Chandigarh and Amritsar Visit

We went to Chandigarh ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandigarh ) and Amritsar ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amritsar) a few years ago. Today I am sharing my experience with all of you about these places.

Chandigarh is a beautiful planned city which have parallel roads, thus making it easy for the visitors to navigate through them. Clealiness is sincerely maintained by the local residents, so it becomes a pleasure to visit the city :)

Luckily it was the Kali Puja during our visit. We attended the Kali Puja at 'Banga Samiti' upto late at night and enjoyed the crackers there :).

Kaali Puja

Next day we went to Sukhna lake http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhna_Lake ). We did not attempt boating, only enjoyed the beauty of the lake!...

Sukhna Lake

Then we went to Rock Garden ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Garden_of_Chandigarh )  , where many many images, idols, designs are made with home waste and rejected thrown away items .... Such a creative attempt!!! ... Mr. Nek Chand has done a marvelous job indeed!!!!

Rock Garden

Rock Garden- Mr. Nek Chand's creative hut

Rock Garden

Rock Garden

Next day we went to Amritsar ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amritsar ) , where we visited the holy Golden Temple ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmandir_Sahib )  first. It was a pious experience to be able to enter the shrine and feel the blessing of the Lord! The Truth can be experienced by Any Sincere Person, who is Pure at Heart, who has Surrendered himself to the Truth!!! ...  The temple area along with its pond is so beautiful!! I felt the presence of the Almighty always around us while visiting the shrine.

The Golden Temple

After that we went to Jaalianwala Bagh ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jallianwala_Bagh ) , remembered the innocent people who lost their lives, also saw the well where many of them jumped. A painful chapter from history....

Jaalianwaala Bagh

The Well at Jalianwaala Bagh

In the afternoon, we went to Waagha Border ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wagah_border_ceremony ) , where the two nations open their gates, parade is done together and flags are lowered and then the gates are closed. A formal gesture/ performance, done everyday by both the nations, showing mutual respect. A MEMORABLE experience indeed!!! Wonderful!! The way people from both the nations dance together and show their excitement together, prove that 'All Are One'.... There is actually No Distinction between the people of both the nations.... We could actually see the land which belongs to Pakistan from the border. I was VERY VERY Happy to attend the function there. 

Do attend the parade at Waagha Border if you ever find a chance, it will be an Unforgettable experience!!! 

Waagha Border

Waagha Border

Recently I watched a programme on Amritsar on DD Bharti which covered all these places :) and reminded me of my visit :),  so thought to write about it today :). 

That programme also included two more places where we could not visit due to the shortage of time, they are - an exhibition on Maharana Ranjit Singh ( http://www.punjabmuseums.gov.in/museum.php?mid=8 )  and the famous Durgiana Temple (http://www.durgianamandir.com/ )  , which is like a replica of  the Vaishno devi temple.

Overall, we had a nice trip to Chandigarh and Amritsar :)

The Lord is present in each and every atom of the Universe!

Jai Shri Krishna!

Links for references- 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Visitor_attractions_in_Chandigarh

http://amritsar.nic.in/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Visitor_attractions_in_Amritsar

http://www.durgianamandir.com/

Doordarshan, DD Bharti, DD India, FM Gold- Pearls in Broadcasting!!

Dear Friends, today I am writing about the most common channel of our country- Doordarshan , once it was the one and only channel to watch television, but gradually as we started having the satellite channels, Doordarshan lost it glory... Now we even don't bother to visit the channel.... But in recent days as I was surfing through all the channels of my television set, I realised that Doordarshan along with its two more 'sister channels'- DD Bharti and DD India are contributing so much to the country, with their programmes and also providing wholesome entertainment!! The programme schedules of all these channels are a proof how they are balancing ALL the aspects of a social life, of a nation... Which is really a tough work!!! These channles showcase the diversity of the country, its uniqueness, its culture, its various aspects!!! I am so happy that Prasaar Bhaarti is working in such a nice way for the Welfare of our country!! The same can be said about AIR FM Gold, which plays songs of the golden era, thoughout the day, along with programmes on various topics... They also have a balanced programme schedule. How great it is to be able to listen to the oldies and also to keep updated about happenings of the world around!! All the anchorss are very good in their approach . I really like the warm and direct way they present the shows. And the advertisements there are also so informative!! WE can get the programme schedule of DD national, DD India, DD Bharti from the internet. Also AIR FM Gold schedule can be found. They also update the schedule in their official Facebook page. So, enjoy all the good programmes and have a great time :) Jai Shri Krishna!

