Advocate Ashish Shelars Ganesha Pandal Bandra Reclamation

Advocate Ashish Shelars Ganesha Pandal Bandra Reclamation, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

143,523 items / 1,108,242 views

This image has received 1725 views , posted without text I am updating it now as my tribute to the hardcore fans friends well wishers of Advocate Ashish Shelar ..

Advocate Ashish Shelar is an upright man, and though involved in politics he is honest , transparent and clear cut in his views , he does not blow his trumpet, he does not play to the galley and is equally respected by all communities , he has never played the politics of religion and so among his followers and his friends you will find Muslims at grass root levels including creative and business folks like me.

Muslims necessarily dont help Muslims a lesson I learnt the hard way , I recently was faced with insurmountable personal problems at work and at home , i mentioned it to Advocate Ashish Shelar and he went out of his way and helped me without any excuse or reservation speaks volumes of his helping nature..

I also approached another Muslim leader of my area and told him my woes and he smiled and showed me the door , I am not a political person but I am an honest person , I said nothing and walked away..yes I walked away a million miles from this Muslim leader .

So Advocate Ashish Shelar and his wife need no testimonial from me ,, they are human and understood human pain, they no I have no other agenda I am a blogger who shots my surroundings , actually we are almost on the verge of leaving Bandra Bazar Road for good because of problems that pursue us since a very long time.

I have for a long time documented his Ganesha Pandal and it is unique in Bandra for its historical and temple significance , and it imparts a message of peace and humanity.

Because of the injury to my legs,diabetic ulcers on my feet I could not shoot the daily events but I did shoot it when the opportunity arose.

I shot Lalbagh Chya Raja passionately the pandal and the Visarjan procession barefeet on the same injured legs , I shot the GSB Seva Mandal Kings Circle I also shot the Wadala GSB Ganesha Samiti.

I shot Sudesh Dubeys Ganpati pandal and a few of those clustered around Bandra

I shoot my culture my mother lands Hindu ethos and mutual coexistence ., and for me Lord Ganesha is a bond that holistically heals all sufferings and add hope where no hope existed,, and the greatest religion is the religion of Man and Peace ,

And I shoot Ganesha with your eyes not mine own..,the you would see him..in humility and in praise to to the city of my dreams and yours Mumbai.

Going Home After Visarjan On The First Day 2010

Going Home After Visarjan On The First Day 2010, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

151,408 items / 1,159,723 views


This was shot on my way back home in the ricksha on the first day of Durga Visarjan, I had come to Juhu beach at about 6 pm and in a few hours had shot 881 pictures of the Immersion of Goddess Durga and her other avatar Ma Ambe.

I was barefeet and I tried capture as much as I could I also shot the Hijras who had bought their Durga for immesion from Andheri.

And as a tribute to the Bengali Lions of Mumbai the Mukerjees , I have placed the pictures of their Durga Visarjan in a separate set at my Flickr photo stream.

I have always been very close to the Mukerjees since a long time I had worked on Subir Mukerjees Rock Dancer and also with Samrat Mukerjee.

And so I finally end my Durga Visrajan series..

A Holistic Healing Power Called Durga

A Holistic Healing Power Called Durga, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

150,740 items / 1,157,193 views

your pain
your trauma
your wounds
she touches
she feels
whoever you are
whatever you are
wherever you are
she holistically heals
in one blow she
ends your misery
your personal ordeals
ma durge durga mata
layer after layer of your
sufferings from your crushed
soul she peels giving
your inner strength
the power of self
over mind and matter
she reveals
a pact a pledge
to keep you
your family
happy
she solemnly
seals
you were clay
she molds
you into
galvanized steel
mother of all mothers
ma sherawaliye
a mothers ideal

Goddess Kali At Shivaji Park

Goddess Kali At Shivaji Park, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

Goddess Kali At Shivaji Park

Goddess Kali At Shivaji Park, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

150,416 items / 1,155,398 views

from wikipedia

Kālī (Sanskrit: काली, IPA: [kɑːliː]; Bengali: কালী), also known as Kalika (Bengali: কালিকা, Kālikā), is the Hindu goddess associated with eternal energy. The name Kali comes from kāla, which means black, time, death, lord of death, Shiva. Kali means "the black one". Since Shiva is called Kāla - the eternal time, Kālī, his consort, also means "the Time" or "Death" (as in time has come). Hence, Kali is considered the goddess of time and change. Although sometimes presented as dark and violent, her earliest incarnation as a figure of annihilation still has some influence. Various Shakta Hindu cosmologies, as well as Shakta Tantric beliefs, worship her as the ultimate reality or Brahman. She is also revered as Bhavatarini (literally "redeemer of the universe"). Comparatively recent devotional movements largely conceive Kali as a benevolent mother goddess.

Kali is represented as the consort of Lord Shiva, on whose body she is often seen standing. She is associated with many other Hindu goddesses like Durga, Bhadrakali, Sati, Rudrani, Parvati and Chamunda. She is the foremost among the Dasa Mahavidyas, ten fierce Tantric goddesses.[1]

Kālī is the feminine of kāla ("black, dark coloured").[2] Kāla primarily means "black," but also means "time." Kālī means "the black one" and also "time" or "beyond time." Kali is strongly associated with Shiva, and Shaivas derive her feminine name from the masculine Kāla (an epithet of Shiva). The early Sanskrit dictionary, the Shabdakalpadrum, states: कालः शिवः । तस्य पत्नीति - काली । kālaḥ śivaḥ । tasya patnīti kālī - "Shiva is Kala, thus his wife is Kali."

Other names include Kālarātri ("black night"), as described above, and Kālikā ("relating to time"). Coburn notes that the name Kālī can be used as a proper name, or as a description of color.[3]

Kali's association with blackness stands in contrast to her consort, Shiva, whose body is covered by the white ashes of the cremation ground (Sanskrit: śmaśāna) in which he meditates, and with which Kali is also associated, as śmaśāna-kālī.

Kālī is frequently confused with the word kali, as in Kali Yuga or the demon Kali. However, the words Kālī ("black, time") and kali ("weak, crude, inarticulate") are etymologically unrelated, and the goddess Kālī is not associated with Kali Yuga in Hinduism.
Origins

Hugh Urban notes that although the word Kālī appears as early as the Atharva Veda, the first use of it as a proper name is in the Kathaka Grhya Sutra (19.7).[4] Kali is the name of one of the seven tongues of Agni, the Rigvedic God of Fire, in the Mundaka Upanishad (2:4), but it is unlikely that this refers to the goddess. The first appearance of Kali in her present form is in the Sauptika Parvan of the Mahabharata (10.8.64). She is called Kālarātri (literally, "black night") and appears to the Pandava soldiers in dreams, until finally she appears amidst the fighting during an attack by Drona's son Ashwatthama. She most famously appears in the sixth century Devi Mahatmyam as one of the shaktis of Mahadevi, and defeats the demon Raktabija. The tenth century Kalika Purana venerates Kali as the ultimate reality or Brahman.

According to David Kinsley, Kali is first mentioned in Hinduism as a distinct goddess around 600 CE, and these texts "usually place her on the periphery of Hindu society or on the battlefield."[5] She is often regarded as the Shakti of Shiva, and is closely associated with him in various Puranas. The Kalika Purana depicts her as the "Adi Shakti" (Fundamental Power) and "Para Prakriti" or beyond nature.


Goddesses play an important role in the study and practice of Tantra Yoga, and are affirmed to be as central to discerning the nature of reality as are the male deities. Although Parvati is often said to be the recipient and student of Shiva's wisdom in the form of Tantras, it is Kali who seems to dominate much of the Tantric iconography, texts, and rituals.[6] In many sources Kali is praised as the highest reality or greatest of all deities. The Nirvana-tantra says the gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva all arise from her like bubbles in the sea, ceaselessly arising and passing away, leaving their original source unchanged. The Niruttara-tantra and the Picchila-tantra declare all of Kali's mantras to be the greatest and the Yogini-tantra, Kamakhya-tantra and the Niruttara-tantra all proclaim Kali vidyas (manifestations of Mahadevi, or "divinity itself"). They declare her to be an essence of her own form (svarupa) of the Mahadevi.[7]

In the Mahanirvana-tantra, Kali is one of the epithets for the primordial sakti, and in one passage Shiva praises her:

At the dissolution of things, it is Kala [Time] Who will devour all, and by reason of this He is called Mahakala [an epithet of Lord Shiva], and since Thou devourest Mahakala Himself, it is Thou who art the Supreme Primordial Kalika. Because Thou devourest Kala, Thou art Kali, the original form of all things, and because Thou art the Origin of and devourest all things Thou art called the Adya [primordial Kali]. Resuming after Dissolution Thine own form, dark and formless, Thou alone remainest as One ineffable and inconceivable. Though having a form, yet art Thou formless; though Thyself without beginning, multiform by the power of Maya, Thou art the Beginning of all, Creatrix, Protectress, and Destructress that Thou art.[6]

The figure of Kali conveys death, destruction, and the consuming aspects of reality. As such, she is also a "forbidden thing", or even death itself. In the Pancatattva ritual, the sadhaka boldly seeks to confront Kali, and thereby assimilates and transforms her into a vehicle of salvation.[8] This is clear in the work of the Karpuradi-stotra[9], a short praise to Kali describing the Pancatattva ritual unto her, performed on cremation grounds. (Samahana-sadhana)

