense, the body is physically taxed and, of course, you sweat. It doesn't take much thinking to go through an exercise routine.

Meditation on the other hand, the body does nothing; it is all with calming your mind, eliminating your stress and reaching in for your inner spirit.

Yoga's increasing popularity is because it ties the two, physical and mental, together into a comfortable package.

Benefits Of YOGA

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Benefit of Yoga Creates both flexibility and strength along with cardiovascular health. It creates mental clarity and focus and emotional balance. Yoga is safe for all ages and body types. It facilitates healing from injuries and is a wonderful way to create wellness.

You weight train to gain strength, jog or do aerobics for a cardiovascular workout, practice tai-chi to develop a sense of balance and harmony, stretch to gain flexibility, and meditate to develop peace of mind and relaxation. Yoga is a form of exercise that gives you everything: strength, endurance, balance, flexibility, and relaxation. Benefits of Yoga is the only complete form of bodywork that does it all. Indeed, yoga is more than stretching and relaxation: it is the ultimate mindbody challenge.

Yoga increases flexibility as it offers positions that act upon the various joints of the body including those joints that aren’t always in the forefront of notice ability. These joints are rarely exercised, however, with yoga, they are!

Various yoga positions exercise the different tendons and ligaments of the body. The body that may have been quite rigid begins experiencing a remarkable flexibility in even those parts which have not been consciously worked upon.

Seemingly unrelated non-strenuous yoga positions act upon certain parts of the body in an interrelated manner. When done together, they work in harmony to create a situation where flexibility is attained relatively easily.

Yoga is perhaps the only form of activity which massages all the internal glands and organs of the body in a thorough manner, including those – such as the prostate - that hardly get externally stimulated during our entire lifetime.

As a benefit, Yoga acts in a wholesome manner on the various body parts. This stimulation and massage of the organs in turn benefits us by keeping away disease and providing a forewarning at the first possible instance of a likely onset of disease or disorder.

By gently stretching muscles and joints as well as massaging the various organs, yoga ensures the optimum blood supply to various parts of the body. This helps in the flushing out of toxins from every nook and cranny as well as providing nourishment up to the last point. This leads to benefits of yoga such as delayed ageing, energy and a remarkable zest for life.

But these enormous physical benefits are just a “side effect” of this powerful practice. What yoga does is harmonize the mind with the body. This results in real quantum benefits of yoga. It is now an open secret that the will of the mind has enabled people to achieve extraordinary physical feats, which proves beyond doubt the mind and body connection.

Yoga through meditation works remarkably to achieve this harmony and helps the mind work in sync with the body. How often do we find that we are unable to perform our activities properly and in a satisfying manner because of the confusions and conflicts in our mind weigh down heavily upon us? Moreover, stress which in reality is the #1 killer affecting all parts of our physical,endocrinal and emotional systems can be corrected through the wonderful yoga practiceof meditation.

In fact yoga = meditation, because both work together in achieving the common goal of unity of mind, body and spirit – a state of eternal bliss.

The meditative practices through yoga help in achieving an emotional balance through detachment. What it means is that meditation creates conditions, where you are not affected by the happenings around you. This in turn creates a remarkable calmness and a positive outlook, which also has tremendous benefits on the physical health of the body.

There’s no doubt that yoga has tremendous benefits of yoga to your health and well-being.

Who can practice Yoga?

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Yoga is a series of exercises that is performed to improve health and flexibility. People of any age, sex or any fitness level can practice yoga. The beauty of yoga is that it is highly flexible, so you can modify yoga techniques to meet your need. If you have mobility problems, use chair to perform yoga. Office-goers can try the deep-breathing practices to relieve their stress.

Sportsmen and physically active people can use the strengthening techniques to enhance their activities. Children can increase their attention span by using yoga techniques. Seniors can use yoga techniques to improve the body mobility and the flexibility of their joints. Doctors recommend yoga practices for the people with cardiac problems.

Spiritual laws of Yoga

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The word Yoga is heard mostly in relation to fitness and health.

Most people are aware that Yoga is a form of exercise and that it was developed in India. But this definition is far from complete. Fitness is merely one of the parts of Yoga.

The word Yoga means “unity”.

Yoga is all about uniting oneself with God. The different types of Yoga are merely different pathways that help us to accomplish this goal. Although Yoga does teach us how to lead a healthy lifestyle, the main aim of Yoga is to help us attain oneness with the supreme. Yoga is about all about spirituality, sacrifice, love and dedication.

A proper study of Yoga can help unlock humankind’s fullest potential and ensure that we can rise above this earthly shell and realize the divinity that is present in each one of us. In order to better understand the philosophy and depth of Yoga it is necessary to study the spiritual laws on which the practice of Yoga is based. Let us look at some of the spiritual laws of Yoga and what they mean.

The Law of Brahman - Brahman is the ultimate state of being. All human beings have the potential to achieve this state. The practice of Yoga allows a person to realize his or her fullest potential and live a fulfilling life.

The Law of Maya - The universe is in a constant state of transition. Change is an inevitable part of life. Yoga allows us to recognize that everything is transitory. In this way it exhorts us not to form undue attachment to any one aspect of life but to embrace all of life and the changes it brings. This is one of the most positive messages of Yoga and allows the individual to transcend the shackles of earthly desires and restraints.

The Law of Dharma - The word Dharma in the context of nature refers to the laws of nature. Yoga holds the path of Dharma in highest esteem, for when an individual follows this path, he or she not only not only contributes towards the development of the self but also towards the development of the entire world.

The Law of Karma - Sir Isaac Newton’s third law of motion states that “every action has an equal and opposite reaction”. Thousands of years before he formulated this law, Yoga gave rise to the principle of Karma. Karma refers to the fact that nothing exists in isolation. Every action, no matter how small, generates repercussions. Therefore, Yoga teaches the individual to carefully weigh the consequences of every action before it is carried out.

Creating a yoga environment

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Yoga can be practiced at any time of the day. Choosing to practice in the morning energizes you and the relaxed, soothing practice helps to wind up in the evening. The room should be airy, clean and well lit. Avoid air conditioners. Play soft music or yoga cassettes and keep incense sticks in the room to clean the air. If possible, keep some flowers in the room. Tips for great yoga practice

Adopt a positive attitude. Set manageable goals. Start with simple exercises and as you progress, increase your intensity. Record your progress so that you can note down your experiences, thoughts and anything else. Practice yoga on an empty stomach or 3 hours after a meal. Avoid smoking, drinking, drugs, non-veg and fried foods. Keep your meals simple. Do your practice at the time convenient to you. But mornings till 9.00 am are preferable since they are neither too hot nor cold.

NOTE before start YOGA

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Yoga Poses & Yoga Exercises

In Sanskrit, the word “pose” is “asana” (pronounced as “ah-sah-nah”). Each asana helps you become more aware of your body, mind, and environment. While beginning your yoga exercises, experiment with the poses, moving in and out as you feel comfortable. If you approach the poses with playful curiosity, feeling of frustration and competitiveness will not enter your mind. While practicing your yoga exercises, make sure that you don’t feel any discomfort or pain.

Yoga Poses and breathing

Breathing is an essential part of practicing yoga exercises. You should never hold your breathe during a pose. Also make sure that your breath is never forced or strained. Labored breathing is sign that you you’re working too hard and should come out of the pose slightly.

When one starts practicing yoga, one can hold for three full breaths through most yoga poses. If you feel comfortable in the pose, hold for longer, if uncomfortable, you should come out of the pose immediately.

Asthanga Yoga ( Raja Yoga)

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Ashtanga yoga (Y.S 2.28-55) is the eight-fold spiritual path to obtain the control of the mind, the state of samadhi and eventually liberation. The eight angas (literally limbs) are the steps or stages of the spiritual path. We will study the five external limbs (bahir-anga). And the last three limbs are explained in chapter III. They are the inner limbs (antar-anga)

1. Yama (moral restrictions): non violence (ahimsa), truthfulness (satya), non stealing (asteya), sexual control (brahmacarya) and aparigraha (austerity) (30-31); benefits of the practice of yamas (35-39)

2. Niyama (personal disciplines): purity (saucha), contentment (santosha), self-discipline (tapas), self-study (svadhyaya) and devotion to the Lord (Ishvara pranidhana) (32); benefits of the practice of yamas (40-45) while practicing yamas and niyamas negative thoughts or habits may appear: the method to control them is by practicing the opposite virtues (pratipakshabhavana) (33-34)

3. Asana-steady pose: "posture must be steady and comfortable" (sthiram sukham asanam) (46-48) For spiritual practice, as for any other pursuit in life, a healthy and strong system is also essential. Steady mind presupposes steady body

4. Pranayama: breath control (49-53)

5. Pratyahara: sense withdrawal (54-55)

The last three limbs are explained in chapter III. They are the inner limbs (antar-anga)

6. Dharana: concentration of the mind on a single object

7. Dhyana: meditation is steady and uninterrupted concentration

8. Samadhi: complete absorption in the object of meditation; at this point the mental opperations stop, one achieves supernatural powers (siddhis) which must be overcome by the yogi in order to achieve the knowledge of his true Self: liberation (kaivalya).

Song of the Soul

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I am neither ego nor reason, I am neither mind nor thought,

I cannot be heard nor cast into words, nor by smell nor sight ever caught:

In light and wind I am not found, nor yet in earth and sky-

Consciousness and joy incarnate, Bliss of the Blissful am I.

I have no name, I have no life, I breathe no vital air,

No elements have moulded me, no bodily sheath is my lair:

I have no speech, no hands and feet, nor means of evolution-

Consciousness and joy am I, and Bliss in dissolution.

I cast aside hatred and passion, I conquered delusion and greed;

No touch of pride caressed me, so envy never did breed:

Beyond all faiths, past reach of wealth, past freedom, past desire,

Consciousness and joy am I, and Bliss is my attire.

Virtue and vice, or pleasure and pain are not my heritage

Nor sacred texts, nor offerings, nor prayer, nor pilgrimage:

I am neither food, nor eating, nor yet the eater am I-

Consciousness and joy incarnate, Bliss of the Blissful am I.

I have mo misgiving of death, no chasms of race divide me,

No parent ever called me child, no bond of birth ever tide me:

I am neither disciple nor master, I have no kin, no friend-

Consciousness and joy am I, and merging in Bliss is my end.

Neither knowable, knowledge, nor knower am I, formless is my form,

I dwell within the senses but they are not my home:

Ever serenely balanced, I am neither free nor bound-

Consciousness and joy am I, and Bliss is where I am found.

- Adi Shankaracharya

Proper Relaxation

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When the body and mind are continually over-worked and stressed, their natural efficiency diminishes. Rest and relaxation are Nature's way of giving the body a way of recharging. Like the radiator of a car, which cools down the engine, physical, mental and spiritual relaxation allows the mind and muscles to let go completely as during complete relaxation very little energy or prana is consumed while the remaining portion is stored.

Kriyas-Cleansing Technique

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“Dhauti, basti, net, trataka, nauli and kapalbhati; these are known as shatkarma (or six cleansing processes).” - Hatha Yoga Pradipika 2.22

Purity of body encourages purity of the mind. Yoga has developed six cleansing techniques or "Shed Kriyas" for purification of the physical body. Through these simple exercises, nature is assisted in the elimination of waste products and mucus. Many mental and physical ailments may be alleviated through the practice of kryas.

Pranayama

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“Thus being established i asana and having control (of the body), taking a balance diet, pranayama should be practiced to the instruction of the guru.” - Hatha Yoga Pradipika 2.1

Deep breathing helps to clean and nourish the physical body. Most people do not breathe correctly as each breath tends to be shallow and short. A full inhalation brings an abundant supply of oxygen which is essential to every cell in the body. As you exhale carbon dioxide and other waste products are expelled from the body.

Pranayama means “ control of Prana ”. Prana is “ energy or vital force ” and yama is “control of that energy”. Pranayama leads to the control of the mind. All diseases and ailments of the body can be destroyed at the root by controlling and regulating the Prana.

Pranayama - Breathing Techniques

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Life Energy is called prana (prah-nah). In sanskrit, the word for breath is the same as the word for life - prana. The first thing you do as you enter this world is to inhale. Your last act in this life is to exhale. When prana leaves the body, we die. The breath is a metaphor for life energy. In yoga, and in Ayurveda, we seek to sustain and enhance the life force as much as possible - absorbing as much prana through breath, food, visual surroundings, sound, all our senses as possible. The most significant way of doing this is through the practice of pranayama (prah-nah-yah-mah), breathing techniques or breath control. Yama (yah-mah) is translated as control, discipline, regulation or mastery. Hence, some translate pranayama as "breath control." Ayama (ah-yah-mah) is expansion, growth, extension,augmentation or magnification. Hence, another translation is "expansion of the life force." Both are loosely translated as "breath control," but realize that there is much more behind this definition.

Breathing is one of the few autonomic functions of the body that we may also control (although more experienced yogis and yoginis may control heart rate, blood pressure, skin temperature, and other functions previously believed to be autonomic). The breath is seen as an important link between our body, our mind, and our spirit - moving from the purely physical realm, to the mental, to the spiritual.

Why Practice Pranayama?

Yoga may be an ancient Eastern tradition, but I am a modern, Western person. Why should I practice this? What direct, proven benefits are there to me? AHA! GOOD QUESTION! I was hoping someone would ask this! There are many proven benefits to pranayama (the practice of breathing techniques).

Pranayama Benefits

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9 out of 10 adults in the U.S. are chest breathers - shallow breathing into the chest, not reaching deep in the lungs at all. Children are born as belly breathers because it is HEALTHIER and more NATURAL breathing for the body. Stress and environmental conditioning change us into chest breathers as we mature. We can regain our ability to breath in a slow, deep, and healthy manner through pranayama - breathing from the belly button on up.

In most people, the bottom 1/3 of our lungs is "dead space." We breath so shallowly, we hardly use this 1/3 at all. For individuals with respiratory concerns, learning to breath into the healthy, undamaged bottom 1/3 of the lungs, where there is pink healthy tissue to absorb oxygen, can be beneficial. Check with your doctor first!

Increases the rate of metabolism (to aid with weight loss) - also Agni, the digestive fire, is extremely important in Ayurveda (Eastern Medicinal Branch of Yoga) - having a healthy digestion will improve your entire state of health - body and mind.

Strengthen the immune system

Calms and steadies the mind

Improves focus and concentration

Can raise or lower blood pressure, depending upon the technique chosen and the desired result

Body uses oxygen more efficiently, increasing our health

Provide sufficient oxygen for the functioning of every cell in our body. Without sufficient oxygen, we cannot metabolize food properly, and nutrients are wasted (take time to breath deeply between your bites of food during mealtimes - aids digestion in many ways)

Increases VO2 Max (the efficient use of oxygen in the body - measured most commonly in athletes)

Increases lung capacity

For those suffering from lung damage (emphyzema, etc.), can learn to draw air more deeply into the lungs, reaching undamaged lung tissue and allowing easier breathing. Most smokers are shallow "chest breathers" and so they draw smoke into the upper 1/3 to 2/3 of the lungs. Once he has given up smoking, an individual can be taught to breath deeply into the bottom 1/3 of the lungs, allowing the body a sufficient supply of oxygen and increasing health.

Reduce stress - when encountering stress, one of our first responses is to hold the breath, or breath very shallowly. This is a "fight or flight", primitive response that may have served us at one point in our evolutionary development. However, now, we respond this way to even slight stimuli - while driving in traffic, buzzer on a microwave going off, etc. We spend a great deal of our day actually holding our breath. Learning to consciously focus on deep breathing relaxes the body and calms the mind, and keeps the oxygen flowing, improving our health!

Better emotional control and equilibrium - As a common remedy for stress, we use the expression " take a deep breath." Breathing actually allows us to respond to events more clearly, rationally, and calmly by supplying the brain with ample oxygen. A lack of oxygen can cause lack of concentration and emotional unbalance.

Improved physical control of the body

Remove waste products such as Carbon Dioxide and other toxic gases from the body, so they do not remain in the blood stream - this exchange in done through the alvioli in the lungs

Spiritual benefits of breathing - healthy body, calm mind, and inner serenity. These take you on the road to spiritual discovery.

Nasal passages have many nerve endings, and breathing techniques can stimulate calming centers of the brain.

Open the Nadis and remove blockages to energy flow in the body

Strengthen and gain control of the diaphragm - improving abdominal tone, singing capacity, and health.

Learning healthy breathing techniques benefits the following conditions: asthma, allergies, high or low blood pressure, stress-related heart conditions, hyperactivity, insomnia, chronic pain, some psychological conditions, metabolic and endocrine imbalances. This is not intended as a substitute for proper medical care. Please consult with your physician before beginning programs of yoga and/or yogic breathing.

Men average 12 to 14 breaths per minute. Women average 13 to 15 breaths per minute. Children average 15 to 18 breaths per minute. This is natural for each group. Breathing more rapidly (hyperventilating) depletes the body of carbon dioxide. Your body needs a certain amount of Carbon Dioxide to maintain the appropriate Acidity/Alkalinity levels for your blood. Learning to breath deeply and smoothly can ensure that you maintain appropriate levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body.

As you can see, a person with strong lungs and a large breathing capacity usually has abundant health and energy! When we are calm and balanced, the breath is usually smooth, even, and steady. When we are tense, frightened, angry, or nervous, our breath is erratic, choppy, uneven or strained. There is a correlation between our well being - physically and emotionally, and the fluidity of our breath.

