August-2018-HINDU-DE
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HINDU COUNCIL OF KENYA HINDU DEEP A NEWS LETTER FROM HINDU COUNCIL OF KENYA AUGUST 2018 ISSUE ARTICLES DIRECTORATES ACTIVITIES MESSAGE FROM OUR NATIONAL TREASURER Namaskar Its my pleasure to write this message for this edition of Hindu Deep. Hindu Council of Kenya has been working for the betterment of many. Being supportive to many member institutes we are carrying out work related to Hindu Marriage Certificates and getting the certif- icates issues in time. Being the Treasurer for Hindu council my work involves in ensuring the funds are distributed and used for the right purpose. I am happy to say that funds raised by the community is being utilized properly and many have been supported. Thanks to you all for supporting the same. Rakshabandhan Mantra – Mantram to recite while tying This coming year we have 15 directorates to work in various fields. Rakhi Please utilize the services of HCK where ever possible we shall try to help. Rakshabandhan mantra or the mantram or sloka to recite On behalf of Hindu Council of Kenya, we appreciate your continued while tying Rakhi is associated with the legend of King support as always. We also urge whoever is not receiving our e-mails Bali and Goddess Laxmi about Raksha Bandhan. Sisters etc. or not on our social media platform please inform them to send recite Rakshabandhan mantra while tying Rakhi on to their contact details to our e-mail address [email protected] so that we brothers hands. Here is the mantra or stotra of Raksha communicate to you directly such as this news letter or any other Bandhanam. important circulars and information etc. Our special thanks to our Member Institutions, our Branches, and well -wishers, please keep on sending your activities report so that we can accommodate them in our next issue of Hindu Deep. क्षाबन्धन मन्रः National Treasurer येन ब饍धो वली राजा दानवेन्रो महाबलः । Lalji Varsani तेन 配वा प्रततबध्नामम रक्षे माचल माचल Yenabaddho Baleeraja Daanavendro Maha- balaha Thethathwa mabhi badhnami Rakshamachala maachala Meaning of Rakshabandhan Stotram – “On the request of all the Gods, Vishnu tied up the strong and powerful De- mon King Bali with his strength. I am tying the power of the Vishnu Shakti, in the form of Raksha, on to you hand. With the force and energy of this sacred thread, all the Gods will stand at your side and keep you healthy and wealthy forever.” www.hck.or.ke/ [email protected] 1 Independence Day Background The struggle for India's Independence began in 1857 with the Sepoy Mutiny in Meerut. Later, in the 20th century, the Indian National Congress and other political organizations, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, launched a countrywide inde- pendence movement. Colonial powers were transferred to India on August 15, 1947. The Constituent Assembly, to who power was to be trans- ferred, met to celebrate India's independence at 11pm on Au- gust 14, 1947. India gained its liberty and became a free coun- try at midnight between August 14 and August 15, 1947. It was then that the free India's first prime minister Pandit Ja- waharlal Nehru gave his famous "Tryst with Destiny" speech. People across India are reminded of the meaning of this event - that it marked the start of a new era of deliverance from the Independence Day in India British colonialism that took place in India for more than 200 years. India celebrates Independence Day on August 15 each year. India became an independent na- Symbols tion on August 15, 1947, so a gazetted holiday The sport of kite flying symbolizes Independence Day. The is held annually to remember this date. skies are dotted with countless kites flown from rooftops and fields to symbolize India's free spirit of India. Kites of various India's Independence Day is celebrated nationwide on August styles, sizes and shades, including the tricolor are available in 15.©iStockphoto.com/Anantha Vardhan the marketplaces. The Red Fort in Dehli is also an important Independence Day symbol in India as it is where Indian Prime th Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru unveiled India's flag on August 15, Community Representatives on 9 June 2018 What Do People Do? 1947. Independence Day is a day when people in India pay homage India's national flag is a horizontal tricolor of deep saffron to their leaders and those who fought for India's freedom in (kesaria) at the top, white in the middle and dark green at the the past. The period leading up to Independence Day is a time bottom in equal proportion. The ratio of the flag's width to its when major government buildings are illuminated with strings of lights and the tricolor flutters from homes and other build- length is two to three. A navy-blue wheel in the center of the ings. Broadcast, print and online media may have special