Let the colors of Holi spread the message of peace and happiness.

Mohe Rang de:What’s the most unholy place to play Holi – kichad, mitti, bhang, the works? Campus

Holi re!: Some traditions can sure be weird. Whoever heard of a baraat minus an actual marriage ceremony, or a mud bath to celebrate the festival of colours? But it all happens in our very own Delhi, the occasion being Holi. And the proud keepers of the traditions are none other than the students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and St Stephen’s College.

Holi hai!:The revelry at JNU kicks off the evening before Holi with a wedding baraat. In the two-decade-old custom, nobody actually gets married but that does not stop it from being a fun-filled affair. The celebration has a name — Chaat Sammelan — complete with a Chaat King.

Sprinkle of spring: May you have the most blessed holi festival than you ever had.The sammelan, attended by more than 1,000 students, faculty members and alumni, is one of the two main functions celebrated at JNU. ‘‘Preparations for this grand sammelan start a week in advance.

Lets change colors for a day : And it is like any other Hindu wedding. Taapti hostel is the groom’s side and Jhelum hostel is bride’s
side. The baraat starts from Taapti after a tilak ceremony by the warden’s wife and the groom, who is selected unanimously, is dressed in weird attire and rides a donkey till the wedding venue. A gulal shop in the heart of city :The previous year’s Chaat King officiates as his ‘‘father’’ and the one of the year before is the groom’s ‘‘grandfather’’. And they all reach the venue on their respective donkeys. The ‘‘baraatis’’ dance, sing and play with colour as the procession progresses towards the venue where the warden of Jhelum hostel greets the bridegroom. What follows is a series of dance performances, poetry sessions, etc

A kid checks his 'weapons' for the festival of colors.

Gujiya-A traditional Indian holi food being prepared in a road side hotel in Patel Nagar, west Delhi .

The most interesting part is the memorial awards, which are named after living people. For example, there is a Dr Karan Singh memorial award, named after the university’s very-muchalive chancellor. The idea is not to run down people, but to have some fun. At St Stephen’s College, the revelry takes the form of mayhem in a ‘‘mud bath’’. Students dig a pit and fill it with colours and water. And everybody has to take a dip in it. ‘‘From the principal to professors to students, everybody is pushed into this pit. Third year students organize it,’’ said Aarushi Bhargava, a final year student.

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Day of Festivals

January 14th is probaly one day which is celebrated in all parts of India in diffreny way. Here a glimpse of Our India festivalsMakar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious day for the Hindus, and is celebrated in almost all parts of the country in myriad cultural forms, with great devotion, fervor & gaiety. Lakhs of people take a dip in places like Ganga Sagar & Prayag and pray to Lord Sun. It is celebrated with pomp in southern parts of the country as Pongal, and in Punjab is celebrated as Lohri & Maghi. Gujarati's not only look reverentially up to the sun, but also offer thousands of their colorful oblations in the form of beautiful kites all over the skyline. They may be trying to reach upto their glorious God or bring about greater proximity with the one who represents the best. It is a day for which Bhishma Pitamah kept waiting to leave his mortal coil. Bihu is one of the most popular festival is observed with immense joy and gaiety in the the state of Assam. Celebrated to mark the change of season, it is celebrated thrice a year.

Pongal is an ancient festival of people in South India particularly Tamils. The history of the festival can be traced back to the Sangam Age i.e. 200 B.C. To 300 A.D. Although, Pongal originated as a Dravidian Harvest festival and has a mention in Sanskrit Puranas, historians identify the festival with the Thai Un and Thai Niradal which are believed to have been celebrated during the Sangam Age.. The celebrations of Sangam Era led to today's Pongal celebrations. As part of the festivities, maidens of the Sangam era observed 'Pavai Nonbu' at the time of Thai Niradal which was a major festival during the reign of the Pallavas (4th to 8th Century AD). It was observed during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December-January). During this festival young girls prayed for rain and prosperity of the country. Throughout the month, they avoided milk and milk products. They would not oil their hair and refrained from using harsh words while speaking. Women used to bath early in the morning. They worshiped the idol of Goddess Katyayani, which would be carved out of wet sand. They ended their penance on the first day of the month of Thai (January-February). This penance was to bring abundant rains to flourish the paddy. These traditions and customs of ancient times gave rise to Pongal celebrations.

Bihu: The first of the three Bihus, is celebrated in the month of April coinciding with other harvest festivals like Sankranti, Chait or Baisakhi It is a time for rejoicing as well as praying for a bountiful harvest.The history of Bihu celebration can be traced to 3500 B.C., when it is was celebrated for around a month, in the present times, it is however celebrated for a week. Incessant dancing, singing mark the occasion. Dancing was earlier restricted only to men, but with the change in times, women folk is sometimes made a part of dancing. Some people observe lot of praying and fasting,a night before the beginning of the festive celebration.

