Friday, October 12, 2012

corn pakoda

hakka noodles

my indian recipe.( daal & vegetables paratha

Monday, January 16, 2012

INDIAN WEDDINGS

In Hindu dharma, marriage is viewed as a sacrament and not a contract. Hindu marriage is a life-long commitment of one wife and one husband, and is the strongest social bond that takes place between a man and a woman.


Grahastha Ashram (the householder stage), the second of the four stages of life begins when a man and a woman marry and start a household. For a Hindu marriage is the only way to continue the family and thereby repay his debt to his/her ancestors.


In Hindu view, marriage is not a concession to human weakness, but a means for spiritual growth. Man and woman are soul mates who, through the institution of marriage, can direct the energy associated with their individual instincts and passion into the progress of their souls



Hindu marriage steps


 In hindu community first step of marriage is that to match kundali . it is one kind of mith that people think that if kundali will match couple will live a happy life they will not face any problem in their life. During birth time kundali is made by priest it is one kind of calcullation of planet. when kundali match bride & birdegroom family setup time to meet eachother family and in this time bride and bridegroom meet eachother and decide whether they like eachother or not . if they seem perfect lifepartner in eachother then they tell deccission to their family.  their family decide date of marriage by confurming to priest.


Engagement Ceremony



 
Indian weddings are known for their elaborate ceremonies and opulent celebrations. Besides, they are held in a very traditional manner, commemorating numerous rituals as per the ancient Vedic era. This has sanctified the institution of marriage, making it one of the most important happenings in one's life. Engagement ceremony is one such ceremony which marks the beginning of the wedding concord. It is also knows as the sagai ceremony or ring ceremony. A formal ring exchange then solemnizes the occasion. The girl puts the ring on the boy’s right hand ring finger. The boy puts the ring on the girl’s left hand ring finger. The ring finger is chosen as it is believed that it connects to the veins of the heart. In some ceremonies, a priest is invited to recite holy mantras. The prospective groom and bride are made to meet each other’s family. A lunch or dinner is then organized, depending on the time of the ceremony, for all the guests and family members.

The Significance of the Engagement Ceremony

These engagement rituals are significant as they serve to form a bond between the would-be marriage partners. The prospective bride and groom meet each other, face to face, probably for the first time. They get the chance to perform a formal introduction.


Wednesday, December 28, 2011

DIWALI FESTIVAL

The festival of Diwali has been celebrated for ages and the history of Diwali celebrations is as old as the history of India. Everyone on this festival enjoys the delicious Diwali sweets, the brightly lit Diwali Lamps and Diwali diyas, and the excitement for living that suddenly grips people around this time. But the festival of Diwali symbolizes much more than these things. This real meaning of Diwali can be understood in the history of Diwali, which tells you the story behind the origin and the grand celebrations of Diwali.The history of Diwali, one of the greatest festivals celebrated with much enthusiasm and fervor all over the country is replete with different kinds of legends,

which are moored to the Puranas, the mythological scriptures of Hindus. There have been so many important legends associated with the occasion of Diwali that five days have been accredited for the celebration of Diwali in India with each day holding importance of its own. The following are the five days of Diwali, each having the rituals and myths of its own.
.Dhanteras
.choti Diwali
 .Diwali
· Padwa
· Bhaiya-Dooj  

Diwali Customs and Traditions
Diwali is traditionally known by the name of the 'festival of lights", for the common practice is to light small oil lamps (called diyas) and place them around the home, in courtyards, gardens, verandahs, on the walls built around the home and also on the roof tops. There are whole lots of Diwali customs and traditions associated with the festival of Diwali in India, which make this festival worth celebrating.The Diwali customs and traditions are diverse and there are a lot many legends associated with the celebrations of Diwali.

These customs and traditions show the mythological aspect of Diwali and also reveal the festive mood of the Indians who actually follow these ancient traditions and customs, which have been passed on by their ancestors. So this Diwali, get to know about all the Diwali customs and traditions along with Diwalimela








pooja

On this day Shri Ram, Lakshman, Sita Mata returned to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile after defeating Ravana.

The whole city was lit with deepaks to welcome them. The Vaishyas, the business community start their new year on this day.

People celebrate by wearing new clothes, decorating the house, exchanging gifts, playing cards and bursting firecrackers. New clothes, gifts and sweets are sent to the households of the married sisters and daughters.

At sunset puja is performed to Shri Ganeshji, Lakshmiji, Kuberji and the Navagrahas. The Idol of Lakshmiji is kept on the right side of one idol of Ganeshji, as Lakshmiji considered to be a mother of Shri Ganesh.

The women of the house observe a vrat/fast for Lakshmiji. Food is eaten after Lakshmiji darshan that is after sighting a lit deepak in someone else's house.


Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Holi festival


One of the major festivals of India, Holi is celebrated with enthusiasm and gaiety on the full moon day in the month of Phalgun which is the month of March as per the Gregorian calendar.
Lovers too long to apply colours on their beloved. This has a popular legend behind it. It is said that the naughty and mischievous Lord Krishna started the trend of playing colours. He applied colour on her beloved Radha to make her one like him. The trend soon gained popularity amongst the masses. No wonder, there is no match to the Holi of Mathura, Vrindavan and Barsana - the places associated with the birth and childhood of Radha and Krishna

History and Meaning of Holi
 Holi Celebrated all over India since ancient times, Holi's precise forpurpose display great variety. Originally, Holi was an agricultural festival celebrating the arrival of spring.
This aspect still plays a significant part in the festival in the form of the colored powders: Holi is a time when man and nature alike throw off the gloom of winter and rejoice in the colors and liveliness of spring.
Holi also commemorates various events in Hindu mythology, but for most Hindus it provides a temporary opportunity for Hindus to disregard social norms, indulge in merrymaking and generally "let loose."
The legend commemorated by the festival of Holi involves an evil king named Hiranyakashipu. He forbade his son Prahlad from worshipping Vishnu, but Radhu continued to do offer prayers to the god. Getting angry with his son, Hiranyakashipu challenged Prahlad to sit on a pyre with his wicked aunt Holika who was believed to be immune to fire. (In an alternate version, Holika put herself and Prahlad on the fire on orders from her brother.)
Prahlad accepted the challenge and prayed to Vishnu to keep him safe. When the fire started, everyone watched in amazement as Holika was burnt to death, while Prahlad survived without a scar to show for it. The burning of Holika is celebrated as Holi. According to some accounts, Holika begged Pram and hlad for forgiveness before her demise, and he decreed that she would be remembered every year at Holi.








Traditional Holi

The spring season, during which the weather changes, is believed to cause viral fever and cold. The playful throwing of natural coloured powders has a medicinal significance: the colours are traditionally made of Neem, Kumkum, Haldi, Bilva, and other medicinal herbs prescribed by Āyurvedic doctors.
A special drink called thandai is prepared (commonly made of almonds, pistachios, rose petals, etc.), sometimes containing bhang (Cannabis indica). For wet colours, traditional flowers of Palash are boiled and soaked in water over night to produced yellow coloured water, which also had medicinal properties. Unfortunately the commercial aspect of celebration has led to an increase in the use of synthetic colours which, in some cases, may be toxic.
my son in holi colours



my son & my husband




                                                


Holi in tampa




Sunday, December 4, 2011

Durga pooja in kolkatta





Durga Puja History

Durga puja is one of the most important and popular festivities of Bengal. Most of us are aware of this festivity, but none of us has got a clear idea about the story of Durga Pooja. Well, in this article, we will provide you with some interesting legends of Durgapuja festival that will enable you to get explore the origin & history of Durga puja. Read further to find out the Durga puja history.
Bengalis all over the world celebrate the festival with great devotion and by following all the rituals and customs. It is a ten-days festival starting from Mahalaya till the Bisarjan of the Durga idol. Let’s have a look on the history and legends behind Durga Puja.

Starting of Durga Puja in Bengal
History says that the first grand celebration of Durga Puja in Bengal started somewhere in the late 1500′s initiated by the the Zamindars of Dinajpur and Malda. Some also say that the first Durga Puja was started by Raja Kangshanarayan of Taherpur or Bhabananda Mazumdar of Nadiya in the year 1606.

Beginning of Baro-Yaari Durga Puja in Bengal
The concept of ‘Community’ or ‘Baro-Yaari Puja’ was first started by 12 friends of Gupti Para in Hoogly, who collected money from the local residents and performed the puja in 1790. This concept was brought in Kolkata by Raja Harinath of Cossim Bazaar who celebrated this puja in his Mushirdabad home from the year 1824 to 1831.

^ "Article On Durga Puja In Different Cities Of Kolkata"


Durga Puja Idol Making

We need to go through the pages of history for knowing that when Durga Puja had begun. According to a belief, 12 Brahmans of Hugli began the Durga Puja in the 18th century. But, making of idol was started from 11th century itself.


In the mythological period, animals were sacrificed during Durga Puja, This was stopped by Ramkrishna Rai. In the modern life, Durga Puja is restricted to wealth Kumber. The Puja tradition is not the same as before. Now-a-days, people have more interest in seeing the Jhaki rather then Puja. Idols of Goddess Durga are the symbol of faith and devotion.


These statues are artistic. It is foolish to see the female beauty of it. Durga Puja should not be considered as a medium of showing off, social status etc. Lord Ram also worshipped Goddess Durga before fighting with Ravan. Ram of today show lack of respect towards females. That is why, men has to many a times face defeat in different areas of life. Durga Puja is very famous in Bengal. The cultural roots of Bengal and consciousness of their faith towards Durga Puja is very strong.


If Mahishasur is the symbol of injustice and oppression then Goddess Durga is the symbol of power and justice. She symbolizes the victory against every injustice. Her eyes not just have tears of compassion and mercy but also the fire of anger. Durga is a great lady who is given the honoured with the name ‘Devi’. The Goddesses seated with Durga are Lakshmi (symbol of wealth) and Saraswati (symbol of knowledge). Lord Ganesha is the destroyer of obstacles and Karthikeyan is the symbol of modesty.                       

DURGA PANDAL  IN  DISNEY CASTLE  WAY