Basic Guidelines

Blow your nose, clearing your nostrils as much as possible before beginning

Begin practicing pranayama in a room-temperature (68 degrees Farenheit) environment. Extremely cold or hot air can affect your health adversely. Also, please do this in FRESH air - no smoke, chemicals, or other harmful elements in your environment. Air will be pulled more deeply into your lungs, and it need to be clean and fresh.

Breath through the nostrils only, unless otherwise specified. The fluidity of your breath is the priority - if your breath begins to be choppy or uneven, stop what you are doing and allow your breath to return to its own, natural rhythm.

If you begin to feel faint, dizzy, flushed, or light-headed, stop what you are doing, and allow your breath to return to its own natural rhythm. This is a result of the increased oxygen levels in the body, which your body may not be accustomed to. You can increase your pranayama practice and use of oxygen gradually.

Pranayama Techniques

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Abdominal Breath - also called the "Diaphramatic Breath", "Natural Breath" - allows one to breath deeply into the lungs, using the diaphragm. Begins to reset our patterns from shallow chest breathing to deep, healthy, belly breathing.

Dirgha Pranayama - (pronounced "DEAR-gah) also called the "Yogic Breath", "Three-part breath" and "Complete Breath" - completely fills our lungs with oxygen. expands and stretches the lungs gently, increasing lung capacity. Brings a higher level of oxygen into the blood stream.

Ujjayi Pranayama - (pronouned OOOO-jah-yeee) "Ocean Sounding" or "Victorious" breath (in Kids Yoga we call it the "Darth Vader" breath) The sound created by this breath has been described as a "soft hissing sound" or a "gentle snore." This in one of the most important breathing techniques in yoga. Increases body heat, the sound calms and focuses the mind, allowing you to relax more deeply, can be used to either lower blood pressure and slow heart rate, OR to increase blood pressure and heart rate, depending upon whether one is utilizing the Ashtanga style of forceful ujjayi or the meditative style of slow and soft ujjayi. Used for pain reduction, insomnia, and migraines.

Nadi Shodhana - (pronounced NAH-dee SHOW-dhah-nah) the "Sweet Breath", "Channel Purification Breath" or "Alternate Nostril Breath"- brings balance to the right and left hemispheres of the brain.

Nadi Shodhana

Kapalabhati - (pronounced kah-PAH-lah-bah-tee) "Skull Polishing Breath" - increases circulation, energizes the body, brings a high level of oxygen into the blood stream

Breath of Fire - "Bellows Breathing" - strengthens chest and diaphragm, loosens spine, stretches lungs, controls the breath at a different level.

Kapalabhati

Analoma Veloma - (pronounced annah-LOW-mah veh-LOH-mah) Advanced Breathing Technique for experienced meditators and yogis who already have an established breathing practice. Brings one to a deep, contemplative state of mind, and mastery over the physical breath.

Three-Part Breath - Dirga Pranayama

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Benefits: Focuses the attention on the present moment, calms and grounds the mind.

This pranayama exercise is often done while seated in a comfortable, cross-legged position, but it is also nice to do while lying on the back, particularly at the beginning of your practice. When you are lying down, you can really feel the breath moving through your body as it makes contact with the floor.

1. Come to lie down on the back with the eyes closed, relaxing the face and the body.

2. Begin by observing the natural inhalation and exhalation of your breath without changing anything. If you find yourself distracted by the activity in your mind, try not to engage in the thoughts. Just notice them and then let them go, bringing your attention back to the inhales and the exhales.

3. Then begin to inhale deeply through the nose.

4. On each inhale, fill the belly up with your breath. Expand the belly with air like a balloon.

5. On each exhale, expel all the air out from the belly through your nose. Draw the navel back towards your spine to make sure that the belly is empty of air.

6. Repeat this deep belly breathing for about five breaths.

7. On the next inhale, fill the belly up with air as described above. Then when the belly is full, draw in a little more breath and let that air expand into the rib cage causing the ribs to widen apart.

8. On the exhale, let the air go first from the rib cage, letting the ribs slide closer together, and them from the belly, drawing the navel back towards the spine.

9. Repeat this deep breathing into the belly and rib cage for about five breaths.

10. On the next inhale, fill the belly and rib cage up with air as described above. Then draw in just a little more air and let it fill the upper chest, all the way up to the collarbone, causing the area around the heart (which is called the heart center in yoga), expand and rise.

11. On the exhale, let the breath go first from the upper chest, allowing the heart center sink back down, then from the rib cage, letting the ribs slide closer together. Finally, let the air go from the belly, drawing the navel back towards the spine.

12. You are practicing three-part breath! Continue at your own pace, eventually coming to let the three parts of the breath happen smoothly without pausing.

13. Continue for about 10 breaths.

Alternate Nostril Breathing - Nadi Sodhana

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This breath is balancing, relaxing, and calming.

1. Sit in a comfortable crosslegged position.

2. Using your right hand, fold your pointer and middle fingers into your palm, leaving your thumb, ring finger, and pinky sticking up (Vishnu Mudra).

3. Bring your thumb to the right side of your nose and your ring finger to the left side.

4. Close off your right nostril with your thumb.

5. Inhale through your left nostril.

6. Close off your left nostril with your ring finger.

7. Open and exhale through your right nostril.

8. Inhale through your right nostril.

9. Close off your right nostril with your thumb.

10. Open and exhale through your left nostril.

11. Inhale through your left nostril.

12. Continue alternating 5 to 10 times.

Cooling Breath - Shitali Pranyama

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Cooling Breath - Shitali Pranyama

This breath cools the body so it is best done in hot weather or at the end of a vigorous yoga session.

1. Come to sit in a comfortable cross-legged position.

2. Take two or three deep inhales and exhales through the nose to prepare.

3. Roll the tongue, curling the sides in towards the center to form a tube. Stick the end of the tongue out between your pursed lips. If you can’t roll your tongue, just purse the lips making a small “o” shape with the mouth.

4. Inhale through the tube of the tongue.

5. Exhale through the nose.

6. Repeat 5-10 times as you feel the cooling effect.

Ocean Breath - Ujjayi Pranayama

2008-11-05T13:02:00.000+05:30

Also known as: Hissing Breath, Victorious Breath

Benefits: Concentrates and directs the breath, giving asana practice extra power and focus.

This pranayama is most often used in association with the practice of yoga poses, especially in the vinyasa style. Vinyasa yoga is breath-synchronized movement, and the breath used is Ujjayi breath. Learn this breath while seated in a comfortable cross-legged position. Once you feel confident, begin to use it during asana practice.

1. Inhale and exhale deeply through the mouth.

2. On the exhales, begin to tone the back of the throat, slightly constricting the passage of air. Imagine that you are fogging up a pair of glasses.

3. Once you are comfortable with the exhale, begin to apply the same toning of the throat to the inhales. This is where the name of the breath comes from: it sounds like the ocean. (It also sounds like Darth Vadar.)

4. When you are able to control the throat on both the inhale and the exhale, close the mouth and begin breathing through the nose. Continue applying the same toning to the throat that you did when the mouth was open. The breath will still make a loud noise coming in and out of the nose. This is Ujjayi breath.

5. Now start to use this breath during your practice. If the teacher tells you to move on an inhale, make it an Ujjayi inhale. If you need a little something extra while holding a pose, remember this breath.

Another way to think about Ujjayi Breath is to visualize your throat as a garden hose, with the breath passing through like a trickle of water. If you put your thumb partially over the opening of the hose, you increase the power of the water that is coming through. This is the same thing you are doing with your throat during Ujjayi breathing. The air that comes in through your constricted throat is a powerful, directed breath that you can send into the parts of your body that need it during yoga.

Skull Shining Breath - Kapalabhati Pranayama

2008-11-05T12:10:00.000+05:30

Benefits: cleansing, invigorating, warming, prevents illness and allergies

This breath consists of rapid, forced exhales followed by passive inhales. It is best done at the beginning of a yoga session. In Kundalini practice, Kapalabhati breath is sometimes done while holding poses.

1. Come to sit in a comfortable crosslegged position.

2. Take two or three deep inhales and exhales through the nose to prepare.

3. Inhale to a comfortable level, and then exhale sharply and forcefully through the nose, drawing the belly in as you exhale.

4. Let the inhale happen passively, and continue this cycle of forceful exhales and passive inhales at a fast pace, so that the belly is pumping continuously.

5. Do three rounds of thirty breaths each, coming back to deep inhales and exhales between each round.

6. Come back to normal breathing if you feel lightheaded at any time.

Surya Namaskara - Sun Salutation

2008-11-04T23:24:00.000+05:30

“Like a lid to a vessel, O Sun, your
Golden orb covers the entrance to Truth.
Kindly open the entrance, to lead me to Truth.”

-- Isa. Up. 15

All sessions of yoga asanas begin with Surya Namaskara or Sun Salutation.

This excellent warming up exercise consists of a sequence of 12 positions that move the spine in various ways and promote flexibility of the limbs. It improves concentration of the mind. It is also very beneficial to beginners, stiff people and elderly as it helps the body to regain flexibility.

See the image below .....

Chhath Puja

2008-11-04T07:30:00.001+05:30

festival on the banks of the Ganga at Patna.

Chhath, the thanksgiving festival dedicated to the Sun God for bestowing the bounties of life in earth and fulfilling everyone's wishes, started here today with Kharna ritual. The festival is significant for married women in specific, as they observe a two-day fast and offer prayers standing waist-deep in water and offer fruits and flowers to Surya, the Sun God.

Devotees performing rituals on the occasion of Chhath Puja in Bathinda

Several married women here today observed dawn to dusk fast marking 'Kharna' for the long life of husband and son and mark the fist day of the three-day Chhat Puja. The occasion is celebrated specifically by people of Bihar and also by those living in particular parts of the neighbouring Uttar Pradesh State. Chhat Puja acts as a unifying force both socially and culturally.

In Patna, large number of devotees thronged market to make last minute purchase for the Chhat Puja in Patna. As it is said to be Biharis' main festival and thus celebrated with full gaiety.

The Puja holds great importance in their lives and they celebrate it with great devotion. Devotees buy banana, apple, lemon, coconut and gorgan nut to mark the puja. Chatth has a great importance in Bihar and it is being celebrated as per the traditions. People bathe at Ghats, the riverbanks, and pay obeisance to both the rising and the setting sun during the festival. It is celebrated on the sixth and seventh days after Diwali, the festival of lights. Dancing on the tunes of the devotional songs, people offer fruits and flowers to please the Sun God.

On the eve of Chhath, houses are scrupulously cleaned and so are the surroundings. One the first day of the festival, the worshiper cooks a traditional vegetarian meal and offers it to the Sun God. This day is called Naha-Kha (literally, ‘Bathe and eat’!). The worshiper allows herself/himself only one meal on this day from the preparation.

On the second day, a special ritual, called Kharna, is performed in the evening after Sun down. On this day also, the worshiper eats his/her only meal from the offerings(Prashad)made to the Sun God in this ritual. Friends and family are invited to the household on this day to share the prashad of the ritual. From this day onwards, for the next 36 hours, the worshiper goes on a fast without water.

The evening of the next day, the entire household accompanies the worshiper to a ritual bathing and worship of the Sun God, usually on the bank of a river or a common large water body. The occasion is almost a carnival. Besides the main worshiper, there are friends and family, and numerous participants and onlookers, all willing to help and receive the blessings of the worshipper. Ritual rendition of regional folk songs, carried on through oral transmission from mothers and mothers-in-law to daughters and daughters-in-law, are sung on this occasion. The same bathing ritual is repeated on the following day at the crack of dawn. This is when the worshipper breaks his/her fast and finishes the ritual.Chhath being celebrated at the crack of the dawn on a river bank is a beautiful, elating spiritual experience connecting the modern Indian to his ancient cultural roots.

The folk songs sung on the eve of Chhath mirror the culture, social structure, mythology and history of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Nowadays, modern Chhath songs, largely Bollywood filmy remixes have caught on, but the old tradition still goes strong with a great degree of sanctity. The three main linguistic regions of Bihar: the Maithili, the Magadhi, and the Bhojpuri, and all the various dialects associated with these, have different folk songs; but all dedicated to Chhath, they have an underlying unity. The minor nuances of the Chhath rituals, such as in the Kharna ritual, vary from region to region, and also across families, but still there is a fundamental similarity.

devotees perform Chhath Pooja on the banks of the Yamuna river in New Delhi

Awkward Chair Pose - Utkatasana

2008-11-03T13:35:00.000+05:30

Type of pose: Standing

Benefits: Strengthens the thighs (which has some practical uses

Instructions:

1. From Mountain Pose – Tadasana bend the knees until the thighs are almost parallel to the floor.
2. Keep the butt low.
3. Bring the arms up towards the ceiling.
4. Bring a slight back bend into the upper back.
5. Hold 5-10 breaths

Beginners: Work on bring the thighs closer and closer to parallel to the floor.

Advanced: Try this variation: Bring the hands into a prayer position at the heart. Twist to the right side, bringing the left elbow outside the right knee. Stay low in the pose and keep the knees pressing together. Come back to center and then do the left side.

Discover Ayurveda

2008-11-02T20:09:00.000+05:30

Ayurveda is the oldest surviving complete medical system in the world. Derived from its ancient Sanskrit roots - ‘ayus' (life) and ‘ved' (knowledge) – and offering a rich, comprehensive outlook to a healthy life, its origins go back nearly 5000 years. To when it was expounded and practiced by the same spiritual rishis, who laid the foundations of the Vedic civilisation in India, by organising the fundamentals of life into proper systems.

The main source of knowledge in this field therefore remain the Vedas, the divine books of knowledge they propounded, and more specifically the fourth of the series, namely Atharvaveda that dates back to around 1000 BC. Of the few other treatises on Ayurveda that have survived from around the same time, the most famous are Charaka Samhita and the Sushruta Samhita which concentrate on internal medicine and surgery respectively. The Astanga Hridayam is a more concise compilation of earlier texts that was created about a thousand years ago. These between them forming a greater part of the knowledge base on Ayurveda as it is practiced today.

The art of Ayurveda had spread around in the 6th century BC to Tibet, China, Mongolia, Korea and Sri Lanka, carried over by the Buddhist monks travelling to those lands. Although not much of it survives in original form, its effects can be seen in the various new age concepts that have originated from there.

No philosophy has had greater influence on Ayurveda than Sankhaya’s philosophy of creation and manifestation. Which professes that behind all creation there is a state of pure existence or awareness, which is beyond time and space, has no beginning or end, and no qualities. Within pure existence, there arises a desire to experience itself, which results in disequilibrium and causes the manifestation of the primordial physical energy. And the two unite to make the "dance of creation" come alive.

Imponderable, indescribable and extremely subtle, this primordial energy – which and all that flows from it existing only in pure existence – is the creative force of all action, a source of form that has qualities. Matter and energy are so closely related that when energy takes form, we tend to think of it in terms of matter only. And much modified, it ultimately leads to the manifestation of our familiar mental and physical worlds.

It also gives rise to cosmic consciousness, which is the universal order that prevades all life. Individual intelligence, as distinct from the everyday intellectual mind, is derived from and is part of this consciousness. It is the inner wisdom, the part of individuality that remains unswayed by the demands of daily life, or by Ahamkara, the sense of `I-ness’.

A Sanskrit word with no exact translation, Ahamkara, is a concept not quite understood by everyone as it is often misleadingly equated to `ego’. Embracing much more than just that, it is in essence that part of ‘me’ which knows which parts of the universal creation are ‘me’. Since ‘I’ am not separate from the universal consciousness, but ‘I’ has an identity that differentiates and defines the boundaries of `me’. All creations therefore have Ahamkara, not just human beings.

There arises from Ahamkara a two-fold creation. The first is Satwa, the subjective world, which is able to perceive and manipulate matter. It comprises the subtle body (the mind), the capacity of the five sense organs to hear, feel, see, taste and smell, and for the five organs of action to speak, grasp, move, procreate and excrete. The mind and the subtle organs providing the bridge between the body, the Ahamkara and the inner wisdom, which three together is considered the essential nature of humans.

The second is Tamas, the objective world of the five elements of sound, touch, vision, taste and smell – the five subtle elements that give rise to the dense elements of ether or space, air, fire, water and the earth – from which all matter of the physical world is derived. And it is Rajas, the force or the energy of movement, which brings together parts of these two worlds.

Dense Element : Space, Air, Fire, Water, Earth

Subtle Element : Sound, Touch, Sight, Taste, Smell

Sense Organ : Ears, Skin, Eyes, Tongue, Nose

Motor Organ: Vocal Chords, Hands, Feet, Genitals, Anus

Function : Speaking, Grasping, Moving, Procreating, Excreting

It is worth noting that even at the stage of the dense elements the philosophy of creation –which according to Sankaya is now and in the present, without any past and any future – is still dealing with aspects of existence beyond our simple physical realms. The point of contention being that we are the first and foremost spirit experiencing existence. To use Ayurveda in daily life, one has neither to accept nor even understand this philosophy. But it does provide a deeper insight into how Ayurveda works towards betterment of your health.

Ayurveda therefore is not simply a health care system but a form of lifestyle adopted to maintain perfect balance and harmony within the human existence, from the most abstract transcendental values to the most concrete physiological expressions. Based on the premise that life represents an intelligent co-ordination of the Atma (Soul), Mana (Mind), Indriya (Senses) and Sharira (Body). That revolves around the five dense elements that go into the making of the constitution of each individual, called Prakriti. Which in turn is determined by the vital balance of the three physical energies - Vata, Pitta, Kapha and the three mental energies - Satwa, Rajas, Tamas.

