Monday, September 2, 2024

Rathyatra 2024

Rathyatra is a grand festival of Lord Jagannath. This day Lord Jagannath, his brother Lord Balabhadra and their sister Goddess Subhadra come out of the temple and they travel to their Maasi's house. This Rathyatra festival makes the devotees very happy as the Lord comes amongst them leaving the temple for a few days. They try to be a part of the yatra to feel the divine bliss of travelling with the Lord. 

Doordarshan airs live telecast of this pious festival every year. The commentaries are aired in Sanskrit, Hindi and English. The inclusion of Sanskrit as a languag for commentary has been introduced a few years ago, it has been a great experience to listen to Sanskrit commentary for the audience. 

Many years ago, I remember I watched the live telecast of Rathyatra with Bengali commentary in Rupashi Bangla channel where Bholanath Mukherjee and Kanak Manjari Krishna were in charge of the commentary. That programme was also very good. I took many notes from those discussions. That year they also aired live telecast of many more festivals related with Rathyatra like Niladri Bije, Adhara pana, Suna Besha, Bahuda Yatra. All the discussions were full of devotion and many spiritual topics were covered. Every year i remember those pearls of wisdom during Rathyatra festival. 

Last Year Saptahik Bartamaan (a Bengali magazine) published a special issue on the occasion of Rathyatra. They covered many topics in that issue. In the section named 'Banglar Nana Pranter Rath, informations about- Sabarna Roy Chowdhury, Chunimani Dasi, Nilmani Dey, Jadunath Dutta, Ramkanai Adhikary, Gokul Baral Street Jagannath Bari, Blaram Basu, Raja Rajendsra Mullick, and many such Rathyatra celebrations were mentioned. Under the section named 'Nanan Beshe Jagannath' many informations regarding Rathyatra and Jagannath Dev were discussed. After reading that isse, one can get a fair idea about the festival of Rathyatra.

With Lots of Wishes for all and praying for the blessing of Lord Jagannath for all of us.

Jay Jagannath. 

Friday, July 5, 2024

Rain brings solace amidst long summer days

         Severe heatwave condition was going on in many parts of our country since more than one month. We were all feeling the effect of scorching heat which was making normal life unbearable. Everyone was waiting for the monsoon to bring some comfort. At last it rained here recently, uplifting the mood of the people. Not only the children, but the elders were also seen coming out of their houses and enjoying the rain. Frogs were croacking in joy. The open fields filled with water emerged as a visual treat for our parching eyes. It also brought happiness in my mind. I was remembering the song- 'Hridoy amar naache re aajike moyurer moto nache re' and 'Esho neepobone chhayabeethi tole' by Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore. These songs very nicely bring out the feeling of joy while experiencing the rain. We are looking forward to a great monsoon season after such a long and blazing summer. 
With lots of best wishes for all.
Jai Shri Krishna. 

Sunday, June 16, 2024

Mahalaya 2023

Every year Mahalaya symbolises the end of Pitri Paksha and the begining of Devi Paksha. We perform the ritual of Tarpan for our forefathers on this day. With Mahalaya, we start the final preparation for Durga Puja which starts on the day of Shashti. In the morning of Mahalaya we listen to the special radio programme Mahishasura Mardini which is aired from All India Radio. Many television channels also produce dance drama or short plays based on many aspects of Durga Puja or Navratri. These are the names of the programme which were aired on different channels of Television on the occasion of Mahalaya day in 2023.


*Zee Bangla - Mahapujo: Nabapatrikae Debi Boron
*Sony Aath- Debi'r Doshroop
*Star Jalsha- Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu
*Colours Bangla- Nabarupe MahaDurga
- Debi Dashamahavidya 
*Aakash Aath- Raat Pohale Sharod Praate+ Good Morning Aakash
*Rupashi Bangla -Brahmastra Swarupini-5am
Durgatinashini Durga- 6 am
Uma Elo Ghore- 7 am
Singhabahini- 8am
*DD Bangla - Katyayani Devi Durga (This was also aired on DD National channel with English Subtitles) 
- Mahalaya live singing for one hour- in the slot of daily morning programme 'Shokal Shokal'



Here I am also mentioning the names of the programmes aired on Mahalaya Day of 2022 on various channels of Television:-

*Star Jalsha- Ya Chandi
*Sony Aath- Asurnaashini Ma
- Aatha Sati Parvati Katha
*Zee Bangla - Singabahini Trinayani
*Colours Bangla - Devi Dashamahavidya
- Durga Mayer Golpo Kotha 
*Aakash Aath- Raat Pohale Sharad Praate
- Good Morning Aakash - (Guests - Swagatalakshmi and Arindam Ganguly)
*DD Bangla and News Time Bangla- Dance representation of Mahalaya All India Radio programme. 
*TV 9 Bangla - Aachho Antare
- Anya Agomoni
(Programme on tarpan, guest Debshankar Haldar)
*R Bangla - programme with special guests on cruise on the river Ganga
*24 Ghonta- Devipoksher Anjali
- Debi Aashchhen

I always enjoy watching such representations on Ma Durga. 
Here I appreciate all the television channels for their effort to present different aspects of Ma Durga through their programmes.

With lots of best wishes for all.
Joy Ma Durga. 

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Navratri Playlist 2024

Recently we all celebrated Chaitra Navratri festival. It is a time to worship  Mata Aadi Shakti. All the temples conduct special pujas during navratri. We all pray to the Mother for the welfare of the creation. 

Today i am sharing with you some Stotras which we all can chant during Navratri days to receive the blessings of Ma Aadi Shakti.
 I am also including the names of some of the reading materials which you can read during these days to know more about the Mother.

* Argala Stotram
* Ya Devi sarvabhuteshu ( from Devi Doot Samvaad)
* Devi Suktam
* Shri Suktam
* Dhyan of Shri Durga ( Yata yuta samayukta) 
* Aapad Uddhar Stotram ( Durga Ashtak Stotram)
* 32 names of Ma Durga
* Aadya Stotram
* Kamakhya Stotram
* 108 names of Ma Durga
* Vidhyeshwari Stotram
* Durga Chalisa
* Ma Durga Aarati
* 108 names of Ma Tara
* Durga Saptshati text
* Books about Navadurga
* Books about DashaMahavidya
* Books about famous pilgrimage sites of Ma Aadi Shakti 

With lots of wishes for you all,
Jai Shri Maa.