Wednesday 19 October 2011

[www.keralites.net] Dhanteras / Dhantrayodashi


Dhanteras falls on the thirteenth day of the month of ashwin. The word "Dhan" means wealth. As such this day of the five-day diwali festival has a great importance for the rich mercantile community of western India. Houses and business premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are made colorful with lovely traditional motifs of rangoli designs to welcome the goddess of wealth and prosperity. To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the nights. On this auspicious day women purchase some gold or silver or at least one or two new utensils. Pooja is performed in the evenings when tiny diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. "Bhajans"-devotional songs- are sung in praise of Goddess Lakshmi.

Dhanteras is also known as Dhantrayodashi, and takes place two days before Diwali, in honour of Dhanavantri, the physician of the gods and an incarnation of Vishnu.

The legend of Samudramanthan is at the heart of these celebrations. Lord Indra was cursed by sage Durvasa that The pride of wealth has entered his head and let Lakshmi leave him." On account of Durvasa's curse, Lakshmi left Indra and went away. As Lakshmi is the goddess of power, bravery, enthusiasm and radiance left, Devendra's life became miserable. The demons that were waiting for such an opportunity invaded heaven, defeated Indra. He lost his kingdom and hid out of the sight of the demons.

A number of years passed. Indra's teacher Brihaspati thought of finding a way out for Indra's troubles. He went with the gods to Brahma, who went to Vishnu, A way was found out of it. The sea of milk was to be churned. It was a very difficult job. Therefore the friendship of the demons and get their assistance was required. Mandara Mountain was a churning rod and Vasuki, the king of the serpents, as a rope.

When the sea will be churned ambrosia will be produced. The gods must drink it and become immortal. It will then be possible for gods to defeat the demons. When the sea is churned, Lakshmi who has disappeared will appear again. Her grace will be bestowed.The clever Brihaspati managed to strike a friendship with the demons who agreed in the hope of getting ambrosia and wealth. After initial difficulties posed by the sinking of mount Mandara into the milky sea which was set right by Lord Vishnu who took the form of a tortoise and hoisted it on his back, the churning started.

First, Kalakuta, a dreadful poison was produced which Lord Shiva drank much to the relief of the gods and demons. Due to Vishnu's continued encouragement, gods and demons continued churning the sea. Then a horse by name Uchaishravas, Kalpavriksha had the power to grant what is wished, and Kamdhenu and other celestial articles took shape. When the sea continued to be churned the Apsara were born.

After that in the midst of the waves of the sea of milk, a goddess with heavenly looks came into view. She was standing on a fully blossomed lotus. Wearing a lotus garland in the neck, she was holding a lotus in her hand. She was attractive and was radiantly smiling, she was Lakshmi.

The sages began reciting hymns in praise of her. Gandharvas sang. Apsaras danced. The elephants on either side sprinkled sacred holy Ganga water on the goddess and bathed her. Because the elephants sprinkled holy water on her, she acquired the name of Gajalakshmi. Because she was born in the sea of milk, she was called Samudratanya. The king of the sea appeared in his natural form and comforted Lakshmi as a daughter. He presented her with attractive clothes and jewels. He handed to her a garland of lotus flowers. While everybody was looking in surprise, Lakshmi put the garland around the neck of Vishnu. Then she looked at Indra kindly, he acquired an extraordinary radiance.

The gods and demons continued to churn the ocean for Amrut or nectar, Finally Dhanavantri emerged carrying a jar of the elixir (ambrosia). Both the asuras and the devas wanted the ambrosia, but finally Vishnu managed to give the immortal nectar to the gods and the asuras where defeated. Thus the churning of the ocean resulted in the immortality of the devas and was the reason for Lakshmi's emergence.

Another interesting story about this day is of the sixteen year old son of King Hima. As per his horoscope he was doomed to die by a snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage. On that particular fourth day of his marriage his young wife did not allow him to sleep. She laid all the ornaments and lots of gold and silver coins in a big heap at the entrance of her husbands boudoir and lighted innumerable lamps all over the place. And she went on telling stories and singing songs. When Yam, the god of death arrived there in the guise of a serpent his eyes got blinded by that dazzle of those brilliant lights and he could not enter the princes chamber. So he climbed on top of the heap of the ornaments and coins and sat there whole night listening to the melodious songs. In the morning he quietly went away.

Thus the young wife saved her husband from the clutches of death. Since then this day of Dhanteras came to be known as the day of "YAMADEEPDAAN" and lamps are kept burning throughout the night in reverential adoration to Yam, the god of death.