Ayurveda thus offers a unique blend of science and philosophy that balances the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual components necessary for holistic health.

- Ayurveda Retreat, India

Namaste - "I bow to you"

2008-11-01T21:54:00.000+05:30

The moment you step into India, in all probability, the first word you will get to hear will be Namaste! Namaste, also said as Namaskar by the natives, is a traditional Indian style of greeting or parting phrase as well as a gesture. Derived from the Sanskrit language, the literal definition/meaning of the word Namaste is "I bow to you". If you want to dig deeper to know what does Namaste mean, you can it break up into two Sanskrit words - Namas (meaning - to bow) and Te (meaning - to you). Thus, its real connotation is 'I bow to you out of respect'.

Namaste happens to be both a formal and an informal form of greeting in India and you can say this to anyone irrespective of age. Normally when you say Namaskar to anybody, you press both your palms together with all the fingers pointing upwards in front of your chest. At the same time, you also bow your head slightly, looking at the person you are saying Namaste to. Even if you simply perform the Namaste gesture with your hands without actually saying the word, it will mean the same thing.

Though saying Namaste to others in daily lives is a part of the Indian protocol, yet many believe it also has religious / spiritual connotation. According to this school of thought, when you greet Namaste, you actually seek to recognize a common divinity within the other person. Interestingly, Namaste can be said in different ways, depending crucially on the person you are saying it to. For instance, when you greet your friend or peer, the traditional style Namaste will suffice.

On the other hand, when it's a person greeting Namaste to another person of a higher status, this gesture will get intensified. To indicate genuine and deep respect for the other person, you place the hands in front of the forehead. Whereas, you have to pay reverence to God or a holy person then, this feeling can be transmitted through the Namaste gesture by holding / placing the pressed hands above the head. Some natives prostrate on the ground in this posture to show their deep respect and love to God.

The symbolism of the two palms touching each other is of great significance. It is the joining together of two extremities - the feet of the Divine, with the head of the devotee. Yet another theory associates the Namaste greeting with a particular mudra or posture in yoga. However, Namaste being a polite gesture of love and respect can be said to anybody. But traditionally, it's a Hindu gesture and people of this community greet each other this way only.

Some images:

Bindi

2008-11-01T20:36:00.000+05:30

Bindi can usually be described as a traditional red circular mark or dot worn by the Indian women on their forehead. When this is accompanied by a vermillion mark on the parting of hair just above the forehead, it indicates that the particular lady is married. The term 'bindi' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'bindu' meaning "a drop or a small dot or particle". Even though traditionally, bindi is a red colored dot, it can be worn in other colors also, like yellow, orange and so on. The shape and size of the bindi can also vary.

varies types of bindi

Conventionally, it's the Hindu married women who wear bindi. But, this mark can have several meanings and so, you may also see unmarried girls and even children wearing it. It's the occasion, the color of the bindi and its shape that determines what it denotes. The customary bindi is made with red sindoor powder. The bindi is called the tilak when it's applied on the forehead of a person, at the conclusion of a religious function or havan.

India Gate

2008-11-01T19:15:00.000+05:30

Location : Rajpath in New Delhi

Originally called the All India War Memorial, the India Gate is a colossal structure that commemorates the death of all the Indian soldiers who fought the Ist World War. Burning under it since 1971 is the Amar Jawan Jyoti (Flame of the immortal warrior), an eternal flame that burns day and night under the humoungous arch to remind the nation of soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the Indo-Pakistan War of December 1971.

Amar Jawan Jyoti (Flame of the immortal warrior)

The India Gate is a 42 m high structure and on its buff sandstone are engraved the names of nearly 90,000 soldiers who died in various wars, including WW I. It is simply amazing to read all the names which appear to be written in the same font size from top to bottom.

The architecture resembles that of the arch in Victoria Park, in Leicester, England, also designed by Lutyens. Bordered by a lush green gardens and an emerald pool, the place makes a good place to laze out winter afternoons.

night view

Tourists can also indulge in boat cruises, done in the nearby Boat Club, that embraces the green lawns of India Gate. In the evening, the whole atmosphere illuminates with colourful lights that takes everyone to a dreamland and the Republic Day Parade on 26th January is another great attractions.

Simple wandering on the manicured lawns or on the broader avenues in the evenings in itself is a fantastic experience. Tourists can also go for horse rides or simply relax amidst lush gardens while munching spicy fastfood delicacies.

more images >>>

different angles( i- top, ii- side, iii- bottom)

Kali Puja Pandel

2008-10-30T17:41:00.004+05:30

Click on the images for LARGER VIEW

model of Akshardham temple, New Delhi

close view of the Akshardham pandel

Beautiful art work

idol of Maa Kali, the goddess of shakti(power)

side angle

This is not a cave, a pandel of Maa Kali

Click on the images for LARGER VIEW

White pandel, made of clothes

This is also made of clothes but it also covered with some plate made of bamboo pieces, jute clothes, coconut's hard shell. All these ingredients are cut and designed, then pasted on thin plywood.

There are two idol, the big idol is for show and the smaller one is to do worship.

Click on the images for LARGER VIEW

Dakshineswar - Goddess Maa Bhavatarini

2008-10-30T10:07:00.009+05:30

Dakshineswar temple

Dakshineswar is a temple town in North 24 Parganas. It is very near near Kolkata ans many consider it a Kolkata neighbourhood. It is a small place and all the locations of tourist interest are within walking distance from the Railway station or bus stand.

Idol of Maa Bhavatarini at Dakshineswar temple

Dakshineswar Temple was built by Rani Rasmoni between 1847 and 1855. In 1847, Rani Rasmoni, the wealthy widow expressed her desire to visit Banaras to show her devotion for the Mother Goddess. Since there were no rail lines between Banaras and Kolkata, wealthy people would travel by boat rather than by road. Rani Rasmoni’s fleet included a total of twenty four boats carrying relatives, servants and supplies. However, it is believed that he night before the journey she saw a dream where Goddess Kali ordered her to built a temple near the banks of the Ganga and arrange for her worship there. “Then I shall manifest myself in the image and accept worship at that place."

Rani Rasmoni Sri Ramkrishna

Rani Rasmoni immediately followed her dream and purchased land near the banks of the Ganges. Work began immediately and the temple was completed in 1855. The temple also has images of Shiva and Radha and Krishna. Ramkrishna serves as the head priest(from 1856 to 1886) of the temple who brought great fame to the temple. After his death it has been taken over by the West Bengal Government. Today hundreds of devotees visit the temple everyday and on any religious festival, thousands throng the place.

Sarada Devi

The affectionate term "Holy Mother" refers to Sri Sarada Devi. Sarada Devi (1853-1920) was Sri Ramakrishna’s wife and spiritual counterpart. According to the custom then prevalent in India, she was betrothed to him while still a child. At the age of 18, she left her parental home to join her husband, who lived some sixty miles away, near Calcutta.After Ramakrishna ’s passing away, she carried on his religious ministry, serving as guide and inspiration of the new spiritual movement.

Kali Puja Pandel 2007

2008-10-29T08:22:00.004+05:30

KALI PUJA: OVERCOMING NEGATIVE VIBES

2008-10-28T06:43:00.000+05:30

Place of merriment: West Bengal

Kali Puja is celebrated on a massive scale in West Bengal, amidst the sound of crackers and fireworks followed by installation of Kali Mata idol. For the Bengalis, it is hailed as the loud-banging festival where there the entire place resembles a war battleground.

The celebration of Kali Puja is to seek the help of the Goddess in destroying negative vibes that exists in our spiritual and materialistic world. Most of the Kali Puja celebrations are rejoiced on a grandeur scale at Kali temples in West Bengal. Amongst them are the Dakshineswar temple in Banaras, Kalighat Temple and Tarapith Temple in kolkata and Kamakhya Temple in Assam. It is a tantrik puja performed only at midnight on new moon day (Amavasya) during the Kartik month of October or November.

Who Is Goddess Kali?

Goddess Kali is affectionately known as 'Kali Maa'. She is regarded as the powerful form of Goddess Durga. She is the first of ten avatars and the most apprehensive form (incarnations) of Goddess Durga. If you have seen the picture of 'Goddess Kali', every image of the picture has a mythological story behind it. She is represented as the fiercest features amongst all world deities. Her physical anatomy is different from other Goddesses in the following ways:

Kali Maa has awesome symbols and features
Four arms with a sword in one hand, head of a demon in another hand and the other two hands to seek her blessings.
Two dead heads as her earrings
String of skulls as necklace
Girdle as her clothing
A protruding tongue from her mouth
Three red eyes
Black face and breasts sullied with blood.

Stands with one foot on the thigh, and another on her husband's Lord Shiva's chest.

Legends of Kali Puja

As the legend goes, the demons, Shambhu and Nishambhu, disturbed the peace of Indra, the king of gods, and his empire (heaven). After extensive and endless battles, the gods lost all hope and the demons became stronger.

The Gods sought protection from Mahamaya Durga, the goddess of Shakti. Here, it is believed that Kali was born from Durga's forehead, to protect the earth from the ferocious demons. Along with Dakini and Jogini, her two escorts, she set on her way to end the war and kill the devils. There was chaos all around. After slaughtering the demons, Kali made a garland of their heads and wore it around her neck. In the bloodbath, she lost control and started killing anyone who came her way. Seeing the endless slaughter, Shiva devised a plan to save the world. He lay down in the path of the rampaging Kali. When the goddess unknowingly stepped on him, she regained her senses. That's why, she is regarded as the Goddess of Strength.

Kali Puja Rituals

Kali Puja, is a one-night affair, usually performed at midnight. Devotees stay awake the whole night till the rituals go on till dawn. The rituals of Kali puja are very simple and free from complexities. There is no elaborate cooking or preparations required to satisfy Ma Kali. At some places in Calcutta, pure wine is offered as a religious offering. After the chanting of the mantras, Ma Kali is worshipped amidst the bursting of crackers and display of fireworks. It is said that female goats and cows are sacrificed to please the God.

BHAI DOOJ: A TRIBUTE TO LOVELY

2008-10-28T06:15:00.000+05:30

BROTHER-SISTER RELATIONSHIP

Also known as: Bhai Phota, 'Bhai Tij', 'Bhaiya Phota', 'Bhau-Beej', 'Bhathru Dwithiya', 'Bhatri Ditya' and 'Yamadwitheya'.

Places of merriment: Maharashtra, West Bengal and Bihar

MEANING

The significant aspect of Indian festivals is a spirit of long-lasting relationships that takes place between near and dear ones. One such festival is 'Bhai Dooj', which is celebrated with religious and emotional sentiments all over the country.

The festive term 'Bhai Dooj' basically comes from two Hindi words 'Bhaiya' meaning brother and 'Dooj' means 'after two days of new moon'.

It is known by different names like 'Bhai Tij', 'Bhaiya Phota', 'Bhau-Beej', 'Bhathru Dwithiya', 'Bhatri Ditya' and 'Yamadwitheya'.

WHEN IT IS CELEBRATED?

Bhai Dooj festival is celebrated exactly two days after Diwali in the Kartik month of Hindu calendar. The Kartik month usually falls either in the month of October-November.

TALES OF LEGENDS

The Bhai Dooj celebration is said to be based on interesting tales of Indian legends, which tells us the pious bond between a brother and sister. The tales behind Bhai Dooj is based on the following legends:
Lord Yamaraj
Lord Vishnu
Lord Mahavir
Lord Krishna

Amongst all popular legends, the story of brother-sister relationship is narrated by the tale of Yamaraj and Yami. Yamaraj, the Hindu mythological God of Death, visited his sister Yami or Yamuna home on the auspicious day of Dooj after years of separation.

Yami welcomed with exceptional warmth by smearing tilak on Yamaraj's forehead. She treated him with delicious meal. By carrying out these rituals, Yamaraj was thrilled by the affection his sister showered on him. Thereafter, he declared that whosoever receives tika and meal from his sister on Dooj day will never be hurled to hell. Since then this popular custom of Bhai Dooj is popular today throughout India.

WHY THIS BROTHER-SISTER RELATIONSHIP SIGNIFICANT IN THE 21ST CENTURY?

Bhai Dooj is a tribute to brother-sister relationship that is cherished for years together. Especially, when the sister is happily settled into her in-laws home. What makes this day more auspicious is that both brothers and sisters take time out of their humdrum lifestyle to cherish life best moments with each other. In spite of living in this jet-set age of connectivity, the brother-sister duo eagerly await for this day to express their feelings of togetherness and love. Even if they are at poles apart, the festival is rejoiced in hi-tech rituals like e-puja, e-gifts and e-cards.

HOW THIS LOVE AND AFFECTION IS RADIATED?

In India, brothers and sisters are dressed up elegantly in rich Indian outfits to express their love and sentiments for each other. Normally, the sisters visit the brothers carrying with them a decorative puja (prayer) thali (rounded silver plate). This thali is decorated with flowers, sweets, coconut and tilak. The rituals normally begin with a prayer at the brightly lit up prayer room in the homes of the brother. The sisters recite a prayer from their holy scriptures or from their hearts to pray for the brother's long lasting protection and happiness. The sister then smears a tilak (a saffron and vermicelli powder) and rice on her brother's forehead.

After which, a traditional 'Aarti' is performed with a melodious prayers. Sweets and coconut are fed. Thereafter, the brother touches her feet, hugs and blesses her with a warm hug to express his love and respect. Finally, the rituals end with the brothers showering gifts; rich dry fruits sweets, cash and other accessories.

Rangoli

2008-10-28T06:08:00.000+05:30

You will often find beautiful, colorful patterns being made with sand or wet paint on the ground and walls within or outside houses in India during festivities. This style of home decoration is called Rangoli. It's an art form practiced by the Indians since ages. The name 'rangoli' is derived from the words 'rang' meaning colors and 'aavalli' meaning row of colors. The designs used in drawing rangoli generally include geometrical patterns with lines, dots, squares, circles, triangles, the swastika, lotus, trident, fish, conch shell and even footprints.

Rangoli is a very popular in the Indian subcontinent and is known by different names in different regions of India. It is called Alpana in Bengal, Aripana in Bihar, Madana in Rajasthan, Rangoli in Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra, Chowkpurana in Uttar Pradesh, Kolam in the South Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu and Muggu in Andhra Pradesh. While the power rangoli is more popular in the south Indian states, the North Indians prefer Alpana, which comprises of wet paint.

There are many folktales about the origin of the traditional art of rangoli in India. One such story traces its history to a legend recorded in the Chitralakshana, the earliest Indian treatise on painting. Long ago, the son of a renowned king's priest died. Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, requested the king to make a painting of the boy so that he could turn him alive again. This is how the first rangoli was made. The motifs employed in making traditional Rangoli are usually inspired by nature and thus, consist of peacocks, flowers, humans, trees, etc.

Traditionally natural dyes like bark of trees, leaves, flower petals and turmeric powder were used to prepare Rangoli. However, these days, a number of colorful synthetic dyes have also come into the market. When a thin layer of the dye or the coloring material is used for making Rangoli, then the patterns look flat. A 3-D effect can be provided to the designs by using different sized grains like pulses, cereals, etc. Earlier such floor and wall decorations were done only on auspicious occasions.

However, today, any occasion, be it birthday, wedding or some other parties, etc, is good enough. You will also see rangoli almost everywhere in India during Diwali festival. The art form holds great religious significance. It also enhances the beauty of the surroundings and spreads joy and happiness all around. In Indian culture, our guests occupy a very special place and rangoli serves as an expression of this warm hospitality.

DIWALI: A FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

2008-10-28T06:00:00.002+05:30

If Christmas is the festive season for Catholics, for Hindus Indian Festvial Diwali is equally important. Once upon a time, Diwali was widely celebrated across India with fun and frolic. Today, the festival of lights has transcended all barriers, irrespective of age, caste, nationality and countries.

Significance of Diwali

The word 'Diwali' means an array or row of lamps. It is celebrated with enthusiasm for five days. According to the Hindu calendar, it falls on the 13th dark fortnight during the month of Ashwin (October-November). The History of Diwali tells that it symbolizes the victory of good over evil. It commemorates Lord Rama's return to his kingdom—Ayodhya after being in exile for 14 years. It also hails his triumphant return after killing the wicked demon-Ravana. On this day, Lord Rama was crowned as the King of Ayodhya. It also marks the beginning of the Hindu calendar.

DIWALI: Merriment Times for Indians

For Indians, Diwali is a pretext to be with family and friends. For working class families, it is an excuse to receive Diwali bonus from their companies. For entrepreneurs, it is a best time to mint extra profits. The shops are illuminated with flashy colorful bulbs for nearly a month before Diwali. Mega promotional campaigns and heavy discounts are offered to attract shopping freaks.

For women, Diwali is a busy period for whitewashing their homes. Old household items are discarded, and a new shopping list for household appliances for the year ahead is planned.

Whitewashing of homes normally begins after Dusshera. Walls, cupboards and floors are scrubbed thoroughly to welcome Lord Lakshmi. Women gear up buying and grating ingredients, especially dry fruits for preparation of sweets. For children and teenagers, Shopping is the buzzword to catch up their favorite accessories, gadgets and fashionable accessories.

