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Amazing Lovebirds : Love Bird Information and Pictures

October 11, 2018, 12:34 am
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Amazing Lovebirds


A Lovebird is one of nine species of the genus Agapornis. They are a social and affectionate small parrot. Seven species are native to the African continent, while the Grey-headed Lovebird is native to Madagascar. Their name stems from the parrots' strong, monogamous pair bonding and the long periods which paired birds spend sitting together. Lovebirds live in small flocks and eat fruit, vegetables, grasses and seed. Black-winged Lovebirds also eat insects and figs, and the Black-collared Lovebirds have a special dietary requirement for native figs, making them problematic to keep in captivity.

Some species are kept as pets, and several color mutations were selectively bred in aviculture. Their average lifespan is 10 to 15 years.

Lovebirds are 13 to 17 centimeters in length and 40 to 60 grams in weight. They are among the smallest parrots, characterized by a stocky build, a short blunt tail, and a relatively large, sharp beak. Wildtype lovebirds are mostly green with a variety of colors on their upper body, depending on the species. The Fischer's Lovebird, Black-cheeked Lovebird, and the Masked Lovebird have a prominent white ring around their eyes. The Abyssinian Lovebird, the Madagascar Lovebird. Many colour mutant varieties have been produced by selective breeding of the species that are popular in aviculture.

There are different species of Lovebird such as Yellow-collared Lovebird or Masked Lovebird, Fischer's Lovebird, Lilian's Lovebird, Black-cheeked Lovebird, Rosy-faced Lovebird, Black-winged Lovebird, Red-headed Lovebird, Grey-headed Lovebird, Black-collared Lovebird.
































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Holi - Colorful Festival of India, Festival of Colors in India, biggest color festival in the world

March 19, 2019, 10:18 pm
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Holi, also called the Festival of Colours, is a popular Hindu spring festival observed in India, Nepal, Srilanka, and countries with large Hindu diaspora populations, such as Suriname, Guyana, South Africa, Trinidad, UK, USA, Mauritius, and Fiji.

In West Bengal of India and Bangladesh it is known as Dolyatra (Doul Jatra) or Basanta-Utsav ("spring festival").


The most celebrated Holi is that of the Braj region, in locations connected to the god Krishna: Mathura, Vrindavan, Nandagaon, and Barsana. These places have become tourist destinations during the festive season of Holi, which lasts here to up to sixteen days.

The main day, Holi, also known as Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi, is celebrated by people throwing colored powder and colored water at each other. Bonfires are lit the day before, also known as Holika Dahan (burning of Holika) or Chhoti Holi (little Holi). The bonfires are lit in memory of the miraculous escape that young Prahlad accomplished when Demoness Holika, sister of Hiranyakashipu, carried him into the fire. Holika was burnt but Prahlad, a staunch devotee of god Vishnu, escaped without any injuries due to his unshakable devotion. Holika Dahan is referred to as Kama Dahanam in Andhra Pradesh.

Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna (February/March), (Phalgun Purnima), which usually falls in the later part of February or March. In 2019, Holika Dahan is on March 20, 2019 and Holi (Dhulandi) is on March 21, 2019.

Rangapanchami occurs a few days later on a Panchami (fifth day of the full moon), marking the end of festivities involving colors.

There are many stories of the origin of Holi. The most widely held belief is that Holi marks the day when the devotee of lord Vishnu, Bakt Prahlad, seated on the lap of demoness Holika, was saved from the effect of the fire by God and the demoness got burnt instead. Other stories relate to the death of demon Putana at the hands of lord Krishna and to the burning of demoness Hoda by children. Some link the festival with the worship of Karma, God of pleasure and destiny. The main day, Holi, also known as Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi, is celebrated by people throwing colored powder and colored water at each other. Bonfires are lit the day before, also known as Holika Dahan (death of Holika) or Chhoti Holi (little Holi). The bonfires are lit in memory of the miraculous escape that young Prahlad had when Demoness Holika, sister of Hiranyakashipu, carried him into the fire. Holika was burnt but Prahlad, a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu, escaped without any injuries due to his unshakable devotion. Holika Dahan is referred to as Kama Dahanam in Andhra Pradesh. Holi festival has an ancient origin and celebrates the triumph of 'good' over 'bad'. The colorful festival bridges the social gap and renews sweet relationships. It is the second most important festival of India after Diwali. Holi in India is a festival of fun and frolic and has been associated with the immortal love of Krishna and Radha. The exuberance and the festivity of the season are remarkable. On this day, people hug and wish each other 'Happy Holi'. People rub 'gulal' and 'abeer' on each others' faces and cheer up saying, "bura na maano Holi hai". Holi also gives a wonderful chance to send blessings and love to dear ones wrapped in a special Holi gift. Unlike all the other festivals of India, Hindu Holi festival is one such festival where one can put down the social taboos and indulge in the intoxicating drinks and sweets prepared by using opium. It is a festival of romance often represented by the love-play of Radha and Krishna. Brij Holi is famous all over the world for its gaiety in spirit. Each year, young and old, men and women, all indulge themselves in the spirit of colors and for once forget the social taboos. There are mouthwatering delicacies to savor such as 'Gujhias' and 'Papris' and there are interesting traditions and customs of Holi that have their own regional variances. We will also talk about making natural and healthy colors and safety precautions that  one must take to enjoy Holi.








