DOCSLIB.ORG

Best from Waste

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Best from Waste INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON ORANGE TECHNOLOGIES(IJOT) e- ISSN: 2615-8140 Volume: 01 Issue: 02 | Nev-Dec 2020 www.researchparks.org p-ISSN: 2615-7071 BEST FROM WASTE 1. Bhaikatti S.A. (Enrollment no. 1612050001) 2. Dongaritot P.S. (Enrollment no. 1512050006) 3. Rodagi C.M. (Enrollment no.1612050056) 4. Thamb K.M. (Enrollment no. 1612050003) 5. Hilli S.S. (Enrollment no. 1412050216) 6. Patil A.A. (Enrollment no. 1512050025) Under the Guidance of; Lect. S.A. Ghatge [Lecturer in Civil Engg. Department 3ä6ä3ä-ä$ï≥ +ä+ä)ä 0¨•£®Æ©£á !´°¨ Department of Civil Engineering ------------------------------------------------------------------------***----------------------------------------------------------------- Abstract: In our country, India, worshiping is the way of living and people offer various offerings to INTRODUCTION the deities which mainly consist of flowers, leaves, Environment is defined as the sum total of all fruits, coconuts, clothes. out of which floral offerings the conditions and circumstances and the living and are found in huge quantity. Thus, temple waste has a non-living things around an organism, which affects unique share of flower waste in the total waste. After its life. Human and environment are closely fulfilling their purpose, flowers along with other interwoven with each other, to maintain a balance or waste, find their way into the garbage or are equilibrium in nature. With the increase in discarded either into some water bodies or left up on population and development, there is a tremendous the open places as a waste causing various increase in the pollution levels which leads to environmental problems. The majorly offered environmental degradation. The primary causes of flowers in temples are rose, jasmine, marigold, environmental degradation are exploitation of chrysanthemum, hyacinth, hibiscus, etc. This floral natural resources, industrialization, urbanization, waste can be utilized in different ways to produce etc. Pollution of all sort like air, water, land along valuable products and can thus help to save with solid waste and its disposal eventually degrade environment from pollution caused due to improper the environment as well as human health. disposal of flower waste. Techniques like Waste (also known as rubbish, trash, refuse, vermicomposting, composting, dyes extraction, garbage, junk, litter and ort) is unwanted or useless extraction of essential oils, making of holy colors and material. Waste includes all the items that people have no use any longer and which they either intend bio-gas generation can be used. Moreover, this to get rid of or have already discarded. Additionally, flower waste can also be used for making incense wastes are such items which people need to discard. sticks besides using them for some art and craft Waste gets generated from each and every techniques. Petals of different flowers can also be activity of humans, which eventually degrades the utilized for handmade papermaking by extracting the quality of human health and accelerates the pulp or by mottling them into the readymade pulp. In environmental degradation at an alarming rate. this paper, we have reviewed the ways by which Wastes are substances or objects which are disposed or are intended to be disposed or are required to be temple waste can be utilized and managed to get disposed of by the provisions of national laws. valuable products which will lead to a healthier and waste free environment. © 2019, IJOT | Research Parks Publishing (IDEAS Lab) www.researchparks.org | Page 62 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON ORANGE TECHNOLOGIES(IJOT) e- ISSN: 2615-8140 Volume: 01 Issue: 02 | Nev-Dec 2020 www.researchparks.org p-ISSN: 2615-7071 Apart from leading to various environmental example is the Kashi Vishwanath temple which issues, the waste also leads to number of problems in draws maximum devotees all round the year, economically developing nations, as they are facing especially in the month of Shravan. It has its own challenges in treating the waste generated. India is a system for disposal of hundreds of kilograms of developing country and is facing waste disposal waste resulting from offerings by devotees; the floral crisis, but solutions are not impending. Since, it is waste generated in the temple is converted into being realized that waste can be used in industrial manure. processes and also for the generation of energy, To avoid ill effects caused by disposal of appropriate waste management is being explored. these offerings, they