Haridwar the city of temples
Temple city I had been to almost every state of our country as a traveler, as a marketing professional and as one in search of peace, I have seen almost of the place right from Kanya Kumari to Kashmir and Gujarat to Assam and up to Arunachal Pradesh. However, I love to visit Haridwar often because the place is one of the most peaceful cities in the world despite being so crowded almost all the time. This city has so much to offer to people who come here from allover the world.

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I last visited Haridwar along with my wife who is always with me while traveling for pleasure trips. Haridwar is almost 140km away from my present residence, which takes not more than two and half hours if the traffic conditions are not as bad as shown here. There are a few weeks every year when the road to Haridwar is closed for any kind of vehicles during Kanwar Yatra, an annual function when millions of people go to Haridwar on foot to bring holy water during Shivaratri. – The rush on the roads makes driving tough.

 

Pawandham is one of the best temples in Haridwar
I wish I could describe the beauty of the city in words but that is not possible because that is some thing to be seen and appreciated only. I shall take you to one temple at a time. This is time for us to visit Pawandham temple with many scriptures made of glass and stones. I have tried to capture them with the help of my camera, which the temple management allows with special request

We almost always reach Haridwar in the evening to take the advantage of appearing in the world famous Aarti function that takes place at Hari Ki Pouri at about 7PM. A glorious function where thousands of people participate and worship mother Ganges with offerings of flowers and earthen lamps. Have a look of the occasion-

 

We go to Vaishon Devi temple at Haridwar (A replica of original temple situated in Jammu Kashmir) next morning. Pawandham, which is our next stoppage situated nearby in main town of Haridwar on the road going  to Rishikesh with many famous temples.

  This temple is full of beautiful glass and stone made statues of different Gods and famous characters showing our culture and life styles in the glorious past. The glorious moments when Kevat washed feet of Ram and mother Sita before taking them across the river display some of the touchy moments. Have a look of Ram and Sita – Krishna

 

Lord Shiva from whose hair Ganges came into existence is one of the most worshiped Gods here and this city is full of his statues allover the places. This temple is also having many artistic statues of Shiva made of different materials from snow crystal Sphatik stone to glass in various colors and designs. Have a look of some of them-

 

Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh all are here with all their grace and mighty powers. They are the creators of this universe and this temple displays them in their true colors. There are many statues of these three in so many artistically designed statues that one does not want to leave the place without having a few more glances at them, the glass work makes these statues more graceful. Have a look and see for yourself-

Goddess Durga is here in her different avatars, she is Kali, she is Maan-Mardini, she is Chandika, she is Chandee, She is Vaishno Ma, and she is here in all possible avatars in this temple with all her glory and grace. In fact, I am not that knowledgeable to describe all her names and their meaning so I would not try at that. I shall only describe her with all my heart-felt blessings she has poured upon me. Have a look at few of her avatars-

   

There are hundreds of statues from our glorious past in this temple which would take a whole book to describe them but the one I am presenting here is one of the greatest moment of human life where a king who elected to become a low worker because he had given his words. He is asking his wife for tax to cremate his own son and his wife in turn gives her own sari to let his husband do his duty. Have a look at this sad view Or Krishna showing his innocence -

 

 

 

Ganges remains no more healthy to bath.

Millions of people go to Haridwar for a holy dip in Ganges every year from all over the world. This holy dip was not only for religious but for other reasons also as not every one knows that water of Ganges ever stales and is potable forever. Now the scientists have found some disturbing facts about the water of Ganges, which tell us that the water is, too polluted now, that bathing might cause serious trouble to our health.
The controlling officers of the pollution board of Ganges have admitted this publicly that about two MLD (million liters daily) untreated water is getting mixed from different sources in to the river which is causing serious water pollution and making situation worse.

Different scientific surveys have revealed that Ganges have been seriously affected with the kind of pollution which does not allow human to take a holy dip, leave apart drinking its water. This is about the water of a river, which is, considered never staling even if kept for ages. As per the standards, the water for bathing should not have 500 fecal/100ml where as the level of the same was, found more than 1500 fecal coliform at Har ki pouri, the main bathing-point where people go and take holy bath and pay their respect to mother Ganges. Moreover, this is happening despite the governments at different levels are spending millions of dollars every year to keep pollution under control.