'Divya Darshan'- A nice programme on Katyayani TV Channel and information about some temples

Dear Friends, 


Today I am going to tell you about a nice programme I have found out in television recently. The name of the programme is- 'Divya Darshan'. It comes everyday at 8 am on Kaatyayani tv Channel. Everyday it takes the viewers to a new temple, of any gods/ goddess and very nicely show us the temple in great details. They start the 'darshan' from the entrance of the temple and then take the audience to all the area of any shrine, also tell us about the greatness of the temple, all the stories related to the temple, the rituals, the distinctive feature of the temple- you will get a complete idea about the shrine. I really loved the concept of the programme. In the morning, what can be more blissful experience than visiting a holy shrine!! :)..... 


Recently I have watched the episodes featuring- 'Hanumaan mandir' of Laachit nagar (Asaam), 'Lakshmi Narayan Mandir' in Delhi (Mandir Marg), 'Kaali Mata temple' in Delhi (Kalkaji), 'Gauri Shankar temple' in Delhi (near Red Fort). I was very happy to know about these famous temples, which I haven't visited yet. Here I am sharing some information about those temples and also including links of websites having more information about those temples.


Gauri Shankar Mandir- Delhi (near Lal Qila)


An old temple of Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati. Mnay more idols are also there. It was esteblieshed in 18th or 19th century.


Detailed information and photo of the temple - http://www.thedivineindia.com/gauri-shankar-temple/5782


Information-  http://www.liveindia.com/delhi/Gaurishankar.html

             - http://www.sodelhi.com/temples/393-gauri-shankar-temple


Photo of the temple and experience of visting the temple-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/proxyindian/1569448511/


A video and a description of an 'Walk through the Chandni Chowk' (along with the reseference to the temple)-

http://blog.delhiheritagewalks.com/walking-through-old-delhi-11aug13/#more-2218




Lakshmi Narayan temple- (Mandir Marg)



Lakshmi Narayan Madir is situated near RamKrishna Ashram. It is a very famous temple in Delhi, also known as Birla Tepmle as it is built by them. 



Detailed Information and photo of the temple- 

http://www.thedivineindia.com/birla-mandir/5778/




Links for more Information- 

                http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laxminarayan_Temple

                http://www.delhitravel.org/170/birla-mandir-delhi-or-lakshmi-narayan-temple-delhi/

               http://www.indianmirror.com/temples/laxminarayan-mandir.html




Hanumaan Mandir at Laachit nagar (Assam)


There is a famous Hanumaan mandir in Laachit nagar, Assam. The nearset city of the tepmle is Guwahati.

I couuld not find much detailes about the temple on the Internet, only these links tell us about it- 


http://www.distancesfrom.com/hanuman-mandir-latitude-longitude-hanuman-mandir-latitude-hanuman-mandir-longitude/LatLongHistory/2089406.aspx



http://holyindia.org/mandir/3891/lachit-nagar-hanuman-mandir




There is a Community in Orkut about this temple- 


http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#Community?cmm=59917282




Photo of the temple- 

                  http://www.panoramio.com/photo/65041296


                  http://rupamsarma.blogspot.in/2010_03_01_archive.html


                  http://wikimapia.org/551927/Hanuman-Mandir (2 photos)




Kaalkaji Temple


This is another famous temple of Kaali Mata, in Delhi. It is also very old and said to fulfil the wishes of the devotees. 


