Durga Puja is celebrated widely in South Asia. It is the main festival of Bengal. Bengali eagerly wait for this day. Goddess Durga is worshipped with Shiva (her husband), in addition to with her four children Laxmi, Ganesh, Kartikeya and Saraswati.
This festival is celebrated in the month of September-October. It is said that Goddess Durga killed the demon and won over the evil. This festival is worshipped for five days. But the Puja starts with the welcome of Goddess Durga on the day of Mahalaya known as 'Agamani' in Bengal. The pre dawn program were relayed by All India Radio. On this day people gathered near the ghats of Ganga and offer their prayers to their ancestors which is known as Tarpan in Bengal. Life comes to a stand still during these five days. School , colleges and offices remain holiday during these five days. Many Government offices and private offices give bonus to their employers to enjoy this day. Calcutta takes a new look on these days specially at night. Millions of people come to the city and line up before the pandals.
People rush to the shop to buy new clothes. On this day every body wears new clothes. Whereever space may be available elaborate structures called pandals were set up. The construction of the puja pandals and the clay idols start a month or two back. These pandals were beautifully decorated with various items an deach has its uniqueness. The idols of Durga Mata is also decorated with artificial ornament and with colorful dresses. The pandals were temporary temple constructed specially for these five days where the idols of Durga Mata are set up and offered prayers. These pandals were made of bamboo and with beautiful decorative clothes. Everywhere inside the pandals the ritual drummers called the "dhakis" carried the large "dhak" on their shoulder and beat it hardly. They do so to draw attention of local puja comittee and the local people.
Many functions and fairs were held everywhere in Bengal during these five days. The Bengal gain its beauty during these days. Roads are decoarted with lights. The restaurant are packed with people and many temporay stalls are made throughout the city during these days. People gathered to celebrate these festival with their family members. Many of them who stays outside Bengal returned to their home town on this special days. The bengali NRI also celebrate this puja. Special image made of light material called thermocol are flown to abroad and Bengali NRI gathered and celebrate this puja. In Bengal many Zaminders also celebrate this puja inside their house and this puja are very famous. Whole night there is bus and metro rail services available. Many people go for tour with their family during these holiday.
The inauguration of the puja starts on Mahasasti. On this day the mother kept fast for their children and pray for their good health and long life. Then comes Mahasaptami.Then comes Mahaastami the very special day of this puja.On this day everybody keep fast and gathered inside the pandals and the priest loudly say prayers which the people utter and offer flowers in front of the Goddess Durga. This is known as "Puspanjali" in Bengal. Then there were Yajnas (sacrificial fires) where milk, clarified butter and ghee are offered to Goddess. People prepare various types of dishes and served with great happiness among others and their relatives. Garlands and ropes of flowers were woven as an offering to the goddess. Then comes Mahanavami and Dashmi the end of this puja.
So on the day of Dashmi the clay idol of Durga Mata were taken for the immersion known as "bhasan or bisorjan" in Bengal. It is said that on this day Durga Maa returns to her husbands house in "Kailash" with her children. These idols are taken out in grand peocession and were immersed into the river Ganga and many people gathered near the ghats of Ganga to watch the immersion. People share sweets among their relatives and visit their relatives house. Dashmi is also known as "Vijay Dashmi" it means goddess Durga killed the demon and won victory. Bengali all over the world celebrate this great event of their culture.
1952 December 27. Venue: Vembanad lake shore, Kuttanad, Alappuzha
Below Aryad Metro lamp, a temporary stage was made and decorated well. In the Vembanad lake, there were 8 tracks. On either shores, many boats were preparing for a race. A huge crowd was also present. Kuttanad people were eagerly waiting for someone so special. "Here....he comes!", people couldn't control their happiness seeing a person in paijama and kurtha, landing from the house boat 'Dorothi'. The chief guest was wearing Pathan shoes and Gandhi cap and very soon, he get into the open stage.
"Panditjee ki jay......"
