Rangoli: The Painted Prayers of India

Rangoli (ran-goal-i, also known as Alpana, Kolam and by other names) is a traditional art of decorating courtyards and walls of Indian houses, places of worship and sometimes eating places as well. The powder of white stone, lime, rice flour and other cheap paste is used to draw intricate and ritual designs. Each state of India has its own way of paintingRangoli.

One characteristic of Rangoli is that it is painted by commoners. On some special occasions it is painted in every home, with or without formal training in Rangoli art. The art is typically transferred from generation to generation and from friend to friend. Popular magazines publish new designs of Rangoli every week and on special occasions there are Rangoli contests.

Women use their bare fingers or a brush to create various designs from sandstone powder or grain-flour. Sometimes colors and petals are used in addition to flour paste. Some women are so skilled with their fingers that they can create figures of deities, chariots, temples, etc., on the finely layered floor. Petals of various flowers, such as oleanders, cosmos, zenia, chrysanthemums, and green leaves provide the artist the ability to work out various patterns and colors. In the evenings of festive occasions, when oil lamps are lit, and the atmosphere is cool and pleasant, such floral designs create the atmosphere of a well-planned divine garden. This Rangoli garden surrounds the sacred spot where pooja (prayer) is performed or a child is seated for his or her birthday, naming ceremony or thread ceremony. Newly-weds also receive guests in such decorated surroundings when the wedding celebrations are ongoing.

Most of the Rangoli designs are motifs of plants, flowers, leaves such as coconut, lotus, mango, and ashwath (peepal leaf), the animals such as cows, elephants, and horses, and the birds like eagles and swans. There are geometrical designs as well. When drawn with fingers, these acquire different dimensions on their own.

Girls and wives compete with each other to draw a new design every time, even when there are no prizes to be given. They believe that the gods are fond of cleanliness and things of beauty, and this is one household art meant for propitiating deities.



Source:Hindustanis.org

indian marriage

India is a diverse, multi-cultural country with people of various religions and sects living together in harmony and peace. Each religion has its own set of rites and rituals, traditions and multitudes of customs inherited from ancestors. These are further mingled with the flavor of each state of India.
Arranged marriages have been part of the Indian culture for centuries. Although some people from western culture probably view this tradition with amusement, generation after generation, this custom has been embraced by millions of Indians living in India and abroad.














For every Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist or Parsi, marriage is a sacred event of ones life. For the bride and the groom this is their first step into the Grihastha Ashram (Householder stage of life). Now they are ready to extend their family and pass on the values and traditions they have gained from their parents. For an Indian, marriage is a life long commitment between the husband and wife, who are considered one soul in two bodies.


Marriage is an important social event for the family. It is considered as a perfect occasion to bring together relatives and dissolve any differences that may exist. It is not only a union of two souls and two individuals but also of two families and in some cases union of two villages. Indian marriages are celebrated on a grand scale. The ceremonies and rituals for a marriage can in some communities start months before the actual marriage. It is a way to bring the families of the boy and the girl together and in the process get to know each other.
The rituals embodied in the Marriage ceremony can vary with customs of different regions of India yet some underlying similarities unifies them all. It is interesting to note the similarities in some of the rituals across the religions. In almost all religions, the groom comes to the girls house for the marriage in a ‘Baarat’. In Hindus, the father performs the ‘Kanyadan’ which means he gives his daughter away to the groom in holy matrimony. In Christians, the father accompanies his daughter down the aisle towards the groom.In Muslims, during the ‘Rukhasat’ the father gives the hand of his daughter in the groom’s hand with the request of protecting her for life. Exchanging garlands and rings are other rituals that signify the mutual acceptance of the bride and groom. Flowers in the form of garlands or bouquets and blessings in the form of showering rice are part of the rituals found mostly across all religions. Another element that is common in all Indian marriages is the wedding vows or the promises the brideand groom make to each other. The vows are taken in the presence of the holy priest and it is witnessed by all the relatives and friends.
Commonalities and differences apart, the marriage ceremony which is the oldest custom of mankind is celebrated with pomp, grandeur and a great deal of festivities in India.



Source:Hindustanis.org

Origins of Holi Festival in india

In days of yore, there were communities of cannibals in India. They caused much havoc. They threatened the lives of many innocent people. One of them was Holika or Putana. She took immense delight in devouring children. Sri Krishna destroyed her and thus saved the little children. Even today, the effigy or figure of Holika is burnt in the fire. In South India, the clay figure of Cupid is burnt. This is the origin of the great festival of Holi.

