Navarathree: Display of dolls

As Navarathree Fest is being celeberated, it is a traditional custom in South Indian households to display dolls as part of the celebration. 

I came across an interesting article on this dolls display known as 'Kolu'. Let me share it here. Although the article is highly informative and interesting, I differ in the dolls hierarchy mentioned in it. The topmost step is reserved for dolls of Lord Shree Mahaa Vishnu and His wife Shree Mahaa Lakshmi, and His main ten Incarnations. The next one down the line is reserved for Goddess Shree Mahaa Lakshmi, wife of Lord Shree Mahaa Vishnu. The next step down the line is reserved for Lord Brahma and His wife and Lord Shree Rudraa and His wife, and Lord Shree Hanumaan. Next steps down the line is reserved for other deities, sub-deities, Spiritual leaders etc.

In a few of my previous posts I have mentioned how I, my siblings and friends used to participate in Kolu and enjoy the Fest as children. 

In my post dated 10 October I shared a photograph of Kolu in my landlord's house in Chennai; before shifting to my current residence, I was a tenant in their house.

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏

Religious congregation

As I am typing this post, I derive the joy of viewing Dharma Rakshana Mahothsavam on Sankara TV Channel. Heads of Shree Sankaraa Mutt  (Kanchipuram), Vyaasaraaja Mutt and Ahobila Mutt are the Chief guests in the program. Speakers included the Principal of Central Sanskrit University, New Delhi and Prof Dr V Kamakoti, Director, Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai. Principal of Central Sanskrit University spoke in Samskrit.

Prof Dr V Kamakoti 

Principal, Central Sanskrit University, New Delhi 

Chief Pontiffs of Kanchi Sankara Mutt, Vyaasaraaja Mutt and Ahobila Mutt 

Spectators including highly knowledgeable speakers such as Shree U Ve Venkatesh

The program was like a sacred confluence of three oceans. It reminded the fact that although Adwaithaa, Visishtaa Dwaithaa and Dwaithaa differ in their own philosophies, their goal was one: Dharmaa and it's sustenance.

(The program reminded me of my beloved mother's maternal uncle known as 'Vaasu maamaa'; he was no more when I was born; but I have heard about him. As I mentioned in my previous posts, I inherit my spiritual values from my mother's lineage).

Shree Krishnam Vandhe Jagadh Gurum🙏 

Insensitive Governance

While our BJP led Government has brought in many schemes that benefit the middle income and low income citizens and their families, it has made things worse in many areas. One such is the updating of residential address in Aadhaar Card. 

A few years ago, a legally valid Rental Agreement was accepted for updating the address. But now it is history. Today, any legally valid Rental Agreement or Declaration by the Apartment/House owner is not included in the list of documents. A bank passbook, mobile phone bill, electricity bill and gas bill are accepted. But banks, phone connection supplier, Electricity Board and Gas Agency expect the new address to be reflected in Aadhaar Card before they can update the address in their records. This is highly frustrating. Particularly so when it concerns Senior Citizens. I think that citizens in general and senior citizens in particular are treated like beggars.

I have been trying to get my address updated in my Aadhaar Card for the past two months but in vain.

I strongly think that our Central Government is putting more pressure and unnecesssary tension in Senior Citizens in performing simple tasks such as Address Updating. This is very frustrating. I wish that some other political party that is 100% sensitive to citizen rights and 100% free from inefficiency and corruption comes to power in our country. Or else the Supreme Court should instruct the Government to function properly in all areas of development.

My beloved sister

This evening Reshma, my niece, sent a photograph of her with her beloved mother (my beloved sister) taken during Deepaavali Fest at their house in Vellore a few years ago.

As I mentioned in a previous post, my sister passed away nearly six months ago. I fondly remember her with heavy heart.

Nava Raathree Fest

As I mentioned in my yesterday's post, today marks the beginning of Nava Raathree Festival. Hindus all over the world celebrate this auspicious Fest.

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏

Ten Nights Fest

Tomorrow marks the beginning of Navaraathri Fest (Ten nights fest). Women in Hindu households set up dolls this evening and begin the Fest tomorrow. 

I fondly remember how my beloved mother prepared for the Fest. My beloved father, I, my sister and brother helped her in the process to some extent. I have described how we celeberated in a few previous posts.

Before shifting to my current residence, I was residing as tenant in the house of a retired Engineer. As I have mentioned in my previous posts, he and his wife are well qualified Engineers and are adorably simple and good natured.

After shifting residence, I phone to my landlord and his wife; they too phone to me some times. This evening I had a phone call from my landlord's wife on her own behalf and in her husband's behalf. As with all good friends, we inquire about each other's welfare.

This afternoon I received a photo of their dolls arranged for the fest. Following is the photo:

Advanced Nava Raathree wishes to them.

Shree Krishnam Vandhe Jagadh Gurum🙏 

Sanathana Dharmaa Info

Today is a very auspicious day in the Sanaathana Dharmaa Calender. This is the last day of the 15 days long Pithru Paksha (also known as Mahalaya Paksha).  Ancestral worship is performed during this period.

Today is the anniversary of the day on which Shree Madhava Theertha attained the lotus feet of Lord Shree Krishna. 

Hari Sarvoththamaa Vaayu jeevoththama🙏

John Lennon's birthday

Today is the birth anniversary of John Lennon of The Beatles, the legendary  softrock band of 1960s and '70s.

I think that  people of my age at 75 will keep remembering songs written and performed by John and the other three guys (Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr).

I vividly remember the sunny morning on 8 December 1980, the day on which he was shot dead. I was home on 2 months long annual vacation from my work in Bhutan. I and my parents were in Tirunelveli, a town in Tamilnadu; we performed aayush homam for my beloved father's welfare. My brother was working in Tirunelveli as Senior Sales Representative in a popular FMCG Company. My sister was in her matrimonial home in Vellore.

That day was very important to me as it was the birth anniversary of Ramesh, my beloved brother. With heavy heart I remember my beloved brother.

The Beatles

Ramesh, my beloved brother 

Shree Krishnam Sarva Mayam🙏

Time management

Yesterday I booked for an auto (autorickshaw) to pick me up at 9.30 am this morning. I was ready by 9.20 am. At 9.40 am, the auto guy said "Aiyaa, I'll come in 15 minutes after dropping my brother at his school". This kind of lack of time management is unfortunately very common in our country. I think that mamy of us need to learn time management from westerners.

Nana Patekar

Movie actors come and go; some are remembered by their fans for years. One such actor was Nana Patekar. As Shree Narendra Modi, our PM remarked in his condolence message, Nana Patekar has left a void in our movie industry.