Lohri: The history of Lohri, a seasonal festival of North India is as old as that of story of Indus Valley civilization itself. The Festival of Lohri marks the beginning of the end of winter and the coming of spring and the new year.

The fires lit at night, the hand warming, the song and dance and the coming together of an otherwise atomized community, are only some of the features of this festival.

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What Delhi did on New Year

Some enjoyed live night shows

Some drunk n drive. Taking Delhi Police head on

Waiting before dance floor is jam packed

Fireworks marked the new year eve

Only to woke up to very foggy & chilly New Year

Light gliitered at Gurgaon, NCR

Fountains dance at Connaught Place, New Delhi

City was kept awoke n bikers kept honking at Delhi-Gurgaon expressway, taking Supreme Court verdict of Jan 1st as 'NO HORN DAY' head on , yet again

Businees as usual for MCD workers. New Year or not, work is work

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Merry Christmas

Two thousand years ago the King of Kings was born.'
The Lamb of God' later made to feel the thorn,
If his words are accepted and not scorned,
They will make us all reborn.

Though God's grace, Joseph and Mary presented
A gift to the world that day,
which we can all repay,
by living the ten commandments each and every day.

Try to remember and keep in your heart and mind
Jesus's gospel while here on Earth,
Redemption not a life lived in constant mirth.
Peace on Earth, good will toward man
Everyone should try it, whenever they can.

The Lord gave us the option and choice of 'free will,
'Now it's up to us to fit the bill.

So when you’re Christmas shopping for family and friends,

and money is tight at both ends,
Remember that the greatest gift of all,
Is your love of Jesus in the manger stall.

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Robotic 'Poorams'

Global warming has started taking its toll in the least expected scenarios. The increasing cases of pachyderms going berserk and killing people during temple festivals (poorams) in Kerala is a direct result of increasing heat conditions.
Among the most beautiful geographies in the world, Kerala is definitely one that is going to be most affected by this global phenomenon. Shape of land and its long coastline make it particularly vulnerable to the vagaries of nature. And when weather and geography of a place is affected for long, the cultural aspects must also undergo corresponding changes. A rigid attitude on the part of people against such natural challenges that are beyond human control can only lead to deterioration and destruction of society. People of Kerala (Malayalees) face the immediate prospects of a major adjustment in vital elements of their culture to withstand the impact of Global Warming.Kerala is blessed with an abundance of forest and forest wealth including wild animals. In addition to the high density of human population, it is also home to a large population of domesticated animals. Perhaps no other state in India has so many of elephants domesticated for helping man in heavy works. The widespread usage of such domesticated elephants in temple festivals must have originated as a remunerative engagement for them during off-seasons when there is not much of work for these giants which are costly to maintain. But now it is difficult to imagine any festival in Kerala without the presence of at least a few decorated elephants. As one of the top ten tourist destinations in the world, Kerala is the land of backwaters, elephants and Ayurveda for all the tourists. But it is time to change. We can ignore the ghastly scenes of domesticated elephants tearing apart human beings like pieces of paper only at our own peril. Elephant-less PooramsImages of ‘Trichur Pooram’ with scores of decorated elephants amidst an ocean of humanity swinging to the tunes of dozens of drummers brings pride to the minds of each and every Malayalee. Aggressive marketing of the tourist potential of God’s Own Country has brought such images to every nook and corner of our world, and thousands of tourists flock to Kerala every year in time for this mega event. Time has come to disassociate the legendary ‘Trichur Pooram’ from the magnificent elephants. When temperatures are raising it is a great risk to parade such unmanageable creatures amidst tens of thousands of people. It is not only a direct threat for the humans, but also unpardonable atrocity against speechless animals. As the icon of Kerala festivals, Trichur Pooram provides the right choice to trigger a cultural reform which has become inevitable..Live elephants must give way to their robotic look-alikes. The presence or not of live elephants does not affect the overall conduct of Trichur Pooram and all fans & well-wishers will soon get adjusted to such a change in keeping with the need of our times. It is not only the duty but a right of this grand festival in the cultural capital of Kerala (Trichur) to take the lead in such cultural reforms. Festivals must reflect the essence of our happiness and rituals the symbolism of our reverence to the all powerful Almighty. Sparing elephants the ordeal of standing still for hours together in hot sun (which is getting hotter every year) and taking positive steps for prevention of loss of precious human lives will only make Almighty happy. Descendents of Adi Sankara can feel proud in taking the lead again. Reforms indicate vitality and religious or cultural reforms are signs of liberal thought in action. During these times of rigid fundamentalism, it will only highlight the openness of Sanatana Dharma once again. Temple Robotics Every opportunity has multiple dimensions and it is up to the prudent to use it sensibly. Replacement of live elephants in temple festivals by their look-alikes will throw up a vast opportunity for development of robot elephants. Religious rituals which are often divorced from science and technology are seeking a direct help in this regard. Indian Robotics is getting a golden opportunity to bring Science & Technology for direct use in religious and cultural affairs. At least a portion of the vast amount of temple wealth can be diverted for development of technology in our own country. Our ancient rishis were not only good in theology but in science too. Thus it will be a return to our old glory if electronic & IT engineers can also become a part and parcel of our temples. Robotics is one of the most wanted technologies in the present day world and it is indeed a God-sent opportunity if its development gets sponsored by the temples of Kerala. The usual exhibitions associated with Trichur Pooram can become the showcase of our developments in robotics every year. Mimicking of elephants can become a good short term objective for the competitors in this field and scope for further developments in the field of robotics are endless. Healthy competition is a component of all temple festivities and the same spirit in the field of ‘Temple Robotics’ (robotics for use in temples) will definitely place Sanatana Dharma in the forefront of modernity once again.Animals are not integral to any current ritual that is part and parcel of Sanatana Dharma. In very olden times, there might have been animal sacrifices and related bloodshed, which were believed to be forms of sacrifice. But our rishis soon realized that proxy sacrifice is no sacrifice and true sacrifice lies in sacrificing one’s own comforts or life. Ishwar is equally present in everything, and killing or harming anything else, even symbolically for one’s own benefit is useless and counter-productive. Thus no elephants are must for any temple ritual or festival, and are to be avoided if it is a torture for them. Robotic elephants can easily take the place of these loveable animals and yet provide the same level of entertainment to our festivals. In any case, our festivals are our identity and they must go on.