Diwali Customs

Diwali is celebrated for five days. Each of these days have a significant traditions and customs attached to it.
Dhan Teras
Choti Diwali
Lakshmi Puja

Govardhan Puja

Bhai Dooj

Diwali Decorations

Indian homes are well lit with beautifully decorated miniature sized small earthen lamps called diyas. Off late, families have gone contemporary by lighting shimmering candles and lanterns in different shapes and sizes. The doorways are festooned with marigolds, palm leaves and rangoli designs. Families are attired in their elegant best in their rich Indian outfits. They exchange gifts, sweets, dry-fruits and of course, greetings on this festive occasion.
DIWALI FUN: A Cultural Phenomenon
Decorating Diyas

Art and craft lovers unleash their creativity and innovation. They lay their hands on molding earthen lamps called 'diyas' with bright oil plants, ribbons, mirror work and other motifs. Diyas are illumined with cotton wick and ghee in rows across the verandahs and balconies. In contemporary age, families prefer gel and wax candles in elegant shapes with assorted aromatic perfumes.

Drawing Rangolis

Rangoli is synonymous during Diwali to welcome the guests. It is a traditional art of decorating courtyards and walls. Typically, it is done with powder of white stone, lime, rice flour and other paste to draw designs. Modern women prefer buying readymade rangoli organic powder available in attractive colors.

Exploding Fireworks

Fireworks display is a sign of Diwali celebrations. It is a sheer dynamite view in the dark skies to watch rockets and flowerpots exploding with light and sound effects.

Munching Mithais (SWEETS)

Indians are known to have sweet tooth. During Diwali, they munch all kinds of sweets prepared from dry fruits, coconut, sugar, ghee and milk. The list of Diwali mithais is long to mention. Sweets like gajar ka halwa, kheer, ladoos, gulab jamuns, karanji, barfis, ras malais…. are savored.

Gambling to make Fortunes

Playing and gambling is very popular on Diwali night. It is believed that on playing cards, the Goddess Lakshmi smile upon the player and ensures her goodwill for all year around. On this day, it is typical merriment time of families trying to prove their luck of earning great fortunes.

Parties and Get-Togethers

With more and more families busy with their careers, Diwali is the best time to bring together relatives and friends on one platform. Families organize get-togethers with a dash of songs, dance and a lavish array of Indian vegetarian buffet to rejoice in the festive spirit.

Meditation

2008-10-11T19:12:00.000+05:30

“Tatra pratyayaikatanata dhyanam” - Yoga Sutras 3.2

“Uninterrupted stream of content of consciousness is dhyana (meditation)”

Just as any vehicle requires an intelligent driver so the body needs a balanced mind that can be in control. Regular meditation will help you to achieve this. Your mind will become clearer and more focused and your ability to concentrate will also improve.

EID Celebration

2008-10-01T12:01:00.003+05:30

girl's celebrates with making heena design on hands,

wears colorful dress and bracelets(churiyan) on their hands...

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims observe a strict fast and participate in pious activities such as charitable giving and peace-making. It is a time of intense spiritual renewal for those who observe it. At the end of Ramadan, Muslims throughout the world observe a joyous three-day celebration called Eid al-Fitr (the Festival of Fast-Breaking)

Eid al-Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal, the month which follows Ramadan in the Islamic calendar. It is a time to give in charity to those in need, and celebrate with family and friends the completion of a month of blessings and joy.

Before the day of Eid, during the last few days of Ramadan, each Muslim family gives a determined amount as a donation to the poor. This donation is of actual food -- rice, barley, dates, rice, etc. -- to ensure that the needy can have a holiday meal and participate in the celebration. This donation is known as sadaqah al-fitr (charity of fast-breaking).

On the day of Eid, Muslims gather early in the morning in outdoor locations or mosques to perform the Eid prayer. This consists of a sermon followed by a short congregational prayer.

After the Eid prayer, Muslims usually scatter to visit various family and friends, give gifts (especially to children), and make phone calls to distant relatives to give well-wishes for the holiday. These activities traditionally continue for three days. In India, it is an official government/school holiday.

More details...........

perform the Eid prayer at mosque

Eid Fitr is one of the two great Islamic festivals, the other being Eid-ul-Azha. Its importance can be judged from the fact that Almighty Allah Himself ordered the believers to celebrate it. It is celebrated at the end of the month of fasting (Ramadan) and has a special significance for the Muslim society. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) established the Islamic egalitarian society, free of all kinds of exploitation and corruption, and maintaining the sanctity of this society was made the obligation of the believers in every age. For this purpose, the holy month of fasting (Ramadan) was selected to help prepare believers for this responsibility. In this training, during the specific fasting periods believers are required to refrain from enjoying such things, which are otherwise lawful for them.

The purpose of this exercise is mentioned in the following verse of the Holy Qur'an: "So that you may learn restraint." (2:183)

Believers happily obey these injunctions to please Almighty Allah. Such an exercise has pleasant effects on the practical life of believers and, in their practical life, helps them refrain from adopting corrupt ways.

Some jurists maintain that Itikaf (Etekaaf) during the last 10 days of the month of Ramadan is also a part of this training. In this worship, the believer confines himself in a mosque for the specified period of time.

The Islamic society, established in the light of the above teachings was a symbol of the greatness of Almighty Allah on this earth. Actually it was a gigantic achievement, which deserved all kinds of rejoicing. That is why Almighty Allah Himself asked the believers to enjoy this occasion, In this respect the Holy Qur'an says: "Say in the grace of Allah and in His mercy in that they should rejoice." (Chapter Yunus, Verse 58)

embracing & saying Eid Mubarak

The celebration of the festival of Eid Fitr is itself a model of an egalitarian Islamic society, and the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) best explained this model by his personal example. It is reported that he used to wear a special dress to grace the occasion, but it was never a costly one and was always within the reach of everybody. Once Umar brought a costly dress for him requesting him to wear it on Eid days and other ceremonial occasions. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) immediately returned the dress observing that it did not behave a believer to wear such a costly dress. The result was that all the Companions dressed simply on this occasion and consequently this simplicity became a symbol of the Islamic society.

Today, the provision of shelter, dress and food are enumerated as the three basic human needs, and equality in meeting these needs results in all egalitarian society. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) already solved the issue of shelter once and for all. He himself lived in a simple house and expected his Companions to follow him in this respect. Once when a wealthy Companion built a palatial building, the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) disliked it to such an extent that he socially boycotted that Companion (Sunnan Abu Daud, vol.4, p. 487). As a result of the Holy Prophet's stern attitude in this respect, none of the Companions ever dared to have an edge over his fellow believers in the matter of construction of buildings. Due to this policy, even the poor in the society were able to have shelter for themselves.

By dressing simply on this happiest occasion of Eid Fitr, the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) solved the issue of the second basic need of the society.

they dressed up to celebrate

The third basic need of society is food. Today this need has attained such an importance that it results in political change in many developing countries. By taking various steps, the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) ensured that nobody was deprived of this basic need in the Islamic society. But the situation on festivals is usually different. On this day, everybody tries to enjoy special dishes, which normally the poor cannot afford. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) held this point in view, and he made such an efficient arrangement that not only was good food guaranteed for all the poor of the society on that day, but also some of their other needs were met. He ordered the rich believers to pay a fixed amount of money to the poor on that day or before that day. This is known as "Sadaqa-ul-Fitr (Zakat-e-Fitr)", and its rate varies according to the price of grain.
A huge amount of money can be collected under this system which may be sufficient to meet the needs of the poor on this day, and some of it may be saved to meet their needs in other difficult times.

Nowadays in many localities, (Sadaqa-ul-Fitr) is adjusted against the emoluments of the Imams of the local mosques, and the poor in the Muslim society air deprived of a big chunk of money which may practically convert the present-day Muslim society into an egalitarian society.

It may be mentioned here that the sacred festival of Eid Fitr has been selected by Almighty Allah Himself to guide the believers to establish an egalitarian Islamic society on the face of this earth. The Holy Qur'an was revealed during the month of Ramadan about which it was marked: "It (the Holy Qur'an) is better than that which they hoard." (Chapter Yunus, Verse 58)

Hoarding symbolizes a non-egalitarian society, which encourages the hoarding of essential articles. This is done to fleece the needy persons. The Holy Qur'an was revealed to eliminate this evil in all its details, and the month of Ramadan was selected for this purpose. The successful completion of all the various steps for establishing such an egalitarian society deserves rejoicing.

Nowadays the Muslims with great pomp and show celebrate Eid Fitr, but unfortunately its real spirit is ignored. That is why the present-day Muslim society age, instead of becoming an egalitarian one, has been divided into haves and have-nots. This state of affairs has not only robbed the majority of Muslims of their peace of mind, but has also converted them into the weakest nation of the world. Such a situation demands that steps be taken to celebrate this occasion of Eid Fitr in the same sprit as during the life of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.).

In this way Muslims will be able to convert their present day society into an Islamic egalitarian one. It will prove beneficial for humanity as it proved so during the early periods of Islam.

Ramadan Festival:

The day immediately following the end of the holy month of Ramadan is called Eid Fitr. In other words, it falls on the first day of Shawwal. It is one of the greatest Islamic festivals.

Eid Fitr is the Day of Thanksgiving to Allah, for giving His servants the opportunity to fast and to worship Him in the month of Ramadan. On this Day, Muslims leave their jobs, wear clean clothes, offer special Eid Prayers, and after prayers go to visit one another and take part in festivities. Small children wear beautiful new clothes, and are very busy enjoying the festival. Their angelic faces beam with joy.

Islam wants that all Muslims, whether rich or poor, should enjoy Eid. It has, therefore, commanded all the well-to-do people to pay the Zakat-e-Fitr. This Zakat-e-Fitr is paid on the very day of Eid Fitr. It consists of 3 kilograms of one's daily food or its equivalent in cash.

on that day the markets become fair

The payment of Zakat-e-Fitr is obligatory upon every person who is adult, sane and free at the time of the sunset on the last day of Ramadan, and is also not dependent upon others for means of subsistence. If the person concerned is the head of a family, it is incumbent upon him to pay his own Zakat-e-Fitr as well.

Zakat-e-Fitr is the right of the poor and the needy, and can be spent for those purposes only, for which Zakat, payable on property, is expendable. This includes helping the deserving people and building hospitals, bridges, schools, etc.

Nowadays, Zakat-e-Fitr is paid without any planning, with the result that the deserving people do not derive any suitable benefit from it. It would be better if the Zakat-e-Fitr paid by all the people, is collected in one place and spent after proper planning, so that the condition of a good number of needy persons may improve.

Defined EID

2008-10-01T11:36:00.007+05:30

'Eid a Thanksgiving Day

Each 'Eid is a Thanksgiving Day where the Muslims assemble in a brotherly and joyful atmosphere to offer their gratitude to Allah for helping them to fulfil their spiritual obligations prior to the 'Eid. This form of thanksgiving is not confined to spiritual devotion and verbal expressions. It goes far beyond that to manifest itself in a handsome shape of social and humanitarian spirit.

The Muslims who have completed the fasting of Ramadhaan express their thanks to Allah by means of distributing alms among the poor and needy on the first 'Eid.

Similarly, the Muslims who have completed the course of Hajj at Makkah, as well as those who are at home, offer their sacrifices by slaughtering oblations to be distributed among the poor and needy. The distribution of alms and oblations constitutes a major part of the 'Eids highlights. This Islaamic form of thanksgiving is a wholesome combination of spiritual devotion and humanitarian benevolence, a combination which cannot be found except in Islaam.

'Eid a Day of remembrance

Each 'Eid is a Day of remembrance.
Even in their most joyful times the Muslims make a flesh stall of the Day by a plural session of worship to Allah.

They pray to Him and glorify His name to demonstrate their remembrance of His favours.
Along with that course, they remember the deceased by prayer for their souls, the needy by extending a hand of help, the grieved by showing them sympathy and consolation, the sick by cheerful visits and utterances of good wishes, the absentees by cordial greetings and sincere considerateness, etc.

Thus the meaning of remembrance on the Day transcends all limits and expands over far-reaching dimensions of human life.

'Eid a Day of victory

Each 'Eid is a Day of victory. The individual who succeeds in securing his spiritual rights and growth receives the 'Eid with a victorious spirit.

The individual who faithfully observes the duties, which are associated with the 'Eid, is a triumphant one.

He proves that he holds a strong command over his desires, exercises a sound self-control and enjoys the taste of disciplinary life.

And once a person acquires these qualities he has achieved his greatest victory;
because the person who knows how to control himself and discipline his desires is flee from sin and wrong, from fear and cowardice, from vice and indecency, from jealousy and greed, from humiliation and all other causes of enslavement.

So, when he receives the 'Eid, which marks the achievement of this freedom, he is in fact celebrating his victory, and the 'Eid thus becomes a Day of victory.

'Eid a Harvest Day

Each 'Eid is a Harvest Day.
All the good workers in the service of Allah,

all the faithful believers reap the fruits of their good deeds on the Day,
as Allah grants His mercy and blessings abundantly.

The Islaamic society, on the other hand, collect the due subscriptions to religious brotherhood and social responsibility, in which subscriptions are paid in the form of mutual love, sympathy and concern. Every member of the Islaamic society will be reaping some fruits or collecting some revenue in one way or another.

Allah gives infinitely, especially to those who are sincerely concerned with the general welfare of their fellow believers. Those beneficiaries who cannot give will receive, along with Allah's enormous grants, the contribution to their fellow benefactors. The haves and have-nots will all enjoy the providence of Allah in a most plural fashion, and the Day will indeed be a Good Harvest Day.

'Eid a Day of forgiveness

Each 'Eid is a Day of forgiveness.
When a Muslim assemble in the congregation of the Day, they all whole-heartedly pray for forgiveness and strength in faith. And Allah has assured those who approach Him with sincerity of His mercy and forgiveness. In that pure assembly and highly spiritual congregation any true Muslim would feel ashamed of himself before Allah to hold any enmity or ill feelings toward his brethren.

A true Muslim would be deeply impressed by this brotherly and spiritual assembly, and would overcome hid feting if he has been exposed to any. Consequently, he would find himself moving along with others responding to the spirit of the Day to purify his heart and soul.

In any case, he would forgive those who might have wronged him; because he himself would be praying for Allah's forgiveness, and would do his best to acquire it.

The spirit of this highly devotional assembly would teach him that if he forgives he will be forgiven.

And when he forgives, the virtue of forgiveness will be mercifully exercised by Allah, and widely exchanged between the Muslims. And that marks the Day as a Day of Forgiveness.

'Eid a Day of Peace

Each 'Eid is a Day of peace.
When a Muslim establishes peace within his heart by obeying the Law of Allah and leading a disciplinary life, he has certainly concluded a most invioble treaty of peace with Allah.
Once a person is at peace with Allah, he is at peace with himself and, consequently, with the rest of the universe.

So when he celebrates the 'Eid in the right manner, he is actually celebrating the conclusion of a Peace Treaty between himself and Allah, and this marks the 'Eid as a Day of Peace.

That is the proper meaning of an Islaamic 'Eid: a Day of Peace and Thanksgiving, a Day of forgiveness and moral victory, A Day of Good Harvest and remarkable Achievements, and a Day of Festive Remembrance. An Islaamic 'Eid is all this and is much more; because it is a Day Of ISLAAM, a Day of Allah.

Defined EID

2008-10-01T11:36:00.005+05:30

'Eid a Thanksgiving Day

The Muslims who have completed the fasting of Ramadhaan express their thanks to Allah by means of distributing alms among the poor and needy on the first 'Eid.

'Eid a Day of remembrance

Each 'Eid is a Day of remembrance.
Even in their most joyful times the Muslims make a flesh stall of the Day by a plural session of worship to Allah.

Thus the meaning of remembrance on the Day transcends all limits and expands over far-reaching dimensions of human life.

'Eid a Day of victory

Each 'Eid is a Day of victory. The individual who succeeds in securing his spiritual rights and growth receives the 'Eid with a victorious spirit.

The individual who faithfully observes the duties, which are associated with the 'Eid, is a triumphant one.

He proves that he holds a strong command over his desires, exercises a sound self-control and enjoys the taste of disciplinary life.

So, when he receives the 'Eid, which marks the achievement of this freedom, he is in fact celebrating his victory, and the 'Eid thus becomes a Day of victory.

'Eid a Harvest Day

Each 'Eid is a Harvest Day.
All the good workers in the service of Allah,

all the faithful believers reap the fruits of their good deeds on the Day,
as Allah grants His mercy and blessings abundantly.

'Eid a Day of forgiveness

In any case, he would forgive those who might have wronged him; because he himself would be praying for Allah's forgiveness, and would do his best to acquire it.

The spirit of this highly devotional assembly would teach him that if he forgives he will be forgiven.

And when he forgives, the virtue of forgiveness will be mercifully exercised by Allah, and widely exchanged between the Muslims. And that marks the Day as a Day of Forgiveness.

'Eid a Day of Peace

So when he celebrates the 'Eid in the right manner, he is actually celebrating the conclusion of a Peace Treaty between himself and Allah, and this marks the 'Eid as a Day of Peace.

Headstand Pose - Salamba Sirsasana

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Type of pose: Inversion

Benefits: Calms the mind. Strengthens the arms, legs and spine. Improves balance.