When thousands were receiving him in this manner, India's the then Prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru raised his hands to accept their welcome. The way by which the villagers of Kuttanad welcomed Nehru, was really a touching one. That day marked the beginning of a new boat race, which is followed till now even after 49 years. Boat race is known as Vallam kali in Malayalam and hence begin a new era of boat races to follow. Later, boat race of Vembanad lake began to known as Nehru Trophy Vallam Kali. Vembanad lake is the longest lake of India and Nehru Trophy is conducted in a part of Vembanad backwaters known as Punnamada lake of Kuttanad.
First boat race of world
Before proceeding forward, let me say a few words about the first boat race of the world. It was first conducted 5000 years ago in Athens. Countries like Rome, Greece, Babylonia used to celebrate new year by conducting boat races. When boat races traveled from Rome to Athens, it began to concentrate around Venice. Magic shown with the help of oars made it popular all over the world. Water clubs began to organize. Then, this art form got recognition from British Universities and public stalls. It was also introduced in Modern Olympics. Dragon race of Singapore, boat race conducted in Thailand, Snake boats of Norway and boat races of Minicoy are a few popular among them.
How boat race became popular in God's own country
Kerala is famous for its greenery and backwater resources. 44 rivers and numerous streams of Kerala have really helped this sport to become more popular among common man. Since boat races are normally related to festivals and since it's spring season, they are normally conducted during Onam season, normally in the Malayalam month Chingam. Vallamkali is an inevitable part of malayalis' cultural life and they can't even imagine an Onam festival celebrations without boat songs or races.It starts with Champakulam Moolam boat race, which is conducted on Moolam star day of Malayalam month Mithunam. Normally it comes after the middle half of June and before the commence of second half of July. It's related to Aranmula Parthasarathy temple festival celebrations and it's known as 'Pooram in water'.
The lengthiest boat race is conducted in Payippaatt. Aaranmula Uthrattathi vallamkali held on Uthrattathi star of Malayalam month Chingam is the oldest of all water festivals of Kerala. It's conducted in the holy Pampa river. It's related to Aaranmula temple and boat race is conducted in the anniversary day of the installation of Krishna idol in Aranmula temple by the Pandavas. An important event, 'Ashtami Rohini Vallasadya’, a feast given to oarsman on the birthday of Lord Krishna is also very famous. Kumarakom Chathayam boat race, also known as Sri Narayana boat race is conducted on the birthday of Sri Narayana Guru at Kumarakom, Kottayam. Chathayam day, Narayanu Guru's birthstar normally comes on fourth Onam in Chingam. Thus it forms a part of Onam celebrations. Neerettupuram boat race started in 1957 is also popular. Outside Kuttanad, most famous boat race is Kandassam Kadavu boat race. A few boat races started later like Indira Gandhi boat race of Eranakulam, Rajiv Gandhi boat race of Pulinkunnu, Mannar-Mahatma boat race, Karuvatta boat race etc have also helped in attracting tourists to Kerala during this festival season.
Sing and dance while rowing
The unique attraction of boat festivals of Kerala are boat races and uniform rowing. Boats move in rhythm to singing and shouting of excitement. Along with it, traditional boat songs prompt everyone to dance in rhythm. Musical bits like 'Theyyom Theyyom', 'They They Thaka They Theyyom', 'Thithithara Thithithai Thithai Thaka They They Thom', have become quite popular and it brings the soil smell of interior parts of Kuttanadu.
While oarsmen are rowing, a group of people standing in rows inside the boat sing boat songs in tune and rhythms of rowing. It's really a spectacular scene to watch them singing and rowing, like marching of policemen in a parade. Boat songs have formed a part of Malayalam literature and it's known as 'Vanchippaatt' in Malayalam. It's a branch of Malayalam literary works of which Kuchelavritham vanchippaatt written by Ramapurathu Variyar based on 'Nathonnatha' vritham is most famous. Another famous vanchippaatt belonging to 'Nathonnatha' catagory is Kiraatham Vanchippaatt. Santhana Gopalam, Uthrattathi Charitham, Karuna, nalacharitham, Balaleela, Palazhy madhanam, Baana Yudham are also a few examples.
For Vallamkali, 3 types of songs are used - vanchippaattu, Vachupaattu and Sthotra ganam. To ridicule opponents, Kuthupaattu is also used very often. They select songs according to the demanding situations.