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Amazing Smoking Machines

July 24, 2019, 11:22 pm
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Have a look at some of the amazing and creatively designed Cigarette Smoking machines.








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Amazing Indian Conjoined Twins : They Don't Want To Be Separated

August 2, 2019, 5:24 am
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The pair, who were born in a tiny village near Raipur in central India, share two legs and four arms and work in tandem to get around. They have stunned doctors with their ability to wash, dress and feed themselves.

A local doctor told the family they were both healthy but he could not separate them. They are believed to share the same stomach but have independent lungs, hearts and brains.


Conjoined twins Shivanath and Shivram Sahu caused quite a stir when they were born in India, with some people in their village worshipping them as divine incarnations.

And while one doctor has said that it would be possible to separate the 12-year-olds, who were born joined at the waist, the duo are determined to remain together.

Shivram said: ‘We don't wish to get separated. We will stay like this even when we grow old. We want to live as we are.’

















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Raksha Bandhan Festival : The Bond of Love & Protection Between Brother & Sister

August 4, 2019, 11:32 pm
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Raksha Bandhan Festival of India


Raksha Bandhan (the bond of protection), or Rakhi, is a festival primarily observed in North India, which celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. The festival is observed by Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims. The central ceremony involves the tying of a rakhi (sacred thread) by a sister on her brother's wrist. This symbolizes the sister's love and prayers for her brother's well-being, and the brother's lifelong vow to protect her. The festival falls on the full moon day (Shravan Poornima) of the Shravan month of the Hindu lunisolar calendar. It grew in popularity after Rani Karnavati, the widowed queen of Chittor, sent a rakhi to the Mughal emperor Humayun when she required his help.

The festival is marked by the tying of a rakhi, or holy thread, by the sister on the wrist of her brother. The brother in return offers a gift to his sister and vows to look after her as she presents sweets to her brother. The brother and sister traditionally feed one another sweets. Since North Indian kinship practices give cousins a status similar to siblings, girls and women often tie the rakhi to their male cousins as well (referred to as cousin-brothers in regional parlance) in several communities. Unrelated boys and men who are considered to be brothers (munh-bola bhai or adopted brothers) can also be tied rakhis, provided they commit to a lifelong obligation to provide protection to the woman or girl.

Historical occurrences and mentions

Santoshi Ma

The tale of the deity Santoshi Mata, and the narrative of her creation on Raksha Bandhan day, was popularized in the 1975 Bollywood blockbuster Jai Santoshi Maa. Ganesh had two sons, Shubh and Labh. On Raksha Bandhan, Ganesh's sister visited and tied a rakhi on Ganesh's wrist. Feeling deprived, the sons immediately began pressing Ganesh and his two wives, Riddhi and Siddhi, for a sister. Finally, Ganesh conceded the demand and Santoshi Ma (literally the Mother Goddess of Satisfaction) was created by divine flames that emerged from Riddhi and Siddhi.

Krishna and Draupadi

Another incident is from the epic Mahabharat and concerns Krishna and Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas. She had once torn a strip of silk off her sari and tied it around Krishna's wrist to staunch the bleeding from a battlefield wound. Krishna was touched by her action and declared her to be his sister, even though they were unrelated. He promised to repay the debt and then spent the next 25 years doing just that. Draupadi, in spite of being married to 5 great warriors and being a daughter of a powerful monarch, trusted and depended wholly on Krishna. Krishna repaid the debt of love during the "Cheer-Haran" (literally "clothing-robbing") of Draupadi, which occurred in the assembly of King Dhritarashtra when Yudhisthira lost her to the Kauravas in gambling. At that time, Krishna indefinitely extended her saree through divine intervention, so it could not be removed, to save her honor. This is how he honored his rakhi-vow towards Draupadi.

