Swami Vivekananda was a man of noble ideas. He stood for revival of Hinduism. He was against the youth imbibing Western values. He promoted spiritual values and believed in high morals. He was a social reformer of great repute. He believed in the upliftment of the poor and downtrodden.

Celebration of Vivekanand Jayanthi
Several programs are organized all over the country as well as the world. Discussions are held and meetings and discourses held at various centers. People reaffirm their faith in his lofty ideals. At Ramakrishna Mission Ashram clothes and sarees are distributed on the occasion. Kirtnas and Bhajans are held. Similar programs are held at other Mission centers. In some places the poor are fed and films shows on Vivekananda are held.

Throughout India, Swami Vivenkanand’s birthday is celebrated as the National Youth Day. Cultural events, sports, discussions and debates etc. are held at various places. Patriotic songs are sung in various schools and song competitions are held. Elocution competitions are held

Processions are held in some cities throughout India. Schools take part in them. Placards are held which focus on the teaching of the Swami. Students are appreciated for performing well at academics.

Puja is performed to the portrait of the Swami. “Mahabhojans” feasts are organized at the Mission Ashrams. His statues are garlanded. Poets inspire people to follow the Swami’s teachings.

Swami Vivekananda is a great soul indeed. Much celebration takes place on his birthday. The whole of India remembers him on that day.

Celebration of Makara Sankranthi, Pongal 2010
In Hindu temples drums resound and bells ring. Conch shells and clarinets usher in the joyous occasion. It provides the farmers a break from their monotony of traditional farming. The festival is celebrated for a period of four days in Tamil Nadu. “Bhogi”(celebrated January 13th) is the day when old clothes are got rid off and it is the beginning of a new life. On the second day, that is Pongal (celebrated January 14th) fresh milk is boiled early in the morning and is allowed to spill over. Savories and sweets are prepared and people visit each other’s home and exchange greetings. The third day known as Mattu Pongal is the day to offer thanks to the buffaloes and cows as they are made use of for ploughing. On the last day, which is Kanum Pongal, people go out on a picnic.

Colorful Rangoli designs decorate the houses and the front porch of the houses. People wear new clothes and buy jewelry. Women wear gold and silver ornaments.

Rituals of Makara Sankranthi
As a symbolic gesture with regard to bountiful harvest rice is cooked in new pots till it spills over. In the temples rice is cooked, chanting of prayers herald the festival and vegetables, sugarcane as well as spices are offered to the Gods. To exonerate themselves of previous sins, the devotees consume the offerings. Farmers also worship some crops in the form of puja. People bathe in holy waters and worship the sun. The belief is that a person who dies on this day will go to heaven.

Makara Sankaranth is a joyous occasion for farmers as well as ordinary people. It is day to be thankful for what we have- good food. For farmers, it is celebration of bountiful harvest.

The Indus Valley civilization, also known as Harappan civilization is a contemporary of Egyptian as well as Mespotamian cultures. It was situated in the presently existing eastern part of Pakistan and northwestern part of India. It was a highly prosperous civilization and was well developed in all respects. The people belonging to the civilization were very sophisticated.

Indian scientists had carried out statistical study of various symbols used in this civilization and compared them with linguistic scripts as well non-linguistic systems such as encoding of the DNA as well as computer programming.

The scientists found that these inscriptions were closely matching with those of our present day spoken languages such as Tamil, English and Sanskrit.

The results of their findings were published in the journal Science. The Indus script is yet an “unknown language.”

The scientists belonging to the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai and the Institute of Mathematical Sciences as well as the Indus Research Centre in Chennai developed models that helped in the comparison of the symbols with the modern languages.

Symbols in languages have certain amount of flexibility or rather conditional enthropy, which assists in analyzing the structure of a language. The researchers are now trying to decipher the rules and grammar that govern the language.

Basic Structure of the Indian Weather
India experiences seasonal cycles compared to other countries of the world. November, December and mid-march are considered to be the coolest months during the year. Then, summer follows in April, May and June. In mid-July, the rains set in and continue throughout August and September.

