Visit To The Historical Land of Kurukshetra

 

THE LAND OF MAHABHARAT WAR & BHAGWAD GITA in kurukshetra


 By Sanjeev Rattan / ON 02 Feburary 2021 / Kurukshetra 


Kurukshetra, about one hundred miles north of New Delhi, is best known as the place where the great battle of the Mahabharata was fought and Lord Krishna spoke the Bhagavad-gita. But long before that, Kurukshetra had played a dominant role in the history and culture of ancient India. For thousands of years it was a hub around which the Vedic civilization spun in its full glory. Kurukshetra’s religious importance is described in many scriptures, including the Bhagavad-gita, the Mahabharata, and various Upanishads and Puranas. The scriptures refer to it as a place of meditation and an abode of demigods. The atmosphere of Kurukshetra is still charged with the chanting of Vedic hymns, especially the Bhagavad-gita.

The first verse of the Gita refers to Kurukshetra as dharma-kshetra, or “the field of dharma,” indicating that it was already known as a holy place. Today one can find many ancient temples and sacred lakes at Kurukshetra, an area of about one hundred square miles between the sacred rivers Sarasvati and Drishadvati in Haryana state.



The Great King Kuru

Kurukshetra was formerly known as Brahmakshetra, Brighukshetra, Aryavarta, and Samanta Pancaka. It became known as Kurukshetra because of the work of King Kuru.

The Mahabharata tells of how King Kuru, a prominent ancestor of the Pandavas, made the land a great center of spiritual culture. King Kuru went there on a golden chariot and used the chariot’s gold to make a plow. He then borrowed Lord Siva’s bull and Yamaraja’s buffalo and started plowing. When Indra arrived and asked Kuru what he was doing, Kuru replied that he was preparing the land for growing the eight religious virtues: truth, yoga, kindness, purity, charity, forgiveness, austerity, and celibacy.

Indra asked the king to request a boon. Kuru asked that the land ever remain a holy place named after himself, and that anyone dying there go to heaven regardless of his sins or virtues. Indra laughed at the requests.

Undaunted, Kuru performed great penance and continued to plow. Gradually, Indra was won over, but other demigods expressed doubts. They said that death without sacrifice did not merit a place in heaven. Finally, Kuru and Indra arrived at a compromise: Indra would admit into heaven anyone who died there while fighting or performing penance. So Kurukshetra became both a battlefield and a land of piety.

The Birth of the Gita

The Battle of Kurukshetra began on the day known as Mokshada Ekadashi. (Ekadashi is the eleventh day of either the waxing or waning moon, and mokshada means “giver of liberation.”) On that day, Krishna enlightened Arjuna with the knowledge of Bhagavad-gita, liberating him. Now every year on that day—considered the birthday of Bhagavad-gita—festivals in honor of the Gita are held at Kurukshetra and many other places in India. The grand festival in Jyotisar, the spot where the Gita was spoken, is organized as a state function, with chief ministers and governors presiding. Coincidentally, this is also the time of ISKCON’s annual Prabhupada Book Marathon, when devotees distribute hundreds and thousands of copies of Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita As It Is in India and around the world.


Rathayatra’s Kurukshetra Roots

Once, when Krishna was preparing to go to Kurukshetra at the time of a solar eclipse, He invited the gopis (cowherd girls) and other residents of Vrindavana to meet Him at Kurukshetra. When He had left Vrindavana in His youth, He had promised to return very soon. But He had been away for a long time (about a hundred years), so out of intense spiritual love, the residents of Vrindavana had always felt ecstatic longing to see Him again.

The residents of Dvaraka (a majestic city) arrived at Kurukshetra on chariots; the residents of Vrindavana (a simple cowherd village), on ox carts. Because the families of Vrindavana and Dvaraka were related, a joyful reunion took place.

Of all the residents of Vrindavana, the leading gopi, Srimati Radharani, had felt the pangs of separation from Krishna more than anyone else. She and the other gopis were determined to bring Krishna back to Vrindavana. The loving exchange between Krishna and the gopis at Kurukshetra is the esoteric meaning behind the festival known as Rathayatra (“Festival of the Chariots”). So whenever Hare Krishna devotees put on Rathayatras in cities around the world, they are proclaiming the glories of Kurukshetra.