The situation is even worse at other places in Haridwar, at some other points the level of pollution is much higher than standard pollution level allowed. The reason stated for such a high pollution is simply due to a large amount of water mixed without proper treatment because of lack of proper equipments that it needs to treat the water. Therefore, this would be for the sake of our health that concerned authorities take immediate action to keep pollution under control and save Haridwar, which is not only our pride but center of our spiritual belief as well.

My river Ganga is no more clean.

The situation is how terribly sad and alarming! When so many depend on the Ganges, for both spiritual and physical needs of our population. It is beyond our belief that the rivers could be, allowed to become so polluted and toxic, especially the river which is center of belief of millions. Water is such a vital resource and it seems that the most vital resources like water, air and earth are, easily the most abused with deadly pollution.

Although the governments and corporations must control and regulate sources of the problem, it is obvious that the most amounts of pollution are either directly or indirectly traceable to human beings. However their thoughtless or careless misuse of the water for disposing of rubbish of every kind and description, instead of taking more responsibility and care for helping keep the water clean, safe and available for their own and others' use and needs. The situation is going totally out of the hands.

Remember when computers were cautioned against misuse with the warning GIGO - which stood for 'Garbage In, Garbage Out"? There is a basic inevitability about dumping nasty stuff in a system, which must be, used for what must be, taken out of it, if it is to serve its main purposes.

Years ago, our country started a campaign to get the citizens to stop littering the highways and byways with trash. It is not as devastating to have paper and other junk on the ground as it is to have a major river like the Ganges poisoned with horrid trash - even dead bodies of peoples and animals, of course. However, the people who thoughtlessly contribute to the awful results must be, reminded not to do it.

When the campaign in India began and as it is continued, there were signs along the roads with catchy phrases like "Don't throw you trash on the roads" and "Keep your city clean". There were programs to encourage citizens to "Adopt a village" - which involved not only refraining from throwing trash on the highways, roads, streets but taking responsibility to see to that your area remains clean to literally clean up any trash that had been tossed onto it and to actually post the signs. I wish there were monetary fines if caught littering. However, those programs were limited on paper or up to the 'education of children' only. I wish they were, extended toward many problems that are more social and need more of our attentions.

It is not just in villages or on the banks of rivers, seashores or public parks that there are such campaigns to stop littering, either. In fact, keeping streams and rivers clean and healthy is a major concern and projects all over our country are such programs being, organized. However I can recall how it used to be before this was being, emphasized. There was littler everywhere. People were just careless and oblivious to what they were doing to the fine earth and waters. They were supposed to remain alert and aware and change their habits.

The citizens - the people who actually toss the garbage on the ground or in the river must be, made aware and encouraged not to do it, one act at a time because that is how most of it happens and accumulates. One act of putting the garbage in to that sacred river at a time and from the looks of the results, the kinds of garbage mostly individuals have done being, thrown into the river - one act at a time!

The government should also provide better facilities for disposing of the garbage, too, but people must change the habit of just tossing all that stuff in the river Just as we are doing by writing about it, individuals need to help make each other aware and help remind and encourage each other to quit doing it. Just think about it the rate it is going if it is not taken care now, it will be disastrous. I can hardly bear to think about it but it is so important, friends, as you can tell, it is something of which I am keenly aware, too. I hope more folks read my efforts and heed its importance

We have been trying to make things right for years now but they are really getting out of our hands as the people responsible for making things correct are corrupt and misuse the funds, the budget provided goes to wrong places. However, I am sure; they will wake-up one day. It is horrid when the authorities are corrupt and misuse funds. Awareness campaigns might be able to educate people and clean up the river. Once it has been, polluted so badly, it would certainly require well-funded remedies of the situation, and people must be, alerted to their responsibility in throwing stuff in it or it would just keep happening. It needs the authorities using their funds and power to do both things.