Note: Wondering whether to invert while menstruating

Instructions:
1. Come to your hands and knees with the wrists underneath the shoulders and the knees underneath the hips.
2. Bring your elbows to the floor forearm's distance apart.
3. Interlace your fingers, tucking the outermost pinky underneath.
4. Place the crown of your head on the floor cupped by your interlaced fingers.
5. Bring the hips up as if coming into Downward Facing Dog.
6. Walk the feet in towards your head until your hips are over your shoulders.
7. Kick up one leg and then the other.
8. Press down strongly into your forearms to keep all your weight from coming into your neck and head.
9. Reach up through the balls of your feet and rotate the thigh bones inward slightly. Hold for at least 10 breaths.

Beginners: Look at the step-by-step illustrated guide for photos of each step. Practice the pose at the wall. Try to move further from the wall each time. Try removing one foot and then the other from the wall to practice balancing.

Advanced: Try the following variations: Bring both legs up at the same time keeping them straight. Lower down the same way, holding the pose with the legs at 90 degrees. Bring the legs into a lotus position. Release your interlaced fingers and bring the forearms flat on the floor. Lift your head off the floor coming into forearm stand.

See the prepartion below:

Happy Baby Pose - Ananda Balasana

2008-09-30T21:45:00.001+05:30

Type of pose: Supine

Benefits: Releases the low back, stretches the hamstrings

Instructions:
1. Come to lie on the back.
2. Bend the knees into the chest.
3. Open the knees, bringing them towards the armpits.
4. Stack each ankle directly over the knee, so that the shins are perpendicular to the floor.
5. Flex the feet.
6. Hold the outer edges of the feet at you draw the knees towards the floor.

This pose is appropriate for both beginners and advanced students.

Hands and Knees Balance

2008-09-30T21:42:00.001+05:30

Type of Pose: Hands and Knees

Benefits: Improves balance and core strength.

Instructions:
1. Come on to all fours with the wrists underneath the shoulders and the knees underneath the hips.
2. Extend the right leg to the back of your mat and flex the foot.
3. Lift the right leg up to hip-level, keeping the hips squared towards the floor and the foot flexed.
4. Lift the left arm up to shoulder level.
5. Balance on the left knee and right hand, keeping the spine neutral and the neck long.
6. Stay 5-10 breaths before lowering the lifted hand and knee and doing the other side.

Beginners: Take care not to let the spine collapse while you are balancing.

Advanced: Bend the knee of the lifted leg. Reach around with the lifted arm and hold on to the inside of the lifted foot.

Half Moon Pose - Ardha Chandrasana

2008-09-30T21:39:00.002+05:30

Type of pose: Standing, balancing

Benefits: Strengthen the ankles and thighs, improves balance

Instructions:
1. From Trikonasana, soften the right knee and bring the left hand to your hip.
2. Bring the right hand to the floor about a foot in front of the right foot with the fingertips on the floor.
3. Begin to straighten the right leg while simultaneously kicking up the left leg.
4. Open the hips, stacking the left hip on top of the right hip.
5. Bring the left leg straight and parallel to the floor, flexing the left foot with the toes facing forward.
6. When you feel balanced on the right leg, reach the left arm up toward the ceiling, opening the chest and making a straight line with the right and left arms.
7. Finally, bring the gaze up toward the left fingertips
8. Repeat on the left side

Beginners: Take a block underneath the right hand. Do the pose near a wall and bring the left foot to the wall when you kick up the left leg.

Advanced: Bring the right hand a few inches off of the floor.

Half Lord of the Fishes Pose - Ardha Matsyendrasana

2008-09-30T21:36:00.001+05:30

Also Known As: Seated Spinal Twist

Type of pose: Seated Twist

Benefits: Opens the shoulders, neck and hips while stretching the spine. Cleanses the internal organs

Instructions:
1. From Staff Pose - Dandasana, bring the sole of your right foot to the floor on the outside of the left thigh.
2. Bend the left knee, and tuck the left foot in near the right buttock.
3. Inhale and bring the left arm up near your left ear.
4. Exhale and twist the right arm, bringing the left elbow to the outside the of right knee and the right palm to the floor, just behind your sit bones.
5. Look out over the right shoulder, but don’t overturn the neck -- the twist originates in the belly, not the neck.
6. On each inhale, draw the spine long, and on each exhale, twist a little deeper.
7. Be sure to keep the sole of your right foot flat on the floor.
8. When you release the pose, take a slight counter twist to the opposite direction.
9. Release the legs and switch their position as you prepare to twist to the other side.

Beginners: You may want to sit on some padding if you are uncomfortable. If you cannot bend it into the ideal position, you may also keep the left leg extended.

Advanced: Come into a bind with the arms. Thread the left arm back underneath the right knee. Reach the right arm behind your back, and clasp the right wrist with your left hand. Click the photo to see this variation.

FAQ on AYURVEDA

2008-09-29T21:41:00.002+05:30

1. Why should I go for Ayurveda, instead of other system of medicine?
Ans. In other system of medicines they treat the disease only ,but in Ayurvedic system of medicine being a holistic approach to mankind, it not only treats the disease but treats the patients mentally as well as physically. It is a natural therapy hence it has no side effect or any complications, whereas other system of medicine has lots of side effects and several complications.

4. Can you suggest a safe remedy for STRESS without any side effects?
Ans. STRESS capsules are a research product to combat stress related disease. It's unique composition of Ashwagandha, Jatamansi and Brahmi not only gaurd against ill effects of stress, but also revitalises your body. It increases memory, strengthens the mind and helps to cope with exhaustion, overwork and fatigue. Take one capsule in the morning and one in the evening with water/milk.

5. Are Ayurvedic medicines free of side effects?
Ans. YES. Ayurvedic medicines are natural and safe ,they have no side effects. Since they are prepared form herbs & minerals after proper processing according to classical ayurvedic methods of manufacturing.

6. What is TRIDOSHA?
Ans. TRIDOSHA means three humoral factors which are responsible for performing all activities in the body. In Ayurveda diagnosis is based on tridosha. It also denotes your body type or body constitution. Every individual has specific bodytype . If you know your body type and follow its does and doesn't, you can lead a healthy long life.

7. Is Chyavanprash a good health supplement for the geriatric problems ?
Ans. Chyavanprash special. is a good health supplement for all age groups, but KESHARIKALP is the supplement of choice for the problems of geriatrics.

8. I am suffering from chronic SKIN DISEASE, kindly inform about any herbal medicine which will be good for me.
Ans. NEEMSURAKTA SYRUP is a good combination for your ailments. Also maintain your personal hygiene and use NEEM BASED SOAP for bathing.

9. What is Sirodhara?
Ans. It is a mind and body therapy of Panchakarma.

10. What is pulse examination in Ayurveda?
Ans. In Ayurveda, a disease is diagnosed with the help of three fingers which denotes the specific aggravation of DOSHAs. Ayurvedic experts are more capable in diagnosing a disease with the help of pulse examination.

12. What is difference between Arista and Ashav?
Ans. Arista is prepared with herbal decoction in hot water and Ashav is prepared with Cold infusion of herbs.

15. I am a diabetic patient,please suggest some remedy for my ailment.
Ans. There are a number of herbal medicines as Momordicha charantia, Gymnema sylvestrae, Eugenia jambolana, & Shilajit etc .used in Ayurveda, for the treatment of this disease, however these all use and combine to obtain synergistic effect .You take 1 tea spoonful twice daily with water before meal.

Everyday Ayurveda

2008-09-29T21:15:00.003+05:30

In order to keep the tridoshas in a state of healthy equlibrium and digestion & metabolism (agni) in proper order, Ayurveda prescribes for each individual a specific daily routine ( dina – day & acharya – behaviour). The various stages to this daily routine, influenced by the specifics of your prakriti, that will enable you to make the most out of your life, are :

Arising
Since our biological clocks are attuned to the rising and setting of the sun, it is obviously better to awake at sunrise in perfect synchronisation to the natural clock. An ideal time to let the body cells soak in the strength of a tempered sun to be charged for the day. Drinking a glass of luke-warm water helps flush out all toxins accumulated overnight in the body.

Natural Urges
The last portion of the night being ruled by vata – involved in the process of elimination – dawn is the best time to eliminate the body's physical waste. Proper elimination also helping remove the kapha that naturally accumulates overnight. Defecation once or twice daily is the best. Preferably not immediately after a meal. But urination then is wise. Examine your eliminations each morning and if you notice any disturbance indicating poor digestion, go on a fast. It will allow the body rest to correct the system before disease sets in. Never suppress the natural physical urges as elimination, hunger, thirst, sleep, sneezing, yawning, vomiting, flatus and ejaculation, for it will lead to discomfort and even disease.

Cleanliness
Thorough washing of the limbs, face, mouth, eyes & nose purifies the bodies sense organs. Best done with a bath in clean water, it should accompany brushing of the teeth (should be repeated after every meal), scraping off a toxicated coating of ama from the tongue, occasional gargling of salt water with a pinch of turmeric to keep gums, mouth & throat healthy, proper cleaning of the nose and the ears and washing the eyes with warm water held in mouth for moments (saliva being very good for the eyes). Keep your hair trimmed, nails filed and wear clean clothes. Feel free to use perfumes in moderation and feel good.

Exercise
Either passive like massage or active like aerobics or both as in yoga postures, regular exercise increases the body's stamina and resistance to disease by facilitating the immune system, clearing all channels, promoting circulation & waste disposal, and destroying fat. Done regularly, it can reduce anxiety but become addictive. Depending on age & body type, kaphas can go for heavy exercises, pittas should do it in moderation and vatasshould perform yoga and not aerobics. Never exert more than half your capacity, during illness, just after a meal and without rhythmic breathing. Swimming, walking and even laughing are excellent options.

self- massage

Massage
Necessary for every person, a regular self-massage with herbal oils is usually adequate but needs to be supplemented with professional attention occasionally. It makes the skin supple, controls vata by reducing its cold, dry, light, rough & erratic qualities, enhances blood circulation, encourages quicker removal of metabolic wastes and relaxes the body. Follow the normal direction of hair growth, use a little extra oil over the body's vital parts, massage the scalp and head at least weekly and just the soles of your feet if short of time.

Meditation
deal for disciplining the mind and removing stress & strain, it is best done after a quick bath to cleanse yourself. Critical in satisfying the mind's hunger, when done well it is so nourishing that even the body can survive on less. Control of desire, or mental hunger, is the key to longevity and immortality. Anything can be meditation so long it is sincere and heartfelt. The simplest and healthiest involves the sun and its golden colour is deemed the most nourishing and productive.
While this routine acts as a critical shield of defence against the destabilising influences of an external environment, by using selective choice in some of the other factors mentioned below you can easily improve upon the condition of your total health.

Clothing
In shielding from extreme temperatures, it tends to reflect the temperament of the wearer in a society showing growing preponderance of the same. Should always be light & airy, and made of natural fibres as cotton, wool, linen or silk. Always wear clean, and never anyone else's except that of a saint. Since energy is brought into the body through the crown of the head and exits from the soles of the feet – extracting abnormal heat from the system – the polluted energy usually collects in the footwear. So avoid wearing other's footwear, try not to take shoes into the house and walk barefoot whenever possible. And wooden sandals are more healthy than animal skin or rubber shoes.

Employment
Since work consumes at least one-third part of our lives and success or failure in your profession affects self-confidence, self-worth, it is important that the nature of work should match well with your prakriti.

Vata people love work that requires sudden bursts of intense energy. But it tends to exhaust them also. So to balance it off, despite their dislike, they should be in routine jobs, slightly repetitive. Need a soothing home and work environment to smooth out their rough edges. They need adequate rest, specially in the afternoons. And should avoid places where the air is exceptionally cool and dry e.g. the freezing cold inside electronics manufacturing outfits or exceptionally dusty fertiliser mills. The ideal jobs must have enough excitement to hold their interest and sufficient routine to avoid imbalances.

Pitta people are very practical, making good administrators but not original thinkers. By nature aggressive and self-promoting, these realists see everything as a contest that has to be won. Insisting on being in the forefront of all activity, they cram as much work as they can, demanding perfect functioning from their bodies all the time. They do not take delays and obstacles to their plans well and must seriously try to be fair to and keep their professional and private lives separate. They should avoid work that is physically irritating or involves heat (as welding or metal casting) and listen more to others. They should ideally have sufficient challenge to keep them occupied without the stress of severe competition.

Innate Kapha stability and balance makes them great administrators. They must make a conscious effort bring in change or variety to their otherwise staid and routine lives. And ensure that even if work is not physically active, leisure is. Slow to get going in the morning, competition is good for them although they may find it stressful.

Choice of Pet
Often an extension of their owner's personalities, pets should ideally be chosen so as to have a therapeutic effect on your doshic imbalances.
Vatas get along famously with dogs, the canine's loveable, sloppy, open-heartedness reassuring and stabilising their cold, fearful, fickle nature. Some do well with small, furry high- strung animals as guinea pigs that arouse the maternal instincts in the owners.
The cat is the Pittas favourite. With strongly held opinions on most subjects, the feline presents continuous challenges, even with its movements.
Kaphas in turn prefer birds, the avian's light chirpiness helping offset some of the dosha's natural ponderousness. For some large dogs prove beneficial as the canine encourages them to exercise along with.

Choice of Partner
Ayurvedic wisdom suggests that like types make better mates because of similar mental processes, attitudes and sexual proclivities. Unfortunately, two people of similar dispositions are likely to have the same defects too. Choosing the right partner who will stimulate, inspire you to evolve into better individual thus becomes very important.

Sleep
A state of physical inertia with mental relaxation, sleep promotes proper growth of the self. Night is the natural time to sleep and mid-day catnaps should not be more than 15 minutes long except for the very young, very old, very weak and those intoxicated, diseased, exhausted or traumatised. Avoid having a full meal just before retiring to bed. Sleeping on the right side is the most relaxing and good for yoga. On the left, it is most digestive and increases interest in food, sleep and sex. Sleeping on the back indirectly and on the stomach directly encourages disease. Sleeping with crown of the head facing east and feet into the west promotes the best meditative sleep. Washing the hands, feet & face just before improves sleep. Never sleep in the kitchen and go to bed only to sleep. 6 to 8 hours of daily sleep is essential. The ideal form of sleep is yoga – a state of complete physical inertness with retention of mental alertness & awareness.

- Ayurveda Retreat, India

Meditation

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Meditation

According to Swami Vishnu Devananda, meditation is "….a continuous flow of perception or thought, just like the flow of water in a river." A practice wherein there is constant observation of the mind, meditation brings awareness, harmony and natural order into life. It helps you dig deep into your inner self to discover the wisdom and tranquility that lie within.

Principles of Meditation:

The basic points to be kept in mind in practicing meditation are :

Have a special place and specific time for meditation. Try doing it daily.

Choose a time when your mind is not clouded with worries.
Sit up straight with your back, neck and head in one line. Facing north or east.
Condition your mind such so as to remain quiet for the duration of your meditation session.

Regulate your breathing. Start with 5 minutes of deep breathing. Then gradually slow it down.
Follow a rhythmic breathing pattern - inhale and exhale.
Initially let your mind wander. It grows more restless if you force to concentrate.

Then slowly bring it to rest on the focal point of your choice.

Hold your object of concentration at this focal point throughout your session.
Meditation happens when you reach a state of pure thought. Even while retaining an awareness of duel self.

Followed diligently you will soon be able to attain a super-conscious state.

Tips on Concentration:

At the outset, it is hard to keep your attention to keep focussed on one object.
So it is better to start off by limiting your field of concentration to a category of objects.
Choose your objects with care e.g. any four flowers, fruits, trees...etc. You must feel at ease with what you choose.
After concentrating on one, you can move on to the next, if & when your mind starts wandering.
This style of meditative exercise will help you control your mind down to a finer focus, teaching you the principle of single point concentration

- Ayurveda Retreat, India

Body Immortal/Kaya Kalpa

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kaya kalpa massage

YOGA KAYA KALPA

Our Kaya Kalpa Program is a unique proprietary program offered only at very few places in the world. It was developed through research of ancient texts of ayurveda and yogasutras and is a powerful combination of ancient ayurveda, yoga and meditation therapies for Anti Aging and AGE REVERSAL.

Kaya Chikitsa

The word 'kaya' (body) not only refers to the gross body of a person but to the subtle body as well. This natural alternative medicine recognizes that the body of a person is the product of the constant psychosomatic interactions. The imbalances in the three doshas of vata-pitta-kapha occur sometimes by the mind and sometimes by the body's dhatu (tissues) and mala (toxin deposits). Hence, the kayachikitsa branch of this system of herbal and holistic medicine, delves deep into ascertaining the root cause of the illness. Then only a suitable treatment is recommended to bring back mind and body into balance. Though the prescription might give an impression that the treatment is meant for the physical body, these in fact have a strong impact on mind and soul of a person.

The Charaka Samhita is the most important scripture on kayachikitsa. It discussed the basic principles of treatment (mentioned above), various types of therapies and purification or detoxification methods i.e.panchakarma. But, its thrust area has been diagnosis of a disease. Detail account of various methods of diagnosis, study of various stages of symptoms and the comprehensive management of debilitating diseases like diabetes mellitus, tuberculosis, asthma and arthritic conditions.

The section of Nidana Sthana of Charaka Samhita deals with etiology, pathogenesis and diagnosis of an illness. Six stages of the development of disease are enumerated as aggravation, accumulation, overflow, relocation, build up in a new site and manifestation into a recognizable disease (it is interesting to note that modern medical science can only detect a disease during the fifth or sixth stages of the illness). In kayachikitsa there is always an opportunity to stop the disease at each stage preventing its full manifestation.