can be used to make some Today, management of waste is a challenge valuables. Like burning of incense sticks produces accompanied by numerous factors adding smoke (fumes) which contains Particulate Matter constraints and complexity to the process (The (PM), gas products and many organic compounds, Expert Committee, Ministry of Urban Development, therefore flower petals obtained from temples can be Government of India, 2000). Therefore it is generally used to make herbal incense sticks. Flowers like understood that proper waste management helps to genda are used to make incense sticks, while roses protect health, environment and also preserves are converted to rose water. Besides incense sticks natural resources. and rosewater, the flowers can also be incorporated Flowers come as waste from various sources into herbal products such as herbal colours, natural like hotels, marriages, gardens, temples, churches, dyes etc. Dargah and various other cultural and religious Another case where floral waste ceremonies. In India, religion is a path of life. It is an management has yielded good pay offs is that of intrinsic element of the entire Indian culture. People Ajmer Sharif Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti worship God and are accustomed to go to the where nearly 15 to18 Quintals of flowers, offered temples offering flowers, fruits, coconuts and sweets, each day were used to be dumped in a well. Now, the etc. The bulk of the flowers, leaves of different plants, flowers are not only recycled, but also generate coconut shells, milk and curd are piled up and then employment for local women. With technical disposed off exclusively in water bodies (Singh and assistance from Central Institute of Medicinal and Singh, 2007). Aromatic Plant (CIMAP), Lucknow, the Dargah Everyday, these flowers are offered by Committee has established a rose water distillation devotees in temples and are left unused and plant at the outskirts of Ajmer (Indian Express, May, therefore become waste. India is a country of 2010). festivals and many occasions are celebrated round Temple waste mainly consists of organic the year that eventually leads to generation of solid waste like flowers, leaves, coconut shells, residues of waste. This proportion of waste is generally inscence sticks, fruits etc. which find their way neglected and requires due consideration. Because of ultimately into bins or some water bodies and our religious beliefs, many of us avoid throwing thereby result in the pollution and hygiene problems. flowers and other items that are used for prayers in Thus, the present paper has reviewed various the garbage, and instead put them in the plastic bags methods reported for the utilization of temple waste. and throw them directly in the water bodies. Apart UTILIZATION OF FLOWER WASTE from this; flowers are also kept under the sacred Apart from coconut shell, the foremost used trees and thus there is no suitable mode of disposal. offering in temples is flower. After fulfilling their For instance, Banaras, one of the holiest cities of the purpose, these flowers also become environmental country, has no policy for disposal of the tonnes of menace just like the other offerings. Such flower waste that comes from its many temples. Each day waste can be used in different manners to produce waste material weighing 3.5-4 tonnes is left behind valuable products and thereby may also contribute in the city of temples. towards saving the environment from pollution Degradation of floral waste is a very slow caused by inadequate disposal of flowers offered to process as compared to kitchen waste degradation the deities.. Techniques like vermicomposting, (Jadhav et al., 2013). Therefore, there is a need for composting, dyes extraction, extraction of essential proper and ecofriendly process of floral waste oils, making of holi colours and bio-gas generation treatment. Management and utilization of flower have been reported in the literature. waste has been carried out in some studies. One such © 2019, IJOT | Research Parks Publishing (IDEAS Lab) www.researchparks.org | Page 63 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON ORANGE TECHNOLOGIES(IJOT) e- ISSN: 2615-8140 Volume: 01 Issue: 02 | Nev-Dec 2020 www.researchparks.org p-ISSN: 2615-7071 Vermicomposting mainly consists of carotenoids-lutein and flavonoid- Vermicomposting of temple waste patuletin, these colorants have been identified, (Nirmalya) obtained from Ganesh temple, Sangli, isolated and used for dyeing textiles. Pretreatment Maharashtra was done by Gaurav and Pathade; with 1-2% of metal mordant and 5% of plant extract (2011). They used effluent produced