Yamunotri

Travel XP channel has a series named Divine Destinations. Last week they took us to Yamunotri which is the origin of Yamuna river.

The actual Yamunitri glacier is a bit higher, very few people are able to visit it. So mostly people offer their prayers to Yamunotri temple which is situated at the foot of the hill.

They started their journey from Hanunaan Chati. Bhairon Nath mandir is situated in the route to main mandir which is also considered auspicious to visit before visiting the main temple. There is a Surya Kund which is a hot spring. It is auspicious to visit the kund along with Yamunotri temple. Devotees make prasaad in the kund by boiling rice and potato in the hot water. Then the anchor took us to Yamunotri mandir :)

The programme also covered the legends of Asit Muni, of Yam- Yami (Yamuna), Suryadev- Sandhya and Chhaya and some more stories like it is said that Lord Shiva bathed in Yamuna during his sad phase after Sati's death.

Yamuna is very important river in Krishna avataar's life as most of His leelas took place around this river. Some devotees consider Yamuna as more pious than Ganga because baby Krishna's feet touched the waters of Yamuna river when Vasudev was crossing the river to go to Nand's place to keep his son there for safety. Yamuna is also considered a wife of Krishna according to some legends. Kalindi is another name of Yamuna.

Beautiful picturesque nature spontaneously evokes devotion in our hearts. That is the reason why the temples in the higher mountains are frequented by earnest devotees :).

Jai Ma Yamunotri!

Rivers of India: Narmada

Today I am writing about a programme on the famous river Narmada, which was aired on DD Bharati. Here I am just mentioning the names of some places around this pious river, which the programme covered.


At first, after starting from Amarkantak,  we witnessed Kapildhara which is the first waterfall of Narmada.

Then we came to Jabbalpur, which is a main city of Madhya Pradesh. Interesting thing is that the Central point of India is also located in Jabbalpur district. With reference to Narmada river, Jabbalpur is  also famous for  Dhuandhar Water falls and the marble rocks of Bheraghat. Both Dhuandhar falls and Marble rocks present amazing site to the tourists! 

Then we went to Rani Durgabati Fort and came to know about Rani Durgabati.

Next stop was Mandla disctrict, where Narmada forms a loop and surrounds the city from three sides. The river is worshipped here.

The show also covered information about Rani Ahalyabai, who built many temples and did many charitable words throughout India. Indeed a great soul!

Then, we went to the famous Jyotirling Omkaareshwar, situated on Narmada. 

After that, through Hoshangabaad, which is situated in the south bank of Narmada, we went to Nemawar, which is also called the Naabhi Kund of Ma Narmada.  

And at the end we visited the Bhrigu Rishi Temple in Bharuch.

I enjoyed this journey with Narmada. It is true that a river often symbolises the life of a human being, its various phases.

And also I could virtually visit so many pious places/ temples going with the river :)

A great journey! Enjoyed so much!

Moving with the shores of any river gives us insight making us rich and wise.

The Lord is present in every atom of the Universe!

Lots of Thanks to Doordarshan for such a beautiful programme.


Some extra information- 

Narmada parikrma or circumambulation of the holy river is considered to be a  meritorious act by pilgrims.

# There is a famous book on Narmada Parikrama in Bengali- 'Tapobhumi Narmada' by Shailendranarayan Ghoshal Shaastri.


# Here is a page which shows the famous temples around Narmada in Google map

http://www.shaktipeethas.org/travel-guide/topic486.html

# And here is a page which tells us about Narmada parikrama in details-

http://www.narmadasamagra.org/about-parikrama/



Jai Shri Krishna.

'Desert Diary' Series- Featuring Kiradu Temples of Barmer District

There is a series which is aired sometimes on DD Bharati with the name- 'Desert Diary'. It has a nice format, that is- a lady visits many places of  Rajasthan and writes about them in her diary. It is through her eyes that we see the state :)

I have watched only one episode of it and loved it. 

Today I am writing about the places covered in that episode.