con- white band represents the chakra. Its design is that of the tests, programs, and articles to promote the day. Movies wheel which appears on the abacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital about India's freedom fighters are also shown on television. of Ashoka. Its diameter approximates to the white band's The president delivers the '"Address to the Nation" on the eve width and it has 24 spokes. of Independence Day. India's prime minister unfurls India's flag and holds a speech at the Red Fort in Old Dehli. Flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programs are held in the state capitals and often involve many schools and organiza- tions. Many people spend the day with family members or close friends. They may eat a picnic in a park or private garden, go to a film or eat lunch or dinner at home or in a restaurant. Other people go kite flying or sing or listen to patriotic songs. Public Life Independence Day is a gazetted holiday in India on August 15 each year. National, state and local government offices, post offices and banks are closed on this day. Stores and other businesses and organizations may be closed or have reduced opening hours. Public transport is usually unaffected as many locals travel for celebrations but there may be heavy traffic and increased se- curity in areas where there are celebrations. Independence Day flag raising ceremonies may cause some disruption to traffic, particularly in Dehli and capital cities in India's states. www.hck.or.ke/ [email protected] 2 UPCOMING EVENTS Community Representatives on 9th June 2018 www.hck.or.ke/ [email protected] 3 HCK BRANCHES– MOMBASA Community Representatives on 9th June 2018 HCK MOMBASA BRANCH CELEBRATED INTER- NATIONAL YOGA DAY AND LOT OF PARTICIPANTS ATTENDED. HCK TEAM PARTICIPATED DURING JAGANATH RATH YATRA CELEBRATIONS IN MOMBASA www.hck.or.ke/ [email protected] 4 Varalakshmi Guards against evil powers Helps achieve success Gives immense knowledge, wisdom Health disorders are addressed Blesses one with patience and courage Goddess Varalakshmi - The ‘Boon Giver’, Grants Wealth and Riches Varalakshmi Homam on Varalakshmi Vratham day is propitious to invoke the blessings of the goddess who gives us all that we want. She fulfils the desires of her devotees and generously en- dows everyone with material wealth, good har- vest, power and strength, off springs, prosperity, victory, comfort and luxury, success and good fortune. Her role is that of a mother who keeps Varalakshmi Havan- her followers free of worries and provides them with abundance of everything. Promises Wealth and High Rewards Dhanalakshmi Puja— August 24, 2018 Fulfils All Desires Varalakshmi homam begins with the Haridra Ga- Varalakshmi Vratham: Im- napathy puja followed by Dhanalakshmi puja and get the benefit of abundance in their homes. By mense Blessings Are Sure To this, all your desires are fulfilled and peace, Come Your Way wealth and prosperity reign supreme. Community Representatives on 9th June 2018 Varalakshmi Vratham is an important ritual fol- lowed by women, especially married. The god- Sri Sukhta Homam - Removes dess grants ‘varam’ or boons to her devotees who fast (vratham) on this day, 24th August, Sufferings and Grants Wealth 2018. This is a very powerful yagya performed for at- This popular festival is celebrated on the Friday tracting wealth and prosperity. It is a boon for before the full moon in the Tamil month of Aadi, those facing financial crunches and greatly seek- Hindi month of Sawan and English mid July to ing wealth. The almighty divine mother is pleased mid August. Venerating the most popular God- when the Sri Suktham is recited. It is a glorious dess Maha Lakshmi on this day means blessings prayer dedicated to Yagya Narayana who is none are sure to come your way manifold because it is other than Lord Vishnu. The verses adulate the equivalent to worshipping Ashtalakshmis for the beauty, radiance, and glory of all forms of Maha wealth, nature’s bounty, learning, love, fame, Lakshmi. She is greatly satisfied with this divine progeny, pleasure, strength, success etc. chanting and homam and showers her blessings upon her devotees. It is also a means to remove The splendour and significance of this grand fast- sufferings and problems in one’s life. ing is narrated by Lord Shiva in the Skanda Pura- na and Vedicfolks is performing Varalakshmi Homam on the day. Benefits of Varalakshmi Homam on Varalakshmi Vratham day Bestows - Dhan (wealth), Dhanyam (food grains), Arogyam (health), Sampath (property), Sathsanthanam (virtuous offspring) and Dheerga saumangalyam (long life of husband) And also - Imparts one with all sorts of wealth Provides relief from poverty and debts Showers one with healthy progeny www.hck.or.ke/ [email protected] 5 AYURVEDA Ayurveda is the ancient science yet very mod- life.