One of the significant methods of treatment under kayachikitsa is panchakarma. This is a method of reversing the disease path from its manifestation stage back into to its site of original development through special forms of emesis, purgation and enema etc. Another unique aspect of kayachikitsa is rejuvenation called kaya kalpa. The term kaya kalpa means renewal of body. According to ayurveda the human body is made of seven types of dhatu or tissues-structures—plasma, blood, muscle, fat, bone, marrow and reproductive fluids. To prolong the youthfulness of the body kayachikitsa applies several physical and mental disciplinary methods with special medicinal preparations, to rebuild the body's cells and tissues after the initial process of detoxification, through panchakarma.

All therapies in ayurveda aim to provide good all round health, so that people can engage in achieving the real goal of life—self-realization. The rasayana therapy increases the life force (ojas) and immunity of a person and thus there is a regeneration of cells and tissues in the body. Rasayana is a therapeutic process to defer old age.

The sages of ancient times led long, disease-free, and vigorous lives with the help of rasayanas. Lord Indra is supposed to have given the knowledge of these panaceas to the sages.

Literally, rasayana means the augmentation of rasa, the vital fluid produced by the digestion of food. It is the rasa flowing in the body which sustains life. Rasayana in ayurveda is, the method of treatment through which the rasa is maintained in the body.

Another connotation of rasa in ayurveda is that it is a herbal medicine, which maintains the life and health of the individual, and increases his bodily and mental vigor. herbal medicines are categorized according to whether they promote general health and longevity, sexual vigor, immunity. The three medicine categories are known in ayurveda as rasayana, vajikarana, and aushadhis, respectively. These categories are complementary to each other.

Rasayanas prepared from the herbs and medicinal plants of amalaki, haritiki, triphala, bhringaraja, ashwagandha, punarnava, chitraka and many other herbal medicines have been used from time immemorial and have been instrumental in giving long, disease-free, and vigorous lives to their users.

The human body contains some chemical elements, which are known as trace elements. Nine such elements are now recognized: cobalt, copper, fluorine, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc. Ayurveda has always been using various metals, jewels, and pearls as medicines for certain deficiency diseases. These elements are turned into calxes or bhasmas for administration in different diseases. Calxes of gold, silver, copper and iron are widely used.

Jewels or ratnas include precious and semiprecious stones, which are used as drugs because of their therapeutic properties. Major jewels or maharatnas include: diamond—hiraka; ruby—manikya; pearl—mukta; topaz—pushparaga; sapphire—neelam; emerald—tarksha; cat's eye—vaidurya; zircon—gomedak; and caulk—vidruma. Uparatnas or minor jewels like sun-stone—suryakant , moonstone—chandrakanta, and crystal—sphatik were in use.

The calx of diamond is a powerful cardiac tonic and one of the best elixirs. It was applied in curing diabetes, urinary troubles, and anemia. Because of its powerful aphrodisiac qualities the calx of diamond was used to treat impotence. The calx of rubies was used to increase intelligence, virility, and longevity. It also cures disorders produced by the vitiation of the three doshas.

Much more than physical health, ayurveda begins with healing genetic physical weakness. It goes a great length to ascertain these inherited hindrances in one's being. Then it recommends practice of suitable lifestyle regimens, which guard those faults, and use herbs and essential oils to heal and mend those weaknesses. Another aim of ayurvedic is to ensure balance of the three doshas. Following these rules the rasayana branch of treatment resorts to herb preparations and oils, bodywork, meditative practices, mantra exercises and breathing/pranayama to attain total mind-body healing. Rasayana oils have properties to bring balance in specific dosha types.

Administration of Rasayana

Kutipravesika

In this process, elaborate arrangements are made for the construction of a special type of cottage where the individual is supposed to stay secluded, while taking the Rasayana. The person has to strictly follow the diets and other instructions of the physician. Here, he undergoes the detoxification process called Panchakarma therapy before taking the rejuvenation. Rejuvenation is done with help of some specific medicinal formulations and a specific lifestyle regimen. Kaya kalpa is a special rejuvenating method.

The term kaya kalpa means renewal of body. According to ayurveda the human body is made of seven types of dhatu or tissues-structures such as plasma, blood, muscle, fat, bone, marrow and reproductive fluids. To prolong the youthfulness of the body several physical as well as mental disciplinary methods along with rasayanas or herbal medicines are used, to rebuild the body's cells and tissues after the initial process of detoxification—panchakarma.

Kaya kalpa is that unique therapy, which brings about complete rejuvenation of the body through cell and tissue renewal. It is supposed to endow an individual with longevity, memory, intellect, youth, strength of sensory and motor organs, even, an excellent complexion and voice.

- Ayurveda Retreat, India

About Ayurveda

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Definition:

Ayurveda is a holistic system of medicine from India that uses a constitutional model. Its aim is to provide guidance regarding food and lifestyle so that healthy people can stay healthy and folks with health challenges can improve their health.

There are several aspects to Ayurveda that are quite unique:

Its recommendations will often be different for each person regarding which foods and which lifestyle they should follow in order to be completely healthy. This is due to it's use of a constitutional model.

Everything in Ayurveda is validated by observation, inquiry, direct examination and knowledge derived from the ancient texts.

It understands that there are energetic forces that influence nature and human beings. These forces are called the Tridoshas.

Because Ayurveda sees a strong connection between the mind and the body, a huge amount of information is available regarding this relationship.

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is not only a system of medicine but also represents a way of healthy living. Ayurveda is formed by the combination of two words viz., 'Ayur' meaning life and 'veda' meaning knowledge of science. In effect, it means the "Science of Life".

Ayurveda is a branch of the Vedas, The Rigveda and the Atharveda are replete with information on various aspects of medical science.

The Universe, according to ancient Indian thinking is composed of five basic elements, the Panch Mahabootas, namely: Prithivi(earth), Apya(water), Teja(fire), Vayu(air) and Akash(space). As the human body is similarly constituted, there is a fundamental harmony between the Universe and man, a healthy balance between the microcosm and macrocosm.

Ayurveda in the theory of Tridosha: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Vata is a combination of two elements of the universe, namely air and space, Pitta an amalgam of fire and waters and Kapha the combination of earth and water. According to this theory, the Tridoshas remain in a balanced state in the human body and when this balance is disturbed it results in a disease.

True medicine, according to Ayurveda, is one which cures the disease without causing any side effect. It is in this aspect that Ayurveda enjoys an advantage over the modern system of medicine.

Health, according to Ayurveda, is the natural state of all three aspects of human being i.e. body, mind and soul (Indriyas, Manas and atma). When the natural state comes in contact with unhappiness (Dukhasamayoga) disease result.

A regular diet is prescribe along with medicine. The regimen of diet is as important as the remedies since the former helps to restore the balance as much as the later.

Ayurveda has eight distinct- branches (1)general medicine (2) surgery (3) ear, nose, throat, eye and mouth diseases, (4)psychiatry (5) midwifery and peadiatrics (6) toxicology (7) rejuvenation and tonics and (8) aphrodiasics. It is because of these eight branches that Ayurveda is known as the Astanga-ayurveda.

Origin

Ayurveda is an intricate system of healing that originated in India thousands of years ago. We can find historical evidence of Ayurveda in the ancient books of wisdom known as the Vedas. In the Rig Veda, over 60 preparation were mentioned that could be used to assist an individual in overcoming various ailments. The Rig Veda was written over 6,000 years ago, but really Ayurveda has been around even longer than that. What we see is that Ayurveda is more than just a medical system. It is a Science of Life. We are all part and parcel of nature. Just as the animals and plants live in harmony with nature and utilize the Laws of Nature to create health and balance within their beings, we, too, adhere to these very same principles. Therefore, it is fair to say that Ayurveda is a system that helps maintain health in a person by using the inherent principles of nature to bring the individual back into equilibrium with their true self. In essence Ayurveda has been in existence since the beginning of time because we have always been governed by nature's laws.

Meaning

Ayurveda is made up of two Sanskrit words: Ayur which means life and Veda which means the knowledge of. To know about life is Ayurveda. However, to fully comprehend the vast scope of Ayurveda let us first define "Ayur" or life. According to the ancient Ayurvedic scholar Charaka, "ayur" is comprised of four essential parts. The combination of mind, body, senses and the soul.

Mind, Body and Senses:
We tend to identify most with our physical bodies; yet, in actuality, there is more to us then what meets the eye. We can see that underlying our physical structure is the mind, which not only controls our thought processes but helps assist us in carrying out day-to-day activities such as respiration, circulation, digestion and elimination. The mind and the body work in conjunction with one another to regulate our physiology. In order for the mind to act appropriately to assist the physical body, we must use our senses as information gatherers. We can think of the mind as a computer and the senses as the data which gets entered into the computer. Smell and taste are two important senses th at aid in the digestive process. When the mind registers that a particular food is entering the gastrointestinal tract, it directs the body to act accordingly by releasing various digestive enzymes. However, if we overindulge the taste buds with too much of a certain taste, such as sweet, we may find that the ability of the mind to perceive the sweet taste is impaired; and thereby the body becomes challenged in its ability to process sweet foods. Maintaining the clarity of our senses is an essential part in allowing the mind and body to integrate their functions and help in keeping us healthy and happy individuals.

Soul
Ayurveda also sees that before we exist in physical form with the help of the mind and senses that we exist in a more subtle form known as the soul. The ancient seers of India believed tha t we were comprised of a certain energetic essence that precluded the inhabitance of our physical entity. In fact, they hypothesized that we may indeed occupy many physical bodies throughout the course of time but that our underlying self or soul remains unchanged. What we see to help illustrate this concept is what transpires at the time of death. When the individual nears the time to leave the physical body, many of his/her desires will cease to be present. As the soul no longer identifies with the body, the desire to eat food or indulge in a particular activity that used to be a great source of satisfaction for that person drops by the wayside. In fact, many individuals have been documented to experience the sensation of being "out of their bodies."

These are just a few examples of how we are made up of these four components that we call life.

Principles

Now that we have a better understanding of what comprises life, let's look at some of the principles of Ayurveda and how they might affect us.

In Ayurveda we view a person as a unique individual made up of five primary elements. The elements are ether (space), air, fire, water, and earth. Just as in nature, we too have these five elements in us. When any of these elements are present in the environment, they will in turn have an influence on us. The foods we eat and the weather are just two examples of the presence of these elements. While we are a composite of these five primary elements, certain elements are seen to have an ability to combine to create various physiological functions. Ether and air combine to form what is known in Ayurveda as the Vata dosha. Vata governs the principle of movement and therefore can be seen as the force which directs nerve impulses, circulation, respiration, and elimination. Fire and water are the elements that combine to form the Pitta dosha. The Pitta dosha is the process of transformation or metabolism. The transformation of foods into nutrients that our bodies can assimilate is an example of a pitta function. Pitta is also responsible for metabolism in the organ and tissue systems as well as cellular metabolism. Finally, it is predominantly the water and earth elements which combine to form the Kapha dosha. Kapha is what is responsible for growth, adding structure unit by unit. Another function of the Kapha dosha is to offer protection. Cerebro-spinal fluid protects the brain and spinal column and is a type of Kapha found in the body. Also, the mucousal lining of the stomach is another example of the Kapha dosha protecting the tissues. We are all made up of unique proportions of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These ratios of the doshas vary in each individual; and because of this, Ayurveda sees each person as a special mixture that accounts for our diversity.

Ayurveda gives us a model to look at each individual as a unique makeup of the three doshas and to thereby design treatment protocols that specifically address a persons health challenges. When any of the doshas ( Vata, Pitta or Kapha ) become accumulated, Ayurveda will suggest specific lifestyle and nutritional guidelines to assist the individual in reducing the dosha that has become excessive. We may also suggest certain herbal supplements to hasten the healing process. If toxins in the body are abundant, then a cleansing process known as Pancha Karma is recommended to eliminate these unwanted toxins.

Tridosha:

Tridosha means three 'life forces' or three humors namely VATA, PITTA and KAPHA.

As these are specific terms or names of the three types of humors in the body it is not possible to translate them into English. They can be understood, experienced or felt only from their qualities, behavior and actions in the body. The nearest translation, meaning or comparatives of these terms, depending upon their qualities, actions and behavior are:

- VATA DOSHA: The elements, space and air combines to form the motivating energy which is termed as Vata Dosha.

- PITTA DOSHA: The elements, fire and water combines to form the transforming energy which is termed as Pitta Dosha.

- KAPHA DOSHA: The elements, water and earth combines to form the stabilizing energy termed as Kapha Dosha.

Everything in the universe is composed of five elements, they are PRITHVI (earth/solid); APA(Water/liquid); VAYU (Air/Gas); AKASH (Space/Vaccum); TEJAS (Fire/Heat)

SPACE:
Space is present in the cavities of the mouth, lungs, digestive tract.

AIR:
Air is present in the movement of muscles, beating of the heart, expansion and contraction of the lungs and working of the digestive tract.

FIRE:
Fire is present in metabolism, body temperature, sight and intellect.

WATER:
Water is present in the digestive juices, saliva and blood.

EARTH:
Earth is present in the bones, nails, muscles, tentons and hair.

These five elements in their biological form in the living body are of three kinds. These are three primary life forces or three bioligical humors. The state of balance or equilibrium between these three life forces in the body is called health and the state of imbalance or disequilibrium is disease. The imbalance may be due to increase or decrease in one, two or all the three life forces. For example excess of vata causes arthritis and excess of pitta causes acidity, ulcer and liver disorders.

Other important basic principles of Ayurveda which are briefly mentioned here are:

DHATUS: These are the basic tissues which maintain and nourish the body. They are seven in number namely- chyle, blood, muscles, fatty tissue, bone, marrow and semen. Proper amount of each dhatu and its balanced function is very important for good health.

MALA: These are the waste materials produced as a result of various metabolic activities in the body. They are mainly urine, faeces, sweat etc. Proper elimination of the malas is equally important for good health. Accumulation of malas causes diseases in the body.

SROTAS: These are different types of channels which are responsible for transportation of food, dhatus, malas and doshas. Proper functioning of srotas is necessary for transporting different materials to the site of their requirement. Blockage of srotas causes diseases.

AGNI: These are different types of enzymes responsible for digestion and transforming one material to another.

All these factors should function in a proper balance for good health. They are inter-related and are directly or indirectly responsible for maintaining equilibrium of the tridoshas.

Constitution:
Knowledge of personal Ayurvedic constitution is very important in both prevention as well as treatment of a disease. According to Ayurveda the body comprises of three primary life-forces which in the Ayurvedic terminology are called doshas. Because they are three in number, they are generally termed as Tridosha. These three doshas are vata, pitta and kapha. To have a better understanding they can be compared to air, fire and water respectively. These doshas are spread all over the body and regulate the functioning of every tissue cell by being present in each one of them. They are responsible for the psycho-physical nature of the individual.

This psycho-physical nature of the individual is known as prakriti or constitution. Though each one of us have all the three doshas, the proportion varies. The constitution of the individual is decided by the predominant dosha. For example a person who has vata as the predominant dosha is generally tall and thin, has poor memory, is fearful ,anxious, nervous, has dry skin and low weak voice, has variable appetite and likes travelling.

These three doshas come from the parents through the sperm and ovum and remain in the living body from the time of conception till the end of life. When a sperm and ovum unite in the uterus of a mother to form zygote, the doshas predominant in the sperm, ovum and the uterus decide the constitution of the individual. The predominant dosha can be one of the three, two combined together or all the three in a balanced form, thus forming seven types of constitutions mentioned below.

If the doshas are in a state of equilibrium it gives rise to a healthy foetus and the child born leads a healthy life. If the doshas are in a disturbed state it may prevent conception or result in undergrowth of the zygote or other malformations. The diet, living style and activities of mother during pregnancy are also responsible in the formation of one's constitution.

Depending upon the predominance of dosha there are seven types of Ayurvedic constitution.

Vata

Pitta

Kapha

Vata-pitta

Vata-kapha

Pitta-kapha

Vata-pitta-kapha:- This is the best type of constitution but is very rare.

Kajal

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In India, Kajal is a form of eye makeup, which has been in vogue since the ancient times. It's the womenfolk of India who mostly apply kohl to darken their lower eyelid. However, it is also applied in case of children's and earlier, even the Indian men used to wear kajal. Kajal accrues the word Kohl, which is also at times spelt as Kol, Kehal or Kohal. Traditionally, it was prepared at home by females, as protection against eye ailments.

However, today, it is easily available in almost all the shops. Infact, the concept of applying Kajal has become more of a fashion trend in urban India in the recent times. Those people who prepare Kajal at home make it out of soot and other ingredients. In old times, people believed that kajal or Kohl provided relief from the sun's glare. Another perception pertaining Kajal was that it wards off bad luck or vibes.

As such, many women even today apply the Kajal as a small dot on the forehead of their toddlers as well as in their eyes. It is also applied at the nape of a child's neck, where it is not visible. Some people believe this will strengthen the child's eyesight. Applying Kajal is a strong tradition practiced by inhabitants of almost all the regions in India.

Method of preparing Kajal at home
Kajal preparation begins with dipping a clean, white, thin muslin cloth about four by four inches square in a sandalwood paste. The cloth is then dried in shade. After the sun is down, a wick is made out of the cloth and then used to light a mud lamp filled with castor oil. A brass vessel is positioned over the fire, leaving enough gap for the oxygen to aid the burning of the lamp. This is left burning overnight. Next morning, one or two drops of pure ghee or castor oil is added to the soot on the brass vessel and stored it in a clean dry box.