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Market is Immoral

How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable seems to me all the uses of this world! – Hamlet
By avarice and selfishness, and a groveling habit, from which none of us is free, of regarding the soil as property... the landscape is deformed – Thoreau
They are as sick that surfeit with too much, as they that starve with nothing– Merchant of Venice
So our Lord God commonly gives riches to those gross asses to whom He vouchsafes nothing else – Martin Luther
The highest possible stage in moral culture is when we recognize that we ought to control our thoughts – Darwin
It is a truism that life is the most complex matter to understand, harder still to get at its inner reason, so the ultimate frontier, much the same way as it is difficult to imagine the last frontier of our material world. How big is ‘big’ when scientists set out to describe universe’s shape or depth or dimension? Beyond innocent conjecture and bland theory, they know little. When that is so with materials which we can touch and see with our technologically advanced senses, what shall one say of spirit which is really the innermost sinew of life, the compounded complex of life that is! At once ethereal, intangible, only perceivable with mind’s finer eye.Humans have from time immemorial pursued these subtlest of matters but only a handful of those, really. The mainstream has always flowed along lesser conventional ways. So has market ever been the corner stone of all human societies everywhere on earth.Naturally, humans have their needs, basic material needs fulfilling which is sine qua non of all extraneous living. Society evolves so, people joining hands in dividing labor in producing and distributing materials needed for existence. While need drives the dynamic, it is market that controls the system and structure. To that extent it is a ‘moral’ force; correct, right and promoting of life.However, as society evolved, became more and more complex with the flow of technology into its works, and too corrupted as is the practice with human affairs generally, market took disproportionately larger chunk of the societal attention pie till, under capitalism, it overtook society entirely and obliterated its other more important functions much like poisonous ivy which obliterates all structure over which it proliferates.One such very significant function was the upkeep and nourishment of human spirit, for, men and women are not ‘animals’ in that strict sense. True, they share with animals basic biological functions like surviving, reproducing, eating and of course defending and developing. What though sets them apart is a duality; one, humans have extraordinary intelligence faculty far in excess of that owned by animals in jungle, two, they have additionally the anthropological gear to put this intelligence to use which sees knowledge turned into technology. Yet most of all, humans possess a remarkably developed spirit, an analytical tool of a unique kind available in the laboratory of human mind only.We have to learn to appreciate the finer distinctions among senses, mind, intelligence which derives from senses-brain interaction, spirit or as termed by Indians, soul and couple of categories more which stand above these faculties.This is deeply profound knowledge produced in India, attainable by all humans if they sought it.Market though comes to stand in the way of that ennobling search.Market is a very powerful tool in the hands of leading citizens in a capital ruled society. Normally, if left to itself, it is a quasi sovereign mechanism that regulates social functions. Its most beautiful rule is one simple and straight, namely demand and supply determine price. It works independent of human mediation. It is like mathematics, those equations which also work independent of humans’ mediation. Humans came on the scene much later. Nature has existed all along; earth itself, as scientists estimate, some four billion plus years old. The point is mathematics has all along been in works. It is not that humans made two plus two is four. Entire nature is but manifestation of refined mathematical order. Just think of symmetries of forms!Yet humans take credit for making mathematics!Much the same way they have tried to make market which is, unlike mathematics, not that exact a science. Its life blood, demand and supply, is not a matter of immutable numbers. It is a matter, among other things, of – now, that is the key term- manipulation by humansOf course demand and supply stand on legs of numbers as given in materials produced and demanded and supplied. But humans use their will, quite willfully, guided by their smart sense of profiteering which in turn is a consequence of another faculty eigen to humans: greed powered desire, desire to accumulate wealth at the cost of other humans’ share of it creating in the process an artificial artifact termed by economic scientists as surplus value.These matters are rooted in spirit, how human spirit is constituted, for good as for bad, somewhat like a double edged blade. Since market went manipulated all the time, it never let the good uplifting aspect of human existence- the spirit- come to the fore. In fact, it suppressed it with its force of arms.There is a wonderful work by the thoughtful Indian filmmaker V Shantaram by the name Do Ankhen Bara Hath. In this film, the