It begins about ten days before the full moon of the month Phalgun (February-March), but is usually only observed for the last three or four days, terminating with the full moon. This is the spring festival of the Hindus. In the spring season all the trees are filled with sweet-smelling flowers. They all proclaim the glory and everlasting beauty of God. They inspire you with hope, joy and a new life, and stir you on to find out the creator and the Indweller, who is hiding Himself in these forms.

Holi is known by the name of Kamadahana in South India, the day on which Cupid was burnt by Lord Siva.

Another legend has it that once upon a time an old woman’s grandchild was to be sacrificed to a female demon named Holika. A Sadhu advised that abuse and foul language would subdue Holika. The old woman collected many children and made them abuse Holika in foul language. The demon fell dead on the ground. The children then made a bonfire of her remains.

Connected to this legend of the demon Holika is Bhakta Prahlad’s devotion to Lord Narayana, and his subsequent escape from death at the hands of Holika. Prahlad’s father, Hiranyakashipu, punished him in a variety of ways to change his devotional mind and make him worldly-minded. He failed in his attempts. At last he ordered his sister, Holika, who had a boon to remain unburnt even in fire, to take Prahlad on her lap and enter into the blazing flames. Holika did so. She vanished, but Prahlad remained untouched and laughing. He was not affected by the fire on account of the Grace of Lord Narayana.

This same scene is enacted every year to remind people that those who love God shall be saved, and they that torture the devotee of God shall be reduced to ashes. When Holika was burnt, people abused her and sang the glories of the Lord and of His great devotee, Prahlad. In imitation of that, people even today use abusive language, but unfortunately forget to sing the praises of the Lord and His devotee!

In North India, people play joyfully with coloured water. The uncle sprinkles coloured water on his nephew. The niece applies coloured powder on her aunt’s face. Brothers and sisters and cousins play with one another.

Huge bundles of wood are gathered and burnt at night, and everywhere one hears shouts of “Holi-ho! Holi-ho!” People stand in the streets and sprinkle coloured water on any man who passes by, be he a rich man or an officer. There is no restriction on this day. It is like the April Fool’s Day of the Europeans. People compose and sing special Holi songs.

On the festival day, people clean their homes, remove all dirty articles from around the house and burn them. Disease-breeding bacteria are thereby destroyed. The sanitary condition of the locality is improved. During the festival, boys dance about in the streets. People play practical jokes with passers-by. A bonfire is lit towards the conclusion of the festival. Games representing the frolics of the young Krishna take place joyously around a fire.

On the last day of Holi, people take a little fire from this bonfire to their homes. They believe that their homes will be rendered pure, and their bodies free from disease.

Nowadays, people are found indulging in all sorts of vices in the name of the Holi festival. Some drink intoxicating liquor like toddy and fall unconscious on the roads. They indulge in obscene speech as a result of drinking. They lose respect for their elders and masters. They waste their money in drink and dice-play. These evils should be totally eradicated.

Festivals like Holi have their own spiritual value. Apart from the various amusements, they create faith in God if properly observed. Hindu festivals always have a spiritual significance. They wean man away from sensual pleasures and take him gradually to the spiritual path and divine communion. People perform havan and offer the new grains that are harvested to the gods before using them.

There should be worship of God, religious gatherings and Kirtan of the Lord’s Names on such occasions, not merely the sprinkling of coloured water and lighting of bonfires. These functions are to be considered most sacred and spent in devotional prayers, visiting holy places, bathing in sacred waters, and Satsang with great souls. Abundant charity should be done to the poor. Then only can Holi be said to have been properly celebrated. The devotees of the Lord should remember the delightful pastimes of the Lord on such happy occasions.

All great Hindu festivals have religious, social and hygienic elements in them. Holi is no exception. Every season has a festival of its own. Holi is the great spring festival of India. Being an agricultural country, India’s two big festivals come during the harvest time when the barns and granaries of our farmers are full and they have reason to enjoy the fruits of their hard labour. The harvest season is a festive season all over the world.

Man wants relaxation and change after hard work. He needs to be cheered when he is depressed on account of work and anxieties. Festivals like Holi supply him with the real food and tonic to restore his cheer and peace of mind.

The religious element in the Holi festival consists of worship of Krishna. In some places it is also called the Dol Yatra. The word dol literally means “a swing”. An image of Sri Krishna as a babe is placed in a little swing-cradle and decorated with flowers and painted with coloured powders. The pure, innocent frolics of little Krishna with the merry milkmaids (Gopis) of Brindavan are commemorated. Devotees chant the Name of Krishna and sing Holi-songs relating to the frolics of little Krishna with the Gopis.