King Bali and Goddess Laxmi

According to a legend the Demon King Bali was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu had taken up the task to guard his kingdom leaving his own abode in Vaikunth. Goddess Lakshmi wished to be with her lord back in her abode. She went to Bali disguised as a woman to seek refuge till her husband came back.

During the Shravan Purnima celebrations, Lakshmi tied the sacred thread to the King. Upon being asked, she revealed who she was and why she was there. The king was touched by her goodwill for his family and her purpose and requested the Lord to accompany her. He sacrificed all he had for the Lord and his devoted wife.

Thus the festival is also called Baleva that is Bali Raja's devotion to the Lord. It is said that since then it has been a tradition to invite sisters in Shravan Purnima for the thread tying ceremony or the Raksha Bandhan.

Yama and the Yamuna

According to another legend, Raksha Bandhan was a ritual followed by Lord Yama (the Lord of Death) and his sister Yamuna, (the river in northern India). Yamuna tied rakhi to Yama and bestowed immortality. Yama was so moved by the serenity of the occasion that he declared that whoever gets a rakhi tied from his sister and promised her protection, will become immortal.

Alexander the Great and King Puru

According to one legendary narrative, when Alexander the Great invaded India in 326 BC, Roxana (or Roshanak, his wife) sent a sacred thread to Porus, asking him not to harm her husband in battle. In accordance with tradition, Porus gave full respect to the rakhi. On the battlefield, when Porus was about to deliver a final blow to Alexander, he saw the rakhi on his own wrist and restrained himself from attacking Alexander personally.

Rani Karnavati and Emperor Humayun

A popular narrative that is centered around Rakhi is that of Rani Karnavati of Chittor and Mughal Emperor Humayun, which dates to 1535 CE. When Rani Karnavati, the widowed queen of the king of Chittor, realised that she could not defend against the invasion by the Sultan of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah, she sent a Rakhi to Emperor Humayun. Touched, the Emperor immediately set off with his troops to defend Chittor. Humayun arrived too late, and Bahadur Shah managed to sack the Rani's fortress. Karnavati, along with a reported 13,000 other women in the fortress, carried out Jauhar on March 8, 1535, killing themselves to avoid dishonor while the men threw the gates open and rode out on a suicidal charge against Bahadur Shah's troops. When he reached Chittor, Humayun evicted Bahadur Shah from fort and restored the kingdom to Karnavati's son, Vikramjit Singh. Although contemporary commentators and memoirs do not mention the Rakhi episode and some historians have expressed skepticism about it, it is mentioned in one mid-seventeenth century Rajasthani account.

Other festivals on this day

In southern & Central parts of India including Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Orissa, this day (i.e. Shravan Poornima day), is when the Brahmin community performs the rituals of Avani Avittam or Upakarma.

Balarama Jayanti

This is also celebrated as Shri Baladeva birth Ceremony. Lord Krishna's elder Brother Prabhu Balarama was born on this Poornima.

Raksha Bandhan celebrations in India and Nepal

While Raksha Bandhan is celebrated all over the country, different parts of the country mark the day in different ways. In Nepal, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on shravan purnima. It is also called Janai Purnima (Janai is sacred thread and purnima means full moon). Janai is changed in this day, in Brahmins and kshetry's family. A sacred thread is tied on hand by senior family members and relatives. Nepalese people enjoy this festival eating its special food "Kwati", a soup of sprout of seven different grains.

Rakhi Purnima

Rakhi is celebrated as Rakhi Purnima in North India. The word "Purnima" means a full moon night.

Gamha Purnima

Rakhi is also celebrated as Gamha Purnima in Orissa. On this date, all the domesticated Cows and Bullocks are decorated and worshipped. Various kinds of country-made cakes called Pitha and sweets mitha are made and distributed within families, relatives and friends. In Orissan Jagannath culture, the lord Krishna & Radha enjoy the beautiful rainy season of Shravana starting from Shukla Pakhya Ekadashi (usually 4 days before Purnima) and ending on Rakhi Purnima with a festival called Jhulan Yatra. Idols of Radha-Krishna are beautifully decorated on a swing called Jhulan, hence the name Jhulan Yatra.

Narali Purnima

In western India and parts of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa this day is celebrated as Narali Purnima. On this day, an offering of a coconut (naral in Marathi) is made to the sea, as a mark of respect to Lord Varuna, the God of the Sea. Narali Purnima marks the beginning of the fishing season and the fishermen, who depend on the sea for a living, make an offering to Lord Varuna so that they can reap bountiful fish from the sea.

Jandhyam Poornima

Jandhyam is Sanskrit for sacred thread, and Poornima denotes the full moon in Sanskrit.

