Ugadi ,Gudi Padwa or Samsar Padwa 31 March 2014

Ugadi  or  Samsar Padwa marks the beginning of a new Hindu lunar calendar. It is a day when mantras are chanted and predictions made for the new-year. Ugadi is derived 

from the words Yuga - Aadi (beginning of the new era)

It is a season for raw mangoes spreading its aroma and fully blossomed neem tree that makes the atmosphere healthy. Also jaggery made the fresh crop of sugar cane adds a renewed flavor to the typical dishes associated with Ugadi. One such dish that has become synonymous with ugadi the combination of sweet , sour and bitter tastes which is truly related to life.

The Hindus of Kashmir start their new year- Navreh in mid march. At the same time, the southern Indian states of Karnataka  and  Andhra  Pradesh begin their new year-Ugadi. The Marathas celebrate their new year as Gudi Padwa, and the Sindhis observe Cheti Chand, the coming of new year during the same time.

In south India it is believed that Lord Brahma began the creation of the universe on this auspicious day of Ugadi. In temples the new panchanga is ceremoniously released and the predictions for the whole year are read out. In my home  town  the priests visits the houses and read out the prediction of the year.

In Maharashtra,the New year is celebrated as Gudi-Padwa.A silk banner is raised and worshiped and greetings and sweets are exchanged.People hang "gudis"on their windows on this day to celebrate Mother Nature's bounty.A 'gudi 'is a decorated pole with a brass or a silver vessel placed on it.

 People prepare for the  New year by cleaning their houses and buying new clothes. On the Ugadi day they decorate their houses with mango leaves and rangoli designs. People perform the ritualistic worship to God invoking his blessings before they start off with the New Year. They pray for their health, wealth and prosperity and success in business too. Ugadi is also most auspicious time to start new ventures. People wear new clothes and visiting the temple is the common features.

 The celebration of Ugadi is marked by religious zeal and social merriment. Special dishes are prepared for the occasion.

Significance of tying mango leaves relates to a legend

It is said that Kartik (Subramanya or Kumara Swamy) and Ganesha,the two sons of Lord Shiva and Parvathi were very fond of mangoes.As the legend goes Kartik exhorted people to tie green mango leaves to the doorway signifying a good crop and general well-being.

 Kappad Vadap

In some families there is a system of “Kappad Vadap” which means dedication of saris and dhotis to the memory of the departed souls with an offering of food or sweet beaten rice and an arti. The head of the family does it without assistance of a priest and after food ,the dhoti and sari will be put on by the elders of the family.

Newlywed  couples  celebrate their first  Ugadi  feast in their brides maternal home. The newlywed blessed by elders and arthi is performed to the couples which is followed by the gifts.

 What to cook on Ugadi

 Well, I don’t  panic  because most of the Konkani households have a fixed menu  for every festival. The standard menu for ugadi is -

Chana Gashi (red chana curry with cocanut gravy)

Tendli,pachadi and bibo upkari (tender cashwnut mixed with vegetable pallya)

 Kadgi chakko (tender jackfruit sukka)

  Dalitoye (daal)

 ( refer  Amchi-gele  for  recipe)

  Variety of bajiyas

  Kotto (idli  is prepared in jackfruit leaves)

   Madgane (gram dal kheer)

  Raw Rice

MADGANE  RECIPE

Ingredients

1 cup gram dal

1/4cup raw rice

Jaggery to taste

1 grated coconut

6 cardamoms

1/2 tin condensed milk

15 tender cashwenut or soak cashwnut in warm water  for 15 minutes

kishmish

Method{  Fry gram dal for sometime wash and drain the water. Cook chanadal , extract coconut milk and keep separately the thick and thin  coconut milk. When gram dal is boiled add thin coconut milk, cashew nut jaggery and finely ground rice and keep stirring. After 5-6 minutes add thick coconut milk bring it to boil ,pour condenced milk sprinkle  cardamom powder and kishmish. 

Thus New year brings with it hope and coverage for all humanity with the firm belief and strengthens our the mind   and body with different flavor of life.

11th April 2013

MAMA

Wishing  all my readers and friends a Happy Ugadi and Gudi Padwa.

Friendship is a Blessing!

It is by chance we met . . .by choice we became friends.