protagonist chisels by the dint of his ‘spiritual technology’ a band of hard cooked criminals into decent civilized men. The experiment is a resounding success but for ‘market’ intervention; the manipulator upsets the philosopher’s cart and by his devious use of ‘market law’ turns the whole enterprise sour. So bad, so immoral is market in its hideous working.So we have through human history the steady rise and development of market sphinx, never a fall. In our time it has come to be laisser faire.Laisser faire itself says it all. Manipulation has free hand, no holds barred. Resultantly, humans are held subservient to market, not the other way around, the right way according to which market should be just another tool to serve humans’ ‘basic material’ need while they engaged themselves, on a higher niveau of living, with real purpose and genuine goals of life. Wisdom says, eat to live. Manipulated market orders, you! Live to eat!Market allows that cardinal wise principle of existence no breath. Actually, it itself breathes so heavy as to scotch the other of any oxygen at all. It suffocates the good one to premature death, always!Market develops its own moral, philosophy, theory on wrong and right, its jurisprudence, law, crime and punishment. It ultimately morphs into state! State, as we know, is the antithesis of citizen freedom to live life in accordance with natural principles.History gives us myriad example of that. State is also tyranny of its apparatchiks upon its citizenry. For the sake of brevity I shall restrict the view to recent historyTwo World Wars, a Cold War, a Nuclear War which should become the 4th World War, it seems sooner than later, Holocausts, Colonialism, Imperialism, Capitalism, Communism, Socialism, capitalist communism as currently underway in China are some of the outstanding colors of this horrid creature market. The mind shudders at the thought of calculating price in terms of human lives wasted and bloodied just to feed this monster that is manipulated market. MNCs are a telling example of globalized manipulation, a speculation more than born out by facts; oil price, food shortage, inflation, scarcity amid abundance, man made mass poverty etc etc. thanks to manipulation galore!That is the reason why I call market immoral.There must be other ways to run human society.We are blessed with intelligence. It is up to us, our philosophers, to make use of this intelligence and essay other ways to live, those that fulfill the nature’s inner purpose.If humanity is interested in peace and happiness as its real exalted goals, there is no other option but to go in for that different line of progress.Materialism drenched market run society has had a long enough run thus far. Its experiment has run over the centuries. Results are no secret either. If this immoral market form is to continue as hitherto, unchallenged, it reflects very poorly on humans, and renders them no better than animals, actually far worse, for, animals certainly know to strictly keep to norms of demand and supply within their biomes even as they hunt around. Naturally, they are spared the guile of manipulation. They are innocent.Humans are not innocent. They are cold blooded schemers, calculative, intriguers, manipulators; even make use of statistics to present lies as truth. They must account for their Karma and face retribution. They are seen to do so all the time anyways.I wonder how those humans that suffer under market rule over them accept to live with an immoral market. And what keeps them from devising a better system of social organization. They can anytime learn from ants, free of cost!There are even better ways to live than those of ants and bees.Well! Mars can wait. First find these out. A true and correct market moral!That is humanity’s real challenge, not going to moons and Mars and collecting like kids marbles of those rocks and stones.How have lunar rocks or Mars ice helped humanity attain happiness?Discovery and invention is good, better still is discovery and invention done in the mills of minds.I can cite here an authoritative word and dare any scientist, especially those at NASA, to challenge it.Says Lord Krishna Guna Guneshu Vartant!A clear enough line on matter and its properties.Whether you go to Mars or outer solar systems, matter is matter, atoms and electrons, negative positive electric charge, poles, polar moments, everything that matter is capable of manifesting naturally in line with planetary conditions within our solar system.What is the big deal in space research as long as humans on earth live in man made hells as of state tyranny?Since antiquity humanity has known that water is source of energy, besides convertible energy.Market is not matter.It is a rule, an arrangement of human making, a monster behind which lurks human spirit which, again as revealed by Lord Krishna, is of three kinds, sattav, rajas, tamas.Furthermore, the rajas kind to which order market can be assigned, results in unhappiness as the main harvest.Who can deny that our human world, as managed by manipulative markets, is quintessentially manifestation of unhappiness?Human beings are no commodities either!Na! What do you say? Market experts! Still light years away from true civilization if there were those in antiquity who actually lived true civilization, have left behind wondrous cultural relics!To name just the one, besides a market ruled by Dharma: Ram Raj

