COTTON GARLENDS FROM INDIA

Unbelievable designs
Look at the fine garlends in the photograph above. They are made up of just cotton only.pure cotton is taken, flattened or twisted like a thread according to the necessity of the design,glittering colour papers are cut and pasted here and there for shine and colouring, and lo! the garlend is ready!

Such garlends are prepared in different parts of India, especially south India during festive times. They are prepared by ordinary housewives who donot have high education. But some ladies have taken it as a matter of special interest, and have become experts in it.Garlends in the picture are prepared by one such expert called

Mrs.Shreedevi Gopal,W/O Sri.Gopal,Residing at Anavatti ,a small town in Sorab taluk, Karnataka.
The maker can be contacted at the following address:

Mrs. Sreedevi Gopal
W/O Sri Gopal
P.O.ANAVATTI
TALUK- SORABA

DIST-shivamogga
Karnataka (South India)

Such garlends are used to decorate the idols af gods at festive occassions like- Gowri-Ganesha festival,Dasara , Deepavali, etc.After the festival these things are left into water without any temptation.However, it is not diffiult for traditional Indian housewives to prepare such things once again.

Such cotton garlends are called 'GEJJEVASTRA' in karnataka.

Turmeric powder and holy red powder kumkum are also pasted on these garlends before putting them on the idol, agt the time of worship.

Such things and such traditions pointout towords the blending of aesthetic sense and devotion in Indian culture.

JAIN TEMPLES IN SOUTH AND NORTH INDIA

KARNATAKA-STATE OF TEMPLES
Karnataka , A southern state in India , Is the craddle of Indian Temple architecture. Presently a state with six crore population , Karnataka has a rich heritage of art and architecture.This state has been the fertile ground for the development of jainism, a prominent religion in India.This relegion entered this state before third century B.C.and flourished strongly till the begining of 12th century. Later it diminished in its numerical strength.Presently there are about six lakhs of jains in this state.

There are about one thousand temples of jains in karnataka presently. Atleast equal numbered temples are destroyed.

Jain temples in Karnataka and other parts in India are worth visiting and study.

Temples in the north and south.
Temples in the north India are , to a great extent , constructed either in marble, or red stone or both.Exceptionally, jain temples in cities like Jaisalmer( Rajasthan state) are constructed with yellow sand stone.

But temples in south India are constrructed with black stone . the locally available material.For eg. you can observe the temple at Heggere village at chiradurga dist . in karnataka.

Temple at Heggere
This temple of 11th century, is in Hoysala style.Usually, the exterior of jain temples is plain or less decorated.(there are some expections.For eg: two temples at Shravanabelagola are highly decorated on their exteriors)This temple has lotuses on its exterior walls. Inside, lathe worked pillers are there.They are very nice.

Ground plan of jain temples.
It is as in other Hindu temples.It may or may not have a porch in front.Then , there will be a hall called 'Navaranga" after the main enterence.Here sit the mass to observe worshippings.After that, there will be a 'Antarala' which is used as a buffer zone. In olden days, VIPs used to stand in this place to observe worships.

After this part, 'garbhagriha' or 'sanctum sanctorum' is present. Only those who are just bathed, can enter here to offer poojas. On the top of this, lies the gopuram or , tower.At the apex of that , will be 'kalash ' or a metallic vessel.

Temple at Sanganer.
As examples for north Indian Jain temples, sanganer and Padampur temples are taken here.These temples are near famous Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan.These are marble temples. Sanganer temple has red stone on its exterior, but inside , there is fully marble work.

Temple at Padampur
It is a modern temple. Eventhough the temple is round in shape , there is no idol in the ground floor i.e. round portion.Idols are there on the top floor , which is almost a single hall.The piller seen infront of jain temples is called 'Manasthambha'which is ment to curb the ego of the viewers.

Temple at Ladnu
Ladnu is a middle sized town about 225 k.ms north of Jaipur and about 200k.ms south of Bikaner.It is a desert town, as Jaisalmer.A very beautiful and spacious temple in marble is constructed here by a single jain family.The construction started about 80 years ago, and completed about 50 years ago.Two photographs of this temple are appended to this article.

Whether north or south, all jain temples will have a tall stone (or ,concrete ,now a days) piller infront of them. The idea is , ego of the visiter should vanish before entering the shrine.

Marble is not locally available in south India.So, Temples in south India are constructed in hard stones as is the case with Heggere jain temple.

PRESENTING GIFTS TO LADIES
Be sensible
While presenting gifts to ladies we should act sensibly.Eventhough they are equal to us,they are not like us.So, some prethought is necessery.