Friendship “is a feeling of affection between two like minded persons. 

Friendship should be supportive throughout one’s life. Some people make friends at an early age and continue their friendship forever. Having a best friend is a huge bonus in life, the bond between the best friends is so special and so important to all of us.

A True Friendships is-

Respect one another and show this by being openly and mutually supportive.

Relationship based on  equal give and take relationship.

Based on trust, if you are breaking a friend’s trust, the friendship may be hard to salvage.

Be there through thick and thin as long as that is how you feel as a true friend.

If your friend is going through a crisis tell your friend that "Whatever you decide or need, I am there for you." If the need is, to talk stay honest, but upbeat and positive.

Enjoyment of each others company...

The ability to be oneself,express one's feeling,and make mistakes without fear of judgement.

Real friends inspire and push each other rather than drag each other down.

Honesty,perhaps in situation where it may be difficult to others to speak. 

                        Breaking a friendship    

    Is difficult thing to do, make sure that your friend understands why you are ending it? Friends they always know all the inner details of your life it is like picking up a book and knowing exactly where you left it off.

When your friendship is little shaky, don’t say that you are busy

this is something common. Try to get in touch, When it comes to your friend some way to keep your friendship is inviting your for a cup of coffee is a great idea or sending an e-mail is a great communication tool.

 When breaking up with your friend, see the root cause behind you two. May be the lack of support during your rough time.

Negative reactions for your good news may be disappointed you. Gossiping from your behind is may be the few reasons.

It takes two to start and maintain relationship but only one to end it. Dwell on the positive memory if things are out of control, it’s the time you to say “Goodbye”.

If your friendship does end, remain yourself -that not every friendship lasts forever including yours it does not mean that you are incapable of friendship or one or both of you did something wrong and try to analyze your friendship.

 Cherish your memories and allow yourself to move on with others as you move on.

MAMA

Friendship is like a delicate as a glass, once broken it cannot be fixed.

Don’t Mind..Colors.. It’s Holi

Holi is on March 17th 2014

 Holi is the  Festival of colors, fun and play, music and dance, and of course the most fun filled and boisterous of Hindu festival.

Holi is known by the name of "Kama Dahana" occurs one day before Holi, which refers to this day, Kamadev was burnt by Lord Shiva. In North India ,a tradition is followed on the eve of Holi-huge bundles of wood are accumulated and burnt at night. On the next day, people play   Holi joyfully with colored water. 

Almost everywhere one can hear the laughter of people and screaming Holi-hai!. In India people gather in the streets and pump colored water over the body even the strangers who pass by.There  is no restriction on this day. People compose and sing  famous bollywood Holi songs to mark this occasion.

The Legend

The Holika-Prahlad Episode

The evolution of the term Holi makes an interesting 

study in itself. Legend has it that it derives its name 

from Holika, the sister of the mythical megalomaniac 

king Hiranyakashipu who commanded everyone to 

worship him. But his little son Prahlad refused to do

so. Instead he became a devotee of Vishnu, the 

Hindu God.

Hiranyakashipu ordered his sister Holika to kill 

Prahlad and she, possessing the power to walk 

through fire unharmed, picked up the child and 

walked into a fire with him. Prahlad, however,

 chanted the names of God and was saved from the 

fire. Holika perished because she did not know that 

her powers were only effective if she entered the 

fire alone.

This myth has a strong association with the festival

of Holi, and even today there is a practice of hurling 

cow dung into the fire and shouting obscenities at it,

as if at Holika.


 Legend of Lord shiva

The legend has it that when Lord Shiva's consort Sati committed herself to fire due to disgrace shown by her father Daksha to Shiva, Lord Shiva became extremely sad. He renounced his worldly duties and went into deep meditation.

Meanwhile, the daughter of the mountains, Parvati started meditating to acquire Shiva as her husband. Moreover, since Shiva was least interested in the affairs of the world complications began to generate in matters of the world which made all the gods concerned and afraid.

The gods then seeked the help of Lord Kaamadeva, the god of love and passion to bring Shiva back to his original self. Kaamadeva knew that he might have to suffer the consequences of doing this, but he accepted to shoot his arrow on Shiva for the sake of the world.