Differing Climates
In the Northern part of India, the winters are severe. The Himalayan range experiences snowfall and many people visit Kashmir and Shimla to experience the snowfall. The winter is very severe in the northern part of India during the months of November to January. Of course in the south of India, the winters are milder during this season. In fact the daytime heat will be very warm and soothing. Even in the northern part of India, the daytime sunshine is warm and it is perfect time to visit the country.

The summers are extremely hot in the southern states of India. People find it difficult to move around in the daytime. In the north, of course, summers are not so hot as in the south of India, but yet it is hot. Most people prefer to remain indoors during this season. During the summers many people visit the hill stations such as Mussorie, Shimla to getaway from the heat of the plains.

The rainfall during July, August and September is heavy all throughout the country. It is the monsoon season. Then rains are there in the post-monsoon season as well. In winters also the country experiences rainfall. It is the retreating monsoon.

To enjoy snowfall one can visit the Himalayan range of mountains. Also the winters are very sunny in the daytime and pleasant in the plains in the northern India. In case, one prefers to visit the south, then one can make a trip in winter as the climate is not very hot.

Land formations vary from region to region. These formations not only protect the country’s frontiers but also supply abundant food to feed the population. The land is used to grow crops, to cultivate fruits and develop fisheries. Much minerals are also available. Which are the major landforms of India?

Major Landforms of India

• Mountains – The Himalayan mountain range is a major landform in India. It borders on the Northern part of India and protects the country from foreign invasions. Timber industry thrives there as well many fruits are also grown in its vicinity. The climate is extremely cold during winters. In fact, it snows during the summers, it is a pleasant place to visit. Tourists visit many hill stations located there during summer to enjoy the cool weather. In winter, they go there to have fun participating in winter sports activities. Mount Everest is located in the Himalyan range. The Aravalli range – This is situated in the western part of India and runs about 800 km from the northeast to the south west, traversing Rajasthan. The northern end of the range form as isolated hills in Haryana, nearing Delhi. The southern end touches Gujarat near Ahmedabad. It is mostly bare and has less population.
• Volcanoes – These are found in the Andaman Islands such as Barren Islands, Baratang, Narcondam and Deccan Traps. The volcanoes are dormant and active.
• Glaciers – These are found in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarkhand and Sikkim. The Siachen glacier happens to be the largest glacier outside of the polar region. It is the largest in the Himalayas -Karakoram. It is in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Valleys – The Damodar Valley Jharkahand and West Bengal. It contains a lot of mineral deposits, which includes coal and mica. It is developed industrially. The Araku valley in Vishakapatnam in Andhra Pradesh attracts a lot of tourists. It is endowed with luscious green trees and plants and bounties of nature. The Kashmir valley is very beautiful. It has eye-catching scenic beauty.
• Deserts – The Thar Desert is the Great Indian Desert and lies in Rajasthan. It also extends into Haryana, Punjab and Gujarat. It is full of sand dunes. Several species of lizards and snakes are found. Not many inhabitants live their. The climate is extremely hot.
• Islands – The Andaman Islands are very famous. They are in the Bay of Bengal. The climate is that of tropical islands. It is quite warm, accompanied by sea-breeze. The Nicobar islands are in the eastern Indian Ocean. They are situated in the southeast of the Indian sub-continent.
• Waterfalls – Famous water falls are Chitrakot which is 100 feet and is in Chattisgarh. Then you have the Kuntala Falls in Andhra Pradesh. The Dudhsagar Falls is 1,017 feet. Situated in Goa. The Jog Falls in Karnatka are very famous.
• Beaches – These are several beaches in India which are famous for their scenic beauty. In Goa, one comes across several beaches. Here, the Arambol beach is famous as well as the Anjuna Beach and many more, The Vizag beach is famous in Andhra Pradesh. In Madras, the Marina beach and the Adyar beach are very popular.
• Plains – the Indo-Gangetic plain is very famous. It is extremely fertile and is in the northern part of India. The Eastern coastal and Western coastal are other regions which are part of the plains in India.