The people of the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, celebrate Raksha Bandhan and Janopunyu on the Shravani Purnima, it is a day on which people change their janeu or sacred thread. On this day, the famous Bagwal fair is held at Devidhura in district Champawat. Punyu in Kumauni means Purnima or full moon it is the purnima in which the sacred thread Janeu or Janyo is ceremonially changed. The Raksha Bandhan celebrations are similar all across North India. The thread changing ceremony is done all over India.

Kajari Purnima

In central parts of India such as Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Jharkand and Bihar this day is celebrated as Kajari Purnima. It is an important day for the farmers and women blessed with a son. On the ninth day after Shravana Amavasya, the preparations of the Kajari festival start. This ninth day is called Kajari Navami and varied rituals are performed by women who have sons until Kajri Purnima or the full moon day. in the ramayan story it has been said that sita was the divine godess

Pavitropana

In parts of Gujarat, this day is celebrated as Pavitropana. On this day, people perform the grand pooja or the worship of Lord Shiva. It is the culmination of the prayers done throughout the year.
Jhulan Purnima, Poonal/Jandhya Poornima/ Janyu

According to Bengali Culture & Celebration, in the state of West Bengal (India), this day is also called Jhulan Purnima there pray & puja of Lord Krishna & Radha. Sister tied rakhi to Brother and bestowed immortality. Political Parties, Offices, Friends, Schools to colleges, Street to Palace celebrate today with a new hope for a good relationship. Brahmins in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Konkan, and Orissa change their sacred threads on the same day (Janayu, called as Poonal in Tamil, Jandhyam in Sanskrit)

Courtesy : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raksha_Bandhan

















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Uttarayana/Makar Sankranti & Pongal: Kite-Flying & Thanksgiving Festival of India - The Most Important Harvest Festival Of India

January 13, 2020, 12:47 am
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Importance of Makar Sankranti / Uttarayana - Kite-Flying Festival
Makar Sankranti is an important ‘Thanksgiving’ festival of India. In Tamil Nadu it is celebrated as Pongal. Makar Sankranti signifies a bountiful harvest and flourishing of wealth. People believe that by thanking god they are able remain happy and lead healthy life and reap success throughout the year.

The day on which sun enters the zodiac sign called Capricorn (Makara Rasi or Zodiac sign) is considered as an auspicious day. The period from Makarsankrant (the passage of the sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn) to Karkasankrant is called the Uttarayan. In Sanskrit the word ‘Sankranti’ means transition. On this day sun begins its northward movement and the Hindu almanacs call this northward transition of the sun as Uttarayana patha. The day also coincides with the commencement of the Tamil month Thai. The day usually falls on 14th January every year. Of course this is the only festival that adapts solar (Hindu) calendar. The other festival dates are determined according to lunar calendar. It is believed that holy dip in perennial rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, and Kaveri will have huge significance. The Great Kumbh-Mela will be held once in every 12 years on this holy day at Prayag.


Different Names in Different Regions
It is celebrated all over India as well as in few South East Asian Countries with different names. In Uttar Pradesh, Sankranti is celebrated with the name Khichiri’. In Himachal Pradesh and Punjab it is called Lohri. In Assam it is known as Bhogali Bihu. In West Bengal and Orissa it is simply celebrated as Makar Sankranti. It is still more simply called Sankranti in Bihar, Karnataka and Kerala. In Gujarat and Rajasthan the festival is named as Uttarayan. The festival is also celebrated with different names in different nations e.g., Nepal (Maghe sankranti), Thailand (Songkran), Laos (Pi Mao Lao) and Myanmar (Thingyan) (ref: Wikipedia)

Three Days Festival
Pongal is a three days festival in Tamil Nadu. The first day is called Bhogi Pandigai. The second day is called Great Pongal or Makara Sankranti. The third is called Maatu Pongal (thanking the livestock especially cow).

The Word and Meanings

Pongal is a Tamil word which signifies the festival as well as the name of the main dish prepared using the newly harvested rice, dal, jaggery and milk. The fruits and vegetables are also obtained fresh from farm. Pongal means boiling.


How Preparations Made for Pongal Festival ?
The month Thai is considered as an auspicious month by Tamils. It is believed that dawn of the Tamil month Thai will mitigate all miseries. People will discard all old things and replace with new things. They will clean whitewash their house. They also decorate the house with kolams (Rangoli). They will purchase new dresses, jewelry and utensils. They will also prepare sweets. The farmers will offer fresh vegetables and fruits to their near and dear. The villages in Tamil Nadu also consider this as a communal festival. The temples will also get new facelift. Womenfolk decorate the temple premises with kolam, mango and coconut leaf festoons. The married daughters will receive harvested crops, vegetables, fruits, coconuts, utensils and money from their parents. Young girls decorate themselves with henna and share with friends and relatives. Women and young girls wear new clothes, wear golden and silver ornaments, volunteer.