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[www.keralites.net] Narak Chaturdashi

Chhoti Diwali



Diwali is a festival, which brings a series of festivals with it. One after another we get a chance to celebrate five festivals together. Narak Chaturdashi is one of these festivals and it is celebrated on the second day of Diwali celebrations, just one day before the actual Diwali celebrations. The Narak Chaturdashi, falls on the fourteenth day of the Hindi month, Kartik is more popular by the name of Chhoti Diwali. It is celebrated with same zeal and enthusiasm as the main Diwali but it is on comparatively lower scale. Just like Diwali people light diyas on Chhoti Diwali to fill their homes with light and worship Goddess Laxmi.

Legends

One famous story behind the celebrations of Chhoti Diwali or Narak Chaturdashi is about the demon king Narakasur who was ruler of Pragjyotishpur, a province to the South of Nepal. During a war, he defeated Lord Indra and snatched away the magnificent earrings of Mother Goddess Aditi who was not only the ruler of Suraloka but also a relative of Lord Krishna's wife, Satyabhama. Narakasur also imprisoned sixteen thousand daughters of Gods and saints in his harem.

When Satyabhama came to know about this malevolent act of Narakasur she got furious and she prayed to Lord Krishna to empower her so that she could destroy Narakasur. The legend also tells that Narakasur was under a curse that a woman would kill him. So, Lord Krishna empowered Satyabhama to fight with Narakasur and himself became the charioteer of her 'Ratha' in the battlefield. Thus, by the grace of Lord Krishna Satyabhama beheaded Narakasur on a day before to Narak Chaturdashi and released the imprisoned ladies from Narakasur's harem and also recovered the precious earrings of Mother Goddess Aditi.

In order to save all those imprisoned ladies from embarrassment Lord Krishna accepted them all as his wives. As a symbol of the victory over Narakasur, Lord Krishna smeared his forehead with this demon king's blood. Then Lord Krishna returned home with his new wives early morning of the Narak Chaturdashi day. The womenfolk massaged scented oil to his body and gave him a good bath to wash away the filth from his body. Since then, there is a custom to take bath before sunrise on the day of Narak Chaturdashi, especially in the state of Maharashtra. It is said that the mother of the Narakasura, Bhoodevi, declared that the death of her son should not be a day of mourning but an occasion for celebrations. Since then people celebrate Chhoti Diwali with joy and fun every year.

Another legend is about King Bali, who was king of the nether world. His power and increasing influence posed a threat to the security of all 'Devatas' so they prayed Lord Vishnu to help them out. To help Devatas and to curb King Bali's powers Lord Vishnu went to King Bali in the guise of a short-height 'Brahmin', who is known as incarnation of 'Batu Waman', and begged to give him only that much area of land that he could cover with in three steps because King Bali was well known for his philanthropy. King Bali saw just a short-height 'Brahmin' asking for a little piece of land so he proudly granted him his wish.

That very moment that short-height 'Brahmin' disappeared and there was almighty Lord Vishnu in place of him. In his first step, Lord Vishnu covered the heaven and in the second step the earth and asked King Bali where to put his third step. Then King Bali offered his head to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu put his third step on his head and pushed him deep into the underground. But at the same time being impressed by his generosity Lord Vishnu gave King Bali the lamp of knowledge and allowed him to return to earth once a year to light millions of lamps.

Chhoti Diwali - The Narak Chaturdashi Celebrations

People wake up early in the morning break any bitter fruit and apply the kumkum-oil paste, which is called 'Ubtan', on their foreheads and then take bath. The breaking of the fruit represents the head of the demon King, Narakasur and the kumkum-oil paste symbolizes the blood that Lord Krishna smeared on his forehead. In the state of Maharashtra, people take the traditional early baths after applying the paste of gram flour, fragrant powders and oil on their foreheads. As long as the ritual of bath takes place, deafening sound of crackers and fireworks could be heard so that the children enjoy bathing. At dusk, people start lighting Diyas and candles in and around their house to mark the celebration of Chhoti Diwali.

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[www.keralites.net] Lakshmi Poojan

Lakshmi Poojan


Diwali is one of the most popular and liked Indian festival. This beautiful festival of light is celebrated by all the Indians around the globe. Lakshmi Pooja is one of the most important features of Diwali celebrations. Lakshmi, who is considered the goddess of light, beauty, good fortune and wealth, is worshiped on the occasion of Diwali to bring prosperity in the family. She is also worshiped to achieve success and fortune. It is however said that she does not reside long with anyone who is lazy and untidy or desire her only as wealth. That is why before the Lakshmi Pooja, people actively clean their home and worship her with immense devotion.