Goddess Pose - Supta Baddha Konasana

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Type of Pose: Supine, Restorative

Benefits: Opens the groin

Instructions:
1. From Cobbler's Pose - Baddha Konasana, lean backward, bringing your elbows to the floor.
2. Lower the back all the way to the floor.
3. Stay here several minutes. To come out, roll over to your side and sit up, using your hands to support you.

Beginners: If you are not comfortable reclining on the floor, you may use a bolster or several folded blankets to support the spine. You may also want to place a block under each knee for support.

Advanced: Try the variations on the following pages.

Garland Pose - Malasana

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Also known as: Squat

Type of pose: Hip opener

Benefits: Opens the hips and groin

Instructions:
1. Come to stand with the feet about mat's width apart.
2. Bend the knees, coming into a squat.
3. Keep the feet as close to parallel as possible.
4. Take the upper arms inside your knees and bend the elbows. Bring the palms together into anjali mudra (prayer position).
5. Try to bring the hands to your heart center with the forearms parallel to the floor to open the knees slightly.
6. Keep the spine straight and shoulders relaxed.
7. Stay here for five breaths, then straighten the legs to come out.

Beginners: Bring a folded blanket under your heels for support if your heels come up when you squat. This is better than trying to balance on the balls of your feet.

Advanced: If your feet are parallel, work on bringing them closer together.

Qutub Minar

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Qutub-ud-din Aibak laid the foundation for Qutub Minar in 1199 AD and his successor and son-in-law Shamsu'd-Din- Iitutmish completed the structure by adding three more stories. Standing at 72.5 meters, it is the highest stone tower in India. Its base diameter is 14.3 meters and its top diameter is 2.7 meters. It has 379 steps leading to its top story. The lower three stories are made using red sand stone and the top two with marble and sand stone.

bottom angle

There are various stories being told about the reason the Qutub minar was built. Some say that it was constructed as tower of victory to declare the might of Islam. Some others have the view that it might have been used as a tower for defense.

engrved writing on Qutub Minar

The inscriptions at the base of the minaret tell that Firoz Shah Tughlak (AD 1351-88) added the last story in 1368. It is also believed that Sikandar Lodhi(AD 1489-1517) and Major R. Smith (1829) have undertaken several repair and restoration works on the tower. There are a numerous other Arabic inscriptions on the tower telling the history of Qutub.

Other structures in the Qutub complex include:
Tomb of Iitutmish, which was constructed in 1235 AD. The tomb is made up of red sandstone and it describes the Arabic architectural patterns.

Alai Minar

Alai Minar, which stands north to Qutub Minar was constructed by Alaud-Din-Khalji with an intention to make it twice the size of Qutub. But he could complete only one storey and the work was abandoned after his death. Alai Minar is 25meters in height.

Quwwat-ul-Islam, a mosque constructed by Qutub-ud-din in 1198 also stands in the Qutub complex.

Iron Pillar

A famous Iron Pillar, which was erected in the 4th Century AD, is located in the courtyard of Quwwat-ul-Islam. It raises to a height of 7 meters and weighs more than 6 tons. The Sanskrit inscriptions on the pillar tells that it is erected as a flagstaff in honour of hindu god Vishnu and the memory of Chandra Gupta. It is made up of 98% wrought iron and it stood the test of time of more than 1600 years with our rust or decomposition. This proclaims the metallurgical excellence of ancient India.

There are many other installations like madrassas, graves, tombs, mosques in the vicinity of Qutub Minar.

Interestingly Qutub Minar is the most visited tourist spot in Delhi.

like kissing the blue sky

Timings: Sunrise - Sunset
Camaras allowed inside the complex

Fatehpur Sikri

2008-09-25T21:59:00.005+05:30

City At A Glance

Location: 40 kms from Agra,Uttar Pradesh.

Sikri was a decrepit little village till the Mughal Emperor Akbar came visiting in 1568. Despite marrying the Amber princess Jodhabai in 1562, and having over 300 concubines at his beck and call, the monarch was childless.
Desperate for an heir, Akbar visited the saint, Shaikh Salim who was encamping here and who predicted that Akbar would have a son within 3 years. As fate had willed it, Jodhabai bore him a son the next year. The emperor named him after the mystic.
Not only that, he decided to move lock stock and barrel to the place and named it Fatehpur, or the ‘City of Victory’. His military conquest of Gujarat might also have persuaded him to shift base as must have the local abundance of red sandstone. In fact, apart from the marble-white mausoleum of Salim, nestling in one corner of the Jami Masjid – the city is entirely built out of red sandstone.

Main Attractions

Diwani-i-Am
The Diwani-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience) is where the monarch sat and lent a patient ear to all the petitions he received. A paved courtyard called the Pachisi was where the monarch played chaubar, a game that closely resembles chess– using slave girls as pieces.

Diwani-i-Khas
TheDiwani-i-Khas nearby housed theIbadat Khana or the ‘House of Worship’ where the emperor debated various systems with noted theologians.
Although semi-literate, Akbar was the most liberal of the Mughal emperors, and in 1579, he was declared the highest authority in matters of religion by the famous ‘infallibility decree’. Three years later, the emperor founded Din-a-Ilahi or the ‘Religion of God’ which was an amalgam of all the major religions of the world. Decried by religious zealots from his own community as an apostate, Din-a-Ilahi disappeared as a faith after Akbar’s death in 1605.

Ankh Michauli
As you enter the Ankh Michauli (Closed Eyes) pavilion, you realise that Akbar could be as flippant as he was profound. Here the Mughal played ‘blind man’s buff’ and indulged in frivolous pranks in the company of his harem.

Jodhabai’s Palace
Jodhabai’s Palace is befittingly the grandest of all palaces in Fatehpur Sikri – as she was his most favoured wife and the mother of the crown prince. Other notable palaces at Fatehpur Sikri are the five-storeyed Panch Mahal and the Hawa Mahal.

mosque

Friday Mosque
Begun in 1571 and completed four years later, the Friday Mosque was the largest of its kind in India at the time, measuring 168 metres by 144, with a huge inner courtyard.
The Buland Darwaza or ‘Sublime Gateway’ was added later to commemorate Akbar’s military conquest of Gujarat.
The gateway, which rises to a height of 45 metres, presents an awesome spectacle of isolation, and has exquisite Persian calligraphy inscribed on it.
It says, “ The world is a bridge. Pass over it but build no house upon it, for whoever hopes for one hour, hopes for all eternity. The world is one hour. Spend it in prayer, for the rest is unseen”. No more eloquent epitaph to the Mughal Empire – or any other empire can be written.

Salim Chisti’s Mausoleum
and a trip to Fatehpur Sikri would be incomplete without visiting Salim Chisti’s Mausoleum – the sage who played an important role in Akbar’s life. Issueless parents visit his shrine in droves to pray for sons as Akbar did over four centuries ago. They tie little cords and paper wishes to the screens and any other object they can find.

The Everlasting Glory of Fatehpur Sikri
By 1585, Akbar wearied of the dry, hot climate of the city and moved to the cooler climes of Lahore. Within a few years, the pomp and pageantry of the city vanished – but the sandstone monuments endure to this day. Such were the construction methods employed, that there is not a single derelict monument in the city. The Mughal Empire has long since vanished from the firmament but the greatest of the Mughal emperors, Akbar etched his name forever in the sands of time by building the Fatehpur Sikri.

camle stables

Four-Limbed Staff Pose - Chaturanga Dandasana

2008-09-25T21:57:00.001+05:30

Type of pose: Arm balance

Benefits: Strengthens the arms, wrists and abdomen. Good preparation for more challenging arm balances.
Chaturanga is like a push-up, and as such is a great arm strengthener. It is part of the Sun Salutation vinyasa sequence of poses.

Instructions:
1. From Plank position, bend the arms straight back, keeping the upper arms hugging into your sides.
2. Lower down toward the floor, stopping when your forearms and upper arms are at a right angle.
3. Keep the whole body very level.
4. Push back into the heels.
5. Roll over the toes coming into Upward Facing Dog.

Beginners: Drop your knees to the floor until you build enough strength to support the body with the arms. Practice Knees, Chest and Chin if Chaturanga is not possible.

Advanced: Hold the pose before coming forward into Up Dog. If you have tried practicing Plank with one leg at a time lifted, try moving into Chaturanga while keeping your leg lifted.

Forearm Stand - Pincha Mayurasana

2008-09-25T21:54:00.001+05:30

Type of pose: Inversion

Benefits: Strengthens the arms, shoulders, abdominals, and back; improves balance

Also Known As: Bent Arm Balance, Peacock Feather Pose

Note: Wondering whether to invert while menstruating?

Instructions:
1. Come to the wall.
2. Bring the forearms and palms flat against the floor.
3. Bend the elbows, bringing the upper arms perpendicular to the forearms.
4. Come up into Downward Facing Dog with the legs.
5. Walk the feet in toward the hands as much as possible.
6. Bend one knee and begin to kick up with the opposite leg.
7. Note that the head stays up off the floor. The gaze should be down at the floor.
8. If you are able to get both legs up and invert fully, begin to work on taking the feet off the wall and balancing independently.
9. Come down and rest in Child's Pose.

Beginners: Props can be very helpful in this pose.
First, place a block at the wall. Make an "L" shape with the thumbs of each hand (the left hand will be a backwards "L"). Place the hands around the block so that the thumbs are on the front of the block and the forefingers are on the sides with the palms flat on the floor.
Straps are also helpful. Adjust the strap so that the loop is as wide as your shoulders. Slide the loop onto your arms just above the elbow to keep the arms from splaying out to the sides.

Advanced: Once you can get up using the props, begin to try this without the props. Make sure that the elbows stay in line with the shoulders and do not splay out to the sides. If you become very comfortable doing the pose at the wall, begin to attempt to move into the center of the room.

Flying Crow Pose - Eka Pada Galavasana

2008-09-25T21:52:00.002+05:30

Type of Pose: Arm Balance

Benefits: Increases arm strength, core strength, and balance. Opens the hips.

Instructions:
1. Begin in Tree Pose, standing on the left leg.
2. Remove the right foot from the inner left thigh, and place the right ankle just above the left knee instead.
3. Come into a forward bend, bringing the palms of the hands to the floor.
4. Bend the left leg (the standing leg).
5. Hook the toes of the right foot around your upper left arm. Keep the right foot strongly flexed and the toes tightly hugging the arm.
6. Bend the elbows, coming into Chaturanga arms.
7. Bring the weight of the body forward as you lift the left foot off the floor keeping the knee bent at first.
8. Bring even more weight forward as you straighten the left leg behind you.
9. Flex the left foot strongly as you continue to hug the right foot to your upper arm.
10. Repeat on the other side.

Beginners: This is an advanced pose. Beginners should stop at any point if the pose becomes too difficult.

Advanced: People often get stuck on step 7. In order to straighten the right leg behind you, it is crucial to keep the head lifted and the weight of the body moving forward.

Fish Pose - Matsyasana

2008-09-25T21:50:00.001+05:30

Type of pose: Backbend

Benefits: Opens the chest and throat, counter pose to shoulderstand.

Instructions:
1. Come to lie on your back.
2. Come up onto your elbows.
3. Slide your body towards the back of the mat while keeping your forearms in place and puffing up your chest.
4. Drop the crown of your head back to the floor, opening your throat.
5. To come out, press strongly into your forearms and raise your head off the floor.
6. Release your upper body to the floor.

Beginners: Place a blanket or block under your head if the crown does not comfortably come to the floor.

Advanced: Bring your arms up towards the ceiling with the palms touching. Lift your legs. Click the photo to see this variation.

Firefly Pose - Tittibhasana

2008-09-25T21:47:00.001+05:30

Type of pose: Arm balance

Benefits: Strengthens the wrists, forearms and abdomen; stretches the hamstrings.

Instructions:
1. Come in to a wide squat.
2. Bring your palms flat on the floor just under your feet.
3. Bend the elbows back as you would in Chaturanga Dandasana.
4. Begin to shift your weight back to rest on your upper arms and bring the feet up off the floor.
5. Straighten the legs.
6. Begin to straighten the arms.

Beginners: Like most arm balances, this is easier than it looks. For one thing, if you fall, you'll land on your butt instead of your head — as in some other poses! If you can lift the feet off of the floor but cannot straighten the legs, try crossing the feet at the ankles in front of you.

Advanced: Work on straightening your arms and legs.

Extended Side Angle Pose - Utthita Parsvakonasana

2008-09-25T21:42:00.003+05:30

Type of pose: Standing

Benefits: Strengthens and stretches the legs, groins, hamstrings. Opens the chest and shoulders.

Instructions:

1. From Downward Facing Dog, bring the right foot forward next to the right hand.
2. Drop the left heel down to the floor.
3. Bend the right knee so the calf and thigh are at a right angle with the thigh parallel to the floor.
4. Bring the right hand inside or outside the right foot and the left arm up toward the ceiling, opening the chest and stacking the left shoulder on top of the right.
5. Bring the gaze up to the right hand.
To keep the body in balance, repeat on the left side.

Beginners: If the right hand does not comfortably reach the floor, take a block under the hand so that you can still open the chest.

Easy Pose - Sukasana

2008-09-25T21:40:00.001+05:30

Type of pose: Seated

Sukasana is really any comfortable, cross-legged, seated position. It is a good pose for meditation or pranayama practice.

Instructions:
1. Arrange padding under your sit bones so that your hips come above your knees.
2. Come to sit in a comfortable, cross-legged position.
3. Bring one heel in towards your groin. The other foot may rest on the floor in front of you or you may bring it into your lap.
4. Root your seat down as your spine grows long. Stack the shoulders over the hips and slide the shoulder blades down your back. The crown of your head rises towards the ceiling.

Eagle Pose - Garudasana

2008-09-25T21:33:00.003+05:30

Type of pose: Standing, balancing

Benefits: Strengthens legs, improves balance, stretches the shoulders

Instructions:
1. From Utkatasana shift your weight onto the right leg.
2. Bring the left leg up and cross the left thigh over the right.
3. Hook the left foot around the right calf.
4. Bring the arms out in front.
5. Cross the right arm over the left and bring the palms to touch.
6. Lift the elbows while keeping the shoulders sliding down the back.
7. Hold 5-10 breaths.
8. Repeat on the other side.

Beginners: If you have trouble with the balance, rest your backside on a wall. If you can't hook the left foot around the right calf, put a block under the left foot instead.

Advanced: Start to come into a forward bend, bringing the elbows in front of the knees. Bring the thumbs to your third eye.

Welcome to Guest- Garlanding

2008-09-23T20:50:00.000+05:30

The line in the image written in Sanskrit language, the pronunciation is Atithi Devo Bhava that means Guest is God. Every Indian things so and they respect and treat guest (Atithi) who comes not only to their home but to their country, i.e, INDIA like god.

Playing the perfect host is an integral part of the Indian culture and tradition. As such, Indian people go to great lengths to make their guests feel welcome. Garlanding, aarti and applying tilak, or a red vermillion mark, on the forehead of the guest is, thus, an important part of the reception ritual. There are basically two reasons behind the garlanding tradition of India. Firstly, it showcases one's happiness at receiving the particular guest and secondly, it is a form of publicly acknowledging the guest's importance.

applying tilak (red vermillion mark) on the forehead of the guest

The fact that apart from guests, it's only the various gods and goddesses, who are garlanded, shows the significance attached to this garlanding tradition in India. And it's almost always accompanied by application of tilak and arti. There are many kinds of garlands available in the Indian markets for this purpose. One kind of garlands comprises of those made of freshly plucked red roses, which are mostly used in Indian weddings by brides and grooms to garland each other. There are even such garlands that are made by weaving together currency notes, usually worn by the bridegroom when he sits on the mare.

an Indian woman welcomes guest by garland, & doing aarti

Holy Bathing

2008-09-23T20:48:00.002+05:30

Indians are very religious and God fearing people. As such, in the normal day-to-day life, you will find many people engaging themselves in some or other religious acts, like visiting the temple, watering the holy Tulsi plant, feeding the cow, etc. Apart from upholding the Indian tradition, other reasons behind their passionate devoutness could be selfless love or fear of God or a mix of both. While there are varied religious activities which Indians observe, perhaps the one considered most sacred is bathing in the waters of holy rivers.

There are many sacred rivers in India, like the Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, and so on. But the one considered the holiest is the Ganga, personified as a Goddess in the Indian mythology. The river is also mentioned in the Rig Veda, one of the earliest Hindu scriptures. According to Hindu beliefs, a holy dip in the Ganges on certain festivals, by any person, will lead to the forgiveness of all his/her sins and also help in attaining salvation. Many others believe that taking a holy dip in the sacred waters of Ganga, anytime, will have the same effect.

As such, Indians - old and young, come to participate or bathe in the sacred rivers during certain holy bathing festivals like the Kumbh Mela and Chhat Puja. Often, people also immerse the ashes of their kin in the Ganga waters so that their soul may rest peacefully in heaven. Apart from these spiritual baths, many also carry the water of the sacred rivers home, in copper pots, as it is considered to be very auspicious. Those on the verge of dying are usually given drops of this holy water to drink in order to free them of all their sins.

Any talk of holy or spiritual bathing in India will remain incomplete without the mention of the Kumbh Mela. It is a Hindu bathing festival or pilgrimage which occurs once in every 12 years at four fixed located in India - Prayag (Allahabad), Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik and is attended by millions of people on a single day. Said to have been initiated by King Harshvardhana of Ujjain, the precise dates of the Kumbh Mela are astronomically determined, based upon precise calculations of the positions of the Sun, the Moon and Jupiter.