As planned Kaama shot his love arrow on Shiva while he was in meditation. This made Shiva extremely angry and he opened his third eye - reducing Kaamadeva to ashes. However, Kaamadeva arrow had the desired effect and Lord Shiva married Parvati.

A short while after this, Kaamadeva's wife, Rati pleaded Lord Shiva and said this was all the plan of the gods and asked him to to kindly revive Kaamadeva. An embodiment of love himself, Lord Shiva gladly accepted to do so.Thus the incident had a happy ending for all.

It is often believed that it was on this day that Lord Shiva opened his third eye and incinerated Kamadeva, the god of love, to death. So many people worship Kamadeva on Holi-day.

Legend of Radha Krishna

Holi is also celebrated in memory of the immortal love of Lord Krishna and Radha. The young Krishna would complain to his mother Yashoda about why Radha was so fair and he so dark. Yashoda advised him to apply colour on Radha's face and see how her complexion would change. In the legends of Krishna as a youth he is depicted playing all sorts of pranks with the gopis or cowgirls. One prank was to throw colored powder all over them. So at Holi, images of Krishna and his consort Radha are often carried through the streets. Holi is celebrated in the villages around Mathura, the birth-place of Krishna.

Rituals of Holi

Rituals of the ancient festival of Holi are religiously 

followed every year with care and enthusiasm.

Preparations

Days before the festival people start gathering wood for 

the lighting of the bonfire called Holika at the major

crossroads of the city. This ensures that at the time of 

the actual celebration a huge pile of wood is collected.


Holika Dahan Celebrations

Then on the eve of Holi, Holika Dahan takes place. 

The ritual symbolises the victory of good over evil and 

also the triumph of a true devotee.

 Holi In Bollywood

Holi and Bollywood have a long standing history. The Film Industry never forgets to set stage for Holi, in actual practice  also, Blolywood becomes a lively place for Holi celebration. Recalling  the ultimate   Holi song  first strikes my mind is Amitabh Bachan’s  Rang Barse  from “Silsila “ cannot be compared to any other that still makes us dance with the crazy crowd around.

My favorite actor Amitabh has justified the famous Holi song with an element of masti.,unabashed flirting and the consequent was incorporated into the festivities with Rekha. Dancing under the influence of bhang which created history in bollywood.

Sweets

There are famous and delicious dishes prepared during Holi. After playing color one enjoys eating these foods with great pleasure. Holi is also famous for the variety of sweets that are offered to the visitors that come to apply colors and enjoy the sweets offered by the host.

Bhang

 Associated with Lord Shiva, bhang has now become synonymous with Holi. Out of several ways of preparing bhang the most popular is the buds and leaves of cannabis squashed and ground into a green paste. To this mixture milk, ghee, and spices are added. This bhang base is turned to thandai.

 Tandai

 It is a cool drink made of poppy seeds, aniseeds, black peppercorns and rose petals, the buds and leaves of Cannabis using a mortar and pestle into a green paste. It is then mixed with milk, ghee, and spices which is latter on served along with ice cubes in the glass.


MAMA

Holi is the time to develop understanding and love for 

each other.Here, is a platform for you all to renew your

friendship.

Marriage of Shiva and Shakti (Shivaratri) 27th Feb 2014

The legend of marriage of Shiva and Shakti is one the most important legends related to the festival of Mahashivaratri. The story tells us how Lord Shiva got married a second time to Shakti, his divine consort. According to legend of Shiva and Shakti, the day Lord Shiva got married to Parvati is celebrated as Shivaratri - the Night of Lord Shiva. 

The Legend
Legend goes that once Lord Shiva and his wife Sati or Shakti were returning from sage Agastya’s ashram after listening to Ram Katha or story of Ram. On their way through a forest, Shiva saw Lord Rama searching for his wife Sita who had been kidnapped by Ravana, the King of Lanka. Lord Shiva bowed his head in reverence to Lord Rama. Sati was surprised by Lord Shiva’s behavior and inquired why he was paying obeisance to a mere mortal. Shiva informed Sati that Rama was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Sati, however, was not satisfied with the reply and Lord asked her to go and verify the truth for herself. 