It was based on the forts and temples of Barmer district. We were taken to very old Kiradu temples, which are in ruins now. It has temples of Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma and Ganesha. Scenes of Krishna leela and also various incidents from Shri Ram's life are depicted on the walls. Someshwara temple, which is of Lord Shiva, is the most famous of all these temples, it is the best preserved temple till now.

The episode also told us about the myth or history related to the place, how the villagers annoyed a sage and he cursed the village, as it seems, may be that is the reason why the place is less populated till now. 

I really liked the concept of the series, sharing the visits of the anchor through her diary :), so thought to write about it today :)


A coincidence :) - Recently an episode of 'Strictly Street'- a programne  on Travel XP, also featured Barmer and I enjoyed the episode as the host Rohan Patole went to the same places which were covered in Desert Diary :).

Twelve Names of Lord Ganesha

Today I am posting a stuti of Lord Ganesha which I heard for the first time in 'Devon ki Dev Mahadev' serial, I liked it and thought to share with you all :)


Twelve Names of Lord Ganesha


Pranamya Shirasa Devam
Gauriputram Vinaayakam
Bhakataavaasam Smare Nityam
Aayuh Kaamartha Siddhaye

Meaning:Every day, I bow down to that Lord, the son of Gowri, the Lord one who lives in the heart of the devotees, blessing them always with good health and prosperity.


Prathamam Vakratundam Cha
Ekadantam Dviteeyakam
Thriteeyam Krishna Pingaaksham
Gajavaktram Chaturthakam

Meaning: Starting from here the twelve names of Ganesha are mentioned and he is worshipped in those different forms. The first as the Lord with the curved trunk; second, as the one with only one tusk, third, as the one with black (red/brown) eyes, fourth, as the one with giant structure.


Lambodaram Panchamaam Cha
Shashtam Vikatameva Cha
Saptamam Vighnaraajendram
Dhoomravarnam Tathaashtamam

Meaning: Fifth, as the one with a big (long) stomach, six, as the one with a huge body Seven, as the remover of obstacles, eight, as the one with smoke gray color


Navamam Phaalachandram Cha
Dasamam Tu Vinaayakam
Ekaadasam Ganapatim
Dvaadasam Tu Gajaananam

Meaning: Ninth, as the one with moon on the front of His head, tenth, as the foremost leader, eleventh, as the leader of the ganas, twelfth as the one with elephant face.


Dvaadasaitaani Naamaani
Trisandhyam Yah Pathernnarah
Na Cha Vighna Bhayam Tasya
Sarva Siddhikaram Prabho

Meaning: Any person, who remembers these twelve names of Ganesha, three times in a day, will have all their obstacles and fear removed and will attain success. (This group of verses is said to be sage Narada's offering to Lord Ganesh.)

(Shloka and meaning taken from internet. Credit goes to the original uploader. Used here only for the purpose of spreading devotion.)

Jai Shri Ganesh!

Cellular Jail, Andamaan

Last year I started watching the Epic Channel and was very happy to find that the programmes aired in this channel are a bit different from other channels. They deal with history, mythology and so on. I remember 'History channel' quite often while watching this channel as 'History channel' was also somewhat like this 8- 10 years back. I enjoyed all the history based programmes there.

One such programme in Epic Channel is 'Ekaant' where the anchor- Akul Tripathy visits the remains of old civilisations or goes to many desolate places and tries to know the history of the place.

In one such episode he went to the famous Cellular Jail of Andaman Island. The jail was made by the British at the last decade of 19th century for the solitary confinement to the freedom fighters of India. They wanted to break the confidence and mental balance of those inmates by keeping them in such small rooms such as 14 ft by 8 ft.

The curator of the museum of the jail- talked with the anchor, she read her poem on the jail. Also the teachers and the Principal of Jawahar Laal Nehru School added more information about the jail.

The inmates were made to work very hard throughout the whole day. They were deprived of minimum health facilities and even talking to fellow inmates were also prohibited. The scarcity of food and basic hygienic facilities provoked the inmates to go for a hunger strike on. The British tried to force feed them through tube which resulted in the death of three inmates.