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Chath Puja

Colourful festoons, slick banners, welcoming gates at Yamuna's ghats, music, bhog and a nip in the air started Chatth puja festivities in the capital on a grand note. The elaborate month-long preparations took off with lakhs of men and women congregating at various ghats in Delhi on Tuesday evening to offer prayers. Performances by Bhojpuri artists added a special zing to the celebratory spirit. The ghats resounded with folk music, bhajans in Mathli, Magadhi and Bhojpuri. Explaining the rituals of the centuries-old festival, Rajkumar Pandit at Yamuna Bazaar ghat said," On the first day, devotees gather at a riverbank, take a dip in the river in the belief that this will purify their bodies and souls. The second day is a daylong fast which is broken late in the evening with the offerings of sweetened rice, puris and fruits.''

But Chhath in Delhi has its drawbacks. The Yamuna's dirty waters for one, about which many complained. Most confessed that they miss the Chhath puja back home. One of them said, "Things are very different in Bihar. For one, preparations are on in full swing at least a month ahead and the river is much cleaner," said Anant Pandey, a resident of Lakshmi Nagar at ITO ghat. The major ghats where Chhath puja was celebrated were Wazirabad Purbi Ghat,Rajiv Camp (Old Railway Bridge), Gita Colony (Pantun), Kisan Kunj, ITO, Bhairo Marg, Ramghat, Radhakrishna Ghat, Kudsiya Ghat, Badarpur Khadar and Bhalsawa Jhil.

Chhath Puja has its origins in the Vedic age and it is often seen to have a connection with the famous Gayatri mantra and the yajna (sacrifice) associated with it. Gayatri mantra, which finds first mention in the Rig Veda, is dedicated to the Savita god i.e. Sun god. Sun is considered as the God of power, radiance and life. By performing this Puja people thank the Sun god for the gifts that he has bestowed upon them. Chhath means six. Chhath is named so because it is celebrated mainly on the sixth and seventh day of the Hindu month of Kartik. But the whole of Chhath Puja lasts for four days. Like any other Indian festival, it is full of colour, spirit and life. On the first day, devotees gather on a riverbank, the banks of the Ganges is traditionally linked to this ritual. They take a dip in the river water with the belief that this would purify their bodies and souls. They bring Ganga water to prepare the offerings. Second day starts with a day long fast gets over late in the evening with the offerings like sweetened rice, puris and fruits. Third day is the day of fasting and devotees observe a fast of 24-hours during which even water is not consumed. In the evening, devotees collect their offerings, earthen lamps, vermilion, flowers, and coconut in a bamboo basket. With these things they head for the riverbank. They hold their baskets high to avoid the impure touch of any other human being. People reach on the riverbank just before the Sunset and pay their reverence to the setting sun. On the final day the rituals start even before the sunrise; devotees gather once again at the riverbank. Just as the first ray of the Sun appears in the sky, devotees take a plunge in the river with their baskets of offerings. With this, ritualistic flavour of the festival comes to an end, so does the fasting of devotees. And, this is the time for feasting for everyone. A variety of folk dishes comprising every seasonal, agricultural item and vegetables are prepared. The fast is broken with the offerings (Prasad), which is distributed among family members, relatives and friends. Singing the devotional folk songs devotees return to their homes with the renewed vigour and belief that Sun god will take care of all their worries and He will give them health, happiness and prosperity

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Diwali in Delhi & All over the world (In Pics.)

People also decorate their homes with flowers and wear special garlands. Here in New Delhi, India a man is selling marigold flowers at a roadside stall

IN FULL FLOWThere were hour-long jams on stretches that take 5 minutes to cross as the Diwali mood finally gripped the city

Here in New Delhi, India, a family light firecrackers. People also offer sweets to each other as presents. And lots of special food is served throughout Diwali
During Diwali houses are decorated with brightly coloured lanterns and special lamps are lit inside and outside buildings
Loads of firework displays also light up the sky all over the world during Diwali!