The social element during Holi is the uniting or “embracing” of the great and the small, of the rich and the poor. It is also the uniting of equals. The festival teaches us to “let the dead bury the dead”. We should forget the outgoing year’s ill-feelings and begin the new year with feelings of love, sympathy, co-operation and equality with all. We should try to feel this oneness or unity with the Self also.

Holi also means “sacrifice”. Burn all the impurities of the mind, such as egoism, vanity and lust, through the fire of devotion and knowledge. Ignite cosmic love, mercy, generosity, selflessness, truthfulness and purity through the fire of Yogic practice. This is the real spirit of Holi. Rise from the mire of stupidity and absurdity and dive deep into the ocean of divinity.

The call of Holi is to always keep ablaze the light of God-love shining in your heart. Inner illumination is the real Holi. The spring season is the manifestation of the Lord, according to the Bhagavad Gita. Holi is said there to be His heart.

Source:Hindustanis.org

Indian Festivals

Indian festivals like Lohri Festival, Pongal, Bihu, Makara Sankranti, Basant Panchami, Holi, Rath Festival, Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami, Sivaratri, Ramanavami, Buddha Jayanti, Indian Festival Mahavir Jayanti, Onam - festival of Kerala, Ram- lila, Indian Dussehra & Indian Diwali...
With at least seven major faiths and a large agricultural population, India seems to celebrate one festival or another every day in the year. In addition, each seasonal change - such as the coming of spring, the monsoon and the harvests - is celebrated. Yet another factor here is the strength of the bonds of familial affection and concern. Festivals further strengthen these ties across the extended family system which embraces in-laws, distant relatives and friends.
Indian festivals can be specific to a region, or the same festival will be celebrated in different places in a slightly different form. In fact, every community has its own special emphasis and unique form of expression in the celebration of a festival.
Officially, India follows the Gregorian calendar. However, the older lunar and solar calendars determine the dates of festivals and thus they vary each year. Three secular national holidays are fixed: 26 January is Republic Day, 15 August is Independence Day and 2 October is the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi.









The January sugarcane harvest in North India is celebrated in the Lohri festival, an occasion for joy and thanksgiving for the bounty of nature. There is music, song and the sharing of sweets made out of the new sugar and sesame seeds. In South India, where rice is the staple food, the harvest festival is called Pongal; it is Bihu in Assam and Makara Sankranti in other parts of the country. A delightful occasion in South India is Mattu Pongal, also in January, when cattle (and cars, tractors and buses) are washed and decorated with garlands and honoured for their hard work in bringing in a good harvest.












Republic Day is celebrated with massive parades on 26 January to mark the day in 1950 when India was declared a republic and the Constitution of India came into effect. In New Delhi, the army, navy and air force parade is followed by a display of floats with dancers from different parts of India. The government hands out awards to eminent people in the fields of science, the arts and social work, and there is a special Bravery Award for children. The event, which takes place in New Delhi and in every state capital, is televised. Tickets and passes are available for those who want to watch it live. The curtain rings down two days later with a Beating of the Retreat, an impressive hour-long performance of music and marching by the combined bands of the armed forces.















Basanta Panchami and Holi are the major spring festivals, held in February and March. They are best experienced in North India, where the changing seasons are more noticeable. Homes are cleaned, and on the eve of Holi, huge bonfires burn away the old year and usher in the new. Children play with colored powders and water, visit the homes of relatives and romp in the streets splashing colors on everyone. This ancient ritual has inspired some lovely and often bawdy - songs which can be heard in the villages. By noon an exhausted silence reigns and the festivities are over.
Soon after Holi, on 13 April, there is a festival of music and dance especially important to Sikhs and Punjabis. By April and May, the gulmohar, laburnum and cassia trees are in flower and it is time for Pooram, celebrated at Trichur (Kerala) with processions of temple elephants carrying ceremonial umbrellas to the accompaniment of music. Soon the summer heat becomes unbearable even for the gods, and in the Rath festival at Puri (Orissa), the presiding deities - Jaganath, Balaram and Subhadra - are taken from the temple to their summer abode in huge wooden chariots pulled by thousands of people.
Before the monsoon there are occasions when it is auspicious to bathe in the Ganges and other rivers. Once the rains come, there are further celebrations. Nowhere in the world does rain inspire so much spontaneous music and poetry as in India. During Teej, celebrated in honour of Parvati (the wife of Shiva), it was customary for woman and young brides to return to their parents' home. Swings were hung on trees and in the houses, and the girls would get together with their old friends. Far from the watchful eye of their in-laws and husbands, the women abandoned themselves with their companions as in former days.