How Pongal Festival celebrated?
The Sankranti or Pongal day is dedicated to Lord Sun, the savior of this world with His golden rays. In every household the pongal is cooked in the early morning at their front yard. Fresh earthen pots are fetched and decorated with kolam (drawing lines and curves with rice flour to beautify). For cooking they will use traditional wooden log flame. Fresh milk and water are allowed to boil and the froth will come out of the pot. It is believed as an auspicious sign. After this rice will be added and allowed to cook. Following this powdered jaggery and cardamom powder will be added. Now ghee will be added and the ingredients will be stirred well. At the end the dish will be decorated with ghee roasted cashew and raisin.
It is customary to tie the turmeric plant at the neck of the pot. They will make a tripod using sugarcane stems (with leaves) tied at the top. The pongal pots will be placed under this tripod. They will be a small pooja and prayer. They will rejoice their festival by shouting ‘Pongal –O – Pongal’. They will feed all housemaids, farm servants, workers, dobhis, barbers and every one come to their house.


How Maatu Pongal Celebrated?
The third day of the Pongal festival is devoted to cows and bulls. The Hindus always worship cow as Gomatha. It is a merry making festival. The cows and bulls will be bathed in water. The horns are shaved and painted. The neck bells are tied. The forehead will have the sandal and kumkum. They will also prepare pongal. Offer prayer to god. They will feed the animal with pongal, plantain, greens etc.,


Significance of Jallikatu (Tamil Bull Fight)?
In South Tamil Nadu Jallikatu (Tamil Bull Fight) is a sport held on this day in prominent villages like Alanganallur and Thammampatti. This sport is considered as showing courage and valor. The raging bulls will be driven from an enclosure towards the youths. The youths are determined to tame the bull and take the prize money or gold from the neck strap of the cow. The wild animal will be frightened by the noisy music bands and will jump on the youths and try to escape from them. If the animal is disturbed or prevented, it will injure the youths. In most of the occasions people will get their stomach punctured by the sharp horns of the bulls. However the culture activists and village folks are supporting jallikatu. But animal sympathizers are against jallikatu. Year by year the issue is debated and the sports also held every year without fail.


Happy Uttarayan / Makar Sankranti & Pongal to All My friends All Over the World!






Here...colorful Kites in shop shelves... 

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And this is how those colorful strings are made...

cute kid giving air to Kite, thats called ''Patang Apaay..'' in Gujarati [patang = kite]



People on terrace...even before 14th Jan, practicing....



Malls and even small shops get into groove....look below



and whole day, kites color the sky....and in evening sky is......




Kite festival of gujarat








Harvest Festival PONGAL
The Festival originated in Tamil Nadu and popularly known as “Tamizhar Thirunal”. The festival is celebrated for four days to provide sincere thanks and prosperity that the farmers and his work which payed us..


First day Jan 13 - Bhogi
Bhogi is the first day of this harvest festival which is celebrated by throwing away and destroying old materials on fire thereby marking the end of the old and the emergence of the new.

Second day Jan 14 - Pongal
The second Pongal is the main day of the festival. It is celebreated by boiling rice with fresh milk and jaggery in new pots that are later topped with cashew nuts and sugar and allowing it to boil over the pot in the early morning. The moment the rice boils out of the pot, the tradition is to shout “Pongaloo pongal”. Sugar cane is bought and placed in every houses to symbolise the celebration of this great festival in Tamil Nadu.

Third day Jan 15 - Maattu Pongal
The third day of the festival is known as “Maatu pongal” which is a occasion for offering thanks to cattle for their help to farmers in the field of Agriculture. On this cattle are well decorated with paint, flowers and bells and are allowed to roam. The cattle are then well fed with sweet rice and sugarcane.

Fourth day Jan 16 - Kaaanum Pongal
The final day “Kaanum pongal” is to thank the relatives and friends for their support. During this day people visit their friends and relatives to enjoy the pongal season.People flock together at beaches , parks and temples there by having a great day out.


This four day Harvest Festival is to honor the farmers for their hard work.. May god bless them.. Wish you all a very happy and prosperous Pongal..