Many hubviewers have asked me frequently about the points to remember while presenting gifts to ladies. Eventhough it is not a matter to fear, it is a matter which needs some thought.I shall try to enlighten my enthusiastic friends in this regard by my life experience.

Not to everybody
We must understand first that we cannot go on gifts to every lady whom we like or with whom we wish to establish intimacy. Ladies usually refuse to accept gifts from less known or unknown persons.You should not venture to gift to anyone unless she becomes clearly known about you or , there is a guinne occassion to present the gife and you are an invite to the occassoin.

Criteria to remember
Anyway, there are certain criteria to remember while preway of presenting gifts, age and staus of resenting gifts to ladies.

They are:

1 AGE AND STATUS OF THE RECEIVER
2occassion
3 Suitability of the material
4WAY OF PRESENTING
Now , let us know about each one of the above, in littler detail.


1AGE AND STATUS OF THE RECEIVER
You can not present a beautiful &fashionable skirt to an old lady. Or, such a present may not be liked by a mother of two children as her social status is different. Hence, while selecting gifrts, we must remember who we are presenting the gift. The gift should fit the age and social status of the receiver.

2OCCASSION

PRESENTING SHOULD BE COUPLED WITH AN OCCASSION TO PRESENT-like, marrage, engagement, party time, entering own house, etc.But if the receiver is very well known to you and understands you clearly, you need not wait for any occassion

3 SUITABILITY OF THE MATERIAL

GIFT YOU PRESENT SHOULD THE OCCASSION AND AGE AND STATUS OF THE RECEIVER.A gents watch, an old fashioned outfit, to an young and smart girlfriend is very odd. Similarly, a black, dress on a happy occassion is also tells how foolish you are!

4 WAY OF PRESENTING.

WHOEVER MAY BE THE RECEIVER. whether young or old, well known or new acquiantee, gifts must be presented in a respectful manner, with affection- if they are youngsters:with all warmth- if they are olds, with real love - if she is youyr fiancy

Presenting a gift should never appear like a routine, dramatic act.

To In-laws
After the first publication of this hub, the very next morning I received a quiery from one of the respected readers about presenting gifts to new daughter-in-law.

I hereby wish to record my ideas.

A daughter-in-law is like a daughter .She need to be looked after with such affection eventhough we will not be having that much intimacy as we had with our own daughter.In these days as every daughter-in-law is educated andearning in some way or the other, the best way of selecting the gift would be-looking at her tastes and interests.If she loves to hear the music, we can present her a music album of her favourite singer.If she olves dresses more, we can present her the dress whose colour and design are liked by her.If she has photography as her hobby, we can present her a fine camera.So on........

To girl friends
Dont take girl friends as easily gullible persons.Personality of anybody should not be taken as of less value.Present her the thing of her choice.For that, you should be watching her talks, acts, and needs with all sincearity.Then only you cqn trace what she likes or needs.One reader suggests to ask her to make a list of things she wants and then make a choice from that list.That is agood suggestion.But I dont agree that presenting a gift in a restura before dinner or anyact like that would make you a prince in her eyes.No. Ladies are not such fools.They can very well understand whether you are pretending or, actually feeling.

To whoever you present anything, give it with all sincearity and good behaviour


************** GOOD LUCK.**********************

A letter to six year old son

A father's soliloqui

[Note: I wrote this short article on the sixth birthday of my son, when my economic condition was very poor, to console my ownself-Author]
My dear son,You may be able to read this letter fully when your age doubles than it is now, and may be able to understand it when it further doubles and you become a spirited youth of twenty-four.But I pray god not to land you in such circumstances and experiences wich cause such a situation in a person to write such a letter like this.
Akshar- my child, I and you are fortunate to take birth on this earth, which is perhaps most beautiful than anything in this vast universe.We are further lucky for having born as human beings.
Your Questions
In these days you are asking so many questions about different things in this world , happenings there, like- the rising of sun and moon, falling rains, blossming of flowers, flying of birds- so on and so many.I am answering you with tolerable contentdose and merry.It appears you are satisfied with my answers.I am sure you can't remember all I tell you. All I hope is that, that you will get a permanent imp[rssion that the natural incidents in this world have a logical and scientific phenomenon that can be understood by scientific thinking.
I am very much satisfied as you are ranking first in your studies. But please understand that , that learning is not enough for life. You have to dig the golden mine yourself. You have to observe and absorb much from nature and life.That's why I often draw ;your attention towords different shades of green in nature, changing morning colours in the eastern sky, twinkling of stars at night,etc. As you grow up, analyse the characters of people whom you come in contact with, and decide what is acceptable to what extent.
It is a very difficult judgement to make because, people often change their attitudes, likes and dislikes.But here lies the key to success.
Attitude for lifeDear son, disgusts and disappoinments await in life to shake hands with agorwing spirit like you. You are not so lucky to have father who can get you costly education, material comforts, and a purchased appointment. Life has not blessed him with such ecnomic facility.But, don't loose heart in any circumstance.Self-confidence, a clear vision, ability to analyse and understand the prevailing situation and its future turns, can help s person to tske proper decisions at proper time and lead a life with minimum requirements.Don't be frightened by failures, depressions, frightenings and losses. It is possible to and be happy inspite of these because, the world we livein is so wonderful in itself !
Through my informal chats and formal teachings I am trying to develop these abilities and qualities in you. I can not give you any property. All that I can give you is- some good knowledge, self-confidence, courage, and an attitude to maintain self-respect. On these four pillers, you have to build your dream house.Success depends on your fortune and intelligent efforts.
Your entry into our life, eventhough very late, has unfolded so many mysteries and enjoyments of life. I had never before experienced that a child can give so much to its parents.In your life, if you can give something worthy to society( to see which this father may not be physically alive), that will be the greatest gift to your papa.
May God bless You !
#########################################################

