asmrutvachanam

अमृतवचनं

यथा कुटुम्ब विषये अस्माकं त्यगभाव: न शक्य:  अपितु संयर्णं एव , तथेव राष्ट्रस्य विषये अपि त्याग: न , पूर्ण  सर्वस्व समर्पणम्  स्यात् समर्पणं अस्य त्याग:  इति  कथन  अहं  कारस्य  कारणं  भवति अस्माकं शक्ति: समय:  धनं  चिन्तनं  परिश्रम  इत्यापिनि  एष्वर्याणि  राष्ट्रस्य न नेवेदयांश्चेत , न समर्प्यां: चेत्  वयं  कर्तव्यच्युता भवेम  वा  चक्रा: अतः  क्रमश: एतानि  एष्वर्याणि राष्ट्रस्य अपर्णियानि   , तस्या दिशि प्रयत्न: करणीया वा च 

नो चेत प्राणिनां अस्माकं  च  कः  भेद:

Lotus Temple

Lotus Temple

Located in kalkaji in the south of delhi, it is lotus shaped and has rightly been given the name.

It is made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand. It is open to all faiths and is an ideal place  for meditation and obtaining peace and tranquility.

It is a very recent architectural marvel of Bahai faith. The bahai faith is the youngest of the world’s  independent religions. Its founder baha’u’llah(1817-1892) is regarded by Baha is as the most recent in the line of messengers of god that stretches back beyond recorded time and that includes Abrahum , Moses,  Buddha, Zoroster, Christ and Muhammad. The cental theme of Baha’u’llah’s is that humanity is one single race and that the day has come for its unification in one global society. God , Baha’u’llah said, has set in motion historical  forces that breaking down traditional barriers of race, class, creed, and nation and that will, in time, give birth to a universal civilization. The principal challenge facing the peoples of the earth is to accept the fact of their oneness and to assist the processes of unification.

The Grand Structure

Fariborz Sahaba, Canadian architect of Iranian origin, spent 10 years in designing and project management, and with the help of a team of about 800 enginners, technicians, artisans and workers brought to realization one of the most complicated constructions in the world. The structure of the house is composed of three ranks of nine petals; each springing from a podium elevating the building  above the surrounding plain. The first two ranks curve inward, embracing the inner  dome; the third layer  curves outward to form canopies over the nine entrances. The  petals, constructed of reinforced  white conrete cast in place, are clad in white marble panels, performed to surface profiles and patterns related to the geometry. Nine arches that provide the main support for the superstructure ring the central hall. Nine reflecting pools surround the building on the outside, their form suggesting the green leaves of the lotus flower. Translating the geometry of the design, in which there are virtually no straight lines, into the actual structure presented particular challenges in designing and erecting the framework. Not only was it difficult to align, so as to produce accurately the complex double-curved surfaces and their intersections, but also the closeness of the petals  severely restricted  workspace. Nevertheless the task was carried out entirely by the local laborers. Thanks to each one who contributed in its construction. To avoid construction joints, petals were concreted in a countinous operation for approximately 48 hours. Concrete was carried up the staging by women bearing 50-pound loads in basket balanced on their heads.

Articles

As of 2003 it had been featured in television programmes in India, Russia and China. The Baha'i World Centre Library has archived more than 500 publications which have carried information on the Temple in the form of articles, interviews with the Architect and write-ups extolling the structure.^[1]

§                    In France, the magazine "Actualite des Religions" published a four-page article on the Lotus Temple in the fall of 2000 in a special edition called "Les religions et leurs chef-d'œuvres" (Religions and Their Masterpieces)

Tourism

Since its inauguration to public worship in December 1986, the Bahá'í House of Worship in Delhi has, as of late 2002, attracted more than 50 million visitors, making it one of the most visited buildings in the world.^[10] Its numbers of visitors during those years surpassed those of theEiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal. On Hindu holy days, it has drawn as many as 150,000 people; it welcomes four million visitors each year (about 13,000 every day or 9 every minute).