Information- 

           http://www.thedivineindia.com/kalkaji-mandir/5779


           http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalka_Mandir,_Delhi

            
            http://kalkamandir.com/

           
            http://www.delhitravel.org/262/kalkaji-temple-delhi/




 You can catch the show everyday. I love to watch it and thought to share the information with all of you here :).


 Jai Shri Krishna.

It is Monsoon!!..

Dear Friends, 

Yesterday it rained heavily here in Delhi. I was so happy to watch the falling raindrops.... It was true that we were deprived of such rain for a long time. This year we did not have enough rain till now. Yesterday Mother Nature Satisfied all of us with her blessing!!! A great experience indeed!!! 

I enjoyed many songs by Rabindranath Tagore!!... To quote a few- 

'Aji jhoro jhoro mukhoro baadoro dine',

'Baadal baul baajay baajay baajay re, baajay re ektara',

'Bajra maanik diye gaatha, aashaadh tomar maala',  

'Kon puraaton praaner taane, chhutechhe mon maatir paane', 

'Esho neepobone chhayabithitole', 

'Hridoy amaar naache re aajike, moyurer moto naache re', 

'Mono mor megher shongi, ude chole dik digontero paane', 

'Mor bhaabonaare ki havaaye mataalo, dole mon dole okaarono horoshe', 

'Trishnaro shaanti, shundoro kaaanti', 

'Pagla haowaar baadol dine, paagol amaar mon mete othe'.   

And my really really favourite :) - 'Saawana gagane ghor ghanaghata, nishitha yaaamini re' ( The version sung by Lata Mangeshkar in the old film- 'Bou Thaakuraanir Haat'). 


And also I enjoyed some bandish of raag 'Malhaar' ("Dari mai, baadal dekho dari ho Shyam, baadal dekho dari"), a beautiful song, learnt during my student life....  


Going with the mood of the moment, I just felt the Lord's Presence All Around me and Everywhere in the Creation. All our actions are only an Offering to Him !!!


 Enjoy all the songs and feel glad to receive the blessing of Mother Nature! 


 My Salutations! 


 Jai Shri Krishna!

Gita Press, Adwait Ashram, Shri Ramkrishna Math - Some Remarkable Publications

Previously I have written a post on 'Gita Press' ( http://dpriya-lifearoundme.blogspot.in/2010/02/gita-press-gorakhpur.html ),  but now I just feel a need to say it again for the same publication and two other publications- 'Adwait Asharam' / 'Udbodhan Kaaryalaya' (Kolkata) and 'Shri Ramkrishna Math' Publication (Chennai).


Now why am I appreacating these publications is that they are providing our heritage (i.e.- scriptures,  religious rexts) in such a nominal price that can't be imagined in today's world. I have been reading thsese  books since last 5-6 years. All these books are so much helpful in the spiritual progress of any person, as they provide 'True Knowledge'. The Vedas, Upanishadas, Puraans and all such other books along with annotations, explanations and many discourses can be found in the shops of these publications. The way they are Serving the society is Truly Praiseworthy. I feel general people do not know much about them and so theses companies never get the true appreciation for what they have been doing since many many years..... So just thought to write about the contribution of these publication agencies towards society. They are not woring for money, as most of the publishers these days do. Otherwise there is no reason for such high prices of all thoses  so called 'Bestselleres' in todays' world...... But these publications are keeping  the profit to the mimimum level so that people can get a chance to read all the Treasures of ancient India. Our Heritage. Do visit their shops and you'll get an idea aboutthe 'vast knowledge' they contain in their stores :)


I salute them for their Charitable work, Selfless Evdeavour and Noble Aim.


Jai Shri Krishna.

Jageshwar Mahadev Mandir in Kumaon

This Sunday, I discovered a wonderful programame on DD Bharti. It s called -'Devbhoomi Kumaon'. I guess this programme takes the audience to different spiritual places in Kumaon region. I just Loved the Concept of this pogramme :) . You can catch the programme at 10:30 am on DD Bharti, on Sundays.