A market is lit up on the eve of Diwali , even as Delhi remains under a tight security cover

Diwali in south Indian city of Bangalore, Karnataka

In Pakistan, a Hindu family light candles around a huge flower painted on the ground

The Hindu festival of lights - called Diwali - started on Saturday. It's being celebrated around the world by Jains and Sikhs as well as Hindus. Here, children in India light candles

The Golden temple in Amritsar, India is brightly lit up to mark the beginning of Diwali

And in Durban in South Africa this little girl lights a clay lamp

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Colors of Depavali

Global recession and terror threats notwithstanding, Delhiites celebrated Dhanteras with traditional fervour on Sunday. Packed markets across the city in the evening had traders finally heaving a sigh of relief, worried as they had been with dismal sales in the month. Karol Bagh, South Ext, Lajpat Nagar and Sarojini Nagar reported a massive rush of customers on Sunday

In many areas, even colony markets were packed to capacity in the evening with shoppers. Samir Menon, a jewellery shop owner in Karol Bagh, said: ‘‘We are glad sales finally seem to be picking up. We’ve had a huge rush of customers for the traditional gold and silver coins.’’ The year has not been good for shop owners. Traders claimed that sales have never been so bad. While there was a rush of customers for Dhanteras, shop-keepers said the crowd was still way less than the past few years. Balwant Singh, owner of a utensils shop in Lajpat Nagar market said: ‘‘People are not making big purchases this year and restricting themselves to smaller items like tea sets, pressure cookers and thalis. We’ve been offering huge discounts on big packages but still we’re left with loads of unsold stock.’’ Meanwhile, security remained tight with extra patrolling and metal detectors placed at all entry/exit points in even small colony markets. Shop-keepers said people were very wary of going to crowded markets and preferred to complete their shopping in the afternoon rather than evening. Said Arun Gupta, president of Lajpat Nagar Traders Association: ‘‘Peak purchasing time usually is in the evening from 5 pm to 8 pm, but this year most women shoppers have completed their purchases early.

The fear is still there and it has affected our sales badly. Sales have gone down by 45%.’’ There were also fewer shops selling firecrackers this year and Delhiites complained that crackers had become way too expensive. ‘‘I bought just a few packets of crackers and it cost me over Rs 250. This time I don’t see as many shops selling them as before,’’ said Kanika Gupta, who was shopping in Sarojini Nagar with her family.

A festival knows no boundaries. Or so it seemed at Bindal’s in Connaught Place on Saturday as scores of people came forward to light diyas at the public diya-lighting event organised by The Times of India in celebration of Diwali. Part of the crowd included tourists who couldn’t stay away from the brightness of the diyas and the bonhomie that was clearly apparent. According to Lee and Wen, tourists from China, it was the brightly lit diyas on the gigantic lamp set up in front of the store that attracted them. Delighted to discover the significance of the festival, both of them just couldn’t resist lighting up the diyas. Curious about why the diyas were set to be lighted by all, the couple were eager to contribute to spreading TOI’s message of truth, goodness and wisdom, as well as conveying their wishes to the people around.

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An Overview of Diwali

Significance of Diwali Deepavali is a festival where people from all age groups participate. They give expression to their happiness by lighting earthen 'diyas' (lamps), decorating the houses, bursting firecrackers and inviting near and dear ones to their households for partaking in a sumptuous feast. The lighting of lamps is a way of paying obeisance to god for attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace, valor and fame. It is one time in the whole year that children volunteer to leave their beds long before the day begins. In fact, the traditional oil bath at 3 a.m, is the only chore that stands between them and the pre-dawn adventures. They emerge, scrubbed clean to get into their festive attire, and light up little oil lamps, candles and scented sticks(agarbathis), the wherewithal for setting alight crackers and sparklers.

Even though it may mean different things to Hindus in different religions, Diwali is as important to Hindus as Christmas is to Christians. Diwali is also a meaningful celebration to the Sikh community.The word Diwali is adapted from teh Sanskrit word "Deepawali," which means a row or cluster of lights. Diwali itself is known as the Festival of Lights. It is an annual observance held during the autumn month the Hindus called Karthika. Common to the celebrations held throughout the Hindu world is the presence of a display of lights.In India, Diwali is a time to worship the goddess of wealth, who is known as Lakshmi. Houses are prepared for her arrival by being completely cleaned and white-washed. On the night of the festival, the houses are illuminated by many lights, whether candles, oil lamps or electric bulbs. It is not uncommon for a house to display rows of oil lamps on its roof, on its outer walls and in its yard or garden. It is believed that Lakshmi will not give her blessing to a home that is not illuminated for her welcome.As in festivals of other cultures, fireworks are lit to celebrate this special night. But as well as delighting the spectators, the fireworks are believed to chase away eveil spirits. Almost every house participates in the fireworks display, and the noisy and colorful celebration illuminates whole streets and villages well into the night.

In some villages there is also big communal bonfire of firewood, brush, and even oil- soaked rages, which send the fire leaping hight in the sky. As the fire rises it is accompanied by drum beats, and the spectators around the fire share in the joyous occasion.
Diwali also holds special significance for people in the business community. On this day businesses close their account books for the previous year. A new account book is placed before a picture of Lakshmi to receive her blessing, in the hopes that the goddess of wealth will multiply profits in the coming year.