In North India during July and August, Raksha Bandhan is an occasion for brothers to reiterate their affection for and their pledge to protect their sisters, who tie a delicate rakhi thread (now made with gold and tassels) to their brothers' wrists as a symbol of affection. They, in turn, present their sisters with a gift or money, symbolizing their protection.










Janmashtami is a nationwide festival in honor of the god Krishna, represented as a naughty child, cowherd, divine lover and destroyer of evil. You can observe Janmashtami at Mathura, Krishna's birthplace, or at any Vishnu temple. Like at Christmas, houses are cleaned and devotees decorate Krishna's image with dolls and toys for his enjoyment. Other festivals for the gods include Sivaratri (for Shiva) in February-March, an occasion for fasting and prayers; Ramanavami (for Rama, the hero of the Ramayana) in March-April; and Buddha Jayanti and Mahavir Jayanti from March to May.









India's Independence Day is 15 August. The prime minister addresses the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi and there are celebrations throughout the country.
Onam is an important festival in Kerala which marks the end of the monsoon (August-September). It features boat races in which elegant snake-boats decorated with flowers and flags and manned with 30 to 40 rowers compete, while crowds line the banks of the river and cheer them on.
In August and September, Maharashtra celebrates Ganesh Chaturti in honour of Ganesh, the god of wisdom and remover of obstacles. Every new venture, journey or celebrations in India begins with the propitiation of Ganesh. He is an endearing deity, with his elephant head and prosperous round belly. He is known to love sweets. The clay images that are made for this occasion are carried in huge processions and immersed in the sea are a river, a symbolic return to the earth and nature.















Ramadan is a month-long period of piety and fasting for Muslims, during which time it was believed the Koran was given to man through the Prophet Muhammad. The last day of Ramadan, Id-ul-Fitr, is celebrated with feasting. On Id-Bakrid, Abraham's sacrifice of his son to God is remembered with feasting and alms-giving.
In October and November, Dussehra (dus means 'ten') is a ten-day festival that commemorates Durga's conquest of the mighty buffalo-demon, Mahisha. As the legend goes, all the gods co-operated to create this perfect goddess, whose strength exceeded all of theirs combines. Shiva gave her his trident, the wind god his bow, Indra his thunderbolt, and so on. The festival is popular in eastern India, and cities like Calcutta teem with processions and music.
Another legend runs through Dussehra and









Diwali, that of Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu. During Dussehra the Ramayana is narrated and dramatized in parts of India in the Ram-lila (the life story of Rama). Rama is the heir-apparent to the throne of Ayodhya who, by the jealous intrigues of a step-mother, is exiled for 14 years. Rama, his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana wander off into the forest; there Sita is kidnapped by the mighty ten-headed king of Lanka, Ravana. Ram, in an alliance with Hanuman, lord of the monkeys, invades Lanka and in a fierce battle Ravana is vanquished. On the tenth day of Dussehra, effigies of Ravana are burnt to celebrate the victory. Diwali marks the triumphant return of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita to their kingdom. To light up their way home each year, homes are illuminated with traditional oil lamps, fireworks are set off, sweets are distributed, and there is general rejoicing with family and friends. The festival also marks the moonless night before winter sets in, and at Diwali Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity is also honoured. People gamble at this time to test their luck for the new year.















Christmas in India is celebrated with the exchange of presents and the singing of beautiful hymns in Indian languages.


Source:Hindustanis.org

indian fashion

Indian fashion varies from one village to another village, from one city to another city. India's fashion heritage is rich in tradition, vibrant in colors and prepossessing. Bold colors created by the inventive drapes of these textiles catches the imagination like no other contemporary clothing.

Indian Fashion - ancient fashion in India

Ancient Indian fashion garments generally used no stitching although Indians knew about sewing. Most clothes were ready to wear as soon as they left the loom. The traditional Indian Dhoti, the Scarf or Uttariya, and the popular Turban are still visible India and continue to be part of Indian fashion. Likewise, for women, the Dhoti or the Sari as the lower garments, combined with a Stanapatta forms the basic ensemble, and once again consists of garments that do not have to be stitched, the stanapatta being simply fastened in a knot at the back. And the Dhoti or the Sari worn covering both legs at the same time or, in the alternative, with one end of it passed between the legs and tucked at the back in the fashion that is still prevalent in large area of India. Indian men and women for these garments in the usually hot Indian climate. - dhoti when he speaks of 'turbans used for trousers', and a kaupina when he is speaking of 'a rag of two fingers' breadth bound over the loins.

