Kalabeda, kola beda, husiya nidiyalu beda Muniya beda, anyarige asahya padabeda Thanna bannisabeda, idira aliyalu beda Ide antaranga shuddhi, ide bahiranga shuddhi Ide namma koodala sangananolisuva pari.
The above verse was penned by the great poet and saint Basavanna.
Don’t rob, Don’t kill, Never ever lie
Don’t get angry, Don’t think negative about others
Don’t self describe, Don’t tease others
This is the way of self respect, this is the way to get respected by the world.
This is the way of impressing my lord Koodala sangam deva.
Gangaur is a popular festival of Rajasthan. This festival is also celebrated in parts of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The name of the festival is resultant of two words “Gan” and “Gauri”, which are alternative words for Lord Shiva and his consort Parvathi.
The festival falls on the first day of Hindu month Chaitra, March – April according to Gregorian calendar. This year (2013), the festival is celebrated on 13th – 14th April. The festival concludes on the 3rd day of Hindu month Chaitra. But the Gangaur Mela continues for 18 days.
A mixture of Sesame Seeds, Molasses, Coconut, Groundnuts and Fried Gram. In Karnataka this is prepared during Sankranthi festival and distributed among friends and family along with Sakkare Achchu/Sugar models, Plantain and Sugarcane piece.
Subramanya Shashti also known as Champa Shashti is celebrated honoring the birth of second son of Shiva named Subramanya / Skanda. It falls on the 6th day of the Hindu month of Marghashirsha, November-December in Gregorian calendar. This year (2012) it falls on 18th December.
He was born with a purpose to kill the demon Taraka. On this day devotees immerse themselves reading stories and sing Bhajans and Kirtans / Devotional songs of Lord Subramanya. The festivities start 6 days prior to the Shashti.
The fisherman of Daman and Kolis of Coastal Maharashtra look forward to celebrate Nariyal Poornima festival as it signifies retreating monsoon and the commencement of their fishing activity. Nariyal Poornima is observed on Shravan Purnima, the Full moon day in Sawan month. In 2012, the festival is on August 2nd, the same day as Raksha Bandhan.
On this day the fisherman decorate their boats and trawlers by painting and tying colorful flags. Small oil lamps are lit in the boat.
Guru Brahma Gurur Vishnu|
Guru Devo Maheshwaraha|
Guru Saakshat Para Brahma|
Tasmai Sree Gurave Namaha||
Meaning of the above shloka / chant is that the Guru / teacher is the representative of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. The Guru creates, sustains knowledge and destroys ignorance. I salute you O’ Guru.
Teacher’s day is celebrated across the world annually. Every country celebrates this on different days.
The UN General Assembly suggested that all countries should declare one day in a year as Children’s day. The United Nations declared November 20th as Universal Children’s Day. This day is for the benefit and promotion of the welfare of the children. Children’s day was first celebrated in 1953.
In India Children’s day also known as Bal Diwas is celebrated on 14th November. It marks the birth of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru fondly referred to as Chacha Nehru, the first Prime Minister of Independent India. He was born on November 14th, 1889 to Motilal Nehru and Swaroop Rani at Allahabad. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru took part in the freedom struggle of India along with Mahatma Gandhi. Books written by Panditji are Glimpses of World History and Discovery of India.
The above shloka/chanting is all about the three avatars/incarnations of Sri Madhwacharya. Vayuputra/Son of wind god Hanuman in Ramayana was the first avatar, Bheema, one among the gallant Pandavas/five brothers of Mahabharata was the second avatar and the third avatar was that of Madhwacharya who served Sri Vedavyasa.
Madhwa Navami falls in the Hindu month of Magh, January – February in the Gregorian calendar. This year (2013) it is on Tuesday, 19th February. The day is celebrated as “Prayana”/Journey commemorating the journey of the great Indian saint and philosopher Sri Madhwacharya who left for Badrinath in 1317 A.D. to join his teacher Sri Vedavyasa never to return. He is still believed to be living there with Sri Vedavyasa.