Lakshmi is said to be the daughter of the sage Bhrigu. Legends say that she took refuge in the ocean of milk when the gods were sent into exile. Lakshmi was reborn when Lord and Demon churned the ocean to get Amrut, the drink of immortality. However as the God had a glimpse of Lakshmi, they all fell in love with her mesmerizing exquisiteness. First of all, Shiva claimed Lakshmi as his wife, but as he had been given the Moon, Lakhshmis marriage was performed with Vishnu, who was also a preferred choice by the Goddess.

Steps of Lakshmi Poojan

Lakshmi Pooja is done in a very specific manner. First of all the entire place for the pooja is cleaned and a higher platform with a new cloth over at it is made really for deitys establishment. A kalash (pitcher) made of gold, silver, copper, or terracotta is then placed over it with handful of grains at the base. Three-fourth of the kalash is then filled with water and a betel nut, a flower, a coin, and some rice is placed in it. The Kalash is then decorated with mango leaves and covered with a plate containing rice grains. It is auspicious to draw a lotus with turmeric powder (haldi) over the rice grains and then place the idol of goddess Lakshmi over it, along with coins.

Once the Goddess is established the Pooja is started in the presence of entire family. At most of the places, Lord Ganesha is also worshiped along with the Goddess. It is said that worshiping two of them together is very auspicious and it brings wisdom and wealth together. The idol of Ganesha is placed in front of the kalash, on the right (South-West direction). It is said that placing ink and books related to your business or occupation on the platform in front of him will bring wisdom and knowledge.

The Pooja begins in the presence of entire family by lighting a lamp or diya. The deities are offered haldi, kumkum, and flowers to the platform on which the kalash is placed. Then Goddess Lakshmi is invoked by reciting the Vedic mantras addressed to her. It is said that even if you do not remember mantras you can also invoke the Goddess by simply closing your eyes and remembering her with full devotion. Like other god and goddesses, you can also offer her flowers and bathe her in panchamrit, a mixture of milk, curd, ghee or clarified butter, honey, and sugar). It is considered auspicious if Goddess Lakshmi is offered some gold ornament or a pearl.

If you want to do an extensive pooja you can offer sandal paste, saffron paste, perfume ( itr ), haldi, kumkum, abeer, and gulal to the goddess along with a garland of cotton beads. Flowers specially marigold and leaves of Bel, wood apple is also considered to be the favorite of Goddess Lakshmi. Along with earthen lamps, you can also light an incense stick, dhoop and perform an elaborate havan. At the end, the aarti for goddess Lakshmi should be performed.

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[www.keralites.net] UPA & Reliance

 

റിലയന്‍സുമായുള്ള ഊര്‍ജക്കരാര്‍: 1.20 ലക്ഷം കോടി നഷ്ടമെന്ന് സി.എ.ജി.
 

 
ഊര്‍ജ പദ്ധതികള്‍ വികസിപ്പിക്കുന്നവര്‍ കൂടുതലായി ഖനനം ചെയ്യുന്ന കല്‍ക്കരി മറ്റ് പദ്ധതികള്‍ക്ക് നല്‍കുന്നത് നല്ലതുതന്നെ. എന്നാല്‍ റിലയന്‍സിന്റെ കാര്യത്തില്‍ ഇത് നേരത്തേയുള്ള കരാറിന് വിരുദ്ധവും അവിഹിത ലാഭമുണ്ടാക്കാന്‍ സഹായിക്കുന്ന തരത്തിലുമായിപ്പോയി


Fun & Info @ Keralites.netന്യൂഡല്‍ഹി: 2 ജി. വിവാദത്തിനു പിന്നാലെ കേന്ദ്രസര്‍ക്കാറിനെതിരെ മറ്റൊരു വന്‍ അഴിമതി ആരോപണവുമായി കംട്രോളര്‍ ആന്‍ഡ് ഓഡിറ്റര്‍ ജനറല്‍ (സി.എ.ജി.) രംഗത്തെത്തി. ഊര്‍ജ മേഖലയെക്കുറിച്ച് തയ്യാറാക്കിയ കരട് റിപ്പോര്‍ട്ടിലാണ് ആരോപണം ഉന്നയിച്ചിട്ടുള്ളത്. മധ്യപ്രദേശിലും ജാര്‍ഖണ്ഡിലുമുള്ള വന്‍കിട ഊര്‍ജ പദ്ധതികള്‍ റിലയന്‍സ് പവര്‍ ലിമിറ്റഡിന് നല്‍കിയതിലുള്ള ക്രമക്കേട് ചൂണ്ടിക്കാണിച്ച് 1.20 ലക്ഷം കോടി രൂപയുടെ നഷ്ടമാണ് സി.എ.ജി. കണക്കാക്കുന്നത്. പദ്ധതിക്ക് ആവശ്യമായതിനേക്കാള്‍ കല്‍ക്കരി ഖനനം ചെയ്യാനും അത് മറ്റ് പദ്ധതികള്‍ക്കായി നല്‍കാനും അനുമതി നല്‍കിയത് രാജ്യത്തിന് നഷ്ടവും കമ്പനിക്ക് കനത്ത ലാഭവും ഉണ്ടാക്കുന്നു എന്നതാണ് സി.എ.ജി.യുടെ വാദം.