He, O Mahakali who in the cremation-ground, naked, and with dishevelled hair, intently meditates upon Thee and recites Thy mantra, and with each recitation makes offering to Thee of a thousand Akanda flowers with seed, becomes without any effort a Lord of the earth. 0 Kali, whoever on Tuesday at midnight, having uttered Thy mantra, makes offering even but once with devotion to Thee of a hair of his Sakti [his female companion] in the cremation-ground, becomes a great poet, a Lord of the earth, and ever goes mounted upon an elephant.[8]

The Karpuradi-stotra clearly indicates that Kali is more than a terrible, vicious, slayer of demons who serves Durga or Shiva. Here, she is identified as the supreme mistress of the universe, associated with the five elements. In union with Lord Shiva, who is said to be her spouse, she creates and destroys worlds. Her appearance also takes a different turn, befitting her role as ruler of the world and object of meditation.[10] In contrast to her terrible aspects, she takes on hints of a more benign dimension. She is described as young and beautiful, has a gentle smile, and makes gestures with her two right hands to dispel any fear and offer boons. The more positive features exposed offer the distillation of divine wrath into a goddess of salvation, who rids the sadhaka of fear. Here, Kali appears as a symbol of triumph over death.[


Kali is also a central figure in late medieval Bengali devotional literature, with such devotees as Ramprasad Sen (1718–75). With the exception of being associated with Parvati as Shiva's consort, Kali is rarely pictured in Hindu mythology and iconography as a motherly figure until Bengali devotions beginning in the early eighteenth century. Even in Bengali tradition her appearance and habits change little, if at all.[12]

The Tantric approach to Kali is to display courage by confronting her on cremation grounds in the dead of night, despite her terrible appearance. In contrast, the Bengali devotee appropriates Kali's teachings, adopting the attitude of a child. In both cases, the goal of the devotee is to become reconciled with death and to learn acceptance of the way that things are. These themes are well addressed in Ramprasad's work.[13]

Ramprasad comments in many of his other songs that Kali is indifferent to his wellbeing, causes him to suffer, brings his worldly desires to nothing and his worldly goods to ruin. He also states that she does not behave like a mother should and that she ignores his pleas:

Can mercy be found in the heart of her who was born of the stone? [a reference to Kali as the daughter of Himalaya]
Were she not merciless, would she kick the breast of her lord?
Men call you merciful, but there is no trace of mercy in you, Mother.
You have cut off the heads of the children of others, and these you wear as a garland around your neck.
It matters not how much I call you "Mother, Mother." You hear me, but you will not listen.[14]

To be a child of Kali, Ramprasad asserts, is to be denied of earthly delights and pleasures. Kali is said to not give what is expected. To the devotee, it is perhaps her very refusal to do so that enables her devotees to reflect on dimensions of themselves and of reality that go beyond the material world.[14][15]

A significant portion of Bengali devotional music features Kali as its central theme and is known as Shyama Sangeet. Mostly sung by male vocalists, today even women have taken to this form of music. One of the finest singers of Shyama Sangeet is Pannalal Bhattacharya.

In Bengal, Kali is venerated in the festival Kali Puja - the new moon day of Ashwin month which coincides with Diwali festival.
Mythology

Slayer of Raktabija

In Kali's most famous myth, Durga and her assistants, Matrikas, wound the demon Raktabija, in various ways and with a variety of weapons, in an attempt to destroy him. They soon find that they have worsened the situation, as for every drop of blood that is spilt from Raktabija, the demon reproduces a clone of himself. The battlefield becomes increasingly filled with his duplicates.[16] Durga, in dire need of help, summons Kali to combat the demons. It is also said that Goddess Durga takes the form of Goddess Kali at this time.

The Devi Mahatmyam describes:

Out of the surface of her (Durga's) forehead, fierce with frown, issued suddenly Kali of terrible countenance, armed with a sword and noose. Bearing the strange khatvanga (skull-topped staff ), decorated with a garland of skulls, clad in a tiger's skin, very appalling owing to her emaciated flesh, with gaping mouth, fearful with her tongue lolling out, having deep reddish eyes, filling the regions of the sky with her roars, falling upon impetuously and slaughtering the great asuras in that army, she devoured those hordes of the foes of the devas.[17]

Kali destroys Raktabija by sucking the blood from his body and putting the many Raktabija duplicates in her gaping mouth. Pleased with her victory, Kali then dances on the field of battle, stepping on the corpses of the slain. Her consort Shiva lies among the dead beneath her feet, a representation of Kali commonly seen in her iconography as Daksinakali.[18]

In the Devi Mahatmya version of this story, Kali is also described as a Matrika and as a Shakti or power of Devi. She is given the epithet Cāṃuṇḍā (Chamunda), i.e. the slayer of the demons Chanda and Munda.[19] Chamunda is very often identified with Kali and is very much like her in appearance and habit.[20]
Daksinakali

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kali

Bengal Club Durga Puja Shivaji Park 2010

Bengal Club Durga Puja Shivaji Park 2010, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

Bengal Club Durga Puja Shivaji Park 2010

Bengal Club Durga Puja Shivaji Park 2010, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

Ramkrishna Mission Sarbojanik Durgotsab 2010 Santa Cruz

Ramkrishna Mission Sarbojanik Durgotsab 2010 Santa Cruz, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

150,112 items / 1,153,554 views

from wikipedia

In Hinduism, Durga (Sanskrit: "the inaccessible"[1] or "the invincible"[2]) or Maa Durga (Mother Durga) is a form of Devi, the supreme goddess. Goddess Durga is considered by Hindus to be the mother of Ganesha, and Kartikeya.[3] She is thus considered the fiercer, demon-fighting form of Shiva's wife, goddess Parvati.

Durga is depicted as a warrior aspect of Devi Parvati with 10 arms who rides a lion or a tiger, carries weapons and assumes mudras, or symbolic hand gestures. This form of the Goddess is the embodiment of feminine and creative energy (Shakti).

Contents [hide]
1 Legend
2 Worship
3 Notable temples in India
4 See also
5 References
6 Further reading
7 External links



[edit] Legend
The Great Goddess Durga is said to be exquisitely beautiful. Her form is blindingly bright (devi), with three lotus-like eyes, ten powerful hands, lush hair with beautiful curls, a red-golden glow from her skin and a quarter moon on her forehead. She wears a shiny oceanic blue attire emitting fierce rays. Her ornaments were carved beautifully of gold, with ocean pearls and precious stones embedded in it. Each god also gave her their own most powerful weapons: Rudra's trident, Vishnu's discus, Indra's thunderbolt, Brahma's kamandalu, Kuber's gada, etc. Himalayas gifted her a fierce white and gold lion. On the end of the eighth and beginning of the ninth day of waxing moon, Chanda and Munda came to fight the goddess. She turned blue with anger and the goddess Chamunda leaped out of her third eye. Her form was the most powerful one with three red eyes, blood-filled tongue and dark skin; she finally killed the twin demons with her sword. This form of the divine goddess is worshiped during the sandhikshan of Durga Puja festival, as sandhi/chandi puja. Finally, on the tenth day of waxing moon, Durga killed Mahishasura with her trident.

The word Shakti, meaning sacred feminine force, and Durga reflects the warrior aspect of the goddess, embodying a traditional male role. She is also strikingly beautiful, and initially Mahishasura tries to marry her. Other incarnations include Annapurna and Karunamayi (karuna = kindness).

According to the narrative from the Devi Mahatmya of the Markandeya Purana, the form of Durga was created as a warrior goddess to fight a demon. The demon's father Rambha, king of the demons, once fell in love with a water buffalo, and Mahish Asur (the demon Mahish) was born out of this union. He is therefore able to change between human and buffalo form at will (mahish means "buffalo"). Through intense prayers to Brahma, Mahishasur had the boon that he could not be defeated by any man or god. He unleashed a reign of terror on earth, heaven and the nether worlds.

Eventually, since only a woman could kill him, the Holy Male Trinity went down to the river Ganges and prayed the mantra, "Om Namo Devaye", imploring of the great goddess Devi to save their realm from ruin. They were blessed with her compassion when the goddess Durga was born out of the river.


[edit] Worship

A priest worshipping a contemporary image of Durga during Durga PujaThe four day long Durga Puja is the biggest annual festival in Bengal and Bihar. It is celebrated likewise with much fervour in other parts of India, especially the Himalayan region, but is celebrated in various forms throughout the Hindu universe.

The day of Durga's victory is celebrated as Vijaya Dashmi, Dashain or Dussehra - these words literally mean "the Victorious Tenth" (day). In Kashmir she is worshipped as shaarika (the main temple is in Hari Parbat in Srinagar).

The actual period of the worship however may be on the preceding nine days (Navaratri) followed by the last day called Vijayadashami in North India or five days in Bengal (from the sixth to tenth day of the waxing-moon fortnight). Nine aspects of Durga known as Navadurga are meditated upon, one by one during the nine-day festival by devout Shakti worshippers.

In North India, the tenth day, signifying Rama's victory in his battle against the demon Ravana, is celebrated as Dussehra - gigantic straw effigies of Ravana are burnt in designated open spaces (e.g. Delhi's Ram Lila grounds), watched by thousands of families and little children.

In Gujarat it is celebrated as the last day of Navaratri, during which the Garba dance is performed to celebrate the vigorous victory of Mahishasura-mardini Durga.