Aarti

2008-09-23T19:18:00.008+05:30

The Hindu ritual of aarti accrues from the ancient Vedic concept of fire ceremony or the 'homa'. Generally, one or more wicks made of cotton, or thin cloth strip, is soaked in ghee or camphor, lighted and offered to the deity. The term 'aarti' may also refer to the traditional Hindu devotional songs that are sung while the fire ritual is being performed. Apart from the national anthem of India, perhaps, the only other song sung popularly and lovingly across all age and social groups and regions is the aarati.

Though arti may be sung differently in different parts of the Indian subcontinent, the core intention never varies. All aarti songs signify the highest form of love for God. As per Indian beliefs and tradition, worshiping God through 'bhava' or emotion is the highest form of worship. And in arti, both the singing of the traditional hymn, or the devotional song, and the fire serve to prevent the deflection of the worshipper's concentration from the act.

In Sanskrit, the term aarti can be broken up into two words - "aa' meaning towards and "rati" meaning the highest love for God. Traditionally, aarati is done two or three times a day, at the conclusion of a puja, bhajan or havan. It is a mandatory ritual performed on all auspicious occasions of Hindus. The aarti thali, which contains diya, flowers, incense and akshata, is circulated in front of the deity and arti song is sung by all members present there. When arti is performed before God, it is believed that the plate and the light get blessed by the deity.

The pandit, or the priest, passes on the arti plate from one person to another, present there, who cup the flickering fire lightly with their down-turned hands. Then, they put their hands over the flame and then touch their forehead, as a gesture of seeking holy blessings. The plate on which the aarati is performed is usually made of silver, bronze or copper. Aarti is also performed in front of a person, either as a welcome gesture or to ward off bad influences from him. Infact, the whole purpose of arti is to ward off the evil spirits and bad omens.

In India, the aarti is also performed before people of high status, little kids during certain ceremonies, on people embarking or returning from a long journey (especially if it's a pilgrimage) and on a newly married couple when they enter their house for the first time, etc. The arti is also performed on some newly acquired land and before initiating some pertinent chore. There are different types of arti for different Indian deities and often arti contains important snippets about them.

The priest doing 'aarti' to Goddess Durga

Downward Facing Dog - Adho Mukha Svanasana

2008-09-22T08:02:00.003+05:30

Also known as: Downward Dog, Down Dog

Type of pose: Standing, Mild Inversion, Resting

Benefits: Stretches and strengthens the whole body. Can help relieve back pain.

Downward facing dog is done many times during most yoga classes. It is a transitional pose, a resting pose and a great strengthener in its own right. It may be the first yoga pose you encounter as you begin a yoga practice. Downward dog is so prevalent, even people who have never done yoga have probably heard of it.

Instructions:
1. Come to your hands and knees with the wrists underneath the shoulders and the knees underneath the hips.
2. Curl the toes under and push back raising the hips and straightening the legs.
3. Spread the fingers and ground down from the forearms into the fingertips.
4. Outwardly rotate the upper arms broadening the collarbones.
5. Let the head hang, move the shoulder blades away from the ears towards the hips.
6. Engage the quadriceps strongly to take the weight off the arms, making this a resting pose.

7. Rotate the thighs inward, keep the tail high and sink your heels to the floor.
8. Check that the distance between your hands and feet is correct by coming forward to a plank position. The distance between the hands and feet should be the same in these two poses. Do not step the feet toward the hands in Down Dog in order the get the heels to the floor. This will happen eventually as the muscles lengthen.

Beginners: Try bending your knees, coming up onto the balls of your feet, bringing the belly to rest on the thighs and the sit bones up high. Then sink your heels, straightening the legs keeping the high upward rotation of the sit bones. Also try bending the arms slightly out to the side, drawing the chest towards the thighs. Then restraighten the arms.

Advanced: If you are very flexible, try not to let the rib cage sink towards the floor creating a sinking spine. Draw the ribs in to maintain a flat back. Try holding the pose for five minutes, placing a block under your head for support

Crow Pose - Bakasana

2008-09-22T07:59:00.002+05:30

Also known as: Crane Pose

Type of pose: Arm Balance

Benefits: Strengthens the wrist, forearms and abdomen; improves balance

Instructions:
1. Bending the knees slightly, bring your palms flat on the floor about shoulder distance apart.
2. Place the knees on the back of the upper arms.
3. Start to come forward, lifting the head as you go.
4. Take feet off the floor, one at a time, so you come to balance with both feet up.

Beginners: Try lifting one foot up at a time to get a feel for how far forward you need to bring yourself. Do not let your head drop. This will cause you to tip forward and lose balance. Put a blanket in front of you so you won't be afraid of hitting your head if you fall. Everyone falls when learning this pose.

Advanced: Once you come up into the pose, do not let your elbows splay out to either side. Work on straightening your arms. Tuck the heels in close to your butt, and jump back to Chaturanga.

Cow Face Pose - Gomukhasana

2008-09-22T07:56:00.001+05:30

Type of pose: Seated

Benefits: Stretches the hips, ankles, shoulders, and chest.

Instructions:
1. From Knee to Ankle, slide the knees to center, stacking the right knee directly over the left. It may be helpful to come forward onto the hands and knees to align the knees. Then separate the feet and come back to sit between the feet.
2. Bring the left arm up towards the ceiling,
3. Bend the left elbow, bringing the left hand down the center of the back.
4. Bring the right arm out to the right side, bend the elbow and bring the right arm up the center of the back.
5. Hold hands behind the back.
6. Draw both elbows toward the center.

Beginners: Take padding under the sit bones if necessary. Hold a strap between the hands if they do not meet behind the back.

Advanced: Keeping the spine long, come into a forward bend

Corpse Pose - Savasana

2008-09-22T07:54:00.001+05:30

Also known as: Final Relaxation

Type of pose: Resting

Benefits: Allows the body time to process information at the end of a class.
No yoga session is complete without the final pose – Savasana. The body needs this time to understand the new information it has received through practicing yoga. Even though Savasana is a resting pose, it’s not the same a sleeping! You should stay present and aware during the five to ten minute duration of final relaxation.

Instructions:
1. Come to lie down on the back.
2. Let the feet fall out to either side.
3. Bring the arms alongside the body, but slightly separated from the body, and turn the palms to face upwards.
4. Relax the whole body, including the face. Let the body feel heavy.
5. Let the breath occur naturally.
6. To come out, first begin to the deepen the breath. Then move the fingers and toes, awakening the body.
7. Bring the knees into the chest and roll over to one side, keep the eyes closed.
8. Slowly bring yourself back up into a sitting position.

Compass Pose - Parivrtta Surya Yantrasana

2008-09-22T07:51:00.002+05:30

Type of Pose: Seated

Benefits: Intense hamstring stretch and shoulder opener.

Instructions:
1. Come to sit in a comfortable, cross-legged position.
2. Bend the right knee, hugging it in to your chest.
3. You may leave the left leg bent or outstretch it on the floor.
4. Lift the right leg with your left hand as you thread the right hand underneath the right knee bringing the right fingertips to the floor.
5. Lift the right knee as high up on to the right shoulder as possible. The higher you can go, the easier the pose will be.
6. Bring the left hand to the outside edge of the right foot.
7. Begin to straighten the right leg as you simultaneously bring the left arm back behind your head.
8. Take the gaze towards your left arm.
9. Repeat on the other side.

This is an advanced pose. Take care to stay up on the top of your sit bones the whole time and do not collapse into a slump. This is more important that straightening the lifted leg.

Cobra Pose - Bhujangasana

2008-09-22T07:49:00.001+05:30

Type of pose: Backbend

Benefits: Increases the flexibility of the spine. Can help relieve back pain.
Cobra is usually done as part of the Sun Salutation vinyasa sequence. It is can be done as an alternative to Upward Facing Dog in the sequence for beginners.

Instructions:
1. From Knees, Chest, and Chin position, release the tops of the feet to the floor and press them down.
2. Slide your chest forward and up keeping your hands exactly where the were.
3. Roll your shoulders back and lift the chest higher, while keeping the low ribs on the floor.
4. Keep your neck neutral, don’t crank it back.

Beginners: Strongly engaging the legs and pressing them down will help you bring your chest higher.

Advanced: Keeping the chest high, bring the palms off of the floor. Or keep the palms on the floor and start to straighten the arms for a more intense backbend.

Cobbler's Pose - Baddha Konasana

2008-09-22T07:41:00.003+05:30

Also known as: Bound Angle Pose

Type of pose: Seated

Benefits: Opens the hips and groin

Instructions:

1. From Staff Pose – Dandasana, bend the knees bringing the soles of the feet together and letting the knees fall out to either side.
2. Keep the spine long.
3. Press the outer edges of the feet together strongly.

Beginners: Take padding under the sit bones if necessary. Position a block under each knee for support if necessary.

Advanced: Keeping the spine long, come into a forward bend.

Variations: Supta Baddha Konasana – a reclined version of the pose.

Cat - Cow Stretch

2008-09-22T07:39:00.002+05:30

Benefits: Increases spinal flexibility and abdominal strength. Can help prevent back pain.

Instructions:

1. Start on all fours, bringing the wrists underneath the shoulders and the knees underneath the hips.
2. Think of the spine as a straight line connecting the shoulders to the hips. Try visualizing the line extending forward through the crown of the head and backwards through the tail bone.
3. Keep the neck the natural extension of the spine.

Camel Pose - Ustrasana

2008-09-22T07:35:00.002+05:30

Type of pose: Backbend

Benefits: Stretches the front of the body including the chest, abdomen, and quadriceps. Improves spinal flexibility.

Instructions:

1. Come up onto your knees. Take padding under your knees if they are sensitive.

2. Draw your hands up the side of your body as you start to open your chest.

3. Reach your hands back one at a time to grasp your heels.

4. Bring your hips forward so that they are over your knees.

5. Let your head come back, opening your throat

Beginners: Curl your toes under and come to the balls of your feet if you cannot reach your heels when the feet are flat, or use blocks on either side of your knees.

Advanced: Try taking hold of opposite ankles.

Supported Bridge Pose

2008-09-22T07:28:00.004+05:30

Type of pose: Restorative, backbend

Benefits: Allows the spine to open while being gently supported. Can help relieve back pain.

Instructions:
1. Lie on your back with the knees bent and the soles of your feet flat on the floor. Have a yoga block handy.
2. You should be able to barely touch the backs of your heels with your fingertips when the arms are lying on the floor.
3. The feet should be parallel and stay that way through the duration of the pose.
4. Press down into the soles of the feet as you lift the hips off the floor.
5. Slide your yoga block under your back directly under the sacrum. Let your sacrum rest on the block. Let the arms rest alongside the body.
6. This should be a comfortable resting position. You may wish to stay here several minutes.
7. To come out, press down into your feet and lift the hips again. Remove the block and gently lower your back to the floor.

Beginners:
It is a good idea to start with the block on the lowest level. If this feels comfortable, you can try turning it to a higher level. Since this is a restorative pose, choose the level that gives you the most ease. If you feel any pain, come out.

Advanced:
Try lifting one leg at at time off the floor, keeping the block in place. You may also lift both legs at the same time in a supported version of Shoulderstand.

Bridge Pose - Setu Bandha Sarvangasana

2008-09-22T07:19:00.004+05:30

Also known as: Half Wheel

Type of pose: Backbend

Benefits: Strengthens the spine, opens the chest, improves spinal flexibility, stimulates the thyroid.

Instructions:
1. Come to lie on the back.
2. Bend the knees, bringing the soles of the feet parallel on the mat close to the buttocks.
3. Lift the hips up towards the ceiling.
4. Interlace the fingers behind your back and straighten the arms, pressing them down into the mat.
5. Roll one shoulder under and then the other.
6. Lift the hips higher.

7. Draw the chest toward the chin, but do not move the chin toward the chest.
8. Make sure the feet stay parallel.
9. Release the hands and bring the upper, middle, and then lower back down.
10. Rest, allowing the knees to knock together.

Beginners: For a restorative variation, bring a block under the sacrum. Let your weight rest on the block.
When coming down, keep the hands interlaced under the weight of the body for a shoulder opener.

Advanced: Try relaxing the buttocks while keeping the thighs engaged in order to lift the hips higher.
Lift one leg at a time straight up to the ceiling.
Come into the pose from shoulder stand.

Bow Pose - Dhanurasana

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Type of pose: Backbend

Benefits: Stretches the front of the body including the chest, abdomen, and quadriceps. Improves spinal flexibility.

Instructions:
1. Come to lie on the stomach, taking a blanket under the hips as padding.
2. Reach the hands back and take hold of the ankles.
3. On an inhale, draw the torso and legs up off the floor simultaneously.
4. If you can, bring the thighs to rest on the floor.

Advanced: Try taking hold of opposite ankles.

Boat Pose - Navasana

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Type of pose: Seated

Benefits: Builds abdominal and core strength

Instructions:
1. From a seated position, bring the legs straight up to a 45 degree angle.
2. The torso will naturally fall back, but do not let the spine collapse. Make a "V" shape with the body.
3. Bring the arms out straight in line with the shoulders.
4. Balance on the sit bones.

Beginners: Bend the knees if necessary, bringing the calves parallel the the floor. This is Half Boat Pose.

Advanced: To increase core strength, release from the pose bringing the legs and torso simultaneously towards the floor and hold just before you touch the floor. Come back up into the pose like a sit-up. Repeat this several times.

FAQ on YOGA

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1. What is Yoga ?

Ans. Yoga originated thousand of years ago in India as a technique to help people achieve spiritual enlightenment. Today, people practice yoga to improve their physical, mental and spiritual well - being. Most forms of yoga involve physical postures, breathing exercises and meditation.

2. How safe it is ?

Ans. Practicing yoga is generally safe, but take it easy in your first few classes, there's no reason to push beyond your limits. Also, if you have back, knee, or other physical problems, get the go-ahead from your doctor first, since some poses can aggravate injuries. And tell your teacher beforehand about any limitation or concerns you have, so he or she can help you with alternate or modified poses.

3. What are the benefits of yoga ?

Ans. Yoga strengthens and tones muscle, improves balance and flexibility and increases blood flow and vitality. It's also a great way to reduce stress. Researchers at Harvard Medical School found yoga lowers chemicals in the blood stream associated with anxiety and triggers other physiological relaxation responses, such as reducing muscle tension and lowering heart rate.

4. Does it matter that I'm not very flexible ?

Ans. Not at all, a good instructor can adapt the poses to fit any level of student. Over time, your flexibility will improve.

5. How often do I need to practice yoga ?

Ans. Practicing two to three times a week for 45 minutes to an hour is good goal to work towards. Another alternative is to practice 15 minutes every day. The more you practice, then you feel more benefit.

No need to change lifestyle to practice yoga

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One does wonder before starting yoga that if we need to change our lifestyle to practice yoga. The answer is NO. Yoga is not a religion. It doesn't require that you fast or abstain. You don't have to become a vegetarian or change your eating patterns. Nor do you have to give up drinking or smoking.

However, you might notice that your tastes change after you begin to practice yoga. As you become healthier and in tune with your body, you may feel differently about the impacts overeating, smoking and drinking alcohol have on your body.

Paths of Yoga

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The 4 different paths

· Karma Yoga – the path of selfless service.

“ Thy right is to work only, but never with its fruits; let the fruits of action be not thy motive, nor let thy attachment be to inaction ."

- Bhagavad Gita 2.47

· Bhakti Yoga - the path of devotion.

“Whoever offers Me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit or a little water – that, so offered devotedly by the pure-minded, I accept.”

- Bhagavad Gita 9.26

· Jnana Yoga - the path of knowledge.

“But he who knows the Truth, O mighty armed (Arjuna) about the division of the qualities and (their) functions, knowing that the Gunas as senses move amidst the Gunas as the sense-objects is not attached.”

- Bhagavad Gita 3.28

· Raja Yoga - the path of controlling the mind.

“Little by little let him attain to quietude by the intellect held firmly; having made the mind establish itself in the Self let him not think of anything.”

- Bhagavad Gita 6.25

What is Yoga?

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“Yogaschitta vritti nirodhah” - Yoga Sutras 1.2

“To block the pattern of consciousness is yoga”

Yoga means union. Yoga is a way of life, an integrated system of education for the body, mind and soul. This art of living was perfected and practiced in India thousands of years ago. But since yoga deals with universal truth its teachings are valid today as they were in ancient times. Yoga is a science, not a religion, and its techniques may be practiced by all. Yoga is the union of all.

It literally means union, and in this context refers to the union of the individual's soul with the universal. In the words of Patanjali, author of the Yoga Sutras, "yoga is the ability to focus the mind on a single point without distraction." Yoga is a physical discipline; it uses the body and breathing to develop self-awareness and mental clarity.

Mahatma Gandhi Series Paper Money

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With the advancement of reprographic techniques, traditional security features were deemed inadequate. It was necessary to introduce new features and a new 'Mahatma Gandhi Series' was introduced in 1996. A changed watermark, windowed security thread, latent image and intaglio features for the visually handicapped are amongst the new features.

Rupees TEN : Size 137 x 63 mm
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Rupees FIFTY: Size 147 x 73 mm
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Rupees ONE HUNDRED : Size 157 x 73 mm

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Rupees FIVE HUNDRED : Size 167 x 73 mm

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Rupees ONE THOUSAND : Size 177 x 73 mm