from biogas was found to be satisfactory and showed very good digester and mixed it with temple waste and cattle result to dye cotton, wool and silk. dung which was then allowed to decompose for a A survey was conducted by Perumal et al period of 30 days at 30°C. The prepared (2012) in and around five temples of Chennai, Tamil vermicompost was also used to for pot culture study Nadu to evaluate the amount of flowers offered as a fertilizer with five flowering plants. Good growth there. Around 2350 kg of flowers were offered every parameters were obtained in terms of height, day and the common flowers were rose, marigold, flowering time as well as number of flowering time chrysanthemum and jasmine. Out of all flowers they and the number of flowers produced as compared to collected rose petals and shade dried them to extract the control sets, which were not treated with essential oils from them by using steam distillation vermicompost. Hence, vermicomposting of flower process. The chemical components of rose oil were waste is an excellent and eco-friendly method of analyzed by GC-MS technique.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Gyanvapi Mosque
    Gyanvapi Mosque April 10, 2021 In News: The court, headed by judge Ashutosh Tiwari, allowed a civil suit seeking an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) study of the Gyanvapi Mosque site to determine if it had been “superimposed” after demolishing the Kashi Vishwanath Temple that might have originally stood there. Gyanvapi Mosque Located: Varanasi near Lalita Ghat along the river Ganga,Uttar Pradesh. Emperor: It was constructed by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1696. Architecture: The façade is modeled partially on the Taj Mahal’s entrance.The remains of the erstwhile temple can be seen in the foundation, the columns and at the rear part of the mosque History The mosque was built by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1669 CE, after destroying a Hindu temple. The remnants of the Hindu temple can be seen on the walls of the Gyanvapi mosque. The demolished temple is believed by Hindus to be an earlier restoration of the original Kashi Vishwanath temple. The original temple had been destroyed and rebuilt a number of times. Aurangzeb’s demolition of the temple was also attributed to the escape of the Maratha king Shivaji and the rebellion of local zamindars (landowners). Jai Singh I, the grandson of Raja Man Singh, is alleged to have facilitated Shivaji’s escape from Agra. The temple’s demolition was intended as a warning to the anti-Mughal factions and Hindu religious leaders in the city. Kashi Vishwanath Temple Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The Temple stands on the western bank of the holy river Ganga, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, or Jyotirlingams, the holiest of Shiva Temples.
    [Show full text]
  • National Museum Institute
    NATIONAL MUSEUM INSTITUTE OF HISTORY OF ART, CONSERVATION AND MUSEOLOGY (Deemed to be University) First Floor, National Museum Campus, Janpath, New Delhi-110011 Website: www.nmi.gov.in, www.nmi.ac.in Email: [email protected] Telephone: 011-23062795, 23062990 Date: 01-10-2020 A Web Repository as a part of project ‘Cultural Heritage of Varanasi: Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor’ is required by the Department of History of Art. For this purpose, quotations are invited from professionals for creating a content-based interactive website under the following specifications: i. Dynamic Website ii. No. of Pages will be 200 or more iii. Target users will be scholars, teachers, students, Heritage conservation practitioners, travellers, researcher, architects, art historian etc from the field of art and culture. iv. Main components of the website will include content in the form essays, article, sheets, high resolution images, AV material like videos and recordings, interactive maps, digitised archival content, learning modules etc. v. Specific functionalities of the Website: a. Content Authoring Tool b. Content Management System c. Features Content Section Design d. Visual Engine Design e. Navigation f. Cross- Referencing g. User Interaction with Featured Content h. Search Engine Optimization i. Site Analytics vi. Language for the portal will be in English and Hindi both. vii. The website needs to be completed within four months from the date of the commencement of the contract. Eligibility criteria are as follow: 1. Experience in development of the web repository for more than 5 years; 2. Experience in developing websites for cultural institutions; 3. Experience in designing of the Web Repository; 4.