I hope they wake up very soon. Otherwise, there is a large flow of deadly poison flowing across the land, hurting bodies and souls, including those of the authorities themselves. It tears at my heart; I am so helpless to see my holy Ganges is no more holy that it used to be once.

 

 

India is a religious country. Here, millions of gods and goddesses are worshiped. From Jammu to Kanyakumari and from Pune to Calcutta India has lots of religious places. Vaishno Devi Tirupati Shridi Amarnath Bodhgaya Hardwar Rishikesh etc are some of the popular religious places of India. Vaishno Devi is located in the hills of Jammu. Over here goddess Vaishno is worshiped. Pilgrims come from almost all over the world to worship the goddess Vaishno. They reach Vaishno Devi via Katra. From Katra, it is 5-6 hours away by foot. They have the option of availing the chopper service as well from Katra. The availability of restaurants, toilets, hotels, hospitals etc in between Katra and Vaishno Devi makes the entire journey a comfortable one for the kids and for the oldies. Bodhgaya is another religious place of India. People visit Bodhgaya to perform the after death ceremonies (Pind Daan) of their relatives. This place is located in Bihar and is 100 kms away from Patna. Pilgrims can reach there by air, by road or by rail. This place has lots of temples and has connections with Ramayana as well. Similar to Vaishno Devi is Sri Tirupati Balaji. It is located in the hills of south and is near to Bangalore. Over here Sri Balaji is worshiped. Pilgrims visit to worship Balaji from almost all over the world with their offerings. Most of the pilgrims offer gold at Sri Tirupati Balaji in the form of chatter, bracelets and other ornaments. Hardwar is also a popular religious place of northern India.  It has lots of Temples and Ashrams. People visit Hardwar mainly for the after death ceremonies of their relatives. It is famous for its Kumb Mela too. During the Mela saints from almost all over the world visit Hardwar for a holy dip in the river Ganga.

On the Pooram star day in the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February –March), Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala turns into a Yagasala, where we can see millions of women gathered, lighting hearths and preparing pongala in clay pots using rice, jaggery and coconut in open streets and roadsides for the presiding deity Attukal amma of Attukal Devi temple. It is believed that while they are offering Pongala nivedyam (boiled rice) to Attukalamma, they are lending their sorrows and happiness along with it. Nearly 3 million women in a radius of 5 km around the temple are gathering every year and each year number of devotees are increasing considerably. Earlier in 1997, it was reported to be about 15 lakh devotees. In 2009, it was registered in Guinness book of world records as the largest gathering of women in the world which attracted approximately 27 lakh devotees from Kerala and its neighbouring states.                                                                                                                                  

 

Why 3 million women are gathering here?

 It is quite reasonable to ask this question. Its answer lies in the strong belief held by millions that Attukalamma will never leave us and since their agonies are being answered people are returning next year the same day. No one has yet find out the reason why, people who have once come here, though have faced many difficulties to give offerings to mother, could not hold themselves from coming the next year. People who want to pay pongala in the temple premises, close to the temple will come and stay here in the temple maidan(ground) before 3 or 4 days in the severe hot month of Kumbham.

 

Story connected with origin of the temple

 Main deity of the temple is Bhagavathi or Devi who is believed to be the divinised form of Kannaki, the incarnation of Devi Parvathy. Kannaki is the heroine of famous Chilappathikaram, the first known epic of Tamil, written by Elenkovadikal, the Tamil poet in 2nd century A.D. Let me briefly explain the story of Chilappathikaram. Kannaki was the wife of Kovalan, son of a rich merchant. They were living a peaceful and happy life in Puhar, the then capital city of Cholas. Kovalan becomes attracted towards Madhavi, a beautiful courtesan dancer. He losses all his wealth for her and after understanding his mistake, he returns back to Kannaki. She forgives him and they decide to start a new life in Madurai, the capital city of Pandyas. Only treasure they were left with was a pair of anklets owned by Kannaki. When they reach Madurai, they decide to sell one of the anklets to start a new business. When Kovalan tries to sell it to a local goldsmith, he was accused of stealing anklet of the queen which resembles Kannaki’s and was beheaded by the king without any trial.  When Kannaki hears about her husband’s death, she rise to anger and reaches the palace with the other anklet in her hand. She asks the king what precious stones queen’s anklet contain. When he replies pearls, she throws the anklet into the floor in anger. Rubies burst out proving the innocence of her husband. When king and queen realize their fault, they die of shame. She curses the city and it is believed that whole city was ruined except women, old people and children.The story continues that after destructing Madurai, she reaches Kerala through Kanyakumari and on the way to Kodungallur, she took rest at Attukal. It is believed that some people worshipped and pleased her by offering rice payasam and thereafter, every year people are coming to Attukal to do this procedure. A temple was built there known as Attukal Bhagavathi temple. It is believed that Kannaki went northward, reached Kodungallur and settled at Bhagavathi temple there.

