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. 

Telecast of Mythological Serials during Lockdown, 2020 on Doordarshan

 In 2020, Lockdown was announced by the Government because of Corona. During that time people were having a challenging time adjusting to the new routine at home as well as worrying about Corona. Doordarshan came up with this idea of airing Ramayan, Mahabharat, Shri Krishna, Chanakya, Upaanishad Ganga and many more old serials. That idea was very successful. Those legendary serials gave people the  moral and spiritual courage which was the need of the hour. People showered their love again to all those unforgettable serials. Doordarshan set new records of viewership during those days, such a moment of joy and pride for all of us!! Children who watched all those shows for the first time, had a great fun as well as received lessons about ethics from all the characters. We all had memorable time in our house, immersing again in these timeless shows. Thanks to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for this novel decision.

Jai Shri Krishna.

Live Telecast of Maha Kumbh 2021 on Doordarshan

Today is the day of  the second Shahi Snan of Maha Kumbh 2021 at Haridwar. Doordarshan was airing live telecast of this pious event.  I was watching it and getting immersed in devotion. The anchors were discussing many aspects of Hinduism. There are so much to learn from the wisdom of our ancestors, our scriptures. All the presenters were very knowledgeable, they narrated many unknown facets regarding Maha Kumbh. I want to thank all of them and Doordarshan for the beautiful programme.

It was a seven hour Live Broadcast. You can watch it from the Youtube channel of Doordarshan National, the video is titled 'Live: Maha Kumbh: Shahi Snan- Chaitra Amavasya- Haridwar- 12th April 2021'.

With lots of best wishes,

Jai Shri Krishna

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.

'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.

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.)

Koshish se Kaamyabi Tak- Episode featuring Dia Mirza

'Koshish se Kaamyaabi Tak' is a series on Doordarshan National, where famous persons are invited to share their life stories. I  have watched only one episode of it, where Dia Mirza was the guest. Kiran Juneja was the anchor of the programme.

Till now I knew Dia Mirza as a beauty queen and as an actress. But in this proramme, I came to know about the real person behind all these professional identities. She told us about her childhood, her memories, her struggle, her experiences and her opinion about life. I was very surprised to now how she got the exposure to many religions during her childhood and growing up days, as her mother was a Hindu and her father was Christian and then her step father was Muslim. Indeed, all these influences has made her what she is today :). Felt really good to know all about it. She also told about her experiences during Miss India Competition, about Film Industry and about meeting her would be husband, whom she is married now.

I also came to know about her charitable work – Truly a wonderful effort by Dia!

Here is the link to her website, which I visited while writing this post.

Lots of love and best wishes for her future :)

Nice programme by DD National.

(Picture taken from internet. Credit goes to the uploader.)

'Aaj Savere'- Featuring Shanno Khurana

'Aaj Savere' is a daily programme which is aired on DD National, from 7:30- 8:30 am,  where they bring eminent personalities  who share about their life, works and about themselves. Recently I watched an episode where the famous classical artist and musicology expert Shanno Khurana was the guest. She narrated her experiences about learning classical music, about maintaining her passion for music throughout the obstacles of life, about her research on Classical music in India. I didn’t know about her before watching the programme. But after watching it, read about her from Wikipedia and came to know many more details.

It was a nice programme, inspiring the audience about the undefeatable spirit of Ms Khurana, who is working untiringly all her life.

Lots of best wishes for her future.


Jai Shri Krishna.

(Photo taken from internet. Credit goes to the uploader.)