Later they went for hunger strike again. That time in place of hunger strike, Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore and Mahatma Gandhi asked them to write out their grievances directly to British Government.

Many many stories of torture, pai, and suffering can be heard in the walls of these jails.

Originally it had seven wings and a central watch tower. Now only three of them are remaining.

Japan army and Netaji's INA took control of the jail on during Second World War, but later it again went to the hands of the British Government.

Sad part is that the jail was also made by the prisoners....

Later as India became independent all the inmates became free and it was announced as a national heritage.

Famous freedom fighter Veer Savarkar was there for 10 years! His brother was also there but they they came to know about each other only after 2 years of staying at the same place! Can you believe!

I was sad after watching the programme... Imagining about the hardships faced by the inmates. But later I was proud also that they superseded over all these with the one aim of making the motherland free. Somewhat same message was covered by the poem recited by the anchor Akul Tripathi at the end of the programme, which was written by the brother of Veer Savarkar

We can't even imagine the full implications of the huge sacrifice!! They did it as their duty and did not consider all these as sacrifice at all. For them it was their duty for the motherland.

They were true heroes! Our heart only fills with awe and respect for them for the strong courage they have shown.

Thanks a lot to Epic Channel for such a nice programme.


It also reminded me of a film made on the same topic- 'Sazaa e Kalaapani' in 1996, I haven't watched it till now. I feel this programme has given me an idea about the content of the film as well.

'Sanskriti Bharati'- A Series of Cultural Magazine from Different States on Doordarshan

DD Bhart is a special channel which brings to us glimpses from the rich culture of India, as I have mentioned in one of my previous post. One such programme is 'Sanskriti Bharati' which brings cultural news from various states each week.

Here I am writing about the main topics of two episodes which I have watched.  

In one episode, they showed some glimpses of Borra caves, which is situated in the Araku Valley of Andhra Pradesh.  

Next there was a report about the famous classical singer- M Balamurali Krishna.

After that, they took us for a visit to the Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad to see some of the amazing collection by the famous art collector Nawaab Salar Jung, who was also the Prime Minister of the state. So many artefacts of exquisite beauty are there!

In anoher episode of 'Sanskriti Bharati' they took us to the famous Parasnath Temple in Jharkhand.

I really really appreciate Doordarshan for presenting such unique and variety  programmes, the way we are introduced to the varied culture of the country. Nice endeavour by DD Bharati!! I want to thank all the persons who are related to those programmes, for their successful presentation!


The nature, the creation- everything represent the 'aura' of the Lord!!


Jai Shri Krishna.

Gita Press, Gorakhpur (Crisis and Solution)

Dear Friends,

Last year, I came to know about the ongoing problems in the workshop of the famous publishing company Gita Press, the news also mentioned the possibility of closing down of the publication... I was really sad hearing about it as they have been doing such a wonderful job in spreading the Scriptures to all. I have so many books of Gita Press- Bhagwad Geeta, Shri RamCharitManas, Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapuraan, Shiv Puran and soooo many of such books. Their price is so nominal that it is almost unbelievable in today's world which is dominated by new and new market catchy bestsellers every year!... Gita Press is responsible to bring the valuable ancient texts to the masses, that too in so many different languages!!

 I was thinking that some solution should be found by all of us and by the Government to save this house of treasure, so that Gita Press can emerge comfortably from the crisis. 

I also want to thank the 'SavetheGitaPress' hashtag in Twitter and Zee News. They are the reason that general public came to know about this issue. And also to many more websites who published the news.

One such post is here:-

http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2015/08/28/save-gita-press-92-year-old-hindu-publication-house-evokes-me/

Some of the books of Geeta Press which I have-

The last update is that they have resumed work. I also went to their shop in Delhi and Sealdah Rail Station recently and purchased books. I was really happy to find their stall at the Delhi Book Fair this year. 


Lots of Best Wishes to the revered publication house.


Jai Shri Krishna.