The Goddess Durga is worshiped in her peaceful form as MahaGauri, The Fair Lady, Shree Shantadurga also known as santeri, is the patron Goddess of Goa. She is worshiped by all Goan Hindus irrespective of caste and even by some Christians in Goa.

Goddess Durga is worshiped in many temples of Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka .

Another important text on Durga is the 21-verse long Mahishasura Mardini Stotram (Prayer to the Goddess who killed Mahishasura) written by Sri Sri Sri Shankara Bhagavatpadacharya.


[edit] Notable temples in India

Durga sculpture, British MuseumMatrimandir in the city of Auroville near Pondicherry in Tamil Nadu.
Ambika Mata Temple in the village of Jagat near Mount Abu in Rajasthan, India.
Bhairabi Devalaya, in Tezpur, Assam
Kalighat Temple, Kolkata.
Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati, Assam
Kanaka Durga Temple, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
Shanta Durga temple in Goa
Shila Devi temple at Amber Jaipur Rajasthan
Shitla Mata temple at Patna Bihar

[edit] See also
Durga Puja
Shantadurga
Hindu Goddess
Kala, husband of Durga in Javanese mythology.
List of women warriors in folklore, literature, and popular culture

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durga

Durga Sloka Notunpalli Sarbojnin Durgotsab 2010 Bandra

Durga Sloka Notunpalli Sarbojnin Durgotsab 2010 Bandra, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

150,107 items / 1,153,548 views

Durga symbolizes the power of the Supreme Being that maintains moral order and justice in the universe. Durga is also known as "Shakti". Worship of the goddess Shakti is very popular among the Hindu people. Durga stands for the unified symbol of all divine forces; Strength, Morality, Power, Protector. Slokas on Goddess Durga form the part of prayers offered to the goddess. Durga (Devi) Shlokas / Slokas are as follows:

"Yaa Devii Sarvabhuuteshhu Maatrirupena Sansthitah
Yaa Devii Sarvabhuuteshhu Shaktirupena Sansthitah
Yaa Devii Sarvabhuuteshhu Shaantirupena Sansthitah
Namastasyaih Namastasyaih Namastasyaih Namo Namah"

Meaning: Goddess Durga is omnipresent. She is the personification of Universal Mother. She is a Mother, who is present everywhere and who is embodiment of power and energy. Great mother, who is present everywhere and who is embodiment of Peace. I bow to that mother, I bow to Durga, I bow to Shakti.

Durga (Devi) Stuti


"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Vishnu Maayethi Sabdita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"

Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the name of Maya of Vishnu.

"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Chetanetyaabhi Dheeyate
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"

Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who abides in all creatures as realization.

"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Buddhi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"

Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the form of intelligence.

"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Nidraa Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"

Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who lives in all creatures in the form of sleep.

"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Kshudhaa Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"

Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the form of appetite.

"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Chaayaa Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"

Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who lives in all creatures in the form of meditation and reflection.

"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Shakthi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"

Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who dwells in all creatures in the form of Shakti, the creative power.

"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Thrishnaa Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"

Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the form of thirst.

"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Kshaanthi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"

Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who lives in all creatures in the merciful form.

"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Jaati Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"

Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the form of race.

"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Lajja Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"

Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who lives in all creatures in the modest form.

"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Shaanthi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"

Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the form of peace (Shanti).

"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Shradha Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"

Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who lives in all creatures in the form of unshakable faith (Shraddha).

"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Kaanthi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"

Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who lives in all creatures in the form of beauty or brilliance (Kaanti).

"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Lakshmi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"

Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the prosperous form.

"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Vritti Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"

Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who dwells in all creatures in the form of motion.

"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Smrithi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"

Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who lives in all creatures in the form of memory.

"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Dayaa Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"

Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who dwells in all creatures in the form of mercy or kindness (Dayaa).

"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Tushti Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"

Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who lives in all creatures in the form of satisfaction.

"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Matru Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"

Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who lives in all creatures in the form of Mother.

"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Braanthi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"

Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the form of illusion (Bhram).

"Indriyaanaamadhistaatri Bhootaanaam Chaakileshu Yaa
Bhooteshu Satatam Tasyai Vyaaptidevyai Namo Namaha"

Meaning: I bow again and again to the all pervading goddess, who continuously controls the senses of all creatures and governs all elements.

"Chiti Roopena Yaa Kristnam Yetadhyaapya Sthithaa Jagat
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"

Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who pervades this world and controls in the form of awareness.

Durga Chalisa

Durga Chalisa, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

150,107 items / 1,153,545 views



NAMO NAMO DURGE SUKH KARANI
NAMO NAMO AMBE DUKH HARANI

The radiance of your light is limitless and all pervading and all the three realms(Earth, Heaven And the Nether World) are enlightened by Thee

SHASHI LALAT MUKH MAHA VISHALA
NETRA LAL BHRIKOUTEE VIKARALA

Your face is like the moon and mouth very huge. Your eyes shine with a red glow and You have a Frightening frown

ROOP MATOU KO ADHIK SOUHAVE
DARSHA KARATA JANA ATI SOUKH PAVE

O Mother. Your look is enchanting, the very sight of which ensures welfare of the devout

TOUM SANSAR SHAKTI LAYA KEENA
PALANA HEYTU ANNA DHAN DEENA

All the powers of the World repose in Thee and it is You who provides food and wealth for the World's survival

ANNAPOORNA HOUI JAG PALA
TUMHI ADI SUNDARI BALA

Like the feeding Mother Annapoorna, You nurture the whole universe and You are the one Who appears like the timeless Bala Sundari (young girl of extreme beauty)

PRALAYAKALA SAB NASHANA HARI
TOUM GOWRI SHIV SHANKAR PYARI

At the time of dissolution, it is You, O Mother, who destroys everything. You are the beloved Consort of Lord Shiva, Gowri (Parvati)

SHIV YOGI TUMHRE GUN GAVEIN
BRAHMA VISHNU TUMHEIN NIT DHYAVEIN

Lord Shiva and all yogis always chant your praise. Brahma, Vishnu and all other Gods ever meditate on You

ROOP SARASWATI KO TOUM DHARA
DEY SUBUDDHI RISHI MUNINA UBARA

You appear in the form of Goddess Saraswati too, to grant wisdom to the sages and thus ensure their Welfare

DHARYO ROOP NARSIMHA KO AMBA
PRAGAT BHAYI PHAR KAR KHAMBA

O Mother Amba! It was You who appeared in the form of Narsimha, sundering the pillar

RAKSHA KARI PRAHLAD BACHAYO
HIRANYAYKSH KO SWARGA PATHAYO

Thus You saved Prahlad and Hiranyakashyap also went to Heaven as he was killed by your Hands

LAKSHMI ROOP DHARO JAG MAHIN
SHREE NARAYAN ANGA SAMAHIN

In the form of Goddess Lakshmi, O Mother, you appear in this world and repose by the side of Shree Narayan

KSHEER SINDHU MEIN KARAT VILASA
DAYA SINDHU DEEJEY MAN ASA

Dwelling in the ocean of milk, O Goddess, with Lord Vishnu, please fulfill my desires.

HINGALAJA MEIN TOUMHI BHAVANI
MAHIMA AMIT NA JAT BAKHANI

O Bhavani, the famous Goddess of Hingalaja is no one else but You Yourself. Illimitable is your Glory, defying description

MATANGI DHOOMAWATI MATA
BHUVANESHWARI BAGALA SUKHDATA

You are yourself Matangi and Dhoomavati Mata. It is You who appear as Bhuvaneshwari and Bagalamukhi Devi to bestow happiness to all

SHREE BHAIRAV TARA JAG TARANI
CHHINNA BHALA BHAVA DUKH NIVARINI

It is You who redeem the world, appearing in the form of Shree Bhairavi, Taradevi and Chhinnamasta Devi, and end its sorrows

KEHARI VAHAN SOHA BHAVANI
LANGOUR VEER CHALATA AGAVANI

Reposing gracefully upon your vehicle, O Goddess Bhavani, You are welcome by the brave Langour (Lord Hanuman)

KAR MEIN KHAPPAR KHADGA VIRAJEY
JAKO DEKH KAL DAR BHAJEY

When You appear in the form of Goddess Kali, with sword in one hand and a copal in the other, Even Time flees in panic

SOHE ASTRA AUR TRISHULA
JASE OUTHATA SHATRU HIYA SHOOLA

Beholding You, well armed, with a Trident in your hand, the enemy's heart aches with the sting Of fear

NAGARKOT MEIN TOUMHI VIRAJAT
TIHOUN LOK MEIN DANKA BAJAT

You also repose in the form of Devi at Nagarkot in Kangara. Thus all the three realms shudder in the might of your glory

SHUMBH NISHUMBH DANUJ TOUM MARE
RAKTA BEEJ SHANKHANA SANGHARE

You slayed the demons like Shumbh & Nishumb and massacred the thousand forms of the dreaded Demon Raktabeej

MAHISHASUR NRIP ATI ABHIMANI
JEHI AGH BHAR MAHI AKOULANI

When the earth was severely distressed bearing the load of the sins of the arrogant Mahishasur

ROOP KARAL KALIKA DHARA
SEN SAHITA TOUM TIN SAMHARA

You assumed the dreadful form of Goddess Kali and massacred him along with his army

PARI GARH SANTANA PAR JAB JAB
BHAYI SAHAY MATOU TOUM TAB TAB

Thus, whenever the noble saints were distressed, it is You O Mother, who came to their rescue.