    [Show full text]
  • Sadhus in Democratic Politics in Late 20 Th Century India
    "WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN" Sadhus in Democratic Politics in Late 20 th Century India MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE by OF TECHNOLOGY JUL 1 6 2009 Rajesh Pradhan S.M.Arch.S. Architecture & M.C.P. City Planning LIBRARIES Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1989 SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AT THE MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY FEBRUARY 2009 ©2009 Rajesh Pradhan. All rights reserved. The author hereby grants to MIT permission to reproduce and to distribute publicly paper and electronic copies of this thesis document in whole or in part in any medium now known or hereafter created. ARCHNES Signature of Author: SDep ment of Political Science / ,,ebTer 21, 2008 Certified by: .................... ........ .................. Melissa Nobles Associate Irofessor of Political Science Thesis Supervisor Accepted by:.. ..................................... Roger Petersen Associate Professor of Political Science Chair, Graduate Program Committee "WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN" Sadhus in Democratic Politics in Late 20 th Century India by Rajesh Pradhan Submitted to the Department of Political Science on October 21, 2008 in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science Supervised by Melissa Nobles, Associate Professor of Political Science ABSTRACT This empirical study examines the political significance of religious leaders-known commonly as sadhus-in a huge and mature democracy like India. During the late '80s and the '90s, a flurry of sadhu activism coincided with the dramatic rise of a previously insignificant political party, the Bhartiya JanataParty (BJP). As a conservative Hindu nationalist party, the BJP allied with many sadhus, came to power at the center and in many states, breaking the monopoly that the relatively secular Congress party had held for more than four decades.
    [Show full text]
  • Varanasi – a Treasure of Rich Cultural Heritage of India
    Varanasi – A Treasure of Rich Cultural Heritage of India Benaras, name given by Britishers was formally known as Varanasi, Kashi, Avimukta, Mahashmashana. About the history of Benaras Mark Twain, Who visited around the world wrote, “Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together.” Besides Jerusalem, Athens, Peking and Mecca, Varanasi is the only city living for last four thousand years. This can be witnessed through every tourist eyes. As Jerusalem and Athens are having western and modern touch moreover. They changed their lifestyle, traditions, behaviour and culture which, can be marked in churches. But in Kashi even thousand years back as god was worshipped, till today it is followed with the same tradition, values and even with similar dressing sense. Vedas, Upanishads in Sanskrit are still taught in Varanasi henceforth the numbers of students are increasing for it. It is also the center for learning yoga, palmistry, astrology, Sanskrit, Hinduism and history of 36 crore gods and goddesses. Varanasi is situated between the river Varuna in north and Assi in the south hence it is named as Varanasi. It represents India on account of its prestigious traditions, Temples, Shrines, Asrams, Muths, Holy Ganges River and respected Hindu religion. Varanasi has captivating charm and spiritual challenge, which can be seen in its exaggerated rituals, festive, cultural activities performed in the city. If the boon of life starts at Dashashwamedh Ghat than it ends at Manikarnika; a unique combination of life and death in the desire of salvation attracts the pilgrims.
    [Show full text]
  • Freedom of Religion and the Indian Supreme Court: The
    FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND THE INDIAN SUPREME COURT: THE RELIGIOUS DENOMINATION AND ESSENTIAL PRACTICES TESTS A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE DIVISION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I AT MĀNOA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN RELIGION MAY 2019 By Coleman D. Williams Thesis Committee: Ramdas Lamb, Chairperson Helen Baroni Ned Bertz Abstract As a religiously diverse society and self-proclaimed secular state, India is an ideal setting to explore the complex and often controversial intersections between religion and law. The religious freedom clauses of the Indian Constitution allow for the state to regulate and restrict certain activities associated with religious practice. By interpreting the constitutional provisions for religious freedom, the judiciary plays an important role in determining the extent to which the state can lawfully regulate religious affairs. This thesis seeks to historicize the related development of two jurisprudential tests employed by the Supreme Court of India: the religious denomination test and the essential practices test. The religious denomination test gives the Court the authority to determine which groups constitute religious denominations, and therefore, qualify for legal protection. The essential practices test limits the constitutional protection of religious practices to those that are deemed ‘essential’ to the respective faith. From their origins in the 1950s up to their application in contemporary cases on religious freedom, these two tests have served to limit the scope of legal protection under the Constitution and legitimize the interventionist tendencies of the Indian state. Additionally, this thesis will discuss the principles behind the operation of the two tests, their most prominent criticisms, and the potential implications of the Court’s approach.