Happy Republic Day 26 January 2021

 


Republic Day is celebrated every year on 26 January to commemorate the day the Constitution of India came into effect. Even though we had gained independence on 15 August, 1947, nascent India did not have its own laws which were drafted and finally adopted in the year 1950.

Let’s look into the importance of the Republic Day and how is it going to be celebrated this year

Republic Day 2021: Importance

When leaders realised that a full-fledged constitution that caters to the specific needs of Indians is needed, a Drafting Committee was appointed on 29 August, 1947.

The panel is responsible for scrutinising the “draft of the text of the Constitution of India prepared by Constitutional Adviser” along with “giving effect to the decisions already taken in the Assembly and including all matters which are ancillary thereto or which have to be provided in such a Constitution”.

The committee was asked to submit the final draft in front of the Constituent Assembly for consideration and revision.

The Drafting Committee had seven members, namely Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar, N Gopalaswami, BR Ambedkar, KM Munshi, Mohammad Saadulla, BL Mitter and DP Khaitan. At its first meeting on 30 August, 1947, BR Ambedkar was elected as its chairperson.

After workingfor 2 years, 11 months and 18 days, the committee was prepared with the draft. The Constituent Assembly then formally adopted it on 26 November, 1949.

However, the day it came into effect was pushed back two months to 26 January, 1950 as it marked the anniversary of the Purna Swaraj Diwas which was on 26 January, 1930. On this day, a resolution demanding “complete freedom” from the British was drawn.

Republic Day 2021: How will it be celebrated this year

Every year, a Republic Day parade is held at the Rajpath in New Delhi. The day begins with the prime minister paying tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country at the Amar Jawan Jyoti in India Gate. The president also hoists a flag at Rajpath and several important dignitaries, alongside the Prime minister and the president, are present for the parade.

Colourful tableaus, tank show, air show and bike pyramids are some of the most famous attractions of the parade. Also, a foreign head of the state is invited as the chief guest.

However, things will be different this year, given we are still coping with the pandemic. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had to call off his trip due to the second lockdown imposed in the country and a large number of people will not be allowed in 2021.

The number of marching contingents from the armed forces has been also reduced.

Happy Makar Sankranti 2021




            By Sanjeev Rattan / ON 13 January 2021 / Makara Sankranti Festival 

 Makar Sankranti is a harvest festival celebrated by Indians. The day is dedicated to the Sun God, and is also known by different names such as Makara Sankranti or Maghi. The day marks the entry of the sun into the zodiac sign of Makara (Capricorn). It also signals the end of winters and the onset of spring. As per the Hindu calendar, Makar Sankranti falls on the first day of the month of Magha.

People celebrate the occasion with sweets made of jaggery and sesame as well as rice, along with sumptuous meals.

Happy Lohri 2021

 

जानिए क्यों मनाई जाती है लोहड़ी



 By Sanjeev Rattan / ON 13 January 2021 / Lohri Festival 

देश भर में आज लोहड़ी (Lohri 2021) मनाई जा रही है. ये त्योहार मकर संक्रांति के एक दिन पहले आता है. पंजाब और हरियाणा के लोग इसे बहुत धूम-धाम से मनाते हैं. आज के दिन आग में तिल, गुड़, गजक, रेवड़ी और मूंगफली चढ़ाने का रिवाज होता है. लोहड़ी का त्योहार किसानों का नया साल भी माना जाता है. लोहड़ी को सर्दियों के जाने और बसंत के आने का संकेत भी माना जाता है. कई जगहों पर लोहड़ी को तिलोड़ी भी कहा जाता है.