Indian sari remains the traditional clothing of Indian women. Worn in varied styles, it is a long piece of flat cotton, silk or other fabric woven in different textures with different patterns. The sari has a lasting charm since it is not cut or tailored for a particular size. This graceful feminine attire can also be worn in several ways and its manner of wearing as well as its color and texture are indicative of the status, age, occupation, region and religion of a woman. The tightly fitted, short blouse worn under a sari is called a choli. The choli evolved as a form of Indian clothing around the tenth century AD and the first cholis were only front covering; the back was always bare.

Another popular attire of women in Indian clothing is the Indian salwar-kameez. This popular Indian dress evolved as a comfortable and respectable garment for women in Kashmir and Punjab region, but is now immensely popular in all regions of India. Salwars are pyjama-like trousers drawn tightly in at the waist and the ankles. Over the salwars, women wear a long and loose tunic known as a kameez. One might occasionally come across women wearing a churidar instead of a salwar. A churidar is similar to the salwar but is tighter fitting at the hips, thighs and ankles. Over this, one might wear a collarless or mandarin-collar tunic called a kurta.

Though the majority of Indian women wear traditional Indian dresses, the men in India can be found in more conventional western clothing like shirts and trousers.

However, men in Indian villages are still more comfortable in traditional attire like kurtas, lungis, dhotis and pyjamas. Indian dresses & styles are marked by many variations, both religious and regional and one is likely to witness a plethora of colors, textures and styles in garments worn by the Indians.

Use of gold in india: For this reason, some gold ornament is usually worn against the skin at all times. Indian Gold ornaments are popular because the metal is believed to have the power purify anything it touches. Ornaments of gold and other metals, often combined with precious and semi-precious gems and beads, are popular with both men and women in India. Traditionally, Indian ornaments had economic significance for women too. The ornaments given to her at her wedding constituted a daughter's inheritance from her father ( Dowry). Customarily land and other property was divided among the sons, though this no longer holds true. In addition, a bride's ornaments were financial security throughout her life.

Ornaments of Indian Fashion :

Nose pin: More common than a nose ring, both are symbols of purity & marriage, though today many unmarried Indian girls wear this adornment.

Necklace: These are very popular fashion accessories across India amongst girls and women of all ages. Necklaces are made of a variety of materials, ranging from glass beads to gold and diamonds. One special necklace is the mangalasutra, worn only by married Indian women. It is the Indian equivalent of the western wedding ring. Traditionally a woman wore it during her wedding ceremony and took it off only if her husband died.

Bangles: Worn on the wrist, bangles are believed to be protective bands and women always wore them as symbolic guards over their husbands. As with other ornaments, bangles today are worn by women of all ages all over India and are made of silver, gold, wood, glass, and plastic, among other materials.

Ear rings: Rings, studs and other ornaments worn in the ears are popular all over the country. In fact, a girl's ears are usually pierced before her first birthday.

Other important ornaments are finger rings, toe rings and anklets. Rings for the fingers are again, of various materials and designs and worn by unmarried and married women. Since the ring has become a common adornment, it is no longer considered a symbol in indian marriages.

However, toe rings and anklets are still worn mostly by married women. Ornaments for the feet are usually made of silver because gold, being a 'pure' metal, was not supposed to be worn on the feet. This privilege was given only to women of royal Indian families.

In addition to these ornaments is the 'mangatika' or 'tikli'. This ornament, worn at the top of the forehead in the parting of the hair, is usually a small pendant on the end of a chain that is clasped to the hair. Although traditionally this ornament was also worn as a symbol of marriage, today it is not so commonly worn even by married women.

Kajal or Eyeliner : From the time a child is six days old, its mother applies kajal to its eyes and also a small black dot on the forehead to mar the child's beauty. This 'imperfection' is said to protect from evil.

Sindoor : dot on forehead of woman indicating married status of Indian Women, power, protection for her husband. It is applied by the husband as part of wedding ceremony.

Source:Hindustanis.org

93 per cent Indians believe in God

Here are some common beliefs about religion — Indians used to be very religious but no longer are, religion is the domain of women and the elderly, and educated and urbane India has no time for religion.