The second day of Pongal known as 'Surya Pongal' is dedicated to the Sun God. The granaries are kept full on this day and Sun God with his rays are painted on a plank as he is worshipped with the birth of the new auspicious month of Thai (Tamil month). A special dish is cooked on this day in a new mud-pot that comes in innovative shapes and have artistic designs on them called 'Pongapani'. A colorful sugarcane market is also set up on this day.
The third day known as 'Mattu Pongal' is dedicated to the cattle as cowherds and shepherds pay thanks to their cows and bulls, wash them, paint their horns and cover them with shining metal caps. They are fed 'pongal' and tinkling bells are tied around their neck. Cattle races are conducted and in the game called 'Manji Virattu' groups of young men chase running bulls. Bull fights called 'Jallikattu' are also arranged at some places where young men have to take the money bags tied to the horns of ferocious bulls single-handedly and without the use of arms.
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Unusual Coffins And Ghana - Amazing Coffin designs and ideas

May 2, 2016, 10:35 pm
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The Ga-Adangbe are an ethnic group in the African nation of Ghana. The village is famous for its celebrations Ga and funeral processions. The Ga believe that when someone dies, they move to another life. Therefore, special coffins are often manufactured by highly skilled carpenters. Caskets can be anything desired by the family of the deceased of a pencil to an animal like an elephant. The coffins are generally designed to reflect the essence of the deceased in the way a character trait, a profession, or a symbol of their status in the community.

The safes are designed to represent an aspect of the life of the deceased - as if it were a car driver, a fish if their livelihood was the sea - or a sewing machine for a seamstress. They can also symbolize a vice - like a bottle of beer or a cigarette.

Ablade Glover, an artist who employs carpenters, says the coffin acts as a home in the afterlife, so it's nice. But he laments the use of so much time on the outcome of a case, it becomes hidden underground.

For example, a taxi driver is most likely buried in a coffin-shaped car. These coffins are usually very expensive because of their nature, means that skilled carpenters will take longer than they are compared to traditional coffins.



















































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Christmas - Birth Day Celebration of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the savior of all people

December 23, 2020, 3:59 am
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Merry Christmas

(Birth Day Celebration of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the savior of all people)


http://apostolicmessenger.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/jesus_manger_1.jpg

Christmas or Christmas Day is a holiday observed generally on December 25 to commemorate the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity. The date is not known to be the actual birthday of Jesus, and may have initially been chosen to correspond with either the day exactly nine months after some early Christians believed Jesus had been conceived, the date of the winter solstice on the ancient Roman calendar, or one of various ancient winter festivals. Christmas is central to the Christmas and holiday season, and in Christianity marks the beginning of the larger season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days.

Christmas is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religion. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. December 25--Christmas Day--has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1870.

Although nominally a Christian holiday, Christmas is also widely celebrated by many non-Christians, and many of its popular celebratory customs have pre-Christian or secular themes and origins. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift-giving, music, an exchange of greeting cards, church celebrations, a special meal, and the display of various decorations; including Christmas trees, lights, garlands, mistletoe, nativity scenes, and holly. In addition, several similar mythological figures, known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas and Santa Claus among other names, are associated with bringing gifts to children during the Christmas season.

Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, the holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses. The economic impact of Christmas is a factor that has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world.

Christmas and Santa Claus

Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, or simply "Santa", is a figure which was derived from the Dutch figure of Sinterklaas, a historical, legendary figure who in many Western cultures, is said to bring gifts to the homes of the good children during the late evening and overnight hours of Christmas Eve, December 24 or on his Feast Day, December 6 (Saint Nicholas Day).


Christmas Facts

Each year, 30-35 million real Christmas trees are sold in the United States alone. There are 21,000 Christmas tree growers in the United States, and trees usually grow for about 15 years before they are sold.

Today, in the Greek and Russian orthodox churches, Christmas is celebrated 13 days after the 25th, which is also referred to as the Epiphany or Three Kings Day. This is the day it is believed that the three wise men finally found Jesus in the manger.

In the Middle Ages, Christmas celebrations were rowdy and raucous—a lot like today's Mardi Gras parties.

From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was outlawed in Boston, and law-breakers were fined five shillings.

Christmas wasn't a holiday in early America—in fact Congress was in session on December 25, 1789, the country's first Christmas under the new constitution.

Christmas was declared a federal holiday in the United States on June 26, 1870.

The first eggnog made in the United States was consumed in Captain John Smith's 1607 Jamestown settlement.

Poinsettia plants are named after Joel R. Poinsett, an American minister to Mexico, who brought the red-and-green plant from Mexico to America in 1828.

The Salvation Army has been sending Santa Claus-clad donation collectors into the streets since the 1890s.