Using her power to change forms, Sati took the form of Sita appeared before Rama. Lord Rama immediately recognized the true identity of the Goddess and asked, "Devi, why are you alone, where's Shiva?" At this, Sati realized the truth about Lord Ram. But, Sita was like a mother to Lord Shiva and since Sati took the form of Sita her status had changed. From that time, Shiva detached himself from her as a wife. Sati was sad with the change of attitude of Lord Shiva but she stayed on at Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva.

Later, Sati’s father Daksha organised a yagna, but did not invite Sati or Shiva as he had an altercation with Shiva in the court of Brahma. But, Sati who wanted to attend the Yagna, went even though Lord Shiva did not appreciate the idea. To hire great anguish, Daksha ignored her presence and did not even offer Prasad for Shiva. Sati felt humiliated and was struck with profound grief. She jumped into the yagna fire and immolated herself.

Lord Shiva became extremely furious when he heard the news of Sati’s immolation. Carrying the body of Sati, Shiva began to perform 

Rudra Tandava or the dance of destruction and wiped out the kingdom of Daksha. Everybody was terrified as Shiva’s Tandava had the power to destroy the entire universe. In order to calm Lord Shiva, Vishnu severed Sati's body into 12 pieces and threw them on earth. It is said that wherever the pieces of Shakti’s body fell, there emerged a Shakti Peetha, including the Kamarupa Kamakhya in Assam and the Vindhyavasini in UP. 

Lord Siva was now alone undertook rigorous penance and retired to the Himalayas. Sati took a re-birth as Parvati in the family of God Himalaya. She performed penance to break Shiva’s meditation and win his attention. It is said that Parvati, who found it hard to break Shiva’s meditation seeked help of Kamadeva - the God of Love and Passion. Kamadeva asked Parvati to dance in front of Shiva. When Parvati danced, Kamadeva shot his arrow of passion at Shiva breaking his penance. Shiva became extremely infuriated and opening his third eye that reduced Kamadeva to ashes. It was only after Kama Deva’s wife Rati’s pleading that Lord Shiva agreed to revive Kamadeva. 

Later, Parvati undertook severe penance to win over Shiva. Through her devotion and persuasion by sages devas, Parvati, also known as Uma, was finally able to lure Shiva into marriage and away from asceticism. Their marriage was solemnized a day before Amavasya in the month of Phalgun. This day of union of God Shiva and Parvati is celebrated as Mahashivratri every year. 

Another Version of the Legend
According to another version of the legend, Goddess Parvati performed tapas and prayers on the auspicious moonless night of Shivaratri to ward off any evil that may befall her husband. Since then, womenfolk began the custom of praying for the well being of their husbands and sons on Shivaratri day.

mama

 

Which hair style suits me best?

The fashioning of hair can be considered as an aspect of personal grooming or fashion of hair styles. Throughout history women’s hair been allowed to grow to its full length, and then bleached, colored and arranged with ribbons, pins or jewels.

As the years pass hairstyling is a major world industry Most hairstylists are licensed after obtaining at  Beauty  school. In recent years professional stylists have grown popularity. Don’t think every hair style look good with every face. Try to discover which style brings out the best in you. What’s hot and what’s not or matter of only trend! To be honest it all depends on the shape of your  face.

Oval faces shape look great with hairstyle all lengths. If you feel like change changing your look without  getting  a new cut, just go wild on your styling curls ,sleek and straight curly ,or very long hair may make your face look culler then it is  as do chin- length.

Oval faces shape look great with hairstyle all lengths. If you feel like change changing your look without  getting  a new cut, just go wild on your styling curls ,sleek and straight curly or very long hair may make your face look cuter then it is  as do chin- length.

Oblong  face  If your face is longer with a high forehead and narrow chin, you will look your best with a style that highlights the beauty of your features  If you have a strong, square jaw line you are lucky enough to get what you want. You should go for looks that underline the beauty of square face.

Changing teenage girls  hairstyle without the need of cutting, coloring or restyling can be done in any parlor. Straight hair is great if you need to look sleek and smart, but curly hair is the ultimate in femininity.

Long hair style have always been elegant and beautiful. Finish off your long hair style with a little bit of finishing spray. If your  long hair already has some curl or wave, you an accomplish this style with very little effort. An easy way to 
hange your long hair style is to make it little creativity, but with a little practice .