लोहड़ी का महत्व- लोहड़ी का त्योहार फसल की कटाई और बुआई के तौर पर मनाया जाता है. इस दिन लोग आग जलाकर इसके इर्द-गिर्द नाचते-गाते और खुशियां मनाते हैं. आग में गुड़, तिल, रेवड़ी, गजक डालने और इसके बाद इसे एक-दूसरे में बांटने की परंपरा है. इस दिन पॉपकॉर्न और तिल के लड्डू भी बांटे जाते हैं. ये त्योहार पंजाब  में फसल काटने के दौरान मनाया जाता है. लोहड़ी में इसी खुशी का जश्न मनाया जाता है. इस दिन रबी की फसल को आग में समर्पित कर सूर्य देव और अग्नि का आभार प्रकट किया जाता है. आज के दिन किसान फसल की उन्नति की कामना करते हैं.

इस दिन सुनी जाती है दुल्ला भट्टी की कहानी- लोहड़ी के दिन अलाव जलाकर उसके इर्द-गिर्द डांस किया जाता है. इसके साथ ही इस दिन आग के पास घेरा बनाकर दुल्ला भट्टी की कहानी सुनी जाती है. लोहड़ी पर दुल्ला भट्टी की कहानी सुनने का खास महत्व होता है. मान्यता है कि मुगल काल में अकबर के समय में दुल्ला भट्टी नाम का एक शख्स पंजाब में रहता था. उस समय कुछ अमीर व्यापारी सामान की जगह शहर की लड़कियों को बेचा करते थे, तब दुल्ला भट्टी ने उन लड़कियों को बचाकर उनकी शादी करवाई थी. कहते हैं तभी से हर साल लोहड़ी के पर्व पर दुल्ला भट्टी की याद में उनकी कहानी सुनाने की पंरापरा चली आ रही है.

Travel To Manali Hill Station


Manali is a beautiful hill station in Kullu District in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It has an average altitude of 6,427 feets above mean sea level. Manali is located on the bank of Beas River about 39 km away from Kullu City hub and 268 km away from Shimla. According to the census of 2011 approximately 8,096 people reside here. Being a hill station of higher elevation it be snow covered in winter and its green meadows and deodar forests attract a number of trekkers, skiers, and rafters throughout the year. Manali is also very favorite place for honeymoon couples.

The average temperature ranges of Manali during summer from the month of April to July is between 13 °C and 21°C and between -6°C and 9°C in the winter from the month November to February. Manali is a place where you can perform lots of activities like water rafting, trekking, and mountaineering, at Beas Kund, Chandrakhani Pass, Lahaul, Spiti, Bara Bhangal and Zanskar ranges. You can also able to find out several picturesque sight-seeing spots from there.


 BY Sanjeev Rattan / ON 9 January 2021 / Hill Station

Places to Visit in and around Manali

Hadimba Temple is located just 2 km away from Manali Hill Station. It was built in 1533 AD to the respect of Hidimbi Devi, who was a character in the Hindu Mythology, Mahabharata.

Manu Temple is dedicated to the Rishi Manu. It is situated in the old township of Manali about 3 km away from the chief marketplace in old Manali. Manu sage is believed to the divine creator of the human race by Hindus.

Vashishta Temple is located just 3.5 km away from Manali Bus Stand. The temple is named after Vashishta (Brahma’s mind son ) and guru of Shri Ram. It offers you hot water springs.

Van Vihar is a mini forestry park situated just 2.2 km away from Manali hub, in front of the Tibet market on Mall road behind the Hadimba temple. Boating in the small pond of the park is most attractive here.

Jagatsukh is a hilly village located about 6 km away from Manali Hill Station. Once it was the capital of Kullu state. Major attractions of the village are an ancient Shiva Temple, a small shrine of Gaurishankar and the Sandhya Devi temple.

Solang Valley is on the top of the Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh, about 14.3 km away from Manali on the way to Rohtang Pass. This Valley is famous for its summer and winter sports like parachuting, paragliding, skating and Zorbing.

Rohtang Pass is a lovely tour spot in Himachal Pradesh located just 50 km away from Manaly. It is the highest point on the Manali-Keylong road with a height of 3,978 meters. Dassaur Lake and the source of Beas River, Beas Kund are another attractions close to Rothang Pass.

Club House is about 1.6 km away from Manali bus stand, just at the foot of old Manali village. It provides you five star comforts with its courteous staff, indoor and outdoor games, Bar and a well maintained Restaurant.

Maa Sharvari Temple is dedicated to goddess Durga. Once, she was conceded as the Kuldevi of Kullu kings. It is situated on the top of above the Shaminallah village, which is about 5.2 Km away from Manali.

Rahala waterfalls are located just 15 km away from Manali at the start of the climb to the Rohtang Pass. It is lovely tourist attraction for tourists maintain an altitude of 2,500 meters.

Naggar is an interesting tourist spot close to Manali Hill Station. You will find here ae Castle, Roerich House and an Art gallery. Moonlight dinner on the balcony of Hotel Castle restaurant is also another attraction here.

Manali Gompa or Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa was constructed in 1960 ad. This is a very sacred place for Buddhists. This monastery is world famous for a large statue of Buddha and for its wall paintings.

Nehru Kund is about 6.1 km away from Manali. It is one of the natural springs of natural water in India and its name came after the late Prime Minister Jawarlal Nehru.

Some other tour spots in and around Manali Hill Station are Old Manali, Gauri Shankar Temple, Kalath Hot Water Springs, Jogini Falls, Rozy Falls, Krishna Temple, Zana Falls, Enfield point, Arjun Gufa, Kothi, Rahala water falls, Buddhist monasteries.

How to reach at Manali

 

Travel by Airways


Kullu-Manali Domestic Airport is the nearest to Manali hill station located at Bhuntar about 49 km away from Manali. Regular flights of Indian Airlines and Jagson are available here which operate flights between Delhi and Shimla to this airport. During monsoons, flights may get cancelled due to bad weather conditions. Chandigarh airport is the nearest international airport.

 

Travel by Roadways

Manali is well connected to other metro cities of India by several national highways. NH-1 connects the city to Delhi and Chandigarh, NH-21 connects the city to Bilaspur, Sundernagar, Mandi and Kullu towns. The road distance from Delhi to Manali is 532 km and from Chandigarh to Manali is 273 km. HP Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) and HP Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) provides comfortable journey and good tour packages to this city.

Travel by Railways

There have no railway stations in Manali. The nearer railway stations to the city are situated at Jogindernagar (134 km), Pathankot (324 km), Shimla (275 km), Kalka (311 km) and Chandigarh (274 km). After reaching to the above mentioned stations you have to travel with a bus to reach Manali. Best option is to reach Chandigarh first, as regular bus services from the city are available.

Hotels in Manali Hill Station :-

 

Hotel Renuka
The Mall Road, Manali, HP
Phone: 01902-253294

Hotel Chandramukhi
N.H. 21, Rangri, Manali, HP
Phone: 01902-253279

Hotel Victoria Palace
N.H.21, Manali, H.P.
Phone: 01902-252646

Snow Valley Resorts
Log Hut Area, Manali, HP
Phone: 01902- 253228

Hotel Kalinga Intercontinental
National Highway, Rangiri, Manali
Phone: 01902-253250

Hotel Yak
The Mall road, Manali, HP
Phone: 01902-251473

Nagesh Hotel
Main National Highway Road, Manali
Phone: 01902- 253299

Hotel Snow Princess
National Highway, Manali
Phone: 01902-252601

Hotel Preet
Kullu Manali National Highway, Manali
Phone: 01902253744

Mahadeb Resorts Private Ltd.
N.H.21, Manali, H.P.
Phone: 01902253150

Hotel Samrat
The Mall Road, Manali, HP
Phone: 01902-250556

Hotel Adarsh
The Mall road, Manali, HP
Phone: 01902-252493

Hotel New Shibalik
The Mall,Manali, H.P.
Phone: 01902-254239

Hotel Cedar
The Mall road, Mnalai, HP
Phone: 01902-252124


General Info of Manali Hill Station

Country

India

State

Himachal Pradesh

District

Kullu

Altitude

6,427 ft (Average)

STD Code

01902

Isd Code

+91

Temp. Summer

18°C (Average)

Temp. Winter

-5°C to 7°C

Best Seasons to Visit

Any time in the year accept monsoon

Languages

Hindi

Population

8,096 (according to census of 2011)

Clothing

Light woolen in summer and heavy woolen in winter

Main Religion

Hinduism (95%)

Currency

Indian Rupee ()

 

History of Sai Gulam Jugni Ji

 


BY SANJEEV RATTAN  / ON 6 January 2021 / Artist


          Jugni is an age-old narrative device used in Punjabi folk music and sung at Punjabi weddings in India, Pakistan, US, Canada, Australia and UK. In folk music it stands in for the poet-writer who uses Jugni as an innocent observer to make incisive, often humorous, sometimes sad but always touching observations.

In spiritual poetry Jugni means the spirit of life, or essence of life. Alam Lohar (Punjab, Pakistan) and after Alam Lohar the singer and humorist Asa Singh Mastana (Punjab, India) is also credited with popularizing this poetry from early Sufi spiritual writings and then subsequently later on it was transformed by other singers as a female girl just like prefixes like Preeto.

Alam Lohar started this genre of singing 'Jugni' during his early performances around pre-partition (1947), he sang Jugni throughout his early years of singing which was in the 1930s when he was a child star (started singing at a very young age) and many of his songs were not recorded at that time due to limited recording facilities within British India (pre-partition). His LP record titled 'Jugni' was recorded later on in his career and became a gold disc LP in 1965. Alam Lohar has also recorded multiple variations of Jugni and some of this is still available to hear on many LP records and visible on black and white TV recordings even available on YouTube to view. Other singers throughout the world have been greatly influenced by the Jugni recordings that Alam Lohar including his son Arif Lohar.

Much of early Jugni writing is spiritual in nature and relates to one's understanding of the world and one's relationship with God. Many poet philosophers have used the Jugni device, which is in the public domain, to make social, political or philosophical, often mildly subversive, commentary. Jugni invokes the name of God (often using the word "Saeen", the vernacular word for Lord). A kernel of truth is an essential and integral part of every Jugni composition and there is a theory that Alam Lohar introduced this term from reading Baba Bulleh Shahs (Kasoor, Pakistan) writing, used in a spiritual Sufi theme context.

Noting, Jugni is also an old Muslim worship tool, majorly named as TASBIH, a series of 21, 33, 51 or 101 pearls, which is used by SUFI SAINTS for practicing the holy words. Mainly it is made by white pearls and white thread and is known to be holy. Afterwards JUGNI has become an ornament for Punjabi Women.

The narrative style relies on Jugni landing up unexpectedly in diverse places and, wide-eyed, learning something new. Jugni makes her comments in three or four well wrought verses which may or may not rhyme but can always be sung in a rudimentary Punjabi folk style. The object could be a city, a state, a market place, a school, a religious place or a saloon, Jugni's non-malicious commentary catches the essence of the place and produces in the listener a chuckle and sometimes a lump in the throat. The Indian artist to make a mark was Asa Singh Mastana. More recently[when?]Kuldeep Manak, born Latif Mohammad, has made notable Jugni contributions. Apart from that every other pop or folk singer from Harbhajan MannArif LoharGurdas MaanGurmeet Bawa to Rabbi Shergill has had his Jugni moment. Bollywood movie Oye Lucky, Lucky Oye has at least three songs that use the word Jugni. The song was sung by Des Raj Lachkani (basically a dadi singer), Lachkani is a village near Patiala, India.

In Pakistan, Jugni was popularized by the late folk music singer Alam Lohar. He received a gold disc LP for his Jugni in 1965. After that Saleem Javed and Arif Lohar, Alam Lohar's son, among others, have kept the tradition alive. Arif has brought in a more contemporary touch by incorporating modern vibes and rock influence in his versions of Jugni with Mukhtar Sahota[citation needed] (notably in his album "21st century Jugni"[1]). In popular Pakistani culture Alamgir's Jugni is often the most-commonly recognized, which, in the mid-80's, encouraged young college students, most notably Saad Zahur, an architecture student at Lahore's NCA, who popularized the song with their own renditions. Arif Lohar has currently sang it for Coke Studio in Pakistan along with Meesha Shafi, a popular Pakistani youth, a version that will help this iconic song to further live on and on. This version of Jugni has crossed twenty-six (45) million views and is most popular Punjabi video on YouTube.[2] Jugni is folk song of Panjabi.The word "Jugni" is corrupt form of English word "jubilee".In1887 the Queen Victoria celebrated the golden jubilee of her Raj(empire). The Queen was on throne of United Kingdom of Britain for last 50 years A jubilee flame was taken all over the British empire.A part of this flame was also taken to the various Towns and cities of India.Where ever the flame was taken,a public meeting was held at that place, which was addressed by the British officers, who praises the British empire.

On the side lines of these meetings, Bishna and Manda also arranged their own congregation. Not much is known about Jaimal and Fatta. But it is said that they were folk singers belonging to a village near Amritsar. Jaimal was Jat by cast and Fatta was Muslims Mirasi. Though they were illiterate, but they can compose songs verbally. Illiterate Bishna and Manda corrupted the word "jubilee" to Jugni.They are the creators of Jugni.In the beginning few people attend these congregations. But with the passage of time, their congregations gained more popularity due their patriotism.

More and more people started attending these congregations and Bishna and Manda become more popular among people. Whereas the Popularity of the public meetings addressed by British officers went down and few people attend these meetings.

Due to the Popularity of the congregations of Jaimal and Fatta, the police started harassing and torturing them. Though the police eliminated Bishna and Manda but their Jugni become immortal. 





                                                          



SHOPPING

 

BEST AND EASY WAY TO SHOPPING ON  INTERNET

BY SANJEEV RATTAN  / ON 5 January 2021 / IN SHOPPING

 

Shopping online has certainly become a popular and successful

idea among most people. If you’re one of those who’s planning to go on a trip or to just shop for a vacation, it’s much easier than in the past because you can search your favorite stores and shops for buying products from there.

 


You need to make sure that the website that you are going to check out will offer you with all the things that you’re looking for and also will satisfy you. This will guarantee you that you will get all the things that you’re looking for. A popular website that is available these days is SaleHoo. You can find this in any search engine but the most of the time SaleHoo is placed at the top of the list.

On the other hand, SBS is another famous and well-known site where you can find wholesale manufacturers and wholesalers. This is done to ensure that you’ll have the best possible shopping experience. You will find all the goods that you’ll need in this site where you will be able to buy everything from clothing, shoes, mobile phones, watches, etc.

When you go through this site, you will see that it can help you in saving a lot of money because you’ll be able to save up to 80% by purchasing the goods that you want to purchase at SBS. Also, SaleHoo and SBS have an agreement in place with each other, so that you won’t find any complaints against any business that you purchased. So, all of this can be quite convenient and helpful for you.

Although SaleHoo and SBS both have the same features and benefits, it’s important that you know the differences between them. There are many advantages of these two sites which you need to know.

One big advantage of SaleHoo is that you will not require to wait for several days until you can check out products and goods because you’ll have it instantly. When you go to SBS, you will be required to go through several weeks before you can actually buy the goods. In SaleHoo, you can buy products and goods right away and you don’t have to wait to see if the goods are available. Besides, you can also access this site from your computer so you will not have to worry about the internet connection problems.

Moreover, you need to make sure that you’ll save up to 80% by choosing the goods and merchandise that you want from SaleHoo and SBS. Most of the time, you’ll find all the goods in these two sites so that you can get a great experience and that you will have a great shopping experience. If you’ve decided to go with these two sites, you’re sure to have a very good experience shopping on the internet today.

 

 

 

 

 

Visit To The Historical Land of Kurukshetra

  THE LAND OF MAHABHARAT WAR & BHAGWAD GITA in kurukshetra   By Sanjeev Rattan / ON 02 Feburary 2021 / Kurukshetra  Kurukshetra, about o...