AMARPURI ARU BASAV LOKA
TAB MAHIMA SAB RAHEY ASHOKA

All the realms including the Amarpuri (divine realm) remain sorrowless and happy by Your Grace. O Goddess!

JWALA MEIN HAI JYOTI TOUMHARI
TOUMHEIN SADA POOJEY NAR NARI

It is the symbol of Your glory that is burning brightly at Shree JwalaJi. All men and women Ever worship You, O Mother!

PREM BHAKTI SE JO YASH GAVE
DUKH DARIDRA NIKAT NAHIN AVE

He who sings Your glory with devotion, love, and sincerity remains beyond the reach of grief And poverty

DHYAVE TOUMHEIN JO NAR MAN LAYI
JANMA MARAN TAKO CHHOUTI JAYI

He who meditates upon Your form with concentration goes beyond the cycle of births and deaths

JOGI SUR MUNI KAHAT POUKARI
JOG NA HO BINA SHAKTI TOUMHARI

All the yogis, gods and sages openly declare that without your favor one can't establish communion with God

SHANKARA ACHARAJ TAP ATI KEENHO
KAM KRODH JEET SAB LEENHO

Shankaracharya had performed once a special penance called Aacharaj and by virtue of which he had subdued his anger and desire

NISHIDIN DHYAN DHARO SHANKAR KO
KAHOU KAL NAHIN SOUMIRO TOUMKO

He ever worshipped Lord Shankar and never for a moment concentrated his mind on You

SHAKTI ROOP KO MARAM NA PAYO
SHAKTI GAYI TAB MAN PACHITAYO

Since He did not realize your immense glory, all His powers waned and then He repented hitherto

SHARNAGAT HOUYI KIRTI BAKHANI
JAI JAI JAI JAGADAMBA BHAVANI

Then He sought refuge in You, chanted Your glory and 'victory, victory, victory to Thee, O Jagadamba Bhavani'

BHAYI PRASANNA ADI JAGADAMBA
DAYI SHAKTI NAHIN KEEN VILAMBA

Then, O Primal Goddess Jagadamba Ji, You were propitiated and in no time You bestowed Him with his lost powers

MAUKON MATOU KASHTA ATI GHERO
TOUM BIN KAUN HAREY DUKH MERO

O Mother! Severe afflictions distress me and no one except Your Honored Self can provide relief please end my afflictions

ASHA TRISHNA NIPAT SATAVEIN
MOHA MADADIK SAB BINSHAVEIN

Hopes and longings ever torture me. All sorts of passions and lust ever torment my heart

SHATRU NASH KIJEY MAHARANI
SOUMIRON IKCHIT TOUMHEIN BHAVANI

O Goddess Bhavani! I meditate only upon you Please kill my enemies O Queen!

KARO KRIPA HEY MATOU DAYALA
RIDDHI SIDDHI DEY KARAHOU NIHALA

O Merciful Mother! Show me your favor and make me feel happy by bestowing me with all sorts of riches and powers

JAB LAGI JIYOUN DAYA PHAL PAOUN
TOUMHRO YASH MEIN SADA SOUNAOUN

O Mother! May I be respectable of Your grace as long as I live, ever recounting the feats of Your Glory to all

DURGA CHALISA JO NAR GAVEY
SAB SOUKH BHOG PARAMPAD PAVEY

This way, whoever sings this Durga Chalisa shall ever enjoy all sorts of pleasures and shall attain the highest state in the end

DEVIDAS SHARAN NIJ JANI
KARAHOUN KRIPA JAGADAMBA BHAVANI

Deeming Devidas to have sought Your shelter, O Bhavani, grant me Your favor.
JAI MAA BHAGWATI !

The Essence Of Ma Durge

The Essence Of Ma Durge, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

150,089 items / 1,153,514 views

from Wikipedia

In Hinduism, Durga (Sanskrit: दुर्गा, meaning "the inaccessible"[1] or "the invincible"; Bengali: দুর্গা, durga) or Maa Durga (Bengali: মা দুর্গা, ma durga, meaning "Mother Durga") "one who can redeem in situations of utmost distress".[citation needed] Durga is a form of Devi, the supremely radiant goddess, depicted as having ten arms, riding a lion or a tiger, carrying weapons and a lotus flower, maintaining a meditative smile, and practicing mudras, or symbolic hand gestures.[citation needed]

An embodiment of creative feminine force (Shakti), Durga exists in a state of svātantrya (independence from the universe and anything/anybody else, i.e., self-sufficiency) and fierce compassion. Kali is considered by Hindus to be an aspect of Durga. Durga is also the mother of Ganesha and Kartikeya.[2] She is thus considered the fiercer, demon-fighting form of Shiva's wife, goddess Parvati. Durga manifests fearlessness and patience, and never loses her sense of humor, even during spiritual battles of epic proportion.[citation needed]


The word Shakti means divine feminine energy/force/power, and Durga is the warrior aspect of the Divine Mother. Other incarnations include Annapurna and Karuɳamayi (karuɳa = kindness). Durga's darker aspect Kali is represented as the consort of the god Shiva, on whose body she is often seen standing.
Durga Slays Mahishasura, Mahabalipuram sculpture.

As a goddess, Durga's feminine power contains the energies of the gods. Each of her weapons was given to her by various gods: Rudra's trident, Vishnu's discus, Indra's thunderbolt, Brahma's kamandalu, Kuber's Ratnahar, etc.

According to a narrative in the Devi Mahatmya story of the Markandeya Purana text, Durga was created as a warrior goddess to fight an asura (an inhuman force/demon) named Mahishasura. He had unleashed a reign of terror on earth, heaven and the nether worlds, and he could not be defeated by any man or god, anywhere. The gods went to Brahma, who had given Mahishasura the power not to be defeated by a man. Brahma could do nothing. They made Brahma their leader and went to Vaikuntha — the place where Vishnu lay on Ananta Naag. They found both Vishnu and Shiva, and Brahma eloquently related the reign of terror Mahishasur had unleashed on the three worlds. Hearing this Vishnu, Shiva and all of the gods became very angry and beams of fierce light emerged from their bodies. The blinding sea of light met at the Ashram of a priest named Katyan. The goddess Durga took the name Katyaayani from the priest and emerged from the sea of light. She introduced herself in the language of the Rig-Veda, saying she was the form of the supreme Brahman who had created all the gods. Now she had come to fight the demon to save the gods. They did not create her; it was her lila that she emerged from their combined energy. The gods were blessed with her compassion.

It is said that upon initially encountering Durga, Mahishasura underestimated her, thinking: "How can a woman kill me, Mahishasur — the one who has defeated the trinity of gods?"[citation needed] However, Durga roared with laughter, which caused an earthquake which made Mahishasur aware of her powers.

And the terrible Mahishasur rampaged against her, changing forms many times. First he was a buffalo demon, and she defeated him with her sword. Then he changed forms and became an elephant that tied up the goddess's lion and began to pull it towards him. The goddess cut off his trunk with her sword. The demon Mahishasur continued his terrorizing, taking the form of a lion, and then the form of a man, but both of them were gracefully slain by Durga.

Then Mahishasur began attacking once more, starting to take the form of a buffalo again. The patient goddess became very angry, and as she sipped divine wine from a cup she smiled and proclaimed to Mahishasur in a colorful tone — "Roar with delight while you still can, O illiterate demon, because when I will kill you after drinking this, the gods themselves will roar with delight".[cite this quote] When Mahashaur had half emerged into his buffalo form, he was paralyzed by the extreme light emitting from the goddess's body. The goddess then resounded with laughter before cutting Mahishasur's head down with her sword.

Thus Durga slew Mahishasur, thus is the power of the fierce compassion of Durga. Hence, Mata Durga is also known as Mahishasurmardhini — the slayer of Mahishasur. According to one legend, the goddess Durga created an army to fight against the forces of the demon-king Mahishasur, who was terrorizing Heaven and Earth. After ten days of fighting, Durga and her army defeated Mahishasur and killed him. As a reward for their service, Durga bestowed upon her army the knowledge of jewelry-making. Ever since, the Sonara community has been involved in the jewelry profession [3].

The goddess as Mahisasuramardhini appears quite early in Indian art. The Archaeological Museum in Matura has several statues on display including a 6-armed Kushana period Mahisasuramardhini that depicts her pressing down the buffalo with her lower hands [4]. A Nagar plaque from the first century BC - first century AD depicts a 4-armed Mahisamardhini accompanied by a lion. But it is in the Gupta period that we see the finest representations of Mahisasuramardhini (2-, 4-, 6-, and at Udayagiri, 12-armed). The spear and trident are her most common weapons. a Mamallapuram relief shows the goddess with 8 arms riding her lion subduing a bufalo-faced demon (as contrasted with a buffalo demon); a variation also seen at Ellora. In later sculptures (post-seventh Century), sculptures show the goddess having decapitated the buffalo demon.


The four day long (Saptami to Dashami) Durga Puja is the biggest annual festival in Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, and Assam. It is celebrated likewise with much fervour in other parts of India, especially the Himalayan region, but is celebrated in various forms throughout the Hindu universe.

The day of Durga's victory is celebrated as Vijayadashami (Bengali), Dashain (Nepali) or Dussehra (Hindi) - these words literally mean "the Victory Tenth" (day).[5]

In Kashmir she is worshipped as shaarika (the main temple is in Hari Parbat in Srinagar).