Jainism: Indian food -Important websites

Jainism: Indian food -Important websites

www.wonderfulniagarafalls.blogspot.com/

Jainism: The religion on non-violence-Jainism

Jainism: The religion on non-violence-Jainism

www.wonderfulniagarafalls.blogspot.com/

Jainism: The religion on non-violence-Jainism

Jainism: The religion on non-violence-Jainism

Significance of the later half of April month in history

Second part of April month has witnessed many important events in history. Some of them are below.

April 16
1853- Indian railways runs its first train between main railway station in Mumbai, to Thane,

April 17
1479-Suradas, Famous Hindi poet, born

*World Haemophilia Day.

April 18
1904- Birth of Ramanath Goenka, founder of INDIAN EXPRESS group of

papers.

1955- Death of Albert Einstein

*World Heritage Day

April-19
1975- India launches its first satellite-ARYABHATA

April-20
1960- India starts its first Boeing 707 jet flight, to London

1993- India successfully launches its rocket missile-Rohini

1889- Birth of Adolf hitler

April-21
*Observed as 'Secreteries Day'.

1971-Indian Govt. establishes 'BharathiyaProject andMaterial Nigam' to manage the material needs of big projects.

April-22
*Observed as 'Earth Day'.

1958-Indian Navy Gets first chief in the form of Admiral R.D.Katari

April-23
*Observed as 'World Book and Copyright Day'

April-24
1942- Death of Pandith Deenanath Mangeshkar, famous Marathi singer and father of famous playback singer-Latha Mangeshkar.

1973-Birth of SACHIN TENDULKAR,the celebrated batsman.

April-25
1982- Regular telecast in colour, begins from NewDelhi

April-26
1920-Great mathematician Ramanujan, dies at the young age of 32.

1999-World record in marathon Disco dancing for 463 hours set by Indian disco dancer-V.R.P. Menon

April-27
1878-Calcutta University decides to extend the approval of women for higher education in Universities.

April-28
1919- U.N.O established with itsheadquarters in U S A.

*Observed as 'Green Consumers Day'.

April-29
2001-Death of Babu Tshering , who had climbed Everest 11 times. He belonged to Nepal.

*Observed as 'World Dance Day"

April-30
1979- George Wahington elected as first president of America.

1945-Adolf Hitler, the dictater, commits suicide.

So is the importance of these days in history. Is it not a wonder taht everyday hides in its womb so many secrets of history!

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Importance of April in history

As I have done in some of my previous hubs, here I try try to bring to the forth some important events taken place in the momth of April.

APRIL 1
1933-Indian Airforce was started.

Popularly celebrated as 'world fools Day'.

April 2
*world childrens litereture Day

1933- Death of RanjithSinghji, Famous cricketer who had won the admiration of even British cricket lovers. In his honour, "Ranji Trophy is instituted in India"

April-31984- First Indian cosmonaut, Rakesh Sharma, flies to space, in Soviet space shuttle

April-4
*Death anniversary of Chatrapathi Sambhaji, son of Chatrapathi Shivaji, who died in1680

1990- Latha Mangeshkar, celebrated singer form India, was awarded prestigious 'Dadasaheb Phalke award ' for her yeoman service to Indian film field.

April-5
*National Maritime day is celebrated in India

1961-First Government owned Pharmaseutical company started in India-1961

April-6
1930- Mahathma Gandhiji starts 'Salt Sathyagraha' in India

1850- Famous 'Kohinoor' diamond was taken by Britishers , from India to England.