This House of Worship is generally referred to as the "Lotus Temple". In India, during the Hindu festival Durga Puja, several times a replica of the Lotus Temple has been made as a pandal, a temporary structure set up to venerate the goddess Durga.^[11] In Sikkim a permanent replica is of the Hindu Legship Mandir, dedicated to Shiva

Tulsi Vivah

Tulsi Vivah

Tulsi Vivah is the ceremonial marriage of the Tulsi plant (holy basil) to the Hindugod Vishnu or his Avatar Krishna. This ceremony can be performed any time between Prabodhini Ekadashi - the eleventh lunar day of the bright fortnight of theHindu month Kartik to the full moon of the month (Kartik Poornima) but usually it is performed on the eleventh or the twelfth lunar day. The day varies from region to region. The Tulsi wedding signifies the end of the monsoon and the beginning of the Hindu wedding season.

Tulsi Vivah or Marriage: 

 This is perhaps the most sentimental but not the least important festival which falls on the 11th day of the bright half of Kartik.  This story from padma Puram revolves round Tulsi, the plant Ocimum Sanctum which in her former birth was Vrinda, the daughter of a giant named Nemi, and the faithful wife of demon Jalandhar. Being born in water Jalandhar claims sovereignty over the ocean and demands the 14 treasures churned out of the ocean in Vishnu's second incarnation.  He declares war and becomes a cause of danger to the gods. More so because of a boon that he would be free drom death till his wife Vrinda was chaste.  As a last resort to kill Jalandhar, Vishnu beguiles Vrinda by assuming her husband's form. Vrinda in her wrath cruses and turns Lord Vishnu into a Black stone (Salagram) for his deceit.  Vishnu too retaliates but in admiration of her impeachable chastity and piety, he transfers her into the sacred Tulsi plant and promises to marry her annually on this day of Kartik Poonam.

Performing Tusli Vivah Festival-A Tulsi Pooja

Tulsi Vivah, is observed at dusk in homes. The place is cleaned up and rangolis are drawn in front of Tulsi Vrindavan. Tulsi plant, being treated as the bride is smeared with turmeric and vermilion. Small bangles are hang on the tender branches. A small cloth is wound around the plant. A Shaligrama is placed next to the Tulsi as the symbol of Mahavishnu, the groom. A priest is summoned and all rites, involved in a formal wedding are conducted. 

In some places, a cloth is held in front of the plant, which acts like a screen, while mantras are chanted. At the end of the mantra recitation, the cloth is removed as a mark of culmination of the wedding.

The performance of this pooja bestows prosperity, a cordial relationship between partners and all other material boons. When done with proper understanding of its essence, it bestows self realisation, the end of all spiritual pursuits.

Eassy of Republic Day of India

THE REPUBLIC DAY OF INDIA

India gained independence on 15 August 1947, after which the process of preparing a constitution was started. The Constitution was passed on 26 November 1949 in the Constituent Assembly. It was adopted on 26 January 1950 with a democratic government system, when the country became a republic in true sense. 26 January was selected, because it was this day in 1930 when the Declaration of Indian Independence was passed.

In the life of every nation there are certain days which are considered as red-letter days. The Republic Day celebration held on 26th January every year in our country is one of those days. It is perhaps the most important day of our country. It marks the birth of our nation as a republic. Therefore this day is celebrated all over the country with great pomp and show.

From then on till the dawn of independence on Aug. 1947, the nation celebrated 26th Jan. as Independence Day. Later, when India wanted a day to mark its official birth 26th January, the independence day of the pre-independence days was chosen. On this day, 26th Jan. 1950 Indian constitution came into force and India was proclaimed to be a sovereign, democratic and a republic,

The ceremony begins in the morning of 26th January with the laying of a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyothi at the India Gate by the Prime Minister, as a mark of gratitude to the martyrs who have laid down their lives for the country. At exactly 8.00 a.m. the president reaches the Rajpath along with the Chief Guest. They are welcomed by the Prime Minister and the defence Minister.