History of Diwali The celebration of the four-day festival commences on Aswayuja Bahula Chaturdasi and concludes on Kartika Shudda Vijiya. The first day of the festival Naraka Chaturdasi marks the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama.'Puranas' have it that Naraka, son of Bhudevi, acquired immense power from a blessing given by Lord Brahma after a severe penance. He soon unleashed a reign of terror in the kingdom of Kamarupa, harassing celestial beings with his invincible might. Unable to bear the tyranny of the demon, the celestial beings pleaded with Lord Krishna to save them from his torture.But Naraka could not be easily killed as he had a boon that he would face death only at the hands of his mother Bhudevi. So, Krishna asks his wife Satyabhama, the reincarnation of Bhudevi, to be his charioteer in the battle with Naraka.When Krishna feigns unconsciousness after being hit by an arrow of Naraka, Satyabhama takes the bow and aims the arrow at Naraka, killing him instantly. Later Lord Krishna reminds her of the boon she had sought as Bhudevi. The slaying of Naraka by Sathyabhama could also be taken to interpret that parents should not hesitate to punish their children when they stray on to the wrong path. The message of Naraka Chaturdasi is that the good of the society should always prevail over one's own personal bonds.

The second day is Amavasya when Lakshmi puja is performed. It is believed that on this day Goddess Lakshmi would be in her benevolent mood and fulfill the wishes of her devotees. One version says that it was on this day that Goddess Lakshmi emerged from Kshira Sagara (Ocean of Milk) when the Gods and demons were churning the sagara (ocean) for nectar (Amrit)

The other version is that when Lord Vishnu in the guise of Vamana, sought three feet of land from the generous demon king Bali, the latter had to surrender his head as Vamana had conquered the earth and the sky in two strides. Lord Vishnu banishes Bali into the Pathala Loka (netherland) by keeping his third stride on Bali's head. Later, pleased by his generosity, Lord Vishnu grants him a boon and he in turn requests the Lord to guard his palace at Pathala Loka.Meanwhile, the Goddess is unable to bear the separation and her grief affects the functioning of the entire universe. Brahma and Lord Shiva offer themselves as guards and plead with Bali to relieve Vishnu. So, on the Amavasya day, Lord Vishnu returns to his abode and Goddess Lakshmi is delighted. It is believed that those who worship Goddess Lakshmi on this day would be bestowed with all the riches.The third day is "Kartika Shudda Padyami." On this day Bali would come out of Pathala Loka and rule Bhuloka as per the boon given by Lord Vishnu. Hence, it is also known as "Bali Padyami".

The fourth day is referred to as "Yama Dvitiya." On this day, sisters invite their brothers to their homes.However, in the northern part of India it is celebrated as the return of Ram along with Sita and Lakshman from his 14 years of exile after killing Ravana. To commemorate his return to Ayodhya, his subjects illuminated the kingdom and burst crackers. For the Gujaratis, Marwaris and other business community Diwali marks the worship of Goddess Lakshmi and also the beginning of the new financial year.For Bengalis, it is the time to worship Goddess Kali or Durga. The Goddess Durga continued her "Vilaya Tandava" even after killing demon Mahishasura.

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Forget Recession, Celebrate Diwali Dilli Ishtyle!

Diwali is not only about festivities but also about spiritual and religious significances. It revolves primarily around the worship of Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth) and Lord Ganesha (God of prosperity), Goddess Kali (Goddess of death) and Lord Chitragupta (God of karma). The festival has a special significance for the business community as they consider this day perfect to launch their new financial year.Some people also indulge in gambling on the day of Diwali because it is a believed that the wife of the God Shiva (Parvati), played dice with him on this day and thus all those who gamble on this auspicious day are blessed with prosperity throughout the year.

The crash in the share market has made people very cautious about splurging on luxury goods. Security is also one of the reasons for slow business.'' Agreed Gurjeet Singh: "The usual gift hampers are also not selling. We are now stocking less.'' Said a shopper at South Extension, Lucky Singh: "My wife and I were advised against stepping out of our houses by our families due to security concerns. But, this being our first Diwali, we decided to celebrate it like every year by shopping for new clothes and buying necessary items for the festive season.'' With Dhanteras on Sunday, shopkeepers still hope for their business to pick up slightly

Think differently; think innovatively, that’s what the funda for exclusive gifting is all about this Diwali. Traditional gift items like dry fruit boxes, glass crockery, quilts and blankets are a big no. So try out these exciting new options and experience the change. "This year the market is flooded with inexpensive yet stupendous Chinese and Italian crockery. As the dry fruit prices are shooting up so the better option is to stuff these crockery sets with Italian toffees. Then here is another very good alternative to those age-old dry fruit box, the same are available covered in caramel. Though they are expensive they exude class," asserts Research Analyst Anubhav.

Heavy police presence was seen in many of the local market areas. Said Rekha Sinha, who was shopping at Madhu Vihar on Saturday evening: "By evening, people had started venturing out of their homes to buy diyas and other decoration items and there was a lot of police in the markets.