The actual period of the worship however may be on the preceding nine days (Navaratri) followed by the last day called Vijayadashami in North India or five days in Bengal (from the sixth to tenth day of the waxing-moon fortnight). Nine aspects of Durga known as Navadurga are meditated upon, one by one during the nine-day festival by devout Shakti worshippers.

In North India, the tenth day, signifying Rama's victory in his battle against the demon Ravana, is celebrated as Dussehra - gigantic straw effigies of Ravana are burnt in designated open spaces (e.g. Delhi's Ram Lila grounds), watched by thousands of families and little children.

In Mysore Karnataka, she is worshipped as Chamundeshwari, the patron goddess of the city during Dussehra

In Gujarat it is celebrated as the last day of Navaratri, during which the Garba dance is performed to celebrate the vigorous victory of Mahishasura-mardini Durga.

The Goddess Durga is worshiped in her peaceful form as Maha Gauri, The Fair Lady, Shree Shantadurga also known as santeri, is the patron Goddess of Goa. She is worshiped by all Goan Hindus.

In Maharashtra, Tulja Bhavani and Ambabai is worshiped as Mahishasur Mardini and is patron goddess of land. Bhavani is known as Tulaja, Amba, Renuka, Yamai, Saptshrungi, Jogai in different places of Maharashtra. She is inspirational goddess of Raja shivaji. As per legends, Bhavani revealed to Shivaji and blessed him to form a kingdom.

Durga Shloka/ Stuti Posted By Shreyashi Sen

Durga Shloka/ Stuti Posted By Shreyashi Sen, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

by Sreyashi Sen on Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 11:22pm


"Yaa Devii Sarvabhuuteshhu Maatrirupena SansthitahYaa Devii Sarvabhuuteshhu Shaktirupena Sansthitah Yaa Devii Sarvabhuuteshhu Shaantirupena Sansthitah Namastasyaih Namastasyaih Namastasyaih Namo Namah"



Meaning: Goddess Durga is omnipresent. She is the personification of Universal Mother. She is a Mother, who is present everywhere and who is embodiment of power and energy. Great mother, who is present everywhere and who is embodiment of Peace. I bow to that mother, I bow to Durga, I bow to Shakti.



Durga (Devi) Stuti



"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Vishnu Maayethi Sabdita Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"



Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the name of Maya of Vishnu.



"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Chetanetyaabhi Dheeyate Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"



Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who abides in all creatures as realization.



"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Buddhi Roopena Samsthita Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"



Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the form of intelligence.



"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Nidraa Roopena Samsthita Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"



Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who lives in all creatures in the form of sleep.



"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Kshudhaa Roopena SamsthitaNamastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"



Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the form of appetite.



"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Chaayaa Roopena SamsthitaNamastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"



Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who lives in all creatures in the form of meditation and reflection.



"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Shakthi Roopena SamsthitaNamastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"



Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who dwells in all creatures in the form of Shakti, the creative power.



"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Thrishnaa Roopena Samsthita Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"



Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the form of thirst.



"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Kshaanthi Roopena SamsthitaNamastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"



Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who lives in all creatures in the merciful form.



"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Jaati Roopena SamsthitaNamastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"



Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the form of race.



"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Lajja Roopena SamsthitaNamastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"



Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who lives in all creatures in the modest form.



"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Shaanthi Roopena SamsthitaNamastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"



Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the form of peace (Shanti).



"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Shradha Roopena SamsthitaNamastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"



Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who lives in all creatures in the form of unshakable faith (Shraddha).



"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Kaanthi Roopena Samsthita Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"



Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who lives in all creatures in the form of beauty or brilliance (Kaanti).



"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Lakshmi Roopena SamsthitaNamastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"



Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the prosperous form.



"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Vritti Roopena SamsthitaNamastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"



Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who dwells in all creatures in the form of motion.



"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Smrithi Roopena SamsthitaNamastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"



Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who lives in all creatures in the form of memory.



"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Dayaa Roopena SamsthitaNamastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"



Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who dwells in all creatures in the form of mercy or kindness (Dayaa).



"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Tushti Roopena Samsthita Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"



Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who lives in all creatures in the form of satisfaction.



"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Matru Roopena SamsthitaNamastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"



Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who lives in all creatures in the form of Mother.



"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Braanthi Roopena SamsthitaNamastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"



Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the form of illusion (Bhram).



"Indriyaanaamadhistaatri Bhootaanaam Chaakileshu YaaBhooteshu Satatam Tasyai Vyaaptidevyai Namo Namaha"



Meaning: I bow again and again to the all pervading goddess, who continuously controls the senses of all creatures and governs all elements.



"Chiti Roopena Yaa Kristnam Yetadhyaapya Sthithaa Jagat Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"



Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who pervades this world and controls in the form of awareness.

Hope And Hindutva Message of Peace On Pitru Paksha Day

Hope And Hindutva Message of Peace On Pitru Paksha Day, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

A Muslim Blogger In A Hindu Heartland

A Muslim Blogger In A Hindu Heartland, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

150,043 items / 1,149,922 views

both Indians
one motherland
a land of peace
hope and humanity
a unique land
a cherished soil
on which
justice equality
liberty as pillars
of mankind stand
a thought unfortunately
the racist with a hindu voice
or the bigot with a muslim bias
wont understand
a land of diverse colors
a spectrum of unity
one single band
beyond caste color
or religiosity
gods own land
made in india
gods own brand
where tolerance
mutual coexistence
progress future
go hand in hand
shooting hope hindutva
a message of peace
hope and humanity
art culture creativity
heritage ancestry
of man all very grand
himalayas ganges
from kashmir to kanyakumari
held by a strand
of love brotherhood
a pledge between
god and man
whatever your
ethnicity as
INDIANS
one single clan

Pitru Paksha

Pitru Paksha, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

150,042 items / 1,149,502 views

to pay homage
to their ancestors
on pitru paksha day
to banganga tank
they make their way
it is said that
their ancestors
com down on earth
for their departed souls
they pray
clean shaven bald
migrants from
uttar pradesh
who in mumbai stay
offerings on dry leaves
that serve as tray
a lamp lighting
a path floral
tributes they pay
each year
in every way
with warmth
soulful serenity
undying
memories as always
touched by the
soothing
reinvigorating
suns rays
hope and hindutva
a message of
peace and humanity
captured by a
barefeeet blogger
on a gray
cloudless day
amchi mumbai
jai maharashtra
jai ramji ki
sab theek thak
okay

Ma Durga Shot By Marziya Shakir Nikon D 80

Ma Durga Shot By Marziya Shakir Nikon D 80, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

150,013 items / 1,148,662 views

This is Ma Durga shot by a two and a half year old street photographer on the Nikon D 80.Marziya Shakir .of Mumbai

Wikipedia

In Hinduism, Durga (Sanskrit: दुर्गा, meaning "the inaccessible"[1] or "the invincible"; Bengali: দুর্গা, durga) or Maa Durga (Bengali: মা দুর্গা, ma durga, meaning "Mother Durga") "one who can redeem in situations of utmost distress".[citation needed] Durga is a form of Devi, the supremely radiant goddess, depicted as having ten arms, riding a lion or a tiger, carrying weapons and a lotus flower, maintaining a meditative smile, and practicing mudras, or symbolic hand gestures.[citation needed]

An embodiment of creative feminine force (Shakti), Durga exists in a state of svātantrya (independence from the universe and anything/anybody else, i.e., self-sufficiency) and fierce compassion. Kali is considered by Hindus to be an aspect of Durga. Durga is also the mother of Ganesha and Kartikeya.[2] She is thus considered the fiercer, demon-fighting form of Shiva's wife, goddess Parvati. Durga manifests fearlessness and patience, and never loses her sense of humor, even during spiritual battles of epic proportion.[citation needed]

The word Shakti means divine feminine energy/force/power, and Durga is the warrior aspect of the Divine Mother. Other incarnations include Annapurna and Karuɳamayi (karuɳa = kindness). Durga's darker aspect Kali is represented as the consort of the god Shiva, on whose body she is often seen standing.
Durga Slays Mahishasura, Mahabalipuram sculpture.

As a goddess, Durga's feminine power contains the energies of the gods. Each of her weapons was given to her by various gods: Rudra's trident, Vishnu's discus, Indra's thunderbolt, Brahma's kamandalu, Kuber's Ratnahar, etc.

According to a narrative in the Devi Mahatmya story of the Markandeya Purana text, Durga was created as a warrior goddess to fight an asura (an inhuman force/demon) named Mahishasura. He had unleashed a reign of terror on earth, heaven and the nether worlds, and he could not be defeated by any man or god, anywhere. The gods went to Brahma, who had given Mahishasura the power not to be defeated by a man. Brahma could do nothing. They made Brahma their leader and went to Vaikuntha — the place where Vishnu lay on Ananta Naag. They found both Vishnu and Shiva, and Brahma eloquently related the reign of terror Mahishasur had unleashed on the three worlds. Hearing this Vishnu, Shiva and all of the gods became very angry and beams of fierce light emerged from their bodies. The blinding sea of light met at the Ashram of a priest named Katyan. The goddess Durga took the name Katyaayani from the priest and emerged from the sea of light. She introduced herself in the language of the Rig-Veda, saying she was the form of the supreme Brahman who had created all the gods. Now she had come to fight the demon to save the gods. They did not create her; it was her lila that she emerged from their combined energy. The gods were blessed with her compassion.