On reaching the specially erected podium, the president unfurls the national flag. The Republic day parade begins soon after this. The march is led by heroes of war, the members of armed forces who have received gallantry awards followed by the young boys and girls who have won National Bravery Awards for that year.

Soldiers from different wings of the armed forces, units of paramilitary and police forces march to the tune of the military band. The President takes the salute. A colourful %-past by helicopters and aeroplanes makes the ceremony most spectacular. Folk dances by cultural troupes and various performances are put up by school children to keep the audience spellbound.

The tableaux of states depicting the cultural wonders of the states follow the school children. The procession lasts for several hours and finally ends up at Red Fort. Hundreds of people from far off places come to watch the charming show of military might and national glory.

In the evening, the Raisina Hill, where the Rashtrapathi Bhavan is situated is illuminated, presenting a glittering sight. The Republic Day celebrations last three days and come to an end on the evening of 28th January with the Beating of the Retreat ceremony. It is an impressive ceremony put up by our armed forces. Grand Republic day celebrations are also organised in various state capitals, district headquarters and at the Block and Panchayat levels which are attended by the general public.

Shivaji's Life

Shivaji was born of a Maratha family in 1627 A.D. His father was a chief of the kingdom of Bijapur. Though he was high up, he was not allowed to control any fort. In his early youth, Shivaji inspired the local peasant youths around Poona to follow him in his idealistic pursuits.

Shivaji drew strength from the guidance of his guru, Guru Ramdas who together with mata Jijabai in his young life, made him a national hero.

Shivaji's  father Shahaji Bhosale served alongside Malik Ambar, who defended the Deccan region (First to be done By any Maratha In The Deccan Region) against the Mughals.He always tried to free their Kingdom From The Sultanate Of Bijapur as well as wanted to throw out the mughal rule in India and Establish a Swaraj Empire). His mother Jijabai,a pious and far sighted lady was the daughter of Lakhujirao Jadhav of Sindkhed.She is regarded to be The master or the guru Of Shivaji's Bravery By their court poet,paramanand. During the period of Shivaji's birth, the power in Deccan was shared by three Islamic sultanates – Bijapur, Ahmednagar, and Golconda. Shahaji kept changing his loyalty between the Nizamshahi of Ahmadnagar, Adil Shah of Bijapur and the Mughals, but always kept his ''jagir (fiefdom) at Pune and his small army with him.He tried to establish independent kingdom twice.But he had to surrender before onslaught of mughals in 1636.By a treaty shahji was forced to leave maratha country and took up service with adilshah in deep south.The region around poona was devastated due to continous warfare, hence to restore peace and prosperity Jijabai remained behind .Shivaji being of minor age also stayed with her.For their upkeep shahji kept a trusted and experienced men with them .He was Dadaji Kondadev(a trusted master of state-craft), Dadaji also taught the art of swordsmanship to Shivaji, and especially the effective use of lance, the characteristic Maratha weapon. In a short time, Shivaji became a skilled swordsman, strategist and an accomplished horseman.

Shivaji with Jijamata

Shivaji was extremely devoted to his mother Jijabai, who was deeply religious. This religious environment had a profound influence on Shivaji, and he carefully studied the two great Hindu epics, Ramayana andMahabharata. The morality and spiritual messages of the epics made a great impression on him. Throughout his life he was deeply interested in religious teachings, and sought the company of Hindu andSufi (an esoteric Muslim sect) saints throughout his life.^[15]

Shivaji drew his earliest trusted comrades and a large number of his soldiers from the Maval region, including Yesaji Kank, Suryaji kakade,Baji Pasalkar, Baji Prabhu Deshpande and Tanaji Malusare. In the company of his Maval comrades, a young Shivaji wandered over the hills and forests of the Sahyadri range, hardening himself and acquiring first-hand knowledge of the land. By 1639, he commanded a hardy and loyal band of officers and soldiers.^[15]

At the age of 12, Shivaji was taken to Banglore where he was further formally trained alongwith elder brother Sambhaji and stepbrother Ekoji. At age of 14, he returned to Pune with a rajmudra (sovereign seal) and council of minister.