റിലയന്‍സ് പവറുമായി സര്‍ക്കാര്‍ ഉണ്ടാക്കിയ 25 വര്‍ഷത്തേക്കുള്ള കരാര്‍ വിലയിരുത്തിയാണ് നഷ്ടം കണക്കാക്കിയത്. ഊര്‍ജ മന്ത്രാലയത്തോട് ഇതുസംബന്ധിച്ച് സി.എ.ജി. വിശദീകരണം തേടിയിട്ടുണ്ട്. മന്ത്രാലയത്തിന്റെ മറുപടികൂടി കണക്കിലെടുത്തായിരിക്കും അന്തിമ റിപ്പോര്‍ട്ട്. സി.എ.ജി.യുടെ കരട് റിപ്പോര്‍ട്ട് സംബന്ധിച്ച പരാമര്‍ശങ്ങള്‍ ലഭിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ടെന്നും ഉടന്‍ മറുപടി നല്‍കുമെന്നും കേന്ദ്ര ഊര്‍ജ സെക്രട്ടറി പി. ഉമാശങ്കര്‍ അറിയിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്.

മധ്യപ്രദേശിലെ സാസനിലും ജാര്‍ഖണ്ഡിലെ തിലയ്യയിലുമുള്ള ഊര്‍ജപദ്ധതികള്‍ക്ക് അനുമതി നല്‍കിയപ്പോള്‍ കല്‍ക്കരി നയത്തില്‍ മാറ്റം വരുത്തിയതാണ് റിലയന്‍സിന് വന്‍ നേട്ടം കൊയ്യാന്‍ സഹായകമായതെന്നാണ് സി.എ.ജി.യുടെ റിപ്പോര്‍ട്ട്. ഇതുവഴി അധികമായി ലഭിക്കുന്ന കല്‍ക്കരി മറ്റ് ഊര്‍ജ പദ്ധതികളിലേക്ക് വഴിമാറ്റാന്‍ റിലയന്‍സിനെ സഹായിച്ചു. ഇതുകൊണ്ടുതന്നെ സാസനിലെ പദ്ധതിയില്‍ നിന്ന് അടുത്ത 25 വര്‍ഷത്തിനുള്ളില്‍ 42,009 കോടി രൂപയുടെ അധികവരുമാനമാണ് റിലയന്‍സിനുണ്ടാവുക. തിലയ്യ പദ്ധതിയില്‍ നിന്നാകട്ടെ 78,078 കോടി രൂപയുടെ അധികലാഭവും ഇക്കാലയളവില്‍ ലഭിക്കും.

വന്‍കിട ഊര്‍ജ പദ്ധതികള്‍ (4000 മെഗാവാട്ടിനപ്പുറം ശേഷിയുള്ളവ) ആരംഭിക്കുന്നതിനായി കല്‍ക്കരി ഖനികള്‍ സ്വകാര്യകമ്പനികള്‍ക്ക് അനുവദിക്കാന്‍ സര്‍ക്കാര്‍ നേരത്തെ തീരുമാനമെടുത്തിരുന്നു. എന്നാല്‍ ഈ ഖനികളില്‍ നിന്ന് ആവശ്യത്തിലധികം കല്‍ക്കരി ഉത്പാദിപ്പിച്ച് മറ്റ് പദ്ധതികള്‍ക്ക് നീക്കിവെക്കാന്‍ അനുമതി നല്‍കിയിരുന്നില്ല.

