"Don't you have anything else to do?? Go study."
As a child growing up in India, that is one of the things you become accustomed to. Your parents keep saying it to you, no matter what time of the year it is. Let it be at the beginning of the education calender; at the end during the exams; or in the middle during the Xmas holidays; there will be no dearth of that command from the parents. So, it'll come as no surprise when I reveal that the "Pooja" holidays is the period of the year we all look forward to.
Why you ask? It's the only time of the year, nay, the only day in the whole year that you are NOT supposed to touch books, study anything or do anything studious as such. And it was such a grand day during our schooldays. We would plan well ahead as to which movies/cartoon shows we would watch on TV; who, where and when we could squeeze in time to play cricket; which computer games we would play once we got home; and with each passing year, we would continue to plot myriad other ways by which we could utilize this special day optimally.
Five years after last keeping my books for Pooja, I was planning to be a little more religious this time around. But due to the sincere efforts of Cough, Cold, Backpain & co, I was unable to do anything more than lie around in my bed. And as the festival season draws to a close, I lie here on my bed, thinking of the different ways this day is celebrated this year. And I share them with you as the "5 things" for this week.
***
This is what I was telling you about.
"...the last three days of the Navratri festival, i.e. Ashtami, Navami, and Dashami are celebrated as Saraswati Puja. The celebrations start with the Puja Veypu (Offering for Worship). It consists of placing the books for Pooja on the Ashtami day. The books will be taken out for reading, after worship, only on the morning of the third day (Vijaya Dashami). It is called Puja Eduppu (Taking back after Puja). Children are happy since they are not expected to study on these days. On the Vijayadashami day, Kerala celebrates Vidyarambham also known as Ezhuthiniruthu or Initiation of Writing where children between two and three years old are formally initiated before they are admitted to nursery schools. The child is made to write for the first time on the rice spread in a plate with the index finger, guided by an elder of the family or by a reputed teacher. The little ones will have to write "Hari Shri Ganapataye Namah" and recite the same to mark the auspicious entry into the world of education...."
"There is a legend related to the exhibition of toys that is known as Kolu in Tamil Nadu. Since the goddess Durga needed tremendous power, all other gods and goddesses transferred their power to her and they all stood still as statues. To respect the self-sacrifice of these deities during the festival days, Hindus revere morities, which are small statues in the shape of particular gods and goddesses. Golu ends on Dasara."
"Durga Puja is an annual Hindu festival in South Asia that celebrates worship of the Hindu goddess Durga. It refers to all the six days observed as Mahalaya, Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Nabami and Vijayadashami. The dates of Durga Puja celebrations are set according to the traditional Hindu calendar and the fortnight corresponding to the festival is called Devi Paksha, "Fortnight of the Goddess". The festival marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura. Thus, Durga Puja festival epitomises the victory of Good over Evil."
"Vijayadashami also known as Dussehra or Dashain or Tenth day of Navratri or Durgotsav is one of the most important Hindu festivals celebrated in various forms, across Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The name Dussehra is derived from Sanskrit Dasha-hara literally means Dashanan ravan (Name of devil & in short Dasha and Hara (defeat)) referring to Lord Rama's victory over the ten-headed demon king Ravana."
"The Day of Arafah (Arabic: يوم عرفة) is an Islamic Holy Day, in which the verse of the Qur'an was revealed which explained that is said that the religion had been perfected. The Day falls on the 9th day of Dhul Hijja (ذو الحجة) of the lunar Islamic Calendar. This happens to be approximately 70 days after the end of the month of Ramadan. It is the second day of the Hajj pilgrimage and the day after is the first day of the major Islamic Holiday of Eid ul-Adha. At dawn of this day, Muslim pilgrims will make their way from Mina to a nearby hillside and plain called Mount Arafa and the Plain of Arafa. It was from this site that Muhammad gave his famous Farewell Sermon in his final year of life."
***
***
So, why did I end with the 'Day of Arafa'? Well, to let you in on a little point I was introduced to today. The following observation came from my mother. She isn't claiming this to be the only truth/logic to explain the situation, but you have to wonder if this is that far from the truth.
"Look at that. It is such an auspicious day for everyone. Saraswati Pooja for us, Kolu for the Tamilians, Durga Pooja for the Bengalis, Dusshera for everyone. I read that today is Arafa for the people attending Hajj at the Mecca. This must be more than just a coincidence. I wonder if it was all just one special day for everyone at some point in time - where everyone celebrated one festival. And someone wanted to make themselves special and decided to split into another group. Like they do in our political parties all the time these days."
ALL is ONE. ONE is ALL.
P.S. I know that Arafa is calculated by the lunar calender and the Arafa might have easily been on yesterday, as it could have been on tomorrow.
***
Before I wrap up for this week, I would like to thank those brave souls, who with their sheer determination, read last week's "questionable" post. It takes some effort to read, and I thank you for taking your time to do so.
***
So, that's all for this week then.
Have a great weekend!!
'til next week.
No comments :
Post a Comment