It is said that upon initially encountering Durga, Mahishasura underestimated her, thinking: "How can a woman kill me, Mahishasur — the one who has defeated the trinity of gods?"[citation needed] However, Durga roared with laughter, which caused an earthquake which made Mahishasur aware of her powers.

And the terrible Mahishasur rampaged against her, changing forms many times. First he was a buffalo demon, and she defeated him with her sword. Then he changed forms and became an elephant that tied up the goddess's lion and began to pull it towards him. The goddess cut off his trunk with her sword. The demon Mahishasur continued his terrorizing, taking the form of a lion, and then the form of a man, but both of them were gracefully slain by Durga.

Then Mahishasur began attacking once more, starting to take the form of a buffalo again. The patient goddess became very angry, and as she sipped divine wine from a cup she smiled and proclaimed to Mahishasur in a colorful tone — "Roar with delight while you still can, O illiterate demon, because when I will kill you after drinking this, the gods themselves will roar with delight".[cite this quote] When Mahashaur had half emerged into his buffalo form, he was paralyzed by the extreme light emitting from the goddess's body. The goddess then resounded with laughter before cutting Mahishasur's head down with her sword.

Thus Durga slew Mahishasur, thus is the power of the fierce compassion of Durga. Hence, Mata Durga is also known as Mahishasurmardhini — the slayer of Mahishasur. According to one legend, the goddess Durga created an army to fight against the forces of the demon-king Mahishasur, who was terrorizing Heaven and Earth. After ten days of fighting, Durga and her army defeated Mahishasur and killed him. As a reward for their service, Durga bestowed upon her army the knowledge of jewelry-making. Ever since, the Sonara community has been involved in the jewelry profession [3].

The goddess as Mahisasuramardhini appears quite early in Indian art. The Archaeological Museum in Matura has several statues on display including a 6-armed Kushana period Mahisasuramardhini that depicts her pressing down the buffalo with her lower hands [4]. A Nagar plaque from the first century BC - first century AD depicts a 4-armed Mahisamardhini accompanied by a lion. But it is in the Gupta period that we see the finest representations of Mahisasuramardhini (2-, 4-, 6-, and at Udayagiri, 12-armed). The spear and trident are her most common weapons. a Mamallapuram relief shows the goddess with 8 arms riding her lion subduing a bufalo-faced demon (as contrasted with a buffalo demon); a variation also seen at Ellora. In later sculptures (post-seventh Century), sculptures show the goddess having decapitated the buffalo demon.

The four day long (Saptami to Dashami) Durga Puja is the biggest annual festival in Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, and Assam. It is celebrated likewise with much fervour in other parts of India, especially the Himalayan region, but is celebrated in various forms throughout the Hindu universe.

The day of Durga's victory is celebrated as Vijayadashami (Bengali), Dashain (Nepali) or Dussehra (Hindi) - these words literally mean "the Victory Tenth" (day).[5]

In Kashmir she is worshipped as shaarika (the main temple is in Hari Parbat in Srinagar).

The actual period of the worship however may be on the preceding nine days (Navaratri) followed by the last day called Vijayadashami in North India or five days in Bengal (from the sixth to tenth day of the waxing-moon fortnight). Nine aspects of Durga known as Navadurga are meditated upon, one by one during the nine-day festival by devout Shakti worshippers.

In North India, the tenth day, signifying Rama's victory in his battle against the demon Ravana, is celebrated as Dussehra - gigantic straw effigies of Ravana are burnt in designated open spaces (e.g. Delhi's Ram Lila grounds), watched by thousands of families and little children.

In Mysore Karnataka, she is worshipped as Chamundeshwari, the patron goddess of the city during Dussehra

In Gujarat it is celebrated as the last day of Navaratri, during which the Garba dance is performed to celebrate the vigorous victory of Mahishasura-mardini Durga.

The Goddess Durga is worshiped in her peaceful form as Maha Gauri, The Fair Lady, Shree Shantadurga also known as santeri, is the patron Goddess of Goa. She is worshiped by all Goan Hindus.

In Maharashtra, Tulja Bhavani and Ambabai is worshiped as Mahishasur Mardini and is patron goddess of land. Bhavani is known as Tulaja, Amba, Renuka, Yamai, Saptshrungi, Jogai in different places of Maharashtra. She is inspirational goddess of Raja shivaji. As per legends, Bhavani revealed to Shivaji and blessed him to form a kingdom.

Shooting Hope and Hindutva As A Message of Peace and Humanity

Shooting Hope and Hindutva As A Message of Peace and Humanity, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

150,004 items / 1,148,592 views

Sometimes
Or perhaps
every time
a child with
her eyes
sees
what the adult
eyes dont see
wont ever see
the true diverse
colors in a spectrum
of unity you call it a crowd
a collection i call it humanity
different faiths in parity
so marziya shakir
a month away from
her third birthday
pays homage
to hope and hindutva
a message of peace
in universality
two pillars
hold the universe
of mankind
humility and charity

This Is Respect for Humanity Religiosity Shot By Marziya Shakir Nikon D 80

This Is Respect for Humanity Religiosity Shot By Marziya Shakir Nikon D 80, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

150,013 items / 1,148,603 views

Marziya Shakir is a gifted born photographer.

She will be three years old 24 November.


She has come a long way with her vision embedded in my camera.

The Camera Nikon D 80 was gifted to her by her Guru No 1 Dr Glenn Losack MD Manhattan New York.

And here I will tell you the connection between Marziya and her Uncle Glenn, its private matter that I am making public , Glenn is very fond of Marziya on her first birthday he wanted to give her a blank cheque to her father for taking care of Marziyas primary and secondary education in the finest school in Mumbai .

My son politely refused though he profusely thanked the good doctor for the kind thought and offer I did not intervene or offer suggestion it was a dialogue between them.

My son felt and told Glenn that whatever hardships in life we were going through , or whatever pitfalls came our way Marziyas education would be take care of by him and our family.

We have seen seen real badly timed situations, we put our house on the block but Allah provides and we shall overcome.

Business has ill tidings and bad tidings too. but good things to come eventually.

So back to Marziya , Marziyas Guru No 1 will always be Glenn.

Glenn was quite hurt by my sons response and thought it was attitude but explained to Glenn about my sons humility and self respect that had nothing to do with pride.

So a white man , a Brooklyn Jew is thus an integral part of a Muslim Shia family in Mumbai he is dying on the other end to come to the land he loves immensely and though a proud American loves India and calls it Mother India,if Glenn was a Indian is his previous birth I dont know.

He relives the pain of his life through the pictures he takes the music he makes and performs.

So now you know in brief about Dr Glenn Losack and my 150000 pictures at Flickr are in view to all of you because Dr Glenn Losack paid for my Pro membership at Flickr till Flickr has a change of heart and gives me a life time free membership as my pictures are educational and service to Humanity and Society.

The Essence Of Truth Hope And Hindutva Shot By A Two And a Half Year Old Child

The Essence Of Truth Hope And Hindutva Shot By A Two And a Half Year Old Child, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

150,004 items / 1,148,592 views

This was Marziya Shakirs first shot I had to make her tilt the lens a bit higher and she does not even reach the height of the podium.

I was looking around for a chair but I let her shoot her vision of Goddess Durga at Bandra Bazar Road.

A child sees life as God would see it totally purified without bias, a child's vision is the vision of Truth and Eternity..and it is this lesson I learn from Marziya Shakir while I unlearn the art of Photography from her.

We both are Shias and yet enjoy the fruits of our cultural surroundings, and my grand daughter knows that there are vistas several windows to the house of life..the power of the camera is nothing but power of the mind over matter.

And even if I die tomorrow I will be at peace with myself for showing Marziya the facets of life that are part of a greater life ahead.

I studied in a Catholic school I had Hindu friends Parsi Jew Christian friends and ironically I did not have Muslim friends of my age when I stayed at Wodehouse Road Colaba.

Religion or religious bigotry was not an issue our parents God bless their souls loved Humanity in all its diverse colors and we are fruits of that love and sacrifice.

I could never badmouth the tenets of any religion or their Holy Books .

And in all humility to those who bad mouth Islam because a few have terrorized Humanity does not change the nature of peace hope harmony in Islam.

If you Google Search Hope and Hindutva a Message of Peace and Humanity you will get the relevance of a Muslim Bloggers tribute praise to his culture and its contribution to his life too.

I think Hinduism that I call Hope and Hindutva a Message of Peace and Humanity made me a better person a better Muslim and a better visionary as a photographer and a poet too.

That Indian publishers will only publish me after my Death or Suicide Or if I am murdered is not part of this blog, what sells is bling and sleaze and nobody really cares a flying shit for beggars on the streets or diverse cultures or the hijras.

And I am not a Coffee Table book not even on my dead Body.

Yesterday I tried to include all my Hindu based religious images of events I have shot this year in my set at Flickr Hope and Hindutva..its about 11000 pictures till date ...

So a child imbibes what you fed him , if a child is given a staple diet of love and peace respect for the surroundings and other faith he she will never be a victim of racism bigotry or narrow mindedness.

So what a two and a half year old child shoots on her grand fathers camera is Truth that he always shot , peace that he always shoot and pain that he relives after every shoot .

And this year my grand daughter will scourge her back with blades on the streets of Bandra juloos and shoot Moharam too wearing a black Tshirt with its back opening to make the blades cut her back...