എന്നാല്‍ 2008 ആഗസ്തില്‍ കേന്ദ്ര ഊര്‍ജ മന്ത്രി സുശീല്‍കുമാര്‍ ഷിന്‍ഡെ അധ്യക്ഷനായുള്ള മന്ത്രിതല സമിതി സാസന്‍ പദ്ധതിക്ക് ആവശ്യമായി വരുന്നതിനേക്കാള്‍ കല്‍ക്കരി ഉത്പാദിപ്പിക്കാനും അത് മറ്റ് പദ്ധതികള്‍ക്ക് കൈമാറാനും റിലയന്‍സിന് അനുമതി നല്‍കി. സാസന്‍ പദ്ധതിക്ക് വേണ്ടിയുള്ള കല്‍ക്കരി ഖനനത്തിന് ഏറ്റവും പുതിയ സാങ്കേതിക വിദ്യയാണ് ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്നത് എന്നും അതിനാല്‍ കൂടുതല്‍ കല്‍ക്കരി ഉത്പാദിപ്പിക്കാന്‍ സാധിക്കുമെന്നും കാണിച്ച് റിലയന്‍സ് നല്‍കിയ കത്താണ് ഈ തീരുമാനമെടുക്കാനുള്ള ന്യായീകരണമായി മന്ത്രിസഭാ സമിതി ചൂണ്ടിക്കാണിച്ചത്.

ഊര്‍ജോത്പാദനം ആത്യന്തികമായി രാജ്യത്തിന് പ്രയോജനം ചെയ്യുന്നതാണ് എന്നതുകൊണ്ട് , ഊര്‍ജ പദ്ധതികള്‍ വികസിപ്പിക്കുന്നവര്‍ കൂടുതലായി ഖനനം ചെയ്യുന്ന കല്‍ക്കരി മറ്റ് പദ്ധതികള്‍ക്ക് നല്‍കുന്നത് നല്ലതുതന്നെയെന്ന് സി.എ.ജി.യുടെ കരടുറിപ്പോര്‍ട്ടില്‍ അഭിപ്രായപ്പെടുന്നു. എന്നാല്‍ റിലയന്‍സിന്റെ കാര്യത്തില്‍ ഇത് നേരത്തേയുള്ള കരാറിന് വിരുദ്ധവും അവിഹിത ലാഭമുണ്ടാക്കാന്‍ സഹായിക്കുന്ന തരത്തിലുമാണെന്നാണ് റിപ്പോര്‍ട്ടില്‍ ആരോപിക്കുന്നത്.

www.keralites.net

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[www.keralites.net] Obama's Cadillac: 20 things you didn't know

Obama's Cadillac: 20 things you (probably) didn't know !!


 


 
1 - Power comes from a 6.5-litre diesel engine that's fitted with a supercharger to help haul this beast around. Yet despite this mammoth power plant, the top speed is only 60mph and it takes around 15 seconds to reach this.




2 - It is based on a GM truck chassis and weighs a staggering 6,350kg. To put that in context, the Rolls-Royce Phantom, one of the biggest cars on the road, weighs a paltry 2,550kg in comparison. This will be why the Obamobile only averages 8mpg.




3 - A lot of the weight comes from the Armour protection. The body is made up of steel, aluminum, titanium and ceramic.




4 - The glass is five-inches thick and only the windscreen opens, to allow the driver to talk to secret service running alongside or to pay a toll. It is also hermetically sealed to secure it from chemical attack.






5 - Should the worst happen, The Beast has its own oxygen supply






6 - The military-grade Armour means the doors are eight-inches thick and weigh as much as a Boeing 747's.




7 - The doors are so thick that Obama can't hear any outside noise, so speakers are built in to play the ambient sound of the crowd.






8 - The underside is reinforced with a Kevlar mat to protect Caddy One from bomb attacks.






9 - The fuel tank is leak proof and filled with special foam that prevents it from exploding, even in a direct hit.






10 - There are two holes in the front bumper that can emit tear gas and fire smoke grenades.








11 - There is also an infrared video system for the driver to drive through smoke and night vision cameras for driving in darkness without lights.








12 - Cadillac One normally flies two flags, the American flag and the Presidential Standard, which are lit up at night with LEDs. When Obama is on a state visit, the Presidential Standard is replaced by the flag of the country he is visiting.






13 - The Beast has a firefighting system located in the boot.






14 - Also in the boot is a bank of the president's blood that iscarried at all times and when he goes out an ambulance always follows close behind.






15 - Obama gets a presidential limo built to this specification every four years and the old ones are handed down to vice presidents and visiting heads of state.






16 - The Obamobile can seat seven, with two seats up front, three rear-facing ones in the middle, and two at the very back, one for the president and the other for a guest.






17 - Inside, Obama isn't deprived of his creature comforts; a 10-disc CD player is among the features, as well as sophisticated electronic communications with direct phones to the White House and internal Internet.




18 - Defence systems include a pump-action shotgun in a compartment beside the driver.




19 - The tyres are reinforced with Kevlar and can run when flat. If the tyres are missing, the steel rims have been designed to allow the car to keep on driving at
Speed
 
 
20 - Unlike previous presidential cars, Caddy One has no specific model name.

www.keralites.net