If you also thought so, it is time you took a look at the findings of the HT-CNN IBN State of the Nation Survey conducted by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS). Every alternate respondent in this survey — 7,670 to be precise — was asked a series of questions about their religious beliefs, attitudes and practices. The findings are bound to surprise you.

The survey found that urban, educated Indians are more religious than their rural and illiterate counterparts. Yes, women are more religious, but metropolitan women are far more religious than rural women. Predictably, the youth are a little less enthusiastic about religion. But the point is: religion in the country is on the rise.

If there is one social group that is least enthusiastic about religious practices, it is the adivasis. And if there is one group that is more religious than any other, it is upper caste Hindus who have been exposed to modern life more than others.

Consider these facts:

1) 93 per cent believe in god; education makes no difference
2) 64 per cent visit a temple, mosque or gurudwara regularly
3) 53 per cent pray daily; the educated pray more regularly
4) 46 per cent believe ghosts exist
5) 24 per cent consult a palmist
6) 68 per cent participate or take interest in religious functions of other religions

Do you think these figures reflect the rise of the BJP? Not quite. The party gets a little more than average support from among the very religious, but so does the Congress.

So what drives people to religion? Sociologists tell us that the stress of urban living pushes people to search for anchors in their lives. Since they cannot go back to their villages, they recreate a community through religion. That explains the religiosity among those who live in big cities.

In the process, religion changes from a personal experience to something that is more public and congregational. Hence, the proliferation of jalsas, satsangs and ratjagas. Market and the media play a greater role in defining religion.

Religious programmes on television are the latest vehicle for religious communication.

Source:Hindustanis.org

CULTURE OF INDIA

The term culture refers to a state of intellectual development or manners. The social and political forces that influence the growth of a human being is defined as culture.

Indian culture is rich and diverse and as a result unique in its very own way. Our manners, way of communicating with one another, etc are one of the important components of our culture. Even though we have accepted modern means of living, improved our lifestyle, our values and beliefs still remain unchanged. A person can change his way of clothing, way of eating and living but the rich values in a person always remains unchanged because they are deeply rooted within our hearts, mind, body and soul which we receive from our culture.

Indian culture treats guests as god and serves them and takes care of them as if they are a part and parcel of the family itself. Even though we don’t have anything to eat, the guests are never left hungry and are always looked after by the members of the family. Elders and the respect for elders is a major component in Indian culture. Elders are the driving force for any family and hence the love and respect for elders comes from within and is not artificial. An individual takes blessings from his elders by touching their feet. Elders drill and pass on the Indian culture within us as we grow.

“Respect one another” is another lesson that is taught from the books of Indian culture. All people are alike and respecting one another is ones duty. In foreign countries the relation between the boss and the employee is like a master and slave and is purely monetary whereas in Indian culture the relation between the boss and the employee is more like homely relations unlike foreign countries.

Helpful nature is another striking feature in our Indian culture. Right from our early days of childhood we are taught to help one another in need of help and distress. If not monetary then at least in kind or non-monetary ways.

Indian culture tells us to multiply and distribute joy and happiness and share sadness and pain. It tells us that by all this we can develop co-operation and better living amongst ourselves and subsequently make this world a better place to live in.

Even though India is a country of various religions and caste our culture tells us just one thing 'phir bhi dil hai hidustani '.

Namaste or Pranam --How we greet each other in India.

To greet a friend or another Indian, We join our hands (palms together), bow down in front of the other person, and say Namaste, Namaskar, or Pranam.

The Lord dwells in the heart of every human being. This joining of hands symbolizes the meeting of two souls, our real self actually meets Itself. This signifies reverent Salutations and Unity of Souls

Bowing down & joining hands symbolizes humility and also makes us humble. Thus when we joins our hands and say Namaskar, we actually see the Lord in the other persons and believe, "I bow with deep respects to the all-loving, all-powerful and omnipresent (present everywhere) Lord in you."

Source:Hindustanis.org

DIWALI FESTIVAL INDIA

Diwali festival is a 5 day Hindu festival in India which occurs on the fifteenth day of Kartika.

Diwali when translated means "rows of lighted lamps" and the occasion is also referred to as the Festival of Lights. During Diwali, Indian homes are cleaned and windows are opened to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Lamps, lights and candles are lit as a greeting to Goddess Laksmi.

Gifts are exchanged and sweets, festive meals are prepared during Diwali.