India has several spectacular land forms. They enhance its greatness and make it a tourist’s delight. Many of these tourists come to see these great formations and appreciate the grandeur that India has to offer.

2010 Navaratri Dates – Navaratri 2010 starts on Friday, 8th October

2011 Navaratri Dates – Navaratri 2011 starts on Wednesday, 28th September

2012 Navaratri Dates – Navaratri 2012 starts on Tuesday, 16th October

2013 Navaratri Dates – Navaratri 2013 starts on Saturday, 5th October

“Nava ratri” meaning “nine nights is celebrated twice during the year. It is observed in the beginning of summer and then once again when winter sets in. By worshipping Goddess Durga one is bestowed with wealth, prosperity and good health. Durga is another principal form of Parvati. It is divine to worship “Shakti”. It is celebrated during the initial nine days of the brighter fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashwin (September/October). The tenth day of the festival occurs at the same time as Dusshera or Vijyajdashmi.

Legend of Navaratri
Demon Mahishasura was so powerful that none of the Gods could destroy him. The gods went to Goddess Durga for help. Each God presented her with a powerful weapon. Equipped well with such weapons, Goddess Durga destroyed the demon. The place where the demon died was Mahishpur. Now it is known as Mysore.

Celebration of Navaratri
It is a nine day festival. In Mysore, it is celebrated with much gaiety. Bejeweled elephants are taken around the city. People within the community come together and sing bhajans and dance. The Dandiya-raas as well as the Garbaas, traditional folk dances and songs of Gujarat are performed. Even abroad also the festival is celebrated in all its splendor.

In West Bengal Goddess Durga is worshiped for ten days and puja and dance recitals are organized. On the final day, procession of the idol is held before it is immersed in the river waters.

The Navaratri celebration is an auspicious occasion for family and friends to get together and exchange greetings. In some places young girls, who are yet to be married are worshipped.

Ritual of Navaratri
Mother Goddess Durga is invoked. She is the Goddess of energy. Navaratri ritual performances are divided into three sets. The initial three days are devoted to invoking the powerful goddess Durga to get rid of impurities, defects and vices. Then, the mother goddess is worshiped as Lakshmi, who will bestow us with wealth. The final three days are spent worshiping as Mother Goddess of wisdom, Saraswati. In order to be blessed from all angles of life, it is essential to worship Mother Goddess for nine consecutive days.

The images of the Goddess are placed in homes and temples throughout the nine days’ celebration. Fruits and flowers are offered to the deity and bhajans are sung in praise of her.

In West Bengal and elsewhere in India, the Bengalees set up pandals (Cloth abodes) to worship Goddess Durga’s idol. It is a nine days’ affair celebration. The priests perform the puja and flowers and sweets are offered to the deity. The devotees wear new clothes. It is an occasion for social get-together.

Navaratri is indeed celebrated with much fervor all over India. Goddess Durga is invoked in order to ensure personal well-being.

2010 Kali Puja Dates – Kali Puja 2010 is on Friday, 5th of November

2011 Kali Puja Dates – Kali Puja 2011 is on Wednesday, 26th October

2012 Kali Puja Dates – Kali Puja 2012 is on Tuesday, 13th November

2013 Kali Puja Dates – Kali Puja 2013 is on Sunday, 3rd November

Kali Puja
Kali is the ferocious image of Goddess Durga, and is a powerful Goddess. She is much worshipped by the Bengalees. Kali puja is performed to diminish all negativity and egos that prevent material prosperity and spiritual progress.

The Kali puja is performed on the Kartik Amavasya night during October/November. The purpose is to seek help from the Goddess to get rid of evil forces outside and inside us.

Legend of Kali
Kali in a mood of killing spree began destroying everything that she came across. Lord Shiva wanted to put an end to this and threw himself under her feet. She was amazed by this and she was so awe stricken by the episode that her tongue stuck out of her mouth. She put an end to her killing spree. Since then the common image of Kali that one comes across is her standing on one foot on Shiva with her huge tongue stuck out.