    [Show full text]
  • 1.Hindu Websites Sorted Alphabetically
    Hindu Websites sorted Alphabetically Sl. No. Website Address Description Broad catergory Reference Country 1 http://18shaktipeetasofdevi.blogspot.com/ 18 Shakti Peethas Goddess India 2 http://18shaktipeetasofdevi.blogspot.in/ 18 Shakti Peethas Goddess India 3 http://199.59.148.11/Gurudev_English Swami Ramakrishnanada Leader- Spiritual India 4 http://330milliongods.blogspot.in/ A Bouquet of Rose Flowers to My Lord India Lord Ganesh Ji 5 http://41.212.34.21/ The Hindu Council of Kenya (HCK) Organisation Kenya 6 http://63nayanar.blogspot.in/ 63 Nayanar Lord India 7 http://75.126.84.8/ayurveda/ Jiva Institute Ayurveda India 8 http://8000drumsoftheprophecy.org/ ISKCON Payers Bhajan Brazil 9 http://aalayam.co.nz/ Ayalam NZ Hindu Temple Society Organisation New Zealand 10 http://aalayamkanden.blogspot.com/2010/11/s Sri Lakshmi Kubera Temple, Temple India ri-lakshmi-kubera-temple.html Rathinamangalam 11 http://aalayamkanden.blogspot.in/ Journey of lesser known temples in Temples Database India India 12 http://aalayamkanden.blogspot.in/2010/10/bra Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Temple India hmapureeswarar-temple-tirupattur.html Tirupattur 13 http://accidentalhindu.blogspot.in/ Hinduism Information Information Trinidad & Tobago 14 http://acharya.iitm.ac.in/sanskrit/tutor.php Acharya Learn Sanskrit through self Sanskrit Education India study 15 http://acharyakishorekunal.blogspot.in/ Acharya Kishore Kunal, Bihar Information India Mahavir Mandir Trust (BMMT) 16 http://acm.org.sg/resource_docs/214_Ramayan An international Conference on Conference Singapore
    [Show full text]
  • In the Court of Civil Sr. Div. Judge Varanasi
    1 In the Court of Civil Sr. Div. Judge Varanasi Regular Civil Suit No. Of 2021 (Twenty Twenty One) (1) Goddess Maa Shringar Gauri through next friend and devotee Ranjana Agnihotri D/o. Late Rajendra Kant Agnihotri, R/o.512/695, (Five Hundred Twelve / Six Hundred Ninety Five) Balda Road, Nishatganj, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh- 226007 (Two Two Six Zero Zero Seven). (2) Asthan Lord Adi Visheshwar, Jyotirlinga in the radius of 5 (Five) Kos (Krosh), situated in the City and District Varanasi through next friend and devotee Jitender Singh “Vishen” S/o. Sri Yaduraj Singh, R/o Gulab Singh Purwa, Veerpur Vishen, Thesil & District-Gonda, Uttar Pradesh-271123 (Two Seven One One Two Three). (3) Ranjana Agnihotri (Advocate) D/o. Late Rajendra Kant Agnihotri, R/o.512/695, (Five Hundred Twelve / Six Hundred Ninety Five) Balda Road, Nishatganj, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh-226007 (Two Two Six Zero Zero Seven). (4) Jitender Singh “Vishen” S/o. Sri Yaduraj Singh, R/o Gulab Singh Purwa, Veerpur Vishen, Thesil & District- Gonda, Uttar Pradesh-271123 (Two Seven One One Two Three). (5) Ankur Sharma (Advocate) S/o Chander Kumar, R/o Ward No.19 (Nineteen) Shivnagar Behind Sheep Husbandry Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir-184101 (One Eight Four One Zero One). 2 (6) Dr. Ram Prasad Singh S/o. Late Tulsi Ram Singh, R/o. No- 4/35, (Four/ Thirty Five) C-80 (Eighty), Mahamana Nagar, Sunderpur, Varansi-221005 (Two Two One Zero Zero Five), U.P. retired from BHU in 2017 (Two Thousand Seventeen), a Journalist Editor of Vande Matram. (7) Shishir Chaturvedi (Advocate) S/o.