Because there are many castes and regions in India, there are myriad manifestations of the Diwali festival. In some places, the festival begins with Dhanteras, a day set aside to worship Laksmi. In the Indian culture, wealth is not viewed as a corruptive power. Instead, a wealthy person is considered to have been rewarded for good deeds of a past life, i.e karma.

On the second day of the festival, Kali, the goddess of Strength, is worshipped.

On the 3rd day ( the last day of the year in the lunar calendar), lamps are lighted and shine brightly in homes. The lamp symbolizes knowledge.

The fourth day of Diwali falls on the first day of the lunar New Year. At this time, old business accounts are settled and new books are opened. The books are worshipped in a special ceremony by Indian priests and participants are encouraged to remove anger, hate, and jealousy from their lives.

On the last day (Balipratipada) of the festival, Bali, an ancient Indian king, is recalled and remembered. Bali destroyed the centuries old philosophies of the society. However, in addition to this, he is remembered for being a generous and kind person. Hence, the significance of this day is to see the good in others, including enemies.

The Jain communities of India celebrate Diwali as a New Year's Day. Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, attained his Nirvana on the day of Diwali.

Sikhs celebrate Diwali to express joy at the return of the sixth Guru to Amritsar in 1620; Emperor Jahangir had imprisoned him along with 52 Hindu kings. The Guru was granted freedom but refused to leave until the kings were also released.

Diwali is by far the most enthusiastically enjoyed festival in India. People of different nationalities, races, religions and backgrounds come together to share their joys generating a feeling of universal brotherhood and inter-religious harmony.

Source:Hindustanis.org

Tajmahal: Monument of love

Aerial view of the Taj Mahal

















Frontal view of the Taj Mahal and dome
















Close up of the dome with pinnacle
































Rear view of the Taj & 22 apartments


















Typical Vedic style corridors
















The Music House--a contradiction

















The OM in the flowers on the walls

















Vedic design on ceiling of a locked room




















Secret walled door that leads to other rooms

































Palace in Barhanpur where Mumtaz died
















Pavilion where Mumtaz is said to be buried


















NOW READ THIS.......

No one has ever challenged it except Prof. P. N. Oak, who believes the
whole world has been duped. In his book Taj Mahal: The True Story, Oak says
the
Taj Mahal is not Queen Mumtaz's tomb but an ancient Hindu temple palace of
Lord Shiva (then known as Tejo Mahalaya) . In the course of his research O
ak discovered that the Shiva temple palace was usurped by Shah Jahan from
then Maharaja of Jaipur, Jai Singh. In his own court chronicle ,
Badshahnama,
Shah Jahan admits that an exceptionally beautiful grand mansion in Agra
was taken from Jai SIngh for Mumtaz's burial . The ex-Maharaja of Jaipur
still
retains in his secret collection two orders from Shah Jahan for
surrendering the Taj building. Using captured temples and mansions, as a
burial place for
dead courtiers and royalty was a common practice among Muslim rulers.

For example, Humayun ,Akbar, Etmud-ud-Daula and Safdarjung are all buried
in such mansions. Oak's inquiries began with the name of Taj Mahal. He says

the term "Mahal" has never been used for a building in any Muslim countries
from Afghanisthan to Algeria. "The unusual explanation that the term Taj Mahal derives from Mumtaz Mahal was illogical in atleast two respects.

Firstly, her name was never Mumtaz Mahal but Mumtaz-ul-Zamani," he writes.
Secondly, one cannot omit the first three letters 'Mum' from a woman's
name to derive the remainder as the name for the building."Taj Mahal, he
claims, is a corrupt version of Tejo Mahalaya, or Lord Shiva's Palace . Oak
also says the love story of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan is a fairy tale created
by
court sycophants, blundering historians and sloppy archaeologists . Not a
single royal chronicle of Shah Jahan's time corroborates the love story.

Furthermore, Oak cites several documents suggesting the Taj Mahal predates
Shah Jahan's era, and was a temple dedicated to Shiva, worshipped by
Rajputs of Agra city. For example, Prof. Marvin Miller of New York took a
few
samples from the riverside doorway of the Taj. Carbon dating tests revealed
that the door was 300 years older than Shah Jahan. European traveler Johan
Albert Mandelslo,who visited Agra in 1638 (only seven years after Mumtaz's
death), describes the life of the cit y in his memoirs. But he makes no
reference to the Taj Mahal being built. The writings of Peter Mundy, an
English visitor to Agra within a year of Mumtaz's death, also suggest the
Taj was a noteworthy building well before Shah Jahan's time.