'Michchhami Dukkadam'

Few years back, I came to know about a festival called - 'Michchhami Dukkadam', it is a festival according to Jainism. It means- "may all the evil that has been done be fruitless". This is celebrated on the annual day, that is the last day of the Jain year.

Such a nice concept! I was so happy knowing about it! In today's world, mostly peole are not ready to accept their mistakes. And here we have a festival where people actually admit their mistakes, ask for forgiveness and also wish their wrong deeds to go in vain. Very very higher concept and liberating! Really amazing to know such a festival which asks us to be aware of our wrong doings, admit them and try to nullify them.

Nice way to inculcate values in us :). It shows the importance of forgiveness in our life, which we all need to remember always.

TV Report on 'Simhasta' 2016 on Doordarshan

On 22nd May 2016, after the programme 'Mann ki Baat', Doordarshan National showed a report on Simhasta, the Kumbh Mela at Ujjain. I really loved to watch the programme. It presented many long shots of the ghats of the river Shipra, which were full of devotees. Many scenes of early morning, even before sunrise :) :). Loved those scenes.

1st Shaahi Snaan was on- 22nd April, 2016

Then the 2nd Shaahi Snaan on- 9th May, 2016, 

Special snaan dates were also there like 3rd May, 2016, on the occasion of Varuthini Ekadashi.

Last Shaahi snan was on 21st May, 2016.

Many pilgrims appreciated the arrangements made by the State Govt and the volunteers (/organisation in charge).

All the 13 groups of Sant Sampradaay participated in the Shaahi Snaan.

Around  5 to 7 crore people attended Simhasta this year, according to the state Govt.

The programme also showed the temple of Mahakaal which is the heart of Ujjain (earlier known as Avantika nagri in mythological texts).

Kumbh Mela takes place once in every 12 years. This year the celebration was from 22nd April to 21st May.

One spiritual leader explained how the Sanskrit word ‘nadi’ has come from the word Neer, which means water, and how 'Naraayan' is directly related to this concept. Water is an important part of archan, tarpan- all these religious  activities.

This programme reminded me of one song from Ramanand Sagar's ‘Shri Krishna’, where Krishna and Balaram travel to the aashram of Guru Sandipani on the banks of Shipra, at Avantika nagri, to receive education. Here is the lyrics of the song -

Shiksha praapt karne ko chale hain brahmachaari

Mathura se Avantika chale hain Brahmachaari

Sevak hain sang me na sang hai sawaari

Shiksha praapt karne ko chale hain brahmachaari

Mathura se Avantika chale hain Brahmachaari

Pag pag chalna bhumi pe sona

Sanyam se vichalit nahi hona

Bhiksha maangke bhojan pana
Bharmacharya ke niyam nibhaana

Bharatiya batukon ki parampara hai nyaari

Shiksha praapt karne ko chale hain brahmachaari

Mathura se Avantika chale hain Brahmachaari

Sevak hain sang me na sang hai sawaari

Shiksha praapt karne ko chale hain brahmachaari

Mathura se Avantika chale hain Brahmachaari

Om Namah Shivaay

Jai Mahakaal param kripaal

Shambhu namaste

Shambhu namaste

Swayambhu namaste

Jai Mahakaal param kripaal

Shambhu namaste

Punya bhoomi Mahakaal ki

Avantika shubhnaam

Sapt puri me ek yeh paap moksh ka dhaam

Kshipra teere upvane Sandipani ka vaas

Sarva kalaa jinko sulabh

Sadgun inke daas

Shishyon ko gurudev den ved vihit sanskaar

Guru sang milke sab karen Vidhivat mantrochchaar

And here is the video- 

This report on Sinhasta was a pleasant surprise for me, giving a taste of a Kumbh Mela :), which we could not attend, still felt like taking part in it, after watching the programme.

Lots of Thanks to Doordarshan for airing it.

Jai Shri Krishna.


(Photos taken from internet. Credit goes to the uploaders. Used only for the purpose of appreciation.

Video from Ramanand Sagar's 'Shri Krishna' used for the sole purpose of spreading devotion. No personal profit intended.)