 

Pongala Mahotsavam

 Pongala Mahotsavam is the most important festival of the temple. It is a ten day programme commencing on The Karthika star in the Malayalam month of Makaram-Kumbham with ‘Thottampattu’ and it ends with the sacrificial offering – Kuruthitharpanam. On the ninth day of the festival, world famous Pongala takes place. Usually Chottanikkara makam and Attukal pongala comes as a combo since pongala is on the pooram star and these two stars are occurring consecutive. Pongala Mahotsavam is exclusively for women. Yet, the whole city, even Muslim mosques fully co-operate, providing all help to women to make this event successful.This is also one of the reasons why devotees’ count is increasing every year and the crowd makes us remember Kumbhamela of Allahabad.  This year, festival begins on 28th February and concludes on 8th March, 2012 and Pongola is on 7th. On the day of Pongala, when morning dawns, almost all open streets and houses of the capital city are filled exclusively with women who come with pots, ingredients and fire wood to prepare pongala. Hearth is made using bricks and pongala is prepared using firewood. The city citizens provide them with all help needed to prepare pongala. They not only give water, but also free food and shelter in their own homes and treat them as guests. Meals and drinks are specially made in large quantities for devotees and make them easy available. Around 2000policemen and 500 lady constables are put into duty on this day in the city.

 

How the rituals are conducted?

 On this auspicious occasion, women make hearths with bricks and fill clay pots with water, slightly tilt to east direction and make sufficient arrangements in the early morning itself. Also they place pooja items to please Ganapathi in front of the pot. They fast till pongala hearth is being lighted. Then they wait for announcement when they can light their hearths. Around 10 o’clock rituals at temple starts with lightening of ‘Pandaara adupp’ done by Melshanthi. It is accompanied by crackers and chenda. The fire is exchanged from hearth to hearth and women start cooking, singing bhajans and praying. Once the hearths are lighted, sandal sticks are also lighted as an offering to Ganapathi. The city will be filled with smoke and fumes in midday heat of the sun. Yet women will be engaged in cooking Pongala for Mother, with tears running through their eyes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Pongala is made by cooking rice and adding jaggery, coconut and ghee in the end. Often green bay leaves, cardamom, sliced banana, raisins and cashew nut are also added to increase its taste and aroma.  Sometimes it is made by cooking rice in milk and extra items like Thiraliyappam, Mandaputt are also made to please the goddess. Some ladies prepare 51, 101 and even more pots. Pongala means to boil over and hence while rice boils, each woman will wait for a few moments, without stirring the pots so that Pongola overflows which is believed to bring prosperity to their lives. Once they have completed the work, they wait till evening for the arrival of poojari to sprinkle holy water which marks the end of the rituals. Each year there are nearly 500 poojaris to perform sanctification, since it is not easy to access 3 million pots in a short time by few of them. Around the temple, since it is not easy to reach each and every pot, helicopter is used to conduct this ritual, which disperses holy water and flowers. The 9th day celebration ends with Kuthiyottam, Thalappoli and processing of the Goddess and the ten day celebrations closes with Akathezhunnellippu and Kudiyilakkal.                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Once sanctification process is completed, the roads, streets and even paths of city are filled with women going to home with Pongala on their heads and satisfaction on their faces and till midnight, eyes of the city remain open waiting for the next season to return when it turns to another yagasala again, filled with smoke, fumes and enchanting prayers.