Last Sunday, they took us to a place called 'Jaageshwar Mahadev', which is situated near Almora, Uttarakhand, . I really LOVED the place, while watching it on tv. It has nearly 100-150 temples of different sizes, in the same area, among them, Mahamrityunjay mandir is the oldest and the most famous one. The place have a Serene atmosphere, as it is situated in the Himalayas, which gives it a speaial feeling.... Also, there are greenary around the temple area, which makes the atmosphere really beautiful!!

I searched the net regarding the temple, as I have never heard about it before, and here are some of the pages I have found about this place-


A Video showing the temple and the adjacent areas-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLzqF1HMOUU


About the temple-

http://jageshwardham.com/

http://jageshwardham.com/about_jageshwar.htm


About Mahamrityunjaya mandir -

http://jageshwardham.com/mahamritunjay.htm


Wikipedia page on this topic -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jageshwar

Some more info:

http://www.mahamritunjayjageshwar.com/aboutjageshwartample.html

Some photographs

http://www.himvan.com/gallery/Flash/Pratinidhi%20Devalaya/jageshwar/


General information -

http://mmcpl.in/jageshwar.html



Do watch the video to get an idea about the actual temple and its surroundings, it is so Peaceful! The vastness added to the scenary with the presence of the mountains around it, will definitely catch your eyes.

If you ever go near Almora , do visit this place :).




AUM Namah Shivaya.

'Bhakti Dil se'- A Programme on Kaatyayani TV Channel

Dear Friends,  today I am writing about a really nice programme which comes everyday at 2:30 pm in Kaatyayani TV Channel. The name of the programme is 'Bhakti Dil Se'. In a chat show/ interview kind of setting, this prgramme invites eminent personalities and discusses about the element of Spirituality/ Devotion in their lives. I have watched a few of the episodes and really liked the Pure Content of the programme. Overall, it is a treat for all the spiritual persons/ devotees, as they come to know more about the 'leelas' of God, as the guests narrate their stories.... Very very nice concept indeed. The anchors are also very casual in their appearance, and so Direct in their Approach that you'll like it. Such programmes are so rare theses days. Do watch this programme for its  Sincere Attempt to do something so normal, but so Refershing and Pure.

I have watched the ep featuring Vocal artist- Kumar Vishu, Dance artist and Guru Shobhana Naraayan and the famous singer/ actor- Manoj Tiwari.

Here is only one video of this programme I could find on YouTube, it featurs Manoj Tiwari -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_Vtbe7TjSs


I hope you all will enjoy the show :)


Jai Shri Krishna.

Happy Navraatri!

Today is the first day of Navraatri in North India. It is a very pious day, so I am posting some shlokas from the 'Narayani Stuti' of the famous text- 'Shri Shri Chandi/ Durga Saptasahi'.




(Source-http://www.dharmakshetra.org.in/news/om_sarva_mangal_mangalye.htm)

Om Sarva Mangala Mangalye
Shive Sarvartha Saadhike
Sharanye Tryambake Gauri
Narayani Namo-stute

Oh Gauri Maa! Consort of Lord Shiva,
You who bestows auspiciousness in all,
And fulfill everyone's wishes,
I prostrate myself before Thee,
Take me under your care


(Source- http://svayambhu.blogspot.in/2008/04/narayani-stotram.html)

Srishti Stithi Vinashanam
Shakti-Bhute Sanatani
Gunashraye Gunamaye
Narayani Namostute

The creator, sustainer and the destroyer,
The center of ultimate energy,
The essence of nature,
Salutations to Narayani.


Sharana-gata Dinartha
Pari-trana Parayane
Sarva Syarti Hare Devi
Narayani Namostute

You are the savior of all
who seek your refuge
You remove all the pain of life,
Salutations to Narayani.

