Talk about India, from India with you

Good morning/Good afternoon/Good evening my friends out there! This is 11:30pm. 29^th August, 2013, Thursday in India. How are you my friends? Hope you all are following my new blog and enjoy it. 

Friends, today is a very special day in India. We are celebrated the day as National Sports Day. August 29 is instituted as National Sports Day in tribute to the legendary hockey player of India. The day marks the birth anniversary of hockey wizard, Major Dhyan Chand. I want to tell you something more about the day.

Major Dhyan Chand

National Sports Day is mainly celebrated in educational institutes and sports academies all over the country. Various sports events especially hockey matches, prize distribution functions are organized on this day. Celebrations for National Sports Day are more common in Punjab and Chandigarh side.

Special Award distribution event at Rastrapati Bhawan makes this day memorable for many stars of the Indian sports world. Popular and renowned sport-related awards like Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award are presented by honorable president of India, to great sportsmen of the year. Dhyan Chand Award is India’s highest award for Lifetime Achievement in sports. This award is bestowed annually to sporting figures and sportsperson who have not only contributed through their performance but have also worked for the promotion of the sport after their retirement. Today, Olympic silver medalist shooter Vijay Kumar and bronze medalist wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt has awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna. London Olympians shooters  Joydeep Karmakar, who is from West Bengal, received the Arjuna Award.

That’s all for today. Have a great weekend. Take care yourself and your family….Namaskar.

Talk about India, from India with you

Good morning/Good afternoon/Good evening my friends out there! This is 11:30pm. 15^th August, 2013, Thursday in India. Friends, today is our Independence Day. On this day in 1947, India defeated the British Empire and able to move them out from India. Happy Independence Day to all of you my friends! 15^th August is the happiest day for every Indian and I’m twice happy today! Remember friends; last year, on this day I have started my blog. Today is the first anniversary of ‘Glimpses of India with Koyeli’! 

Time is passing like water! I never had thought before one year to write regularly. One day, when I was searching for a topic and saw many blogs; an idea sparkled in my mind! ‘Why not try to write something about India?’ This thought became an idea and you know, “Idea can change your life”! That was the day, from when I have been planning to write my own blog and as a result, I’m a blogger since one year. It was not possible if you all have not supporting me and of course my husband and family were not cooperating with me. Credit is all yours!

On the demand of my readers, I’m going to divide my blog. Some of you want a blog on cooking only. So, from this auspicious day, I’ll continue about India’s destinations and festivals in ‘Glimpses of India with Koyeli’ and I’m going to publish a new blog, only about cooking, ‘From The Kitchen Of an Indian Homemaker’ from today. Hope you are going to like it and enjoy it.

That’s all for today. Enjoy the Independence Day with your family! Take care of your family and yourself! Have a good day/ afternoon/evening/night! Namaskar.

JAI HIND

Festivals of India

Eid-ul-Fitr

Eid-ul-Fitr often abbreviated to Eid, is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting (sawm). The religious Ed is a single day (a Muslim is not permitted to fast that day), but it is usually celebrated for 3 days. Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity", while Fiṭr means "breaking the fast". The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan. The first day of Eid, therefore, falls on the first day of the month Shawwal. 

In India, the night before Eid is called Chaand Raat, which means, "Night of the Moon." Muslims in these countries will often visit bazaars and shopping malls with their families for Eid shopping. Women, especially younger girls, will often apply the traditional Mehndi, or henna, on their hands and feet and wear colorful bangles.

Designer Mehendi

Muslims believe that the Quran is sent down from heaven during this Ramadan month. Eid Al-Fitr, the festival of happiness comes after the end of this month of Fast for recurring happiness. It is also believed that one day near Mecca Muhammad was sitting alone. At this time Angel Gabriel came to him and asked him to read. But Prophet Muhammad did not know how to read. Then the angel made him learn how to read and taught him verses from the Quran. This great festival is followed by the Islamic calendar. With utmost devotion the people of Muslim religion celebrate this festival.

Eid in Kolkata

The traditional Eid greeting is Eid Mubarak, and it is frequently followed by a formal embrace. Gifts are frequently given — new clothes are part of the tradition — and it is also common for children to be given small sums of money (Eidi) by their elders. It is common for children to offer Salam to parents and adult relatives.
 

Eid in Burdwan

Eid in Ahmedabad, Gujrat.

After the Eid prayers, it is common for some families to visit graveyards and pray for the salvation of departed family members. It is also common to visit neighbors, family members, especially senior relatives called Murubbis and to get together to share sweets, snacks and special meals including some special dishes that are prepared specifically on Eid. Special celebratory dishes in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh include sivayyan, a dish of fine, toasted sweet vermicelli noodles with milk and dried fruit. 

After Prayer

On Eid day before prayers, people distribute a charity locally known as fitra. Many people also avail themselves of this opportunity to distribute zakat, an Islamic obligatory alms tax of 2.5% of one's annual savings, to the needy. Zakat is often distributed in the form of food and new clothes. Eid Ul-Fitr is a festival that makes people to celebrate all the good things in life.

 Image Courtesy: https://www.google.co.in/search?q=eid+mubarak

Destination India

West Bengal (PART-XV)

Purulia (2)

Garh Panchakot

 

 

 

Garh Panchakot was the seat of the Panchakot Raj during the 18th century. The palace now in ruins was destroyed by Maratha army under Bhaskar Pandit. Garh Panchakot is surrounded by Panchakot hill which is situated in the north eastern part of Purulia. It is 2200 ft high and is covered with dense forests of mahua, palash and sal trees. The ruins of the Panchakot Palace are a silent testimony to the Bargi attack during the 18th century. Two temples exist in this area. The one on the western side is in a broken state. The other which is centrally located still stands with its intricate terracota designs of duck, creepers, dancing lady etc. Garh Panchakot is gaining popularity as a weekend getaway.

Rekh Deul

 

 

The Rekh Deul or Temple at Telkupi is the lone survivor of a group of 22 temples. The temples built by the Jains between 9th-11th centuries are of Rekh style. Mostly unknown to the outside world these temples are made up of stone or terracota bricks.

Joychandi Hill

 

 

 

Joychandi Hill is a hill near Raghunathpur. It is a dormant volcano and is ideal for rock climbing training. Internationally acclaimed film maker Satyajit Ray shot parts of his famous film "Hirak Rajar Deshe" in this region.

Cheliama

 

 

 

Cheliama is considered as one of the most popular destinations in Purulia. It has a rich history and is also known as a paradise for historians and archaeologists. The village has remnants of civilization in the region dating to the 17th century. Temples around the village are good example of the architecture, artistry and culture of their eras; and this is seen in the figurines and carvings in these temples. Apart from this, the renowned Radha-Govinda Temple in Cheliama attracts many tourists.

Saheb Bandh

 

 

 

Saheb Bandh is a 50 acre lake in Purulia, that is known to have been constructed in the mid of 19th century. It is said this water body was dug by convicts, at the instigation of Colonel Tikley, during the British Raj. This process was started in the year 1843 and took five years for it to be completed. Now, Saheb Bandh is also considered as a home for migratory birds. During the migratory season, birds fly from Baluchistan, Siberia and several places in Europe, to this place. Thus, for local birdwatchers, Saheb Bandh is a popular retreat.

 Image Courtesy: https://www.google.co.in/search?biw=1600&bih=754&tbm=isch&sa