Yeh Zaroori Nahi Shivji Sirf Hinduon Ko Chahte Hain

Yeh Zaroori Nahi Shivji Sirf Hinduon Ko Chahte Hain, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

149,927 items / 1,147,299 views

jo unhe chahta hai
woh uski ankhon
main sama jata hain
camera ki khidki
main shiva ki
teesri ankh
ban jate hain
ka kya tassavar
dikhate hain
har tasvir
par pehle
apni chap
lagate hain
firoze shakir
toh tasviren
kheechta hai
lekin lamhe
shivji
dikhate hain
jo chupa hu tha
use phir bahar
nikalwate hain
ardh nari nareshwar
ki mudra ban jate hain
rom rom main
prerna ban jate hain
Vande Shiva Shankaram
ubhar ate hain
hindu musalman
toh door ki bat
ek acha hindustani
banate hain

The Ubiquitous Barbers Of Banganga Tank

The Ubiquitous Barbers Of Banganga Tank, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

149,808 items / 1,146,813 views

some of them may or may not
be barbers it is hard to believe
get yourself bald for a ritual
of religious tonsure
on pitru paksha day or
come to grieve
on the banks of
the banganga tank
with dry ritual leaves
prayers chants
as the pandit drones
mantras he weaves
a shining pate
bare bodied
in langots
desi briefs
the devotee
offers his ancestors
spiritual relief
hope and hindutva
a message of peace
hope harmony humanity
humility as motif
a day before
navratri memories
sweet and brief
a muslim photo
blogger captures
elusive eternity
a reluctant photo thief

Pitru Paksh Divine Moment Of Peace

Pitru Paksh Divine Moment Of Peace, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

Remembering The Dead Ancestors on Pitru Paksha Day

Remembering The Dead Ancestors on Pitru Paksha Day, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

Pitru Paksha at Banganga Tank Walkeshwar

Pitru Paksha at Banganga Tank Walkeshwar, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

When You Shoot Pictures Like I Do The Story Never Ends

When You Shoot Pictures Like I Do The Story Never Ends, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

149,704 items / 1,146,326 views

This is my third day uploading the Pitru Paksha pictures shot on Thursday at Banganga Walkeshwar and I have another 300 remaining , though I must confess I did not shoot as prolifically as I normally shoot simply because I wanted to meet my Guru of all good things Mr KG Maheshwari who would have left for his office at 11am , so I aborted the shoot and I had shot for over three hours at the Banganga tank.

My pictures are of divine love of man and divinity his karmic connection to God and his surroundings and these two North Indian ubiquitous feast Pitru Paksha and the Bihari Chhat Puja hold the flavor of migrant spirituality and culture in Mumbai,

I shoot both these feasts avidly .

The Banganga Water Tank Walkeshwar

The Banganga Water Tank Walkeshwar, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

149,665 items / 1,145,947 views

from wikipedia

Banganga or Banganga Tank (Marathi:बाणगंगा तलाव ) is an ancient[1] water tank which is part of the Walkeshwar Temple Complex in Malabar Hill area of Mumbai in India.

The Tank was built in the 1127 AD, by Lakshman Prabhu, a minister in the court of Silhara dynasty kings of Thane.[2][3]

The tank was rebuilt in 1715 AD, out of a donation for the Walkeshwar Temple by Rama Kamath.[4] The main temple, has been reconstructed since then and is at present a reinforced concrete structure of recent construction.


According to local legend, it sprang forth when the Hindu god Ram, the exiled hero of the epic Ramayana, stopped at the spot five thousand years ago in search of his kidnapped wife Sita.

As the legend goes, overcome with fatigue and thirst, Rama asked his brother Lakshmana to bring him some water. Laxman instantly shot an arrow into the ground, and water gushed forth from the ground, creating a tributary of the Ganges, which flows over a thousand miles away, hence its name, Banganga, the 'Ganga' created out on a 'Baan' (Arrow).[5]

The Banganga also houses the 'Shri Kashi Math' and 'Shri Kaivalya or Kawle Math' of the Goud Saraswat Brahmins at its banks and samadhis of their various past heads of the Math.[6]

The area also has a Hindu cremation ground[7] which after 2003, received a makeover to house a Gas crematorium.[8]

The area still has an old Hindu cemetery consisting of samadhi shrines of various Advaita gurus, such as Sri Ranjit Maharaj (1913-2000) and his guru Sri Siddarameshwar Maharaj (1888-1936).[9][10]

The tank today is a rectangular pool structure surrounded by steps on all four sides. At the entrance are two pillars in which oil lamps called diyas were lit in ancient times.

The tank, as well as the main Walkeshwar Temple and the Parshuram Temple belong to the Goud Saraswat Temple Trust, which once owned most of the property in the complex. Many Goud Saraswat Brahmin families to date reside in the complex.

The tank is spring fed and so its water remains sweet, despite being located only a few dozen meters away from the sea. It is cleaned and spruced up each year, for the annual 'Banganga Festival', of Music organised by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), which takes place here in every January,[11] and now has become an important event in the cultural calendar of the city.[12]

Apart from being a cultural hub, the place over the years has provided inspiration to many artists, be it on film or on canvas.[13] Earlier the site was used for many film shoots, which was banned in November 2007, to protect this heritage site, which is also one of Mumbai's oldest surviving structures.[14]

Cleaning The Banganga Tank on Pitru Paksha Day

Cleaning The Banganga Tank on Pitru Paksha Day, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

The Shia Pandit Afloat

The Shia Pandit Afloat, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

149,639 items / 1,145,805 views


shooting
hope and hindutva
a message of peace
hope and humanity
bridging a moat
the color of humanity
a blog on a leaking boat
why cant we settle
our differences amicably
a thought that gets
on my goat
destroying
mother India
into two uneven parts
we shamefacedly gloat
humility tolerance
mutual coexistence aganist
acrimony animosity
the only antidote

The Dead Souls Come Down On Earth On Pitru Paksha Day

The Dead Souls Come Down On Earth On Pitru Paksha Day, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

Pitru Paksha at Banganga Tank Walkeshwar

Pitru Paksha at Banganga Tank Walkeshwar, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

Pitru Paksha Is Incomplete Without The Pujaris and The Barbers

Pitru Paksha Is Incomplete Without The Pujaris and The Barbers, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

because civilization came late to australia and new zealand they tend to get racist and defensive even when they fart a comment

because civilization came late to australia and new zealand they tend to get racist and defensive even when they fart a comment, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

149,547 items / 1,145,088 views


there are good folks in these two countries exception to the rule but i have seen the racist poets and faced their vicious attacks on me at a poetry site not long ago....

Shooting Pictures Is Nothing But Perspective Bound To Time and Space

Shooting Pictures Is Nothing But Perspective Bound To Time and Space, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

A Shia Pandit Shoots The Soul of Hope and Hindutva As A Message of Peace and Humanity

A Shia Pandit Shoots The Soul of Hope and Hindutva As A Message of Peace and Humanity, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

149,547 items / 1,145,082 views


This was shot by Yogendra Prabhu on the makeshift raft and the kid next to me is an expert fish like swimmer , these local lads were cleaning the Banganga Tank on Pitru Paksha day.

Yogendra Prabhu of Banganga

Yogendra Prabhu of Banganga, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

149,547 items / 1,145,075 views

Most of the photographers I have seen during the recently concluded Lalbgh Chya Raja procession near the gates of his pandal when he leaves for the seas are totally selfish and absolutely uncooperative , they wont even give you an opportunity of a hanging space , even if such space exists next to where they are shooting,

And yet the Lord provides photobloggers like me , we have no agenda , our pictures wont come on the first page of Hindustan Times but in sheer humility our pictures on Putru Paksha will reach the portals of the internet much before their picture is published the following day ..

Simply because the Lord knows our pictures are a message of peace hope and humanity we share the ethos and in my case being a Muslim blogger I showcase Hinduism as an altruistic form of a universal religiosity , a religiosity that has influenced me positively.

So when I met this young lad Ygendra Prabhu a local Banganga self taught photographer and saw his zeal , I took an instant liking to him, and he was dressed for the occasion.. I asked him to shoot my picture for rec'd and shot his too before I shot this one..

As I moved away he got on board the makeshift raft that the local boys were using to remove the ritual waste thrown into the Banganga Tank and the waste is immense in the form of floral tributes and the ritual leaves you see floating around.

The little boys are avid swimmers and they collect the dry leaves and the accumulated waste is thrown into bins placed at one end by the Municipality .

The raft has four steel poles and a plastic rope and is actually four large floats joined together to make a floating raft , a bamboo pole is used as oar for navigation or sometimes pu;;ed by a rope by the kids swimming in the water alongside the raft.

Yogendra was shooting pictures from this raft I called out to him to shoot a few pictures for me on my camera but he generously offered me to come on the raft and shoot pictures too and the media guy would have never shown such gesture us humility and help assistance is not in ther blood at all.. only they are Gods chosen one to shoot pictures , a story goes when God created the media photographer knowing their attitude he first created the newspaper than he created the Press Card and finally created Rajnikanth like photojournalists..to accommodate the soul of their Camera in the Universe..

Because of Rajnikanth like photojournalists he first created them before creating the Universe which has literally gone from Bad to Worse.

So this is my tribute to a fellow photographer Yogendra Prabhu , a person you would have not known , god wanted me to show you their humility their world and so God created the photo blogs before he created photobloggers like me.


I shot all these pictures in this lot from the bobbling raft so some pictures are wobbly too , and this was risky as the raft is slippery with the accumulating waste it almost goes out of hand.