Now the very first and famous shloka from 'Argala Stotra' of  'Durga Saptasahi/ Shri Shri Chandi'

(Source-http://www.adishakti.org/forum/devi_the_mother_goddess_who_resides_within_the_divine_essence_of_every_being_10-28-2004.htm )




Jayanti Mangala Kali
Bhadra-kali Kapalini
Durga Kshama Shiva Datri
Swaha Swadha Namostute


She Who Conquers Over All, All-Auspicious, the remover of Darkness, 
the Excellent One Beyond Time, 
the bearer of the Skulls of Impure thought
the reliever of difficulties, loving, forgiveness,
supporter of the Universe, take the oblations of the devotee who is one with you,
take the oblations of ancestral praise,
We bow to you. 

(Contents from different websites are used in this post only for the purpose of spreading Devotion to the Mother )

Jai Ma Aadi Shakti!

Shikshashtakam- The teachings of Shri Chaitanya

Here is the teachings of Shri Chaitanya to his followers. So wonderful and poignant that only following these ideals one can progress so much in the spiritual journey, and at the end, one can reach the destination :)

I really love to go through these teachings again and again, so sharing it with you all .

(Source- http://stotraratna.sathyasaibababrotherhood.org/k24.htm

Translated by P. R. Ramchander.)

"Cheto darpana marjanam bhava maha davagni nirvapanam,

Shreyah kairava chandrika vitaranam Vidya vadhujivanam,

Anandambuhdhi vardhanam pratipadam purnamrita asvadanam,

Sarvatmasnapanam param vijayate shrikrishnasankirtanam."                                              1

Victory to the singing of the names of Krishna,

Which cleans the dirt from the mirror of the heart,

Which puts out the fire of the pain of day today life,

Which spreads the cooling rays of moon everywhere,

Which is the knowledge accumulated by the holy,

Which increases the sea of happiness for ever,

Which makes us taste , fully the divine nectar,

And which is eagerly desired by all beings.

"Namnam akari bahudha nija sarvashakti

Statrarpita niyamitah smarane na kalaha

Etadrishi tava kripa bhagavan mamapi

durdaivam idrisham ihajani nanuragahah"                                                                            2

You have several millions of names,

Which can give real strength to all beings,

And you do not have any rules to chant them,

And this shows me that you are merciful towards me,

But I being unfortunate am not attracted by them.

"Trinad api sunicena

Taror api sahishnuna

Amanina manadena

Kirtaniyah sada harihi"                                                                                                          3

We should constantly sing the names of Hari,

With more humility than a dried grass,

With more tolerance than a tree,

And with a mind without false prestige.



"Na dhanam na janam na sundarim

Kavitam va jagad-isha kamaye

Mama janmani janmanishvare

Bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki tvayi."                                                                                        4

I do not wish for wealth or followers,

I do not wish for pretty women,

Oh Lord of the entire universe,

But I want to dedicate this life,

And all life after it is in your service.

"Ayi nanda-tanuja kinkaram

Patitam mam vishame bhavambudhau

Kripaya tava pada-pankaja-

Sthita dhulisadrisham vichintaya "                                                                                        5

I am your slave, Oh son of Nanda,

But have fallen deep in this sea of birth and death,

So please pick me up from here,

And make me in to a dust of,

Your lotus like feet.

"Nayanam galad-ashru-dharaya

Vadanam gadgada-ruddhaya gira

Pulakair nichitam vapuh kada

Tava nama-grahane bhavishyati"                                                                                   6

When will tears fall form my eyes,

When will my face choke up,

And when will my hairs stand erect,

When I hear the recitation of your names.

"Yugayitam nimeshena

Chakshusha pravrishayitam

Shunyayitam jagat sarvam

Govinda-virahena mey."                                                                                                        7

When I am not with you Govinda,

Every minute appears like an age,

My eyes shed tears like rain,

And the entire world appears empty.

"Ashlishya va pada-ratam pinashtu mam

Adarshanan marma-hatam karotu va

Yatha tatha va vidadhatu lampato

Mat-prana-nathas tu sa eva naparaha"                                                                                 8

My soul will be with him without condition,

Even if he chides me with dirty words,

Even if he breaks my heart by not being with me,

And do as he likes anything and everything.

And the photo here is taken from the Kaali mandir sculpture at C R Park.


Jai Shri Krishna!

