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. 

Friday, September 29, 2023

Shree Ganapati Mahotsav 2023

Last week we started celebrating Shree Ganesh Chaturthi, and this week we had Anant Chaturdashi. Everywhere the murti of Ganeshji was worshipped and later visarjan was conducted according to the rituals. Ganesh Chaturthi brings with it the mood of festivals which will follow in the next few weeks like Navrati, Durga Puja, Diwali, Kalipuja, Bhai Dooj and many more. 

I was listening to some of the very famous songs on the occasion of Ganesh Utsav. I am writing the names of those songs. All of you also must have enjoyed listening to them - 
* Shri Ganeshji Aarati ( Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Deva)
* Gananayakaya Ganadaivataya, Shri Ganeshaya Dhimahi ( Shankar Mahadevan) 
* Ganesha Pancharatnam by Sooryagayathri and Kuldeep M Pai
* Vatapi Ganapatim ( Sooryagayathri)
* Vinayaka ninnu veena brochutaku (Rahul Vellal)
* Sukhkarta Dukhharta
* Sindur lal chadhayo ( Arati from the film Vaastav- 1999)
* Shri Ganesha Deva ( Arati from Agneepath film)

On the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, Shrimad Bhagwat Katha Yagna was arranged in a nearby temple. So we had a great chance of listening to the pious stories and lessons from the sacred text again. Such spiritual talks purify our inner being and make our journey blissful. 

I hope all of you had a great Ganesh Utsav in your place. Looking forward to many more festival days very soon. 

With lots of best wishes
Ganpati Bappa Morya. 

Saturday, April 15, 2023

Bangla Nobo Borsho 1430: Links of Some Related Articles

Lots of Wishes to all of you in this auspicious day. New Year paves the way for starting anything new, achieving a new goal in life. Have a great day and a great year ahead. 

Do read about the history of Bongaabdo from the internet or from any book. Recently i was reading some articles about this topic. I am sharing the names of those articles here. 


*Bangla Nobo Borsher Probortok Raja Shashanka (Article from Bongodesh website)

বাংলা নববর্ষের প্রবর্তক রাজা শশাঙ্ক https://www.bangodesh.com/2020/04/bengali-new-year-shashanka/


*Chaitra Sankrantir Shhubhechchha (sanatandharmatattva.wordpress website)

চৈত্র সংক্রান্তির শুভেচ্ছা

https://sanatandharmatattva.wordpress.com/category/%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%89%E0%A7%8E%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A8/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B7/


*Bongabdo O Bangla Nobo Borsher Itihaash (sanatandharmatattva.wordpress website)

বঙ্গাব্দ ও বাংলা নববর্ষের ইতিহাস

https://sanatandharmatattva.wordpress.com/2018/04/14/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%99%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A6-%E0%A6%93-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B7%E0%A7%87/


*Bangla Nobo Borsho Pohela Boishakh er Itihaash Jaante chai (quora website)

https://bn.quora.com/banla-nababarsa-pahela-baisakha-pracalanera-itihasa-janate-cai


*Opinion: Bengali New Year was Started by Bangadhipati Gaura Nripati Raja Shashanka (Article by Monideepa Bose Dey in newsroompost website)

https://newsroompost.com/opinion/bengali-new-year-was-started-by-bangadhipati-gaudanripati-raja-sasanka/5085592.html


*Bengali New Year: Busting the myth of Akbar starting Bangabda (Article by Monideepa Bose Dey in firstpost website)

https://www.firstpost.com/opinion/bengali-new-year-busting-the-myth-of-akbar-starting-bangabda-10561621.html



These articles will give us some idea about the calculation and tradition of Bongaabdo.

Do celebrate Poila Boishakh according to your customs. Last year I noted down some suggestions regarding how to celebrate Poila Boishakh. If you are interested you can check out the post here.

With lots of wishes for all of you,.

Jai Shri Krishna!

Friday, March 31, 2023

Shri Ram Navami- 2023- List of New Songs and Discussions

Yesterday was Ram Navami. The blessed day when Shri Ram was born. On this occasion, many youtube channels released new songs. Here is a list of the new songs and some of the discussions regarding Ram Navami. First the name of the youtube channel and then the name of the video.

Songs- 
Kuldeep M Pai- Ram Jayaram Bhajan
Madhavi Madhukar- 1. Shri Rama Ashtakam, 
                                 2. Jay Ram Roop Anup Nirgun
Sooryagayathri- Jay Jay Ram (Ram Bhajan)
Maithili Thakur- Ram ji ke Bhaile Janamva
KM Devotional- Raghunandan 2.0 ft Agam Aggarwal 
S Aishwarya and S. Saundarya- Nama Ramayanam
Times Music Spiritual- 1. Sunti hoon mai Ram- Maithili Thakur
                                    2. Varanasi Calling- Malini Avasthi
                                    3. Jai Jai Ram- Sooryagayathri
                                    4. Chalo Ayodhya Dham- Malini Avasthi
Aks and Lakshmi- Ramcharitmanas Song: Chaupai from Bal Kand
Govind Krsna Das- Vanwasi Ram
Jivjaago Media Films and Anthems- My Land # Ayodhya Anthem
Strumm Spiritual- 1. Rama Ashtakam- Uthara Unnikrishnan
                             2. Jap Le Sita Ram- Sireesha Bhagayatula
Rajshri Soul- Shri Ram Sahasranamam with lyrics

Discussions and special programmes-
Panchatantra One- Ram Navmi par Ramraajya (with Ashutosh Rana)
Dushyant Shridhar- Ramayana for srjbkshetra Series (Bala Kandam)
DD National- 1. Special feature- Shri Ram Mandir Ayodhya:- Sram Shakti Atoot        Bhakti
                      2. Celebration of Shri Ram Janmotsav at Ayodhya: 30th March
                      3. Special Programme on Ram Navmi: Bhaye Pragat Kripala
Sattology- Ham Sab Ram Vanshi Kaise Bane: Shri Ram ki adarsh par Anugaman- Manoj Sinha
Itihasher Itikatha- Videos about how to celebrate Ram Navmi
Sumanar Blogs- Videos about easy Ram Navmi celebration at home
Candid Meena- Power of Lord Rama in Modern Times of Kaliyuga with Dr Ganesh
Manoj Muntashir- Ram: History or Myth?


You all can enjoy the discussions and songs from this list and feel the devotion to Shri Ram.

Jai Shri Ram!