Red Layered Hibiscus

Red Layered Hibiscus 

Hibiscus is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It is quite large, containing several hundred species that are native to warm-temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. Member species are often noted for their showy flowers and are commonly known simply as hibiscus, or less widely known as rose mallow. The genus includes both annual and perennial herbaceous plants, as well as woody shrubs and small trees. The generic name is derived from the Greek word ἱβίσκος (hibískos), which was the name Pedanius Dioscorides gave to Althaea officinalis.

Text via: Wikipedia

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Black and White Shadow

In the beginning it was all black and white. But now things are not always quite so simple. Some people like to say one thing and mean another. And me being who I am, I'm very straightforward. Everything is very black and white for me. I don't really like playing mind games...

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Gangasagar Mela

Ganga Sagar:

Sagar Island is an island in the Ganges delta, lying on the continental shelf of Bay of Bengal about 135 km south of Kolkata. It belongs to the Republic of India and is governed by the State government of West Bengal. The island is large - with an area of 224.3 km², lying between 21°36’ to 21°56’ north latitude and 88°2’ to 88° 11’ east latitude. It has 43 villages and a population of over 160,000. The largest village is also named "Ganga Sagar" or "Gangasagar". Although Sagar island is a part of Sunderban Administration, it does not have any tiger habitation or mangrove forests or small river tributaries as is characteristic of the overall sunderban delta. Gangasagar is a charming tourist destination, which attracts both pilgrims and adventure lovers. Gangasagar offers the charms of an un-spoilt beach on the estuary of the river Ganges. The place also offers acres of silver sand and clear blue sky, and the calm sea for visitors who would like to spend their weekend in tranquillity.

The island of Gangasagar is one of the most famous Hindu pilgrimage centres in India. Every year on Makar Sankranti (mid-January - usually falls on 14 or 15th January), pilgrims from all over India, gather at Gangasagar for a holy dip at the confluence of the river Ganga and the Bay of Bengal.  After the holy dip, the pilgrims offer ‘Puja' at the Kapil Muni Temple or Ashram. On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, Gangasagar Mela is organized in this island, which is one of the biggest fairs in West Bengal. Gangasagar pilgrimage and fair is the second largest congregation of mankind after the holy Kumbha Mela. The latter is observed once in four years at alternate locations in north, central and central-west parts of the country. Gangasagar finds mention in many tales of Hindu mythology and in ancient Indian literature like the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, a novel of Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay and a poem of Rabindranath Tagore.

The lighthouse at Gangasagar offers a panoramic view of this spectacular beach, from where you can enjoy sunrise and sunset. During sunset, the sky turns golden with a patch of red on the horizon and the silver sand reflects the last rays of the sun. Photography is not restricted on this island.

Reach Ganga Sagar: 

Gangasagar is 135 km away from Kolkata. However, the place is not directly linked with Kolkata, a break journey is necessary to reach. Board a Kakdwip-bound bus from Esplanade to Harwood Point, a three hour ride. Cross the river Muriganga by boat and reach Kachuberia. From Kachuberia, a bus will take you to Gangasagar (30kms) within an hour. Minibus and hired cars are available for the journey. It would take five hours to reach the island from Kolkata. As an alternative you can take a train to Namkhana from Sealdah Station (105) kms. From Namkhana you can reach Chemaguri across the river Muriganga by launch and from Chamaguri to Gangasagar by bus (10kms.) Boats from Harwood Point and Kachuberia are available every hour. 

History:

A holy man, Kardam Muni, made a pact with Vishnu that he would undergo the rigours of marital life, on the condition that Vishnu would incarnate as his son. In due time Kapil Muni was born as an incarnation of Vishnu and became a great saint. Kapil Muni’s ashram was located on the island. One day King Sagar's sacrificial horse disappeared; it had been stolen by Indra.

The king sent his 60,000 sons to find it, and they found it next to Kapil Muni's ashram, where Indra had hidden it. Mistaking Kapil Muni for the thief, the sons accused Kapil Muni, who in his wrath at the false accusation burned the sons to ash and sent their souls to Hell. Later having compassion for the King Sagar's sons, Kapil Muni acceded to the prayers of King Sagar's descendants, agreeing to the restoration of the sons, if Parvati in the form of the river goddess Ganga would descend to Earth to perform the burial ritual of mixing the ashes with holy water (niravapanjali).

Through deep meditation, King Bhagiratha induced Shiva to order Ganga down from heaven and the 60,000 sons were freed (moksha) and ascended to Heaven, but the river Ganges stayed on the Earth. The date of the descent of Ganga was 14 January which coincides with Makar Sankranti.

Text: WikiPedia, West Bengal Tourism, South 24 Parganas

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Mahalaya

Mahalaya marks the start of the 'Devipaksha' and the end of the 'Pitri-paksha'. The traditional six day countdown to Mahasaptami starts from Mahalaya. Goddess Durga visits the earth for only four days but seven days prior to the Pujas, starts the Mahalaya. The enchanting voice of Birendra Krishna Bhadra fills up the predawn hours of the day thus marking the beginning of "Devipaksha" and the beginning of the count-down to Durga Puja. 

Myth regarding Mahalaya: 

Pitri- Paksha is a 16 day period during which Hindus pay homage to their ancestors. As per legend, when Karna died in the epic Mahabharata, his soul transcended to heaven. There he was offered jewelry as food. Bemused, Karna asked Indra for the reason of this bizarre happening. Indra told him that because of the fact that he has never donated food to his ancestors in Shraddhas, during his lifetime, he was getting such treatment. Karna said that he was unaware of his ancestors and hence he had no chance of donating food to them. He was given a chance then to make amends. He returned to earth for a 16 day period and performed Shraddha and donated food in memory of his ancestors. This period is henceforth known as Pitri-Paksha. Goddess Durga starts her journey towards earth on the day of Mahalaya, i.e. on the first day of the Devi-Paksha.