According to the legend, the demons, Nishambhu and Shambu, happened to disturb the peace and tranquility of Indra, who is the king of the gods in his empire ( the heaven). After long battles the gods lost complete hope and the demons became more stronger. The god sought refuge in the mountains, the abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati. The gods took help from Mahamaya Durga, who is the goddess of Shakti. Kali was born out of the forehead of Durga and was known as Kal Bhoi Nashini. She was created to save the earth as well as heaven from the demons. Accompanied with Dakini and Jogini, her two escorts, she set out to get rid of the demons.

Much chaos prevailed all around and Kali after killing the demons wore their heads as a garland around her neck. In the process of killing she lost control and started killing anybody she came across. The god ran for help and the only person who could help out was Lord Shiva, the consort of Durga. Lord Shiva decided to lay down in her path and seeing him under feet, Kali immediately came back to her normal senses and stopped the rampage.

Celebrations of Kali Puja
It is great festival in West Bengal and it is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm. Lamps are lit in the honor of Kali Mata. Candles are lit up in the houses. Children and adults burst firecrackers. The devotees decorate their houses and rangoli designs are drawn in the front of courtyard and houses. In the evening elaborate puja is performed. The devotees seek protection from her and relief from hardships. In fact, most people do not sleep that night.

Ritual of Kali Puja
It happens to be a tantrik puja and is performed during the Amavasya at midnight in the month of November.

Kali Puja is performed by devotees for protection from evil forces and also to overcome hardships. In West Bengal it is a great event and an auspicious occasion.

Al-Hijra or Muharram 2010 starts on Tuesday, 7th of December for 29 days till Tuesday, 4th of January.

Al-Hijra or Muharram 2011 starts on Saturday, 26th of November for 29 days till Saturday, 24th of December.

Al-Hijra or Muharram 2012 starts on Thursday, 15th of November for 29 days till Thursday, 13th of December.

Al-Hijra or Muharram 2013 starts on Tuesday, 5th of November for 29 days till Tuesday, 3rd of December.

Muharram is not any particular day, but beginning of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the four months which is considered to be holy. The other are Dhul-Qa’adah, Dhul-Hijjah as well as Rajab.

Legend of Muharam
This is an auspicious occasion in Islamic history. On this day, Allah is considered to have created the heavens and the earth on this day. He blessed many of the His prophets with bounties and saved them from the clutches of the enemies.

Allah is considered to have created Hazrat Adam during this month and pardoned him for any of his mistakes he has committed. Hazrat Noah’s Ark reached successfully Mount Judi during this period many centuries ago. God is supposed to have saved Hazrat Ibrahim from the fire. He also rescued Hazrat Musa from the clutches of Pharaoah in the month of Muharram.

The legend also holds that during the month of Muharram many centuries ago, approximately October 20th 680 A.D., an incident took place at Kerbala on the banks of the river Euphrates.

A large army belonging to the Ummayyad regime caught hold of a group of persons and forced them to pay allegiance to the Caliph, who was indulging in earthly pleasures. He had deviated from the path of Islamic life. The group of men refused to pay allegiance to him. They were all killed in a battle. The leader of the group was Imam Hussain, who happens to be the grandson of “Holy Prophet”.

Imam Hussain’s martyrdom is a cause to fight anti-Islamic forces. After all, he was cruelly killed and this was a good reason to mourn his death.

Celebration of Muharram
Taziyas are taken out in processions and the rites of mourning are performed with great passion. The taziyas are buried in the local burial ground( Karbala). This is how the Shias celebrate. The Sunnis demonstrate their feelings less and focus on the redemptive quality of the martyrdom.

Ritual of Muharram
Devotees fast in the month of Muharram. It is believed that Prophet Muhammad has said that the best fasting after Ramadan is in the month of Muharram. The fasts during Muharram are not compulsory, but those who do fast out of their own will are rewarded by the Almighty. Fasting done on the tenth day of Muharram is known as Ashura. It will result in great rewards.