Shri Chaitanya Jayanti

[Photo here is taken from the cover of a magazine ('Shaaptahik Bortomaan') containing article about Shri Chaitanya, 2-3 years back.]


With holi, we also celebrate the birth tithi of Mahaprabhu Shri Chaitanya. He won the hearts of all only with Pure Love!! It is said that, to experience the longing in the heart of Shri Radhe Rani, Shri Krishna Himself manifested as Shri Chaitanya! Thus He experienced the emotions of a Devotee, the pain of separation which exists in a love-lorn heart...

I won't be able to write anything about Shri Chaitanya, as it is a matter of heart, inexpressible thr' words... We have to FEEL his emotions in our heart to Realise the Existence of Shri Chaitanya!!

Here are some films, scenes and songs on Shri Chaitanya-




* Here is the part from Ramanand Sagar's 'Shri Krishna' where Shri Krishna decides to take birth as Shri Chaitanya after knowing about Shri Radhe Rani's emotions in details. A great scene!! Starts with Radhe Rani's opinion that Shri Krishna can't become Radha without FEELING the Heart of Radha (which is devoted to Shri Krishna). Do watch the video to experience the height of emotion/ love in the heart of a devotee.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd-u5WjFogQ
(1st 3 minutes in this video)

* There is a good film 'Mahaprabhu Shri Chaitanya', where Saheb Chattopadhyay played the role of Shri Chaitanya, and Nitish Bharadwaj played the role of Shri Krishna. Sadly, I cannot find the film in Youtube now. Shri Chaitanya's longing for the Lord was very nicely shown in the film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pi4AgT2yvo

Here is a song from the film- 'Bhaja Hare Krishna Japa Hare Krishna', which is very nice. It tells us about the emotion in the heart of Shri Chaitanya. I have posted the lyrics in one of my previous posts, here is the link-
(http://dpriya-literaturefilmsmusic.blogspot.in/2010/08/bhaja-hare-krishna-japa-hare-krishna.html )




* Another famous bengali film on Shri Chaianya- 'Neelachale Mahaprabhu' is there in Youtube, which is also a classic film. I watched the film many times. Here also, the emotion is very very tangible!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vea04_6Zuko

* Another old bengali movie- 'Nader Nimai' has also been uploaded in Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPlnBayQKuE

* I have heard of another film on Shri Chaitanya, named - 'Bhagaban Shrikrishna Chaitanya', which is not there in Youtube, till now.




* A song expressing Shri Chaitanya's emotions when leaving his sansaar, beautiful music, lyrics and of course forgettable voice of Hemanta Mukhopadhyaya - 'Bishnupriya go, ami chole jai':

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmzrTACJ2To

* Good news is that the famous Bengali serial on Shri Chaitanya- 'Mahaprabhu' has been uploaded on Youtube, I am So Happy today!! I have been waiting to watch this series again! It was really good presentation on the life ans teachings of Shri Chaitanya in Bengali television.  Here is the 1st episode :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7gJ9mbKjBc

Enjoy the Bliss of Devotion!

Jai Shri Krishna!

Happy Holi!

Dear Friends, tomorrow is Holi, the festival of colours :).


I was remembering many Bengali songs on this occasion. Let me share all those songs with you:


(You can hear the audio version of the first three songs mentioned below in from this page-
http://www.hummaa.com/music/album/aaj-holi-khelbo-various/24173 )


Yes, now coming to the songs :)


"Esheche holi eshechhe" song, from the film- 'Ekanta aapon'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJzvvl637uI

"Abire abire esho aajke je holi" from the film - 'Bhagya charka'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CKZuORq-YM

"O Shyam jokhon tokhon, khelona khela emon, dhorile aar tomay chharbona" from the film - 'Basanta Bilaap'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh3X5_688Tg

And the famous song "Aji mone mone jaage hori" by Kaazi Nazrul Islam, sung by  Shri Anup Jalota. This video was made by dear sister Semanti :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqBdgU1e-Mk

Enjoy all the songs and the spirit of the festival!!


Jai Shri Krishna!