This day bears immense significance for the Bengalis. According to Puranas, King Suratha used to worship goddess Durga in spring. Thus Durga Puja was also known as Basanti Puja. But Rama preponed the Puja and worshiped Durga in autumn and that is why it is known as 'Akal Bodhon' or untimely worship.

Actually, Sree Rama hastily performed Durga Puja just before he set for Lanka to rescue Sita from Ravana It was considered untimely as it is in the myths that puja was performed when the Gods and Goddesses were awake i.e “Uttarayan" and was not held when the Gods and Goddesses rested ie."Dakshinayan".

The ritual of Torpon- 

Sarat in its bloom, mingled with the festive spirit of Durga Puja reaches its pitch on the day of Mahalaya. It is the day when many throng to the banks of river Ganga, clad in dhotis to offer prayers to their dead relatives and forefathers. People in the pre-dawn hours pray for their demised relatives and take holy dips in the Ganges. This ritual is known as 'Torpon'. The eldest son is the one who generally performs the Shraddha. Any male relative of the paternal branch of relatives can also perform the rites. Some castes perform for only one generation, while others offer to more, commonly three generations.

The foods which are usually being offered to the ancestors are cooked in silver or copper vessels and are offered on banana leaves. The foods may vary but it must include rice, dal, kheer,lapsi, yellow gourd, and certain vegetables.

The one who performs the Shraddha is expected to take a holy bath and then should wear a dhoti. The Pinda –daan (offerings during the Shraddha) are made bare-chested. Then a cow and dog are also fed. The Brahmins are offered then with the food. Once all these are done with, the family members can begin their lunch.

Mahalaya on electronic media- Mahalaya is a special day which comes in the lives of all Hindus, especially Bengalees, once a year. 

 It was on the day of Mahalaya, the beginning of "devipaksha", the Gods and Goddesses woke up to prepare themselves for Durga Puja. Akashvani Mahalaya: During the early 1930s, Mahalaya was first broadcasted over the radio in Akashvani. The programme was organised by Premankur Aatorthi, Birendra Krishna Bhadra, Nripendra Krishna Mukhopadhya and Raichand Boral. It was broadcasted live then.

Sri Birendra Krishna Bhadra  (1905 -1991)

Later it was recorded and played. Bengal's cine star, Uttam Kumar had once recited Mahalaya while Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhya was the music director. But it was not popular among the mass and from then it has always been the voice of Birendra Kishna Bhadra, enthralling the listeners in the pre-dawn hours of Mahalaya. The voice of Birendra Krishna Bhadra has become a part of the life of all Bengalees. Along with the other trademarks of autumn, this too plays a pivotal role in indicating that happy times are arriving; the Durga Puja is in the doorsteps of every Bengali. The script was written by Bani Kumar, music was directed by Pankaj Kumar Mallik while  Dijen Mukhopadhya, Manobendra Mukhopadhya (Tabo Achinta....), Sandhya Mukhopadhya, Arati Mukhopadhya, Utpala Sen, Shyamal Mitra and Supriti Ghosh, (Bajlo tomar alor benu....) sang in their melodious voices. The audio CD of this broadcast is available through HMV. Also, Doordarshan shows a visual treat at the same time on the morning of the Mahalaya. After the advent of the satellite channels, most of the regional ones too joined the bandwagon, and that too quite successfully.

The night before Mahalaya is also a special and a short one! Earlier, people used to engage themselves in feasts through out that night and the crescendo was reached with the start of the programme on Radio. These things have faded away with the course of time, but the nostalgia and excitement which Mahalaya once created is still there.

The eye is given to the idol of Devi Durga on this auspicious day. It is an age old custom which is rather obsolete these days. Still, some age old houses which observe the Durga Puja abide by this custom, even today. 

Mahalaya is an important day, especially in Bengal. Many offices and all educational institutions remain closed on that day. People eagerly wait for this day, since it effectively marks the beginning of the biggest festive period of the year.

Photos: Sumit Kar

            (Sri Birendra Krishna Bhadra's Photo: Google Search)

Text: BengaliNet

Read More:  About.com, WikiPedia

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HokKolorob

The Jadavpur University campus continued to simmer on Thursday, a day after a series of protests, as students of all departments decided to boycott classes.

“We have decided not to attend classes till the vice chancellor Abhijit Chakraborty resigns,” said Disha Roychowdhury, one of the protesting students.

Another second year Production Engineering student said that at least the VC should have come up with an apology over the attack on students by police under his instructions.

Members of Students Federation of India (SFI), however, said they were not a part of the class boycott programme. “We have called for a day-long students strike and not class boycott. That is the unanimous decision of the students here,” said Debojyoti Das, state secretary, SFI.

The university authorities, on the other hand, in a bid to pacify the students had instructed the posters which were put up on Wednesday, to be torn off the university walls.

“It had actually backfired. When I went to take off the posters, I had to face the ire of the students. Although I didn’t get beaten up because they knew I was only carrying out instructions, they kept on chanting slogans against the university authorities,” said a member of the Group D staff.

Four Left-backed students have called a statewide students strike on Thursday and members of one of the unions, All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO) were seen demonstrating outside the university main gate.

Members of BJP’s Mahila Morcha, the women’s cell of BJP, will be visiting the university and the ailing students at KPC hospital and medical college. Members of different students’ unions would take out a procession from Dhakuria to Jadavpur 8B bus stand later during on Thursday.

The VC has gone on a leave citing health issues.

Text: Internet

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