Prof. Oak points out a number of design and architectural inconsistencies
that support the belief of the Taj Mahal being a typical Hindu temple
rather
than a mausoleum. Many rooms in the Taj ! Mahal have remained sealed
since Shah Jahan's time and are still inaccessible to the public. Oak
asserts they contain a headless statue of Lord Shiva and other objects
commonly used for worship rituals in Hindu temples . Fearing political
backlash, Indira Gandhi's government tried to have Prof. Oak's book
withdrawn from the bookstores, and threatened the Indian publisher of the
first edition dire consequences . There is only one way to discredit or
validate Oak's research.

The current government should open the sealed rooms of the Taj Mahal under
U.N. supervision, and let international experts investigate.


Source:Hindustanis.org

YOU ARE AN INDIAN IF..

1. Everything you eat is savored in garlic, onion and tomatoes.

2. You try and reuse gift wrappers, gift boxes, and of course aluminium foil.
a
3. You try to eject food particles from between your teeth by pressing your tongue against them and making a peculiar noise like, tshick, tshick, tschick, tschick.

4. You are standing next to the two largest size suitcases at the Airport.

5. You arrive one or two hours late to a party - and think it's normal.

6. You peel the stamps off letters that the Postal Service missed to mark up.

7. You recycle Wedding Gifts.

8. You name your children in rhythms (example, Sita &; Gita, Ram &; Shyam)

9. All your children have pet names, which sound nowhere close to their real names.

10. You take Indian snacks anywhere it says "No Food Allowed"

11. You talk for an hour at the front door when leaving someone's house.

12. You load up the family car with as many people as possible.

13. You use plastic to cover anything new in your house whether it's the remote control, VCR, carpet or new couch.

14. Your parents tell you not to care what your friends think, but they won't let you do certain things because of what the other "Uncles and Aunties" will think.

15. You buy and display crockery, which is for special occasions, which never happen.

16. You use grocery bags to hold garbage.

17. Your kitchen shelf is full of jam jars, varieties of bowls and plastic utensils (got free with some household items).

18. You fight over who pays the dinner bill.

19. You live with your parents and you are 40 years old.(And they prefer it that way).

20. You never learnt how to stand in a queue.

21. You can only travel if there are 5 persons at least to see you off or receive you whether you are travelling by bus, train or airplane.

22. You only make long distance calls after 11 p.m.

23. You call an older person you never met before "uncle."

24. When your parents meet strangers and talk for a few minutes, you discover you're talking to a distant cousin whom you have never met.

25. Your parents still scream at the top of their lungs when making foreign calls. As if they do not shout there voice wont reach the other end.

26. You have bed sheets on your sofas so as to keep them from getting dirty.

27. It's embarrassing if your wedding has less than 800 people.

28. You have drinking glasses made of steel.

29. You have mastered the art of bargaining in shopping.

30. You have really enjoyed reading this mail - forward it to as many Indians as possible.

--
I Am Not The Best But I Am Not Like Rest !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!............



Source:Hindustanis.org

Indian wedding is big business in US

Preety Patel, a resident of Wilmington, is the only Indian wedding decorator in North Carolina and her services are in big demand especially during the busy Indian wedding season.
Until about 25 years ago, many Indians living in America returned home to have their wedding ceremony. But having the convenience of priests and decorators like Patel living in the US has allowed many couples to get married in typical Indian tradition, without even leaving American shores.
Patel's business is booming, with clients from Ohio to Florida. In 2005, she did three weddings and last year 15. As the growing research and medical fields in North Carolina bring more Indian workers to the state, the need for her services has increased, according to the local community StarnewsOnline.
"For each wedding, I can't have preconceived notions of what they want. Some couples desire lavish ornamentation and rituals," Patel said.
Most modern Hindu weddings cost $50,000 to $100,000. Patel charges $1,000 to $5,000 for her services.
"The food in an Indian wedding is the most important thing," Patel's husband Vijay said. "It's what people will remember forever."
For many Indian weddings, elaborate decor and food are "more of a status thing", Patel said.
To run such a specialised business, Patel has two storage units packed floor-to-ceiling with the 'mandaps'; plastic storage bins of silk and satin fabrics; a Ganesh statue; a padded silk saddle for a white horse used for the groom; a fire pit, and a padded swing for the bride and groom to lounge on at the reception, all imported from India.


Source:Hindustanis.org