    [Show full text]
  • Khajuraho Varanasi Tour
    Tour Code : AKSR0221 Tour Type : Heritage Tours 1800 233 9008 KHAJURAHO VARANASI www.akshartours.com TOUR 3 Nights / 4 Days PACKAGE OVERVIEW 1Country 2Cities 4Days 2Activities Accomodation Meal 01 Night Hotel Accomodation At Khajuraho 3 Breckfast 02 Night Hotel Accomodation At Varanasi 3 Dinner Highlights Visa & Taxes Accommodation on double sharing Breakfast and dinner at hotel 5% GST EXTRA Transfer and sightseeing by pvt vehicle as per program Applicable hotel taxes SIGHTSEEINGS OVERVIEW Khajuraho - Dulhadev Temple, Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Lakshman Temple, Parsvanath temple, Vishwanath Temple Varanasi - Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Assi Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Dashashwmedh Ghat SIGHTSEEINGS Kandariya Mahadev Temple Khajuraho One of the most impressive and refined temples in Khajuraho is the Kandariya Mahadev Temple that displays over 800 sculptures. In fact, this is the most impressive temple structure as compared to the rest and it is dedicated to the Hindu deity, Shiva. Inside, in the sanctum, you can find a Shiva Linga made of marble surrounded by around 646 statues making it look spellbinding. Lakshmana Temple Khajuraho One word description that surrounds this particular temple of Khajuraho is Magnificent. Lakshmana Temple appears similar to Kandariya Mahadev Temple, however, it is the oldest and the largest in the Western Group of Temples. It is a must visit shrine that will certainly captivate the beholder through its intricately carved statues and the adhisthana (lower platform) that will levitate your heart seeing its beautiful work of art. Lakshmana Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and inside the shrine, you can witness a beautiful female bracket figure and a high carved ceiling at the entrance porch of the temple.
    [Show full text]
  • Hindu Websites Sorted Alphabetically Sl
    Hindu Websites sorted Alphabetically Sl. No. Website Address Description Broad catergory Reference Country 1 http://18shaktipeetasofdevi.blogspot.com/ 18 Shakti Peethas Goddess India 2 http://18shaktipeetasofdevi.blogspot.in/ 18 Shakti Peethas Goddess India 3 http://199.59.148.11/Gurudev_English Swami Ramakrishnanada Leader- Spiritual India 4 http://330milliongods.blogspot.in/ A Bouquet of Rose Flowers to My Lord India Lord Ganesh Ji 5 http://41.212.34.21/ The Hindu Council of Kenya (HCK) Organisation Kenya 6 http://63nayanar.blogspot.in/ 63 Nayanar Lord India 7 http://75.126.84.8/ayurveda/ Jiva Institute Ayurveda India 8 http://8000drumsoftheprophecy.org/ ISKCON Payers Bhajan Brazil 9 http://aalayam.co.nz/ Ayalam NZ Hindu Temple Society Organisation New Zealand 10 http://aalayamkanden.blogspot.com/2010/11/s Sri Lakshmi Kubera Temple, Temple India ri-lakshmi-kubera-temple.html Rathinamangalam 11 http://aalayamkanden.blogspot.in/ Journey of lesser known temples in Temples Database India India 12 http://aalayamkanden.blogspot.in/2010/10/bra Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Temple India hmapureeswarar-temple-tirupattur.html Tirupattur 13 http://accidentalhindu.blogspot.in/ Hinduism Information Information Trinidad & Tobago 14 http://acharya.iitm.ac.in/sanskrit/tutor.php Acharya Learn Sanskrit through self Sanskrit Education India study 15 http://acharyakishorekunal.blogspot.in/ Acharya Kishore Kunal, Bihar Information India Mahavir Mandir Trust (BMMT) 16 http://acm.org.sg/resource_docs/214_Ramayan An international Conference on Conference Singapore
    [Show full text]
  • Varanasi: City of the Living, Dying and Dead