I got off the raft thanked Yogendra and the crew and I am sure I a got different feel to my pictures and my legs because of the wetness and being barefeet are in worse state than before.

But they will heal as you view my pictures my soul lives in the soul of my pictures too .

Pitru Paksha at Banganga Tank Walkeshwar

Pitru Paksha at Banganga Tank Walkeshwar, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

Pitru Paksha at Banganga Tank Walkeshwar

Pitru Paksha at Banganga Tank Walkeshwar, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

Pitru Paksh at Banganga Tank Walkeshwar

Pitru Paksh at Banganga Tank Walkeshwar, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

Pitru Paksha A Moment of Reflection and Introspection

Pitru Paksha A Moment of Reflection and Introspection, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

Ham Subko Markar Jana Hai Ansoo Bankar Ana Hai

Ham Subko Markar Jana Hai Ansoo Bankar Ana Hai, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

Pitru Paksh

Pitru Paksh, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

149,264 items / 1,143,755 views

From Wikipedia

Pitru Paksha (Sanskrit: पितृ पक्ष), also spelt as Pitr paksha or Pitri paksha, (literally "fortnight of the ancestors") is a 16–lunar day period when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors (Pitrs), especially through food offerings. The period is also known as Pitri Pokkho (Bengali: পিতৃ পক্ষ),Pitru Pakshya(oriya:ପିତୃ ପକ୍ଷ)Sola Shraddha ("sixteen shraddhas"), Kanagat, Jitiya, Mahalaya Paksha and Apara paksha.[1][2][3]

Pitru Paksha is considered by Hindus to be inauspicious, given the death rite performed during the ceremony, known as Shraddha or tarpan. In southern and western India, it falls in the Hindu lunar month of Bhadrapada (September–October), beginning with the full moon day (Purnima) that occurs immediately after the Ganesh festival and ending with the new moon day known as Sarvapitri amavasya, Mahalaya amavasya or simply Mahalaya. In North India and Nepal, this period corresponds to the dark fortnight of the month Ashwin, instead of Bhadrapada.



According to Hindu mythology, the souls of three preceding generations of one's ancestor reside in Pitru–loka, a realm between heaven and earth. This realm is governed by Yama, the god of death, who takes the soul of a dying man from earth to Pitru–loka. When a person of the next generation dies, the first generation shifts to heaven and unites with God, so Shraddha offerings are not given. Thus, only the three generations in Pitru–loka are given Shraddha rites, in which Yama plays a significant role.[4] According to the sacred Hindu epics (Itihasa), at the beginning of Pitru Paksha, the sun enters the zodiac sign of Virgo (Kanya). Coinciding with this moment, it is believed that the spirits leave Pitru–loka and reside in their descendants' homes for a month until the sun enters the next zodiac—Scorpio (Vrichchhika)—and there is a full moon. Hindus are expected to propitiate the ancestors in the first half, during the dark fortnight.[2][5]

When the legendary donor Karna died in the epic Mahabharata war, his soul transcended to heaven, where he was offered gold and jewels as food. However, Karna needed real food to eat and asked Indra, the lord of heaven, the reason for serving gold as food. Indra told Karna that he had donated gold all his life, but had never donated food to his ancestors in Shraddha. Karna said that since he was unaware of his ancestors, he never donated anything in their memory. To make amends, Karna was permitted to return to earth for a 16–day period, so that he could perform Shraddha and donate food and water in their memory. This period is now known as Pitru Paksha.[6] In some legends, Yama replaces Indra.[7]

The fifteen days of Malaya Paksha consists of 15 Tithi (also called Thithi). They are Pratipat, Dvitiya, Tritiya, Chaturthi, Panchami, Shashti, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, Dasami, Ekadasi, Dvadasi, Trayodasi, Chaturdashi, Amavasya (new moon). According to Hindu mythology, every individual's who wants to perform this Pitru Tharpanam, they should do it on the same day of their ancestor died which will fall within any one of these fifteen days.
[edit] Importance

The performance of Shraddha by a son during Pitru Paksha is regarded as a compulsory by Hindus, to ensure that the soul of the ancestor goes to heaven. In this context, the scripture Garuda Purana says, "there is no salvation for a man without a son".[4] The scriptures preach that a householder should propitiate ancestors (Pitris), along with the gods (devas), ghosts (bhutas) and guests.[1] The scripture Markandeya Purana says that if the ancestors are content with the shraddhas, they will bestow health, wealth, knowledge and longevity, and ultimately heaven and salvation (moksha) upon the performer.[2]

The performance of Sarvapitri amavasya rites can also compensate a forgotten or neglected annual shraddha ceremony, which should ideally coincide with the death anniversary of the deceased. According to Sharma, the ceremony is central to the concept of lineages. Shraddha involves oblations to three preceding generations—by reciting their names—as well as to the mythical lineage ancestor (gotra). A person thus gets to know the names of six generations (three preceding generation, his own and two succeeding generations—his sons and grandsons) in his life, reaffirming lineage ties.[1] Anthropologist Usha Menon of Drexel University presents a similar idea—that Pitru Paksha emphasises the fact that the ancestors and the current generation and their next unborn generation are connected by blood ties. The current generation repays their debt to the ancestors in the Pitru Paksha. This debt is considered of utmost importance along with a person's debt to his gurus and his parents.[8]


When and where

The shraddha is performed on the specific lunar day during the Pitru Paksha, when the ancestor—usually a parent or paternal grandparent—died. There are exceptions to the lunar day rule; special days are allotted for people who died in a particular manner or had a certain status in life. Chautha Bharani and Bharani Panchami, the fourth and fifth lunar day respectively, are allocated for people deceased in the past year. Avidhava navami ("Unwidowed ninth"), the ninth lunar day, is for married women who died before their husband. Widowers invite Brahmin women as guests for their wife's shraddha. The twelfth lunar day is for children and ascetics who had renounced the worldly pleasures. The fourteenth day is known as Ghata chaturdashi or Ghayala chaturdashi, and is reserved for those people killed by arms, in war or suffered a violent death.[2][4]
Mahalaya marks the formal beginning of the Durga Puja festival

Sarvapitri amavasya ("all fathers' new moon day") is intended for all ancestors, irrespective of the lunar day they died. It is the most important day of the Pitru Paksha.[2][4] Those who have forgotten to perform shraddha can do so on this day. A shraddha ritual performed on this day is considered as fruitful as one conducted in the holy city of Gaya, which is seen as a special place to perform the rite, and hosts a fair during the Pitru Paksha period.[3] In Bengal, Mahalaya (Bengali: মহালয়া) marks the beginning of Durga Puja festivities. Mahalaya is the day when the goddess Durga is believed to have descended to Earth. Bengali people traditionally wake up early in the morning on Mahalaya to recite hymns from the Devi Mahatmyam (Chandi) scripture. Offerings to the ancestors are made in homes and at puja mandaps (temporary shrines).[9][10] Matamaha ("Mother's father") or Dauhitra ("Daughter's son") also marks the first day of the month of Ashwin and beginning of the bright fortnight. It is assigned for the grandson of the deceased maternal grandfather.[2][4]

The ritual is also held on the death anniversary of the ancestor. The shraddha is performed only at noon, usually on the bank of a river or lake or at one's own house.[4] Families may also make a pilgrimage to places like Varanasi and Gaya to perform Shraddha.[2][3][


It is essential that Shraddha is performed by the son—usually the eldest—or male relative of the paternal branch of the family, limited to the preceding three generations. However, on Sarvapitri amavasya or matamaha, the daughter's son can offer Shraddha for the maternal side of his family if a male heir is absent in his mother's family.[2][4] Some castes only perform the shraddha for one generation.[2] Prior to performing the rite, the male should have experienced a sacred thread ceremony. Since the ceremony is considered inauspicious due to its association with death, the royal family of Kutch, the king or heirs of the throne are prohibited from conducting Shraddha.[4]
[edit] Food

The food offerings made to the ancestors are usually cooked in silver or copper vessels and typically placed on a banana leaf or cups made of dried leaves. The food must include Kheer (a type of sweet rice and milk) , lapsi (a sweet porridge made of wheat grains), rice, dal (lentils), the vegetable of spring bean (guar) and a yellow gourd (pumpkin).[4]
[edit] Rites of shraddha

The male who performs the shraddha should be take a purifying bath beforehand and is expected to wear a dhoti. He wears a ring of darbha grass. Then the ancestors are invoked to reside in the ring. The shraddha is usually performed bare-chested, as the position of the sacred thread worn by him needs to be changed multiple times during the ceremony. The shraddha involves pinda-daan, which is an offering to the ancestors of pindas (cooked rice and barley flour balls mixed with ghee and black sesame seeds), accompanying the release of water from the hand. It is followed by the worship of Vishnu in form of the darbha grass, a gold image or Shaligram stone and Yama. The food offering is then made, cooked especially for the ceremony on the roof. The offering is considered to be accepted if a crow arrives and devours the food; the bird is believed to be a messenger from Yama or the spirit of the ancestors.[2] A cow and a dog are also fed, and Brahmin priests are also offered food. Once the ancestors (crow) and Brahmins have eaten, the family members can begin lunch.[4]
[edit] Other practices

Some families also conduct ritual recitals of scriptures such the Bhagavata Purana and the Bhagavad Gita.[4][12] Others may be charitable and present gifts to the priests or pay them to recite prayers for the ancestor's well-being.[12]