MAMA

The difference between  style and fashion is quality.

Accessories to complete your look!

Women should use accessories to express as an individual. It doesn’t matter if you are married  or single young or old. I love to accessorize and I believe that accessories are important with any outfit.

Fashion  is  a  general term for a popular style especially the clothing  you wear with accessories. The style statement of every woman is keep changing; woman’s fashion is not just about wearing fashion clothes. Any women’s  fashion  style  should  go  in  consistency  with  fashion   trend  and her personality. When we  talk  about  fashion accessories,  it is everything that embellishes a women from head to foot. Any Indian women accessories starting  from  bindi  to jewelry  to footwear to  sun glass to handbags.

Few things to remember

         Learning   how  to wear ladies accessories seems easy ,when you see them in fashion magazines

         Keep accessories in the same mood as your clothing

        Don’t go for bold color especially around your face.

         Shoes with ankle strap will  make  you  look shorter

        Have straps shortened on your shoulder bags

Sari

A sari is a great Indian wear. There are many Indian saris that are worn as daily wear and on special occasion. However the grace of  sari  can  be  brought  out  with right  fashion accessories. There are  unwritten  rules  for matching accessories with the sari.

         Women and jewelry sometimes seems to  be  a  synonymous  terms.  Women  jewelry  indeed gives grace to any outfit sari is no exception.

         However wear jewelry according to the occasion if you wear a cotton sari and if you wish to wear gold ,a simple Jewelry a stud earning or a light dangling earring with simple gold chain and one or two bangles really look decent.

        Handloom saris also look good with some tribal jewelry, beaded  jewelry . Also remember to match your jewelry with the color and work of your sari.

        A sari with silver zari work will look good with Silver jewelry.  Colored  matching  bangles goes with any kind of sari.

Sunglasses

Sun  glasses  are  more  than  just  functional. They are fabulous and look stylish. However, picking up the right  sun  glasses  which suits the best  is hard to decide because  there are so many different styles, colors, shapes and design available on the market.   So to help  you out what style of sunglasses that flatter your face shape, style and match your personality is difficult to decide.

Choose  the right sunglasses

If you have a round face, it is necessary to add some balance to your face. So you to look for frames which are slightly wider than the broadest part of your face.  Wearing   rectangular- shaped sunglasses will help to make your face a little longer and thinner.

Oval face

You are definitely lucky because almost any styles or frames of sunglasses will look good on you. But the square is recommended to complete your face shape.

Square Face

Square  face  looks  very  strong and broad.   So to reduce  strong  curve  through oval or round shape Sunglasses.

Oblong Face

For oblong you need to make your face a little wider. You have look for sunglasses that are round or square in shape.

Handbags
 Handbags   are  a necessity, which has turned to be great style statement. The style of a designer handbags is one of  the  main  reason  why  handbags  are  become a fashion accessories and it is fun to shop for. There are so many different  styles  of  handbags  so it is always hard to choose, just one handbag. Every outfit calls for different styles  of  handbags,  so  this  give  a women to reason to buy more than one handbag.

Sandals

One  of the  important  accessories to be worn are the ladies  sandals. Try to wear high heels with your party  sarees .Always remember to wear sandals  before starting to wrap your sari. This will make the length of sari according to your gained height due to the sandals.

Bindis

Bindis  are true representation of India and obviously of Indian sarees. You will find with all types, sizes and shapes of bindi. Use plain round, oval, choose tem according to your face cut. When  you wearing festival sari or party sari use designer bindis.

I dress for my  image, not  for others;).

MAMA

Happy b'day my dear brother Viju Feb 8

Brother Viju, 

The toughest and hardest thing in my life is to believe you are no more with us..

My eyes filled up with tears, As I heard the news

 a part of me died too... I wished that wasn't real...

Every time when I think of you  Wondering   why  you couldn't be with us....

Uncomfortable tears flows down of my cheeks, asking God why he took you from us....

It was more painful for us, we  still  need  you  here...

Today is your b'day I  miss your polite words your word "akka 'melts my heart.

  -“Happy Birthday  dear  Viju”

I miss you.. my dear brother….we miss you…….and all I can do  is pray-

You shall remain forever in my heart.... 

Your ever loving
ushakka