Real stars are boats
Boats known as Vallam in Malayalam are categorized according to their shape, size and performance. Some of the most popular Kerala boats are
1. Chundan Vallam (snake boats)
Snake boat is the most popular category and is included in icons to indicate Kerala culture. Boat races are incomplete without snake boats. Once they were used in battles. It makes us remember a cobra with raised hood as if it's getting ready to attack. It's made of jackfruit tree and its length varies from 100 to 158 feet. They are seen as the symbol of pride and 64 oarsmen can comfortably sit inside it. At occasions, their number doubles. In the middle portion of the second half of Chundan vallam, a platform is there where 8 persons can stand. They represent Ashtadikpalakas. A colourful decorated umbrella is also seen.
2. Churulan Vallam
It's a medium sized boat which can accommodate maximum of 25 rowers at a time. Both its ends are slightly elevated and curved. 'Churul' means curve in Malayalam and hence it's known as Churulan vallam. Women and children participants normally use this boat and its different models are available in Kuttanadu.
3. Odi(Veppu) Vallam
'Veppu' means 'preparing dishes' in Malayalam. when kings were reigning Kerala, while they went in snake boats for battles, these odi vallams used to accompany them. These boats are exclusively for chefs, who prepare dishes for kings and their soldiers. Preparations were done in these boats itself and hence these boats got this name. This boat also has a nick name, 'Paranthu vaalan', meaning 'Eagle-tailed'. It can accomodate upto 50 people at a time.
4. Kettu Vallam (House boats)
If boats are given roofs so that they resemble houses, it's known as Kettuvallam. Earlier house boats were used for the transportation of cargos, but now used for tourism purposes. The highlight of Kumarakam back waters is abundant number of house boats, which attract a lot of tourists. Though rates are high, tourists prefer to stay in house boats for days, to watch the beauty of backwaters and greenery. They can enjoy a lovely sail too.
5. Iruttukuthi
Less height boats, seen spread on water surface are known as Iruttukuthi.They were once used by robbers and decoits in the dark. 'Iruttu' means dark and hence the name.It's also known as Vadakkanodi. These boats have a special talent to travel against waves.
Since June-July months is the monsoon season of Kerala, all its backwaters are filled with water. Thus, nature itself is preparing for the boat races. It's accompanied by blossoming spring, making this boat season lovely and more beautiful. Nowadays boat races are seen as a part of Onam celebrations, thereby promoting tourism. Boats are decorated using flowers, flags and colourful umbrellas and oarsmen are often accompanied by different dance troops of Kerala. They perform traditional art form like Kathakali, Thiruvathirakali, Mohini attam etc. All these decorations and dance troops give Kerala boats a magical touch, that everyone really love to watch! Boat races have become a part of Kerala's cultural heritage and Keralites without rhythms of boat songs in their mind and soul is very hard to imagine. Seasons have changed, people have moved forward a lot. Yet, some cultural symbols truly remain forever, even in years to come.
Are really woman being empowered. This question must have came into the mind of most of the Indian women. Aren't we moving backwards?
Nowadays crime against women has increased with increased modernization. Are we cultured. Or the culture is only a mask which we use to represent ourselves as we belong to a certain sect, ethnicity or origin. Is this only the meaning & definition of culture in current modern society.
We keep on practicising evil, hampering human rights, framing inequalities, dividing people in the name of culture. Crimes against women like rape,eve teasing, molestation,gender discrimination,female feoticide is on its peak in this highly civilized culturally backward society where victims are victimized & women are made to cover faces & blamed for crimes against women with society backing & giving full fledged support to criminals just because they are powerful.
It's high time where such cases of women moving freely on roads without any fear have been heard. Even the protectors have now become the damagers in our society with a vast population of blind, deaf & speechless people following the non-violence mechanism of Mahatma Gandhi & filling their own pockets in the name of that great leader doing nothing but puzzling society blaming jeans,western culture & showing & proving their negligence, cowardness & indifference towards the so called weaker section of the society who likes portraying herself helpless & ready to be used by men in any manner the way they want.
The only way out is change the mental image of Indian society, portray them equal to men & not only production machines needed in the society only to marry & reproduce but as citizens of India who are strong enough to share the burden of nurturing the society as men do. They society should shun out gender biases to enable women to provide platform for them to devote themselves completely towards their goals & empower them with rights to do full justice to their dreams no matter what their background is.