Rudolph, "the most famous reindeer of all," was the product of Robert L. May's imagination in 1939. The copywriter wrote a poem about the reindeer to help lure customers into the Montgomery Ward department store.

Construction workers started the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree tradition in 1931.

How "Merry Christmas" is said in different countries
Afrikaans: Geseënde Kersfees
Afrikander: Een Plesierige Kerfees
African/ Eritrean/ Tigrinja: Rehus-Beal-Ledeats
Albanian:Gezur Krislinjden
Arabic: Milad Majid
Argentine: Feliz Navidad
Armenian: Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand
Azeri: Tezze Iliniz Yahsi Olsun
Bahasa Malaysia: Selamat Hari Natal
Basque: Zorionak eta Urte Berri On!
Bengali: Shuvo Naba Barsha
Bohemian: Vesele Vanoce
Bosnian: (BOSANSKI) Cestit Bozic i Sretna Nova godina
Brazilian: Feliz Natal
Breton: Nedeleg laouen na bloavezh mat
Bulgarian: Tchestita Koleda; Tchestito Rojdestvo Hristovo
Catalan: Bon Nadal i un Bon Any Nou!
Chile: Feliz Navidad
Chinese: (Cantonese) Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun
Chinese: (Mandarin) Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan
Choctaw: Yukpa, Nitak Hollo Chito
Columbia: Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo
Cornish: Nadelik looan na looan blethen noweth
Corsian: Pace e salute
Crazanian: Rot Yikji Dol La Roo
Cree: Mitho Makosi Kesikansi
Croatian: Sretan Bozic
Czech: Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok
Danish: Glædelig Jul
Duri: Christmas-e- Shoma Mobarak
Dutch: Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar! or Zalig Kerstfeast
English: Merry Christmas
Eskimo: (inupik) Jutdlime pivdluarit ukiortame pivdluaritlo!
Esperanto: Gajan Kristnaskon
Estonian: Rõõmsaid Jõulupühi
Ethiopian: (Amharic) Melkin Yelidet Beaal
Faeroese: Gledhilig jol og eydnurikt nyggjar!
Farsi: Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad
Finnish: Hyvaa joulua
Flemish: Zalig Kerstfeest en Gelukkig nieuw jaar
French: Joyeux Noel
Frisian: Noflike Krystdagen en in protte Lok en Seine yn it Nije Jier!
Galician: Bo Nada
Gaelic: Nollaig chridheil agus Bliadhna mhath ùr!
German: Fröhliche Weihnachten
Greek: Kala Christouyenna!
Haiti: (Creole) Jwaye Nowel or to Jesus Edo Bri'cho o Rish D'Shato Brichto
Hausa: Barka da Kirsimatikuma Barka da Sabuwar Shekara!
Hawaiian: Mele Kalikimaka
Hebrew: Mo'adim Lesimkha. Chena tova
Hindi: Shub Naya Baras (good New Year not Merry Christmas)
Hungarian: Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket
Icelandic: Gledileg Jol
Indonesian: Selamat Hari Natal
Iraqi: Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah
Irish: Nollaig Shona Dhuit, or Nodlaig mhaith chugnat
Iroquois: Ojenyunyat Sungwiyadeson honungradon nagwutut. Ojenyunyat osrasay.
Italian: Buone Feste Natalizie
Japanese: Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
Jiberish: Mithag Crithagsigathmithags
Korean: Sung Tan Chuk Ha
Lao: souksan van Christmas
Latin: Natale hilare et Annum Faustum!
Latvian: Prieci'gus Ziemsve'tkus un Laimi'gu Jauno Gadu!
Lausitzian:Wjesole hody a strowe nowe leto
Lettish: Priecigus Ziemassvetkus
Lithuanian: Linksmu Kaledu
Low Saxon: Heughliche Winachten un 'n moi Nijaar
Luxembourgish: Schèine Chreschtdaag an e gudde Rutsch
Macedonian: Sreken Bozhik
Maltese: IL-Milied It-tajjeb
Manx: Nollick ghennal as blein vie noa
Maori: Meri Kirihimete
Marathi: Shub Naya Varsh (good New Year not Merry Christmas)
Navajo: Merry Keshmish
Norwegian: God Jul, or Gledelig Jul
Occitan: Pulit nadal e bona annado
Papiamento: Bon Pasco
Papua New Guinea: Bikpela hamamas blong dispela Krismas na Nupela yia i go long yu
Pennsylvania German: En frehlicher Grischtdaag un en hallich Nei Yaahr!
Peru: Feliz Navidad y un Venturoso Año Nuevo
Philippines: Maligayang Pasko!
Polish: Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia or Boze Narodzenie
Portuguese:Feliz Natal
Pushto: Christmas Aao Ne-way Kaal Mo Mobarak Sha
Rapa-Nui (Easter Island): Mata-Ki-Te-Rangi. Te-Pito-O-Te-Henua
Rhetian: Bellas festas da nadal e bun onn
Romanche: (sursilvan dialect): Legreivlas fiastas da Nadal e bien niev onn!
Rumanian: Sarbatori vesele or Craciun fericit
Russian: Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom
Sami: Buorrit Juovllat
Samoan: La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou
Sardinian: Bonu nadale e prosperu annu nou
Scots Gaelic: Nollaig chridheil huibh
Serbian: Hristos se rodi.
Singhalese: Subha nath thalak Vewa. Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa
Slovak: Vesele Vianoce. A stastlivy Novy Rok
Slovene: Vesele Bozicne Praznike Srecno Novo Leto or Vesel Bozic in srecno Novo leto
Spanish: Feliz Navidad
Swedish: God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt År
Tagalog: Maligayamg Pasko. Masaganang Bagong Taon
Tamil: (Tamizh) Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal (good New Year not Merry Christmas)
Trukeese: (Micronesian) Neekiriisimas annim oo iyer seefe feyiyeech!
Thai: Sawadee Pee Mai or souksan wan Christmas
Turkish: Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun
Ukrainian: Srozhdestvom Kristovym or Z RIZDVOM HRYSTOVYM
Urdu: Naya Saal Mubarak Ho (good New Year not Merry Christmas)
Vietnamese: Chuc Mung Giang Sinh
Welsh: Nadolig Llawen
Yoruba: E ku odun, e ku iye'dun! 

