Downloadable Diwali Greeting

Click on the image to download the original (3872 x 2592). Please type additional text on the image and send this Diwali Greeting (Dipavali Greeting) to your loved ones. You are free to crop the watermark on the right side edge with mention of my name. Happy Diwali!

Diwali greetings

As I am living through the morning of Diwali (Deepavali), I can't help but remember again and again the conversation I had with my father on the Diwali eve three years ago. While discussing about the festivals and their possible origins, he also talked about the Diwali. He said, "Like a little lamp lightens its little surroundings, a row of little lamps lightens a larger surroundings. Similarly an human being can lighten his surroundings; whereas an organised act - metaphor to numerous lamps organised in rows - can enlighten the universe." I couldn't agree less! I spent almost a week with him, a complete one without any other disturbance. What I mean by disturbance is that I was left with little energy to leave home, mainly to meet friends or for aimless wandering, due to high fever. The week later turned out to be my last acquaintance with him. All the while during Diwali I was cursing the fever. After that Diwali, I could only thank that 'untimely' fever which left me with my father's company!

I probably got deviated from what I really wanted to write. I logged in in order to wish all a happy, prosperous and safe Diwali. :-) I clicked the photograph in the greeting, which I have posted below, last evening after we placed lamps in front of our house at Ichalkaranji. The lamp is put on the back of a little earthen camel beautifully decorated with silk clothing, strings and a tiny bell around its neck. I hope the readers will like it. I have borrowed the message from the greeting sent by my friend Shri Jayant Pethe. I thank him for the greeting.



With this thought and also with the thought of a lamp spreading light to its surroundings, I sign off.

Makar Sankranti

Dear friends,

uttarāyana (उत्तरायण) is the six month period between Makar Sankranti around January 14 and Karka Sankranti around July 14, when the sun travels towards north on the celestial sphere. The period from July 14 to January 14 is known is dakshināyana (दक्षिणायन). The starting of uttarayana is celebrated as Makara Sankranti throughout India, which is declared as National festival by Government of India.

Makara Sankranti (a sanskrit term) is the harvest festival of India. Sankranti means transmigration of Sun from one rāshi (zodiac in Indian astrology) to the other. Hence there are 12 such Sankrantis in all. But the transition of Sun from 'Dhanu' Rāshi (Sagittarius) to 'Makara' Rāshi (Capricorn) marks the starting of Uttarayana which means northern movement of Sun. This is particularly significant for us living in the northern hemisphere of the earth as it means the beginning of the warmer season after the rains and the cold of the winter. Since uttarayana is considered as the auspicious time, Makara Sankranti is celebrated as the beginning of that period. Diversified India has got diversified ways to celebrate this festival.

o Punjab - Lohri
o Uttarakhand - Uttarayani
o Maharashtra, West Bengal, Andra Pradesh and Kerala - Makar Sankranti
o Assam - Bhogali Bihu
o Gujarat and Rajastan - Uttarayan (Kite flying festival)
o In Tamilnadu and Tamils in Sri Lanka - Pongal

In most places, more prominently in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra, people fly colourful kites in skies changing the skyscape entirely and bringing in a cheerful atmosphere of an important festival.

One can easily make out that this festival signifies the importance of a celestial phenomenon of the cycles within the solar system straight into our culture. It is due to this that the festival, a truly secular one, is an unique festival which falls on 14th of January each year. Naturally the celebrations too go beyond the races and religions.

I wish you all a Happy Makar Sankranti.
***
(with inputs from Piyush Kapopara and WWW)

Sarvatmaka Sarveshwara

An humble attempt to sing Bhairavi to conclude a musical program by Marathi Mitra Mandal IIT Madras at Maharashtra Mandal Chennai during Ganeshotsav 2006. Shri. Rajendra Sakhale accompanying on tabla.

सर्वात्मका सर्वेश्वरा, गंगाधरा शिवसुंदरा।
जे जे जगी जगते तया, माझे म्हणा करूणा करा॥
आदित्य या तिमिरात व्हा, ऋग्वेद या हॄदयात व्हा।
स्रुजनत्व द्या, द्या आर्यता, अनुदारिता दुरिताहरा॥
सर्वात्मका सर्वेश्वरा॥



English Translation of Sarvatmaka Sarveshwara

Shri Ganesharati

Ganesharati at Maharashtra Mandal Chennai

Ganesharati at Marathi Mitra Mandal IIT Madras Chennai

Photograph of the day - People

Members of Marathi Mitra Mandal IIT Madras just before going for Ganesh Visarjan at Elliot Beach Chennai

Date: Aug 28, 2006
Camera: Sony DSC H1
Exposure: 1/60 s, f/2.8, ISO64

Photograph of the day - People

French band Matmata performs at Open Air Theatre in IIT Madras

Date: Jan 24, 2005
Camera: Canon Powershot A80
Exposure: 1/40 s, f/4, ISO400

Deepavalie - Festival of Lamps

Known as the "Festival of Lights," Diwali symbolises the victory of good over evil, and lamps are lit as a sign of celebration and hope for mankind. It is also called as Deepavali (Deepasya Aavali - Row of Lamp, Deep - Lamp, Aavali - Row). Just a few moments before writing this sentence we, Baba and myself, were discussing about this when he said the following. Like a little lamp lightens its little surrundings, a row of little lamps lightens a larger surroundings. Similarly an human being can lighten his surroundings whereas an organised act - metaphor to numerous lamps organised in rows - can enlighten the universe.

The cause for celebration, as an utsav, crosses the boundaries of region and religion. So dear visitor, I, on behalf of myself and my family and my circle of friends, wish you and your dear ones a very happy deepavali. May the coming year bring prosperity to your life.

Those in IIT Madras campus should not forget to participate Deepotsav 2006 on 21st evening.