On Ashura, the Muslims participate in a procession Carrying a colorfully decorated taziyas (bamboo as well as paper replica of the tomb of the martyr), which is embellished with mica and gilt. Colorful replica of the Imam Hussain’s tomb is also carried in a procession and then buried in an imitation of Karbala.

Muharram is an auspicious occasion for the Muslims. Shias and Sunnis celebrate it in a different manner, but it is considered to be a sacred event.

Significance of Akshaya Tritiya
Akshaya means that which does not diminish. Naturally, this is the day when one can venture onto something new or purchase new valuable items as it means long lasting and success in the coming future. People all over India celebrate this day by making valuable purchases, or staring new ventures or go on long journeys. Similar to Diwali, and Dusshera, on Akshaya Tritya people buy gold, sliver and other expensive assets. Jewellers keep their shops open till about twilight for the convenience of their customers.

Akshaya Tritiya is also popularly known as “Akha Teej”.

History of Akshaya Tritiya
Akshaya Tritiya is traditionally considered to be the birthday of Parashurama, who is the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Parashurama, according to the Puranas had reclaimed land from sea along the western coast of India. Even in present times, Goa and Konkan are known as Parashurama Kshetra. He settled 96 exclusively selected families and called them Shanavkuli Brahmans, who were responsible for the cultural heritage in this part of India.

Legend of Akshaya Tritiya
Legend has it that on this auspicious day, Lord Ganesha started writing the great Epic Mahabharata. Mother Ganges or Ganga Devi also descended upon the Earth on this day.

Celebration of Akshaya Tritiya
In India gold is a very auspicious metal and extremely valuable and is a symbol of wealth as well as prosperity. On Akshaya Tritiya people buy gold as it is considered to be very be a very auspicious occasion to do so. Indians celebrate weddings and begin long journeys on this day. New business ventures are also begun on this day.

Ritual of Akshaya Tritiya
Special pujas are performed on this day. People bathe in the holy river waters perform charitable acts. Barley is offered in sacred fire. Lord Ganesha and Devi Laksmi are worshiped on this occasion.

Akshaya Tritiya is an auspicious occasion to start afresh. It is good omen to venture onto something new as it will bring long lasting fortune.

Akshaya Tritya is celebrated widely in India. Akshaya in Sanskrit means that which never ends or rather lasts forever. People begin new ventures, conduct weddings and buy valuables on this day as they hope it will last for ever. It is indeed a very auspicious occasion to purchase gold, silver as well as other valuables assets as they will bring lasting good fortune.

Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated on an auspicious day of the 3rd day of the brighter half of the lunar month (Vaishakha) month of the Hindu calendar.

What makes Akshaya Tritya so Auspicious?
The Sun and Moon are in an exalted position in Aries and Taurus, which makes this day very auspicious. Based on Hindu mythology, Treta Yuga had begun on this day and the holy river Ganges had descended from the heaven onto the earth. Lord Ganesha along with renowned sage Vyasa initiated the writing of Mahabharata.

Legends of Akshaya Tritiya
Sudema also known as Kuchela visited Lord Krishna in Dwarka with handful of rice (Aval or poha). Another legend says that the Pandavas received Akshaya Pathram (bowl) from Lord Krishna on this particular day.

How Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated?
The festival is dedicated to Lord Vishnu as it falls on the birthday of the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Parashurama. The Maha Vishnu Pooja performed on Akshya Tritiya gets rid of sins and helps one attain salvation. The puja can be peformed with some tulsi leaves, flowers as well as rice grains. Lakshmi puja is also performed on this day

Food and clothes are offered to the poor on this day. Alms are given and donations are generously made. In some parts of India, sandals as well as umbrellas are also donated.

People invest in gold, diamonds. Silver and other precious metals as well as real estate Jewelry shops are open till up to twilight for customers to purchase.

So make a fresh beginning on Akshaya Tritiya and let all your aspirations and goals materialize. Akshaya Tritiya is the day that one needs to venture onto something new and look forward to bright and prosperous future.