Life has no future. Everyone in the world knows this fact, but still they like to play with their life. Everyone likes to have a short-cut in their life to achieve success. Our Intension and thoughts takes a test with our Culture and Religious Beliefs. Though our soul doesn’t want to implement certain things in our life, but still we don’t believe on our soul and do certain things which we shouldn’t. Sometime we have to kill our soul to do certain things.
Everyone wants to get Success. Success is only decided from the path we choose in our life. If we would have taken correct decision in choosing our path, we will get Success. If the path is not taken according to the requirement, then we may fail to succeed. If we want to know a person, instead of checking Property of him/her, we should check how his/her culture is, how he/she behaves with others and how is the nature of that person. There are person in majority who lives in Double Standard. Sometimes, we are not able to judge a person, who is externally very good and well behaved, but don’t have a good heart. We find this kind of people in majority. So, sometimes, it becomes little difficult to know a person.
Every person wants to become good, but there in sometimes within that person that restricts to become good. These people think a lot in taking decisions. If I will do this thing, I will have a loss. If I am going to take this step, I will remain backwards. To be ahead and to get good benefits, a person, do lots of Compromise with him/her. Many people because of their greed, they don’t take care of any relation and they don’t hesitate to break them. The person who believe that Status and Property are going to change in any moment, for them relation is one type of weapon and they could any time misuse this weapon for their benefits. Many people realize later, after achieving a lot, that what they have lost. A person moves so much ahead in their life blind-folded, that after achieving a lot, when he/she stands in front to show how much he/she has achieved, at that time he/she finds no one to appreciate him/her.
Humans split the relation in 2 parts. There are relations with someone where we have greed to get everything and there is also some relation where we don’t hope to get anything. We cut our relation with those people, with whom we are not getting anything. Humans are full of greediness. How much relations are there, which are connected to heart? There are very few. We care our child, so much that when we will become old, our children would be there with us to take care of ours. But now days, children just throw their parents out of their house.
This incident hurt a lot to their parents. How can a child become so aggressive? Parents have started to compromise such things and some of them have shifted to a new home to live their rest of life. When I used to see such people, really eyes become full of tears. Humans are really unpredictable and we don’t know how things can change in a matter of seconds.
Blogging is my way of venting out my frustration, more so when I have nothing else to do. So approximately 2 years after my first blog, to your like or dislike, here I am again.
Lot has changed over the years. I became an engineer ,though I am ashamed to call myself one knowing the treasure trove of relevant knowledge i posses. Nonetheless, i scored a job (*YIPEE* *PHEW*) at a consulting firm(as far away from core engineering as possible).
BUT lethargy took over and i am taking a plunge into the student life again and going for my management studies to London Business School(*sound of bursting crackers*). And thus starts the subject for my new blog "Life of a not so rich not so poor girl".
As we all know, studies abroad can be quite costly and doesnt just burn but drills an hole into the pocket. To sew up that hole or in an attempt to at least patch it I applied to 1000+ scholarships (note:the figures might be a bit exaggerated). Got an interview call from almost all of them (showing off) but couldnt convert any till now :(. With only 2 or 3 results to be declared and keeping in mind my stupendous past performances at scholarship interviews, the reality stares me in the face. But why would a decent student be denied scholarships? and the answer my friends is *DRUMROLL* money.
I always thought that people who are focused towards their career and acads are given merit scholarships and i also thought that keeping your finances in place through education loans,personal finance,bank looting and smuggling is being focused towards the academic program till i found out otherwise. Applying to course without keeping full finances at hand and creating tall tales of entrepreneurship to finally ditch the idea and join an investment bank are a better way to start. I got feedbacks from various organizations saying i am not needy enough and the school and accomodation charges scream that i am not rich enough. Where the poor of the country wish they grew richer by a bit, i pray for quite the opposite everytime i am rejected for a schol.*sigh*
Anyways basking in the glory of getting an admit and living in the hope of getting a dcent job i am taking the plunge of faith. To save money i will skip haircuts, lunch and earn money from surveys..:D. Signing off with a strong feeling that a billionare will come across my blog and sponsor me for the program--M.M.
More Articles …
Page 16 of 37