Merry Christmas to All..

jingle bell jingle bell

jingle all the way
Santa clause is coming along
riding on a sledge
jingle bell jingle bell
jingle all the way
santa clause is coming along
riding on a sledge


Christmas Wallpapers

http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/Christmas-Wallpaper-christmas-450008_1600_1200.gif







Courtesy:
http://www.santas.net
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas
http://www.history.com/topics/christmas
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Black Mamba Snake - Amazing Black mamba Facts, Photos, Information, Habitats, News

December 3, 2021, 4:33 am
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Black mamba Snake (Dendroaspis polylepis) - The longest venomous snake in Africa



The black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis), also called the common black mamba or black-mouthed mamba, is the longest venomous snake in Africa, averaging around 2.5 to 3.2 meters (8.2 to 10 ft) in length, and sometimes growing to lengths of 4.45 meters (14.6 ft). Its name is derived from the black colouration inside the mouth rather than the actual colour of its scales which varies from dull yellowish-green to a gun-metal grey. It is the fastest snake in the world, capable of moving at 4.32 to 5.4 metres per second (16–20 km/h, 10–12 mph). It has a reputation for being aggressive and highly venomous: herpetologists have cited this species as both the world's deadliest and most aggressive, noting its tendency to attack without provocation. It is among the world's ten most venomous land snakes, and when threatened or cornered, becomes fiercely aggressive.

Black mambas are actually brown in color. They get their name from the blue-black of the inside of their mouths, which they display when threatened.

Black mambas are fast, nervous, lethally venomous, and when threatened, highly aggressive. They have been blamed for numerous human deaths, and African myths exaggerate their capabilities to legendary proportions. For these reasons, the black mamba is widely considered the world’s deadliest snake.

Black mambas live in the savannas and rocky hills of southern and eastern Africa. They are Africa’s longest venomous snake, reaching up to 14 feet (4.5 meters) in length, although 8.2 feet (2.5 meters) is more the average. They are also among the fastest snakes in the world, slithering at speeds of up to 12.5 miles per hour (20 kilometers per hour).

They get their name not from their skin color, which tends to be olive to gray, but rather from the blue-black color of the inside of their mouth, which they display when threatened.

Black mambas are shy and will almost always seek to escape when confronted. However, when cornered, these snakes will raise their heads, sometimes with a third of their body off the ground, spread their cobra-like neck-flap, open their black mouths and hiss. If an attacker persists, the mamba will strike not once, but repeatedly, injecting large amounts of potent neuro- and cardiotoxin with each strike.

Before the advent of black mamba antivenin, a bite from this fearsome serpent was 100 percent fatal, usually within about 20 minutes. Unfortunately, antivenin is still not widely available in the rural parts of the mamba’s range, and mamba-related deaths remain frequent.

The black mamba has no special conservation status. However, encroachment on its territory is not only putting pressure on the species but contributes to more potentially dangerous human contact with these snakