INSIGHT

Searching myself everywhere
Indulged this mortal in all futile pursuits

Until it dawned within that
I have departed from my Self.



INVISIBLE REALITY

Individual identities all are
Thus merely see the common men

Perceive everything as the very Divine
The people of precious Wisdom

Those who look beyond everything
Only are cognizant of Unity in Diversity

Realization dawns then in Self-poised penance
That everything is part of Undivided Cosmic Being

Transcendence only leads to the revelation
That everything dwells in All-pervading Oneness


A.D. BALAJI
Personal Assistant
Engine Factory, Avadi
Chennai – 600 054

ஆத்மாவை உணர்தல்

A JOURNEY WITHIN …….

Man comes on a brief sojourn to the Earth,
not really knowing the purpose of his birth

Activities he indulges in during his mundane existence,
All to satisfy his ego but to no essence

Blinded by senses, he turns a mad sprinter
deluded in toto only to be battered later

Obsessed he is in material pursuits
compromising his peace and happiness in short-circuits

Astray thus goes his soul
ignorant of his Supreme goal

Wise are those who realize that ego
drives them crazy albeit all possessions that they can forgo

Stiffness comes with Ego when becoming
You can remain calm only when you stay as a Being

O dear ones ! Realize the Supreme
before you are driven to the extreme

Happiness and Peace blossom
Not when your ego sprouts from your Wholesome

But only in its total dissolution
within You – the Subtle Cosmic manifestation

O hapless Sailors ! Drive your boat of Ego with all your pace,
along the breeze of Divine Grace

It waits for your repentance and return
It always loves and cares for you for certain

Know You are part of the Supreme
To stay happy and tranquil forever in sublime

Miseries vanish when within yourself you see
I AM THAT ( Tat Tvam Asee )

LOKA SAMASTHA SUKHINO BHAVANTHU !

Courtesy: Shri A .D. BALAJI
Personal Assistant
Engine Factory, Avadi
Chennai – 600 054.
Ph: 97911 59539

பஜனையும் பக்தியும்

ராமகிருஷ்ணரின் பொன்மொழிகள் மிகுந்த அர்த்தம் பொதிந்தவை. படிப்போருக்கு எளிதில் புரியும்வண்ணம் கூறினார். அவர் கூறியவற்றில், பஜனையும் பக்தியும் பற்றிப் பார்க்கலாம் வாருங்கள்...*

வாய்விட்டு உரக்கத்தான் இறைவனைப் பிரார்த்திக்க வேண்டுமா?. உனக்கு எப்படி இஷ்டமோ அப்படிப் பிரார்த்தனை செய்யலாம். அவன் எப்போதும் உன் பிரார்த்தனையை நிச்சயமாகக் கேட்பான். எறும்பின் காலடி சப்தம் கூட அவனுடைய காதுகளில் கேட்கும்.*

பிரார்த்தனையால் வாஸ்தவமான பலன் உண்டா? உண்டு. மனமும் வாக்கும் ஒன்று சேர்ந்து ஊக்கத்தோடு ஏதேனும் ஒரு பொருளைப் பிரார்த்தித்துக் கேட்குமானால் அந்தப் பிரார்த்தனைகுப் பலன் கிடைக்கும். " ஈசுவரா! இவையெல்லாம் உன்னுடையவை " என்று வாயால் மட்டும் சொல்லி, அவையெல்லாம் தன்னுடையவை என்று மனதில் நினைக்கிறவனுடைய பிரார்த்தனைக்குப் பலன் உண்டாகாது.*

உனது நெஞ்சுக்குத் துரோகம் செய்யாதே, மனச்சாட்சியின்படி நட. நிச்சயமாக உனக்கு ஜயம் உண்டாகும். கள்ளம் கபடம் அற்ற உள்ளத்தோடு பிரார்த்தனை செய். ஈசுவரன் கேட்பான்.*

நெஞ்சில் உள்ளதையே வாயால் சொல்லு. உனது சொல்லுக்கும் நினைவுக்கும் அத்தியந்த ஒற்றுமை இருக்கட்டும். உன் மனம் உல்கத்திலேயே உழன்று கொண்டிருக்கும்போது, எல்லாம் ஈசுவரனே என்று வாயால் மாத்திரம் சொல்லிக்கொண்டிருந்தால் உனக்கு யாதொரு நன்மையும் உண்டாகாது.*

ஒரு பெரிய சக்ரவர்த்தியிடம் போகவேண்டுமானால் வாசல் காப்போனையும், அதிகாரிகளையும் நயந்து கொள்ள வேண்டும். சர்வேசுவரனுடைய சந்நிதானத்தை அடைய வேண்டுமானால் வெகுவாகப் பக்தி செய்து, அநேக பக்தர்களுக்குத் தொண்டு செய்து, நெடுநாள் ஸாது ஸ்ஹவாஸம் செய்யவேண்டும்.*

உலகத்தைப் பற்றிய எண்ணங்களும் கவலைகளும் உன் மனதைச் சஞ்சலப்படுத்தும்படி செய்து கொள்ளாதே. செய்ய வேண்டிய காரியங்கள் ஒவ்வொன்றையும் அதனதன் காலத்தில் செய். ஆயினும் உன் மனம் எப்போதும் இறைவனிடம் நிலைத்திருக்கட்டும்.*

திசையறி கருவியின் நுனி எப்போதும் வட திசையையே காட்டும் வரையில் கப்பலானது தனது மார்க்கத்தைவிட்டு விலகிப்போய் ஆபத்துக்குள்ளாவதில்லை. வாழ்க்கையாகிய கப்பலின் திசையறி கருவியாகிய மனிதனுடைய மனமானது பரப்பிரம்மத்தையே எப்போதும் நோக்கி அசைவற்றிருக்குமாகில் அது ஒவ்வோர் ஆபத்தையும் தாண்டிப் போகும்.*

எவ்விதம் பகவத் பிரார்த்தனை செய்ய வேண்டும்?. நாரத மகரிஷியைப் போல் பிரார்த்திக்க வேண்டும். உலகப் பொருள்களை நாம் பகவானிடம் யாசிக்கலாகாது. " ஓ ராமா, எனக்கு பக்தியும் உன் பாதக்கமலங்களில் சரணடையும் மனப்பான்மையும் தந்தருள்வாய் " என்று வேண்டிக் கொண்டார் அம்முனிவர், " நாரத ரிஷி, அவ்விதமே அளித்தேன். நாரதரே வேறு ஒன்றும் உமக்கு வேண்டாமோ ?" என்றார் ஸ்ரீராமச்சந்திர பிரபு." ஜகத்தையெல்லாம் மயக்கிவரும் மாயையின் வலையில் நான் சிக்குண்டு உழலாது காப்பாற்றப்பட வேண்டும் " என்று மறுவரம் வேண்டினார் நாரதர். " அங்கனமே ஆகுக; வேறு ஏதேனும் கேட்க மாட்டீரா? " என்றார் ஸ்ரீராமபிரான். அதற்கு நாரத மகரிஷி : அதுவே போதும், வேறொன்றும் நான் வேண்டேன் " என்று கூறிவிட்டார்.*

" ஏ பகவான்! நீ ரூபத்தோடு இருக்கிறாயா, அல்லது நீ ரூபமற்றவனா என்பது எனக்குத் தெரியாது. நீ எப்படி இருந்தபோதிலும் என்மீதுள்ள உன் கருணையால் என்னைக் கடாட்சித்து அருள்வாய். எனக்கு உன் தரிசனம் கிடைக்கும்படி அனுக்ரகம் செய்வாய் " என்று பிரார்த்திப்பாயாக.*

கடவுள் எல்லாவற்றையும் அறியவல்லவர். சிறு துரும்பு விழும் சத்தத்தையும் அவர் அறிவார். ஆகையால் என் குழந்தைகளே, உங்கள் பிரார்த்தனை ஒவ்வொன்றும் அவர் செவியிற்படும். என்றைக்காவது ஒரு நாள், சாகுந்தருவாயிலேனும் உங்களுக்குத் தம் வடிவைக் காட்டியருளுவார்.

முருகப்பெருமானின் நூற்றி எட்டு திரு நாமங்கள்

Om Skandaya Namaha
Om Guhaya Namaha
Om Shanmukhaya Namaha
Om Balanetrasutaya Namaha
Om Prabhave Namaha
Om Pingalaya Namaha
Om Krittikasunave Namaha
Om Shikhivahanaya Namaha
Om Dvinadbhujaya Namaha
Om Dvinannetraya Namaha
Om Shaktidharaya Namaha
Om Pisidasaprabhajanaya Namaha
Om Tarakasurasamharine Namaha
Om Raksobalavimardanaya Namaha
Om Mattaya Namaha
Om Pramattaya Namaha
Om Unmattaya Namaha
Om Surasainyasuraksakaya Namaha
Om Devasenapataye Namaha
Om Pragnya Namaha
Om Kripalave Namaha
Om Bhaktavatsalaya Namaha
Om Umasutaya Namaha
Om Shaktidharaya Namaha
Om Kumaraya Namaha
Om Krauncadharanaya Namaha
Om Senanye Namaha
Om Agnijanmane Namaha
Om Viskhaya Namaha
Om Shankaratmajaya Namaha
Om Sivasvamine Namaha
Om Ganaswamine Namaha
Om Sarvasvamine Namaha
Om Sanatanaya Namaha
Om Anantasaktaye Namaha
Om Aksobhyaya Namaha
Om Parvatipriyanandanaya Namaha
Om Gangasutaya Namaha
Om Sarodbhutaya Namaha
Om Atmabhuve Namaha
Om Pavakatmajaya Namaha
Om Mayadharaya Namaha
Om Prajrimbhaya Namaha
Om Ujjrimbhaya Namaha
Om Kamalasanasamstutaya Namaha
Om Ekavarnaya Namaha
Om Dvivarnaya Namaha
Om Trivarnaya Namaha
Om Sumanoharaya Namaha
Om Caturvarnaya Namaha
Om Pancavarnaya Namaha
Om Prajapataye Namaha
Om Trumbaya Namaha
Om Agnigarbhaya Namaha
Om Samigarbhaya Namaha
Om Visvaretase Namaha
Om Surarighne Namaha
Om Hiranyavarnaya Namaha
Om Subhakrite Namaha
Om Vasumate Namaha
Om Vatuvesabhrite Namaha
Om Bhushane Namaha
Om Kapastaye Namaha
Om Gahanaya Namaha
Om Chandravarnaya Namaha
Om Kaladharaya Namaha
Om Mayadharaya Namaha
Om Mahamayine Namaha
Om Kaivalyaya Namaha
Om Sahatatmakaya Namaha
Om Visvayonaye Namaha
Om Ameyatmane Namaha
Om Tejonidhaye Namaha
Om Anamayaya Namaha
Om Parameshtine Namaha
Om Parabrahmane Namaha
Om Vedagarbhaya Namaha
Om Viratsutaya Namaha
Om Pulindakanyabhartre Namaha
Om Mahasarasvatavradaya Namaha
Om Asrita Kiladhatre Namaha
Om Choraghnaya Namaha
Om Roganasanaya Namaha
Om Anantamurtaye Namaha
Om Anandaya Namaha
Om Shikhandikritagedanaya Namaha
Om Dambhaya Namaha
Om Paramadambhaya Namaha
Om Mahadambhaya Namaha
Om Vrishakapaye Namaha
Om Karanopatadehaya Namaha
Om Karanatita Vigrahaya Namaha
Om Anishvaraya Namaha
Om Amritaya Namaha
Om Pranaya Namaha
Om Pranayamaparayanaya Namaha
Om Vritakandare Namaha
Om Viraghnaya Namaha
Om Raktashyamagalaya Namaha
Om Mahate Namaha
Om Subrahmanyaya Namaha
Om Paravaraya Namaha
Om Brahmanyaya Namaha
Om Brahmanapriyaya Namaha
Om Loka Gurave Namaha
Om Guhapriyaya Namaha
Om Aksayaphalapradaya Namaha
Om Shri Subrahmanyaya Namaha

முருகன் துணை

Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna

Uniqueness of Sri Ramakrishna’s teachings and message
The sayings of Sri Ramakrishna stand on a unique pedestal. Sri Ramakrishna possessed not only a great intellect and an artistic mind, but had the additional qualification that he had ‘seen God face to face; talked with Him’ and shared the Divine life. Hence Sri Ramakrishna’s words on these transcendental themes come with a weight of authority derived from the Supreme Being Himself.
There are more than 1100 sayings and parables of Sri Ramakrishna. The manner and method of his teaching, as well as his relationship with his disciples, were in many respects unique. He never undertook the work of teaching in an egoistic sense. He was the humblest of men, without any sense of ego in him, and he attributed all that he achieved to the Divine Mother of the universe. And it was because of this very fact of his having surrendered his ego completely to the Divine that the Guru Shakti (the redeeming power of the Lord) manifested itself through his body and mind in so remarkable a degree, sanctifying and enlightening all that came within their influence.
Sri Ramakrishna had the strange capacity to make himself interesting and intelligible to people of diverse temperaments and stages of intellectual developments. He could astound learned Pandits like Sasadhar and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar by the profundity of his wisdom, and he could also bring himself to the intellectual level of the ignorant village woman, to have her simple doubts cleared.
Sri Ramakrishna preached no particular dogma, creed or philosophy. What he did was convey to people a spirit that transformed their outlook on life and gave them an insight into the ultimate nature of the world and of human personality. In doing this, he relied not on formal sermons and discourses, but on loving contacts, illustrations drawn from Nature, a life of purity and self-control, and above all the practice of silent Japa and meditation. His instructions, whether on philosophy, devotion or conduct would take the form of witty sayings, striking analogies and illuminating parables.
Question: What is Jnana Yoga?
Sri Ramakrishna: Jnana Yoga is communion with God by means of knowledge. Knowledge (Jnana) varies in degree and kind from person to person. There is first the Jnana or insight of men of the world – ordinary mortals. This knowledge is not sufficiently powerful. It may be compared to the flame of a lamp, which illumines only the interior of a room. The Jnana of a Bhakta (devotee) is a stronger light. It may be compared to the light of the moon which reveals things both inside and outside a room. But the Jnana of the Avatara is still more powerful, and may be likened to the sun. He is the sun of Divine knowledge whose light dispels the accumulated ignorance of ages.
Methods of Jnana Yoga: The Ego:
If a man knows his own self, he knows other beings and God. What is my ego? Ponder deeply, and you will know that there is no such thing as ‘I’. As you peel off the skin of an onion, you find it consists only of skin; you cannot find any kernel in it. So too on analysing the ego, you will find that there is no real entity that you can call ‘I’. Such an analysis of the ego convinces one that the ultimate substance is God alone. When egotism drops away, Divinity manifests Itself.
Bhakti(Devotion) The path of Love
Nothing can be impressed on smooth glass, but when the surface is coated with proper chemicals, pictures can be impressed upon it, as in photography. In the same way, on the human heart coated with the chemicals of Bhakti, the image of Divinity can be impressed.
Unless one screens the eyes of unbroken horses, they will not move a single step. Is it possible to realise God unless one’s passions have already been controlled? In a sense not. But that is true only of Jnana Yoga, the path of Knowledge. The knowing one says, “One must first be pure if one desires to see God. One must first control one’s passions. First self-discipline, then knowledge of God.”There is however, another path leading to God – the path of devotion (Bhakti Yoga). If one man gains love of God, if once the chanting of His holy name begins to thrill the devotee with joy, what effort is needed for the control of passions afterwards? The control comes of itself. Can a man suffering from intense grief be in a mood to enter into a quarrel, or to enjoy a feast, or to give his mind up to the pleasures of the senses? So one absorbed in the love of God cannot think of sense-pleasures.
A poet has compared devotion to God to a tiger. As the tiger devours animals, devotion also swallows up all the ‘arch-enemies’ of man, such as lust, passion and the rest. Once the devotion to God is fully awakened, all evil passions like lust and anger are completely destroyed.
Why does a Bhakta (devotee) forsakeeverything for the sake of God?
The insect flies from darkness as soon as it sees a light. The ant loses its life in the syrup without leaving it. So does the Bhakta cling to God forever, and leaves all.
The Master: Does the moth seek darkness once it has seen light?
Questioner: It does not - it will rather rush into the flame and perish.
The Master: But such is not the case with the true worshipper of God. The Divine Light to which he is drawn does not burn and cause death. It is like the lustre of a gem, shining yet soft, cool and soothing. It burns not, but illumines the heart with peace and joy.
Worship of Images
While raising a building, the scaffolding is indispensable; but when the work is completed, no one feels the necessity of it. So also image-worship is necessary in the beginning but not afterwards.
Do you believe in a God with form or in a formless God?"
"In the formless aspect," was the reply.
The Master asked: But how can you grasp the formless aspect all at once? When the archers are learning to shoot, they first aim at the plantain tree, then at a thin tree, then at a fruit, then at the leaves, and finally at a flying bird. First meditate on the aspect with form. This will enable you to see the formless later.
As a boy begins to learn writing by drawing big scrawl before he can master a smaller hand, so we must acquire the power of concentration by first fixing the mind on forms; and we have attained success therein, we can easily fix it upon the Formless.
You see many stars in the sky at night, but not when the sun rises. Can you therefore say that there are no stars in the heaven during the day? O man, because you cannot find God in the days of your ignorance, say not that there is no God.
Adopt adequate means for the end you seek to attain. You cannot get butter by crying yourself hoarse, “There is butter in the milk!” If you wish to make butter, you must turn the milk into curds, and churn it well. Then alone you can get butter. So if you long to see God, practise spiritual exercises. What is the use of merely crying, “Lord! Lord?”
Satsang -Company of the holy - Benefits of Pious Company
When going through spiritual exercises do not associate with those who never concern themselves with matters spiritual. Such people scoff at those who worship God and meditate upon Him and they ridicule piety and the pious. Keep yourself aloof from them.
As many people warm themselves in the fire kindled by someone else who has taken the trouble of collecting the firewood and other necessary things, similarly many fix their mind on the Lord by associating with and following the instruction of holy men who have come to know the Lord after many a hard penance.
God is one, but His aspects are many. As the master of a house is father to one, brother to another and husband to a third, and is called by different names by different persons, so the one God is described in various ways according to the particular aspects in which He appears to particular worshippers.
The Destiny of Man
The digit one may be raised to a figure of any value by adding zeros after it; but if that one is omitted, zeroes by themselves have no value. Similarly so long as the jiva (individual soul) does not cling to God, Who is the One, he has no value, for all things here get their value from their connection with God. So long as the Jiva clings to God, Who is the value-giving figure behind the world, and does all his work for Him, he gains more and more thereby; on the contrary, if he overlooks God and adds to his work many grand achievements, all done for his own glorification, he will gain nothing there from.
First gain God, and then gain wealth; but do not try to do the contrary. If, after acquiring spirituality, you lead a worldly life, you will never lose your peace of mind.
Do you talk of social reform? Well, you may do so after realising God. Remember, the Rishis of old gave up the world in order to attain God. This is the one thing needful. All other things shall be added to you, if indeed you care to have them. First see God, and then talk of lectures and social reforms.
A newcomer to a city should first secure a comfortable room for his rest at night, and after keeping his luggage there, he may freely go about the city for sightseeing. Otherwise he may have to suffer much in the darkness of night to get a place for rest. Similarly, after securing his eternal resting place in God, a newcomer to this world can fearlessly move about doing his daily work. Otherwise, when the dark and dreadful night of death comes over him, he will have to encounter great difficulties and sufferings.
Man in Bondage
There are three dolls- the first made of salt, the second made of cloth, and the third of stone. If these dolls are immersed in water, the first doll made of salt will become dissolved and lose its form. The second doll made from cloth will absorb a large quantity of water but retain its form. The third doll, made of stone, will remain impervious to water. The first doll made from salt represents the man who merges his self in the universal and all-pervading Self and becomes one with It. He is the liberated man. The second doll from cloth represents the Bhakta (devotee) or the true lover of God, who is full of Divine bliss and knowledge. And the third doll made of stone, represents the worldly man who will not admit even a particle of true knowledge into his heart.
Death and Reincarnation
When an unbaked pot is broken, the potter can use the mud to make a new one; but when a baked one is broken, he cannot do the same any longer. So when a person dies in a state of ignorance, he is born again but when he becomes well baked in the fire of true knowledge and dies a perfect man, he is not born again.
A grain of boiled paddy does not sprout again when sown. Only unboiled paddy sends forth the shoot. Similarly when one dies after becoming a Siddha, a perfect man, he has not to be born again, but an Asiddha, an imperfect man, has to be born again until he becomes a Siddha.
Perseverance
The hereditary peasant does not give up tilling the soil though it may not rain for twelve years; but a merchant who has recently taken to agriculture is discouraged by one season of drought. The true believer is never discouraged even if he fails to see God in spite of lifelong devotion.
Faith
A stone may remain in water for numberless years; yet the water will never penetrate into it. But clay is soon soaked into mud by the contact of water. So the strong heart of the faithful does not despair in the midst of trials and persecutions, but the man of weak faith is shaken even by the most trifling cause.
Sri Ramakrishna taught more by his life than by words. He never wrote or lectured, but imparted all his teachings in the shape of informal conversations, some of which have been faithfully recorded by his disciples.

Courtesy: http://www.hinduism.co.za/sayings.htm

Visit: http://www.hinduism.co.za/sayings.htm. You will find the above in detail along with other related factors.

MUTHAI THARU PATTHI ....

mutthai tharu patthi thirunakai
atthukkiRai satthi saravaNa
mutthikkoru vitthu guru para ena Othum

mukkat para maRku suruthiyin
muRpattathu kaRpith- thiruvarum
muppatthu muvarkkath- thamararum adi pENa

patthuth- thalai thatthak kaNaithodu
otRaig- giri matthaip poruthoru
pattap- pakal vattath- thikiriyil iravaaka

patthaRkira thatthaik kadaviya
pacchaippuyal mecchath thaku poruL
patshatthodu rakshith tharuLvathum oru naaLE

thitthitheya otthap paripura
nirttha paDam vaitthup bayiravi
Dikkotka nadikkak kazhuvodu kazhuthaada

Dikkup pari attap bayiravarthokkutthoku
thokkuth thokuthoku
chithrappavurikkuth thrikadaka ena Otha

kotthup paRai kottak kaLamisai
kukku kukuk kukukuku
kutthip puthai pukkup pidiyena muthukookai

kotputRezha natpatR avuNarai
vetti baliyittuk kulagiri
kutthup pada otthup poravala perumaaLE

FESTIVALS OF INDIA

FESTIVALS OF INDIA
(in alphabetical order)
Compiled by: M.Krishna Murthy


Bakrid :- This Muslim festival of sacrifice, Id-ul-Zuha (Arabic) or Bakrid in India is celebrated all over the country. On this day Muslims sacrifice a goat or Bakr (Urdu) to commemorate the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim, who willingly agreed to kill his son at the behest of God. According to Islamic belief, to test Ibrahim's faith, Allah commanded him to sacrifice his son Ismail. He agreed to do it but found his paternal feelings hard to suppress. So he blind - folded himself before putting Ismail on the altar at the mount of Mina near Mecca. When he removed his bandage after performing the act, he saw his son standing in front of him, alive. On the altar lay a slaughtered lamb. This festival coincides with the Haj pilgrimage in Mecca. Prayers are offered in the mosques and the sacrificial meat is then distributed after the Id prayers. Special delicacies are prepared and served among family and friends on the occasion.
Christmas:- December 25th is celebrated as Christmas - birth anniversary of Lord Jesus Christ, who is believed to be born on the same date at Bethlehem, the land of Jews. The festival is celebrated as a mark of respect to Lord Jesus, who is considered as the son of God and founder of the Christian religion.
Deepawali:- Deepawali or Diwali, is a festival of lights symbolising the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness. The word 'Deepawali' literally means rows of diyas (clay lamps). This is one of the most popular festivals in the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated on the 15th day of Kartika (October/November). This festival commemorates Lord Rama's return to his kingdom Ayodhya after completing his 14-year exile. Diwali is a celebration of lights. This festival is celebrated with new clothes, spectacular firecrackers and a variety of sweets in the company of family and friends. The Goddess Lakshmi (consort of Vishnu), who is the symbol of wealth and prosperity, is also worshipped on this day. In West Bengal, this festival is celebrated as Kali Puja, and Kali, Shiva's consort, is worshipped on the occasion of Diwali. In the South, Diwali festival often commemorates the conquering of the Asura Naraka, a powerful king of Assam, who imprisoned thousands of inhabitants. It was Krishna who was finally able to subdue Naraka and free the prisoners. Diwali Festival in the south is celebrated in the Tamil month of Aipasi (thula month) 'naraka chaturdasi' thithi, preceding amavasai. To commemorate this event, people in Peninsular India wake before sunrise and make imitation blood by mixing kumkum or vermillion with oil. After crushing underfoot a bitter fruit as a symbol of the demon, they apply the 'blood' triumphantly on their foreheads. They then have ritual oil baths, anointing themselves with sandalwood paste. Visits to temples for prayers are followed by large family breakfasts of fruits and a variety of sweets.
Dussehra:- The festival of Dussehra is an important celebration in many parts of the country. It is celebrated with great fanfare in most parts of North India, Mysore and in the form of Durga Puja in West Bengal. Dussehra is a very popular Hindu festival, which marks the defeat of Ravana by Lord Rama. Dussehra also symbolises the triumph of warrior Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon, Mahishasura.
Ganesh Chaturthi:- Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on the 4th day of the bright half of Bhadrapad. This festival marks the birthday of Lord Ganesh. Lord Ganesha or Ganpati is one of the most popular deities in the Hindu religion. It is worshipped by both Shaivites and Vaishnavites. Even Buddhists and Jains have faith for Ganpati. He is considered to be an avatar of both Shiva and Vishnu.
Good Friday & Easter Sunday:- As part of the Easter season, the death of Jesus Christ by crucifixion, is commemorated on Good Friday, always the Friday just before Easter. On Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of the Lord, Jesus Christ. It is typically the most well-attended Sunday service of the year for Christian churches. Christians believe according to Scripture, that Jesus came back to life, or was raised from the dead, three days after his death on the cross. Through his death, burial and resurrection, Jesus paid the penalty for sin, thus purchasing for all who believe in him, eternal life in Christ Jesus.
Id-ul-Fitr:- Id-ul-Fitr means the 'festival of breaking the fast'. The fast of Ramadan is broken with special prayers and festivities. 'Fitr' is derived from the word 'fatar' meaning 'breaking'. Celebrated on the first day of the new moon in Shawwal, it marks the end of Ramadan. The 30-day fast is broken on Id-ul-Fitr with sumptuous feasts which people embrace each other three times, as is laid down in the Quran. The festival originated when after proclaiming Ramadan as the period of fasting and austerity, Prophet Muhammad announced a day for celebrations to reaffirm the feeling of Id-ul-Fitr brotherhood. Women prepare sweets at home. Vermicelli cooked in sweetened milk, is popular. People then go for Id get together and socializing. Some people visit cemeteries and stay there for many hours, often even camping out overnight. This is perhaps to honor their ancestors and to be with their spirits. To a devout Muslim, Id is a time to forget all past grievances.
Makar Sankranti:- Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious occasions for the Hindus, and is celebrated in almost all parts of the country in myriad cultural forms, with great devotion, fervour & gaiety. It is a harvest festival. Makar Sankranti is perhaps the only Indian festival whose date always falls on the same day every year i.e. the 14th of January.
Muharram:- The festival commemorates the martyrdom of the prophet Mohammed's grandson- Hazrat Imam Hussein. It is celebrated with great fervour by the Muslims especially the Shia community.
Navratri:- Navratri, the festival of nine nights is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms. According to the Hindu calendar, Navratri begins from the first day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin which usually coincides with the end of the rainy season. Navratri, the festival of nine nights is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms. According to the Hindu calendar, Navratri begins from the first day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin which usually coincides with the end of the rainy season. The nine days have great religious significance as Goddess Durga, the divine mother, had destroyed the evil force (in the form of the demon Mahisashura) during this period.
New Year’s Day:- New Year’s Day ushers an occasion of universal celebration. It is an occasion when rejoicing bids farewell to the passing year with a grand welcome to the New Year. The time and celebration of New Year varies from region to region and religion to religion across the world. This is because people in different parts of the world use different calendars. Some calendars are based on the movement of the moon, others are based on the position of the sun, while others are based on both the sun and the moon.
Onam:- Onam is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, a legendary ruler of Kerala, who was renowned for the justice and goodness of his rule. According to legend, people in his kingdom lived in prosperity and harmony and loved their King so much that even the God's grew jealous of him, for King Mahabali was of the race of Demons. King Mahabali had conquered all the land and sea and the heavens, making the Gods even more disturbed. They requested Vishnu, the Preserver, in the Hindu trinity to act. Vishnu descended on earth in the form of a dwarf Brahmin, called Vamana. He went to King Mahabali's palace and found the good King distributing alms. When Mahabali asked Vamana what alms he sought, Vamana replied he would like as much ground as he could cover with three footsteps. Mahabali looked at the tiny feet of the dwarf and agreed to his wish. Lord Vishnu covered the land and seas with one step and the heavens with the second. Mahabali recognized the presence of the Lord and offered his head as the ground for Vishnu/Vamana's third step. Mahabali was thus subjugated and sent to the underworld. However because he was a good and just king who loved his subjects, he could return once a year to check on the welfare of his people. Thus Onam is celebrated every year to welcome Mahabali, the good Demon King of Kerala.
Pongal:- In South Sankranti becomes Pongal. It is a celebration of the harvest, which is observed for three days in January. Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal and Mattu Pongal, are the three days of Pongal festivities on successive days. In certain parts cattle races still enliven the village festivities. Pongal is a colourful and traditional festival with many a ceremony devoted to various deities.
Ram Navami :- The birthday of Lord Rama, the celebrated hero of the famous epic, 'Ramayana', is enthusiastically celebrated on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the month of Chiatra, all over India.
Sravani - Raksha Bandhan:- Sravani is an ancient Vedic festival traditionally associated with the Brahmins on which day they change their sacred thread. Both Raksha Bandhan and Sravani are celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Shravan (August). Rakshabandhan or Rakhi which is celebrated on a full moon day in the month of Sravan (August) is a day when brothers and sisters reaffirm their bonds of affection. It is usually a festival of the Hindus though today people from different religions participate as well.

Sri Krishna Jayanti / Janmashtami:- Sri Krishna Jayanti marks the celebration of the birth of Bhagavan Sri Krishna. Lord Sri Krishna was born on the 'Rohini' nakshatram (star) on Ashtami day. The festival Sri Krishna Jayanti is also known as Gokulashtami and Janmashtam. The actual day of celebration can be on two different days as the star 'Rohini' and Ashtami may not be on the same day. This occurs between August and September on the Christian calendar.
Vasant Panchami / Shree Panchami / Saraswati Puja:- Vasant Panchami is a festival that worships Goddess Saraswati as well as it signifies the beginning of Vasant Ritu (spring season). On this day Goddess Saraswati is worshipped in various names and fames - the Goddess of Learning, the deity of Gayatri, the fountain of fine arts and science, and the symbol of supreme vedantic knowledge.