EAST DELHI Mela melee Preet Vihar Diwali Mela Samiti is in its sixth year of organising Diwali Mela. They began organising the event in 2003 as no such melas were happening then in this part of Delhi and people from East Delhi had to go to other places in Delhi to make merry at Diwali melas. A group of 40-50 people joined hands to give East Delhites their own mela. This year the event will be held on October 18-19 behind Preet Vihar petrol pump. It will start at 6 pm and go on till 11.00 pm. There will be various food stalls offering Rajasthani, Awadhi and some lip-smacking Old Delhi dishes. Virendra Aggarwal, a member of the Samiti, says: "Here one can hog on a host of dishes that include paneer tikka, Nandlal ke chole bhature, daal-baati, dal makhni, famous Kure Mal ki kulfi, Benares ki gilori, Lucknow ke vegetable kebabs, gol gappe and much more.

Most of the Capital's main market areas recorded 50% less footfalls on Saturday even with Diwali just two days away. In markets like Lajpat Nagar, Sarojini Nagar, Karol Bagh, South Extension, Chandni Chowk etc shopkeepers claimed nobody was buying due to the recent share market meltdown. Moreover, security concerns also refrained shoppers from heading to crowded market areas. The crowd at the city's markets was the same as seen on any other weekend.

Most shops were empty and only the decorations put up by traders' associations were a reminder of the fact that Diwali is round the corner. Said Sanjay Bharghav, owner of a ready-made garments shop at Chandni Chowk: "The festive season has been very dull. In fact, it doesn't even feel like Diwali is approaching. The garment shops have been the worst hit. No one is buying gifts. Even the eateries in Chandni Chowk are hardly crowded.'' According to shopkeepers though, security which was lax on Friday had been stepped up by Saturday. The police officers were even checking shopping bags.'' With most bomb blasts having taken place on a Saturday, market places which have witnessed blasts in the past saw even lesser footfalls as compared to others. Said a shopkeeper in Sarojini Nagar: "Business has been badly hit this festive season. As most of the blasts happened on a Saturday, very few people actually came out to shop, especially in market areas like Sarojini Nagar where blasts have taken place in the past.'' Said an employee of Classik electronics in Lajpat Nagar: "Hardly any electronic goods have been purchased even though Diwali is coming up. Gold, too, had seemed beyond reach with its price breaching the Rs 13,500 mark, so when the price fell, people headed out in droves to buy as much as they could afford. The rush is not just because of Dhanteras, but also because gold seems to be the best investment in the current climate. The MMTC office in Scope complex was buzzing with people. MMTC sold 24 kilo bars of gold in one day. Chief general manger, publicity, MMTC, Preeti Kaur said, “The madness is always there before Dhanteras and Diwali, but this year due to the sudden price fall, people are going mad over buying gold and silver medallions, jewellery and silverware.”

Golden daysRahul Gupta, MD, P.P. Jewellers, said, “The price of gold has fallen from 12,200 to 10,900. Sentiments are positive and people are coming out and buying jewellery and gold for the festive season.” The slump in the market and the high gold price had so far been a deterrent to festival-driven sales, but now the picture is much brighter. “The gold fever has caught on,” said PC Jewellers MD Balram Garg. “If we had 10 customers coming earlier, we have 100 coming now. The market has picked up.” Festive cheerPeople who regularly indulge in buying and selling of gold made a neat profit when the price of gold hit Rs 13,800. Now they are buying with a vengeance waiting to hit jackpot again. Abhishek Jain, director of Leela Jewellers, said, “Everyone is aware that the low price of the gold is not permanent; it will increase again. So they are playing safe and buying gold. Also, from investing in the share markets, they have shifted their focus to the bullion market.” “I’ve been waiting for the gold price to come down to a point where I could afford it!” said Ivy, a writer, talking of her Dhanteras shopping plans. “I’ll buy now before it goes up again.” Sangeeta Bohra, who had been shopping for her daughter’s wedding in December, had so far not been happy with the high price of gold. But the recent price drop has put the smile back on her face. Back from a shopping spree, she said, “I’m ensuring that I buy enough so that I don’t get stuck again if and when prices rise. I’ve even bought gold bars — if I need to, I can turn them into jewellery.”

. Only jewellers seem to be smiling all the way. The sale of gold has been more or less the same this Diwali. As the news spread that the price of gold has fallen by a couple of thousand rupees, people started making a beeline to buy the yellow metal, giving a boost to Dhanteras shopping. It seems to be the only warm thing in an otherwise thanda Diwali this year. The economic slump and the resulting weak bonuses have dampened the festive spirit this year. The fact that just days before Diwali, Delhi roads were not jammed with cars packed with Diwali gifts was proof that everyone was feeling the pinch.

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