    Varanasi: City of the Living, Dying and Dead VARANASl, U,P. India April 1996 "Shanrd, sanrh, sirhi, sanyasi, Unse bache, to sewe Kashi." ("Widows, bulls, steps, pundits, If you can tolerate these, you will enjoy Kashi.') raThe Kashi (Varanasi) Mantra By Pramila Jayapal "Why on earth would you want to go Varanasi?" an Indian family friend in Delhi said to me when I told her we were planning to spend some time here. "It's got to be India's dirtiest city. I only went because I had to; I had promised my mother I would sprinkle her ashes in the Ganga, so I did and just dipped my toe in the river to satisfy my promise to her. We got out of there as quickly as we could. Well, whatever you do," she continued, referring to an upcoming trip we were planning for my parents-in-law's visit, "don't take your in-laws there when they come. It's an embarrassment to us." She, along with others who voiced similar sentiments, made us nervous. Yet, on the other side, there were the words of friends and relatives who had been to Vara- nasi (also called Banaras and Kashi) and loved it. "It is the city which is most rep- resentative of India," an Indian friend in the States said. "It is fascinating." We knew we had to come. Varanasi is Hindu India's holiest city, the city of the life-giving Ganges River. Hundreds of pilgrims come every day from all parts of India: some to bathe in the Ganges, some to do the 5-6 day Panch Kroshi pilgrim- age around the city's sacred sites and others to die here.
    [Show full text]
  • Shiva Lingam to Appease Lord Shiva
    Mahashivaratri Festival Mahashivaratri Festival or the ‘The Night of Shiva’ is celebrated with devotion and religious fervor in honor of Lord Shiva, one of the deities of Hindu Trinity. Shivaratri falls on the moonless 14th night of the new moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun, which corresponds to the month of February - March in English Calendar. Celebrating the festival of Shivaratri devotees observe day and night fast and perform ritual worship of Shiva Lingam to appease Lord Shiva. Legends of Mahashivratri There are various interesting legends related to the festival of Maha Shivaratri. According to one of the most popular legends, Shivaratri marks the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Some believe that it was on the auspicious night of Shivaratri that Lord Shiva performed the ‘Tandava’, the dance of the primal creation, preservation and destruction. Another popular Shivratri legend stated in Linga Purana states that it was on Shivaratri that Lord Shiva manifested himself in the form of a Linga. Hence the day is considered to be extremely auspicious by Shiva devotees and they celebrate it as Mahashivaratri - the grand night of Shiva. Traditions and Customs of Shivaratri Various traditions and customs related to Shivaratri Festival are dutifully followed by the worshippers of Lord Shiva. Devotees observe strict fast in honor of Shiva, though many go on a diet of fruits and milk some do not consume even a drop of water. Devotees strongly believe that sincere worship of Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivaratri, absolves a person of sins and liberates him from the cycle of birth and death.
    [Show full text]
  • Temples Within Chennai City
    Temples within Chennai City 1 As the famous Tamil poetess AUVAYYAR says in Her Legendary presentation of cluster of hymns “Kovil illatha ooril kudi irukkathe” Please don’t reside in a place where there is no temple. The Statement of our forefathers is sacrosanct because the temple indicates that the community is graced by the presence of God and that its Citizens form a moral community. A Community identifies and is identified by others with its temples. It has been our ancient endavour to lead a pious life with full dedication to the services of the Lord. Sri Paramacharya of Kanchi Mutt has repeatedly called devotees and stressed the importance of taking care of old temples - which requires enormous power of men and money - instead of constructing new temples in cities. As you may be aware, there are thousands of temples in dilapidated condition and requires constant maintenance work to be undertaken. There are many shiva lingas of ancient temples found under trees and also while digging. In ancient times, these lingas were 'Moolavars' of temples built by several kings. After conquests and devastations by foreign invaders, Indian temples were destructed and the sacred deities were thrown away and many were broken. The left out deities are found later. Of them, some are unidentified. Those who attempt to construct temples for gods are freed from the sins of a thousand births. Those who think of building a temple in their minds are freed from the sins of a hundred births. Those who contribute to the cause of a temple are bestowed with divine virtues and blessings.
    [Show full text]