April-7
1920- World famous sitar player Pandit Ravishankar born

* observed as -*World Health Day'

April-8
Death anniversary of Mangal Pondey, who revolted against Britishrule, in 1857 Indian war of independence

April-9
1984-Captain Banihal Singh of Indian army created world record by crossing Banihal pass with the help of just a hand glider

April-10
1875- Swami Dayanand Saraswathi announces the founding of Arya samaj to reform Hinduism.

April-11
1919-Establishment of International Labour Union

April-12
1961- Yuri Gagarin , first cosmonaut, travels in the space.

*celebrated as world Aviation and cosmonauties day.

April-13
1699- 10th Sikh Guru, Govindsinghji starts Khalsa sect.

1919- Jallianwala bagh massacre takes place in Amritsar,India.

April-14
1865- Abraham Linclon ,dies.

1891- Birth of Dr. babasaheb Ambedkar

*Observed as 'Fire Brigade Day'

April-15
1469-Birth of sikh Guru GurunanakDev.

1950-Starting of Bhudan movement in India.

Know about Indian sarees

The good old Indian wear
Saree,(Or -sadi, as it is called in Hindi belt) is most widely used dress in India.Apart form India, Pakisthan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Srilanka also have saree as a most loved lady wear.Even though fashions are now changing and different dresses are worn by ladies in these countries also, they all agree that saree gives a different look altogether.

Structure of a saree
Saree is a single stretch of cloth running now to a length of 5 to five and a half meters.In earlier days, its length used to reach even 7 meters.

A saree, traditionally has three parts.They are- 1)Body of the saree,2)border, and 3)pallu or the last end .

Border and pallu will be usually of the same colour , but the body part(which is stretched from one end to the pallu part) covers the most part of the wearer.It may be plain. or may be having printed or embroidered designs on it.

Materials out of which saree is made
In olden days, sarees used to be made fromthreads made from the bark of the trees.Rishis and their wives used to wear such cloths( they were not stiched).Later, cotton became the main raw material in the production of sarees.Now a days, sarees are manufactured from the following materials:

1 cotton
2Silk
3Polyster syntehtic fibres
4 Art silk(atificially produced silk)
5 Mixture of silk and cotton
Out of the above,polyster sarees may or may be fully plain, have printed or embroidered designs and may be with or without border and pallu.

For comfort sake in working and fast movements, now a days, ladies are shifting to churidars, jeans etc. But everybody agrees thar nothing equals the majesty of sarees.

COST OF SAREES
cost of a saree varies in unbelievable range. The rate differs depending on the material used and workmanship. Simple polyester sarees are available for even Rs.100(u.s. $2 and a half) or even little less. But such sarees may not lost for more than six months or half a dozen washes.From this point , rates rise.simple cotton sarees of conciderable good quality are now available for about Rs.400 (1 u.s $=about Rs.42 now). They are good but not so attractive. Artificial silk sarees are available from Rs.600 onwords. Pure silk sarees have to be paid from Rs.!000 to lakhs together. Silk sarees with low cost do not have much design work.As the thickness, smoothness, designing, use of silver and/or gold. increases the cost of the saree.

Wedding saree worn by famous celebrity Aishwarya Rai , it is said, costed Rs.3,00,000.( about 750 dollers. ).That may not be a big amount from U.S. price standard. But, if the same saree has to be purchased in United States, it would definately cost more than 3000 dollers.

Really, Saree is different! whether U agree or not?

Indian food -Important websites

Indian food
Indians have developed time-tested, natural, healthy food habbits from centuries ago. In recent years, they have adopted good western food style also. But so many Indian items are so special that they taste unique in the world.Any person anywhere in the world can now know about them-mode of preperation, nutritional value, etc,right from his computer,by reading the websites on these recipes.These websites are very beautifully designed, give information on preparing recipes, their nutritional values, health tips,etc. Not only that, they have ' forums ' also to which you can pose your questions and quiries.Here are given the addresses of some such important websites:

1. www.daawat.com

2. www.food.sify.com

3. www.deliciousindia.com

This website gives details about south Indian dishes -especially.Andhra style food is explained in greater detail here.

4 www.indiachef.com

5 www.vegweb.com

6 www.cookingmarvel.com

7 www.indianrecipes.com

8. www.khanakhazana.com

In hindi, the name of the website means-'treasure of food'.

9.www.tadka.com

10. www.www.topsecretrecipes.com

11. www.spicenflavor.com

12. www.southerndelights.com

13. www.bhojana.com

14. www.best.com

Interested readers may kindly make it a point to visit these sites to know muchmore. wish a good taste!





Share it! — Rate it:

May in history( second half)

http://hubpages.com/_85hhbz9dfvv/hub/-May--in-historySecond-half

May, in history(second half)

http://hubpages.com/_85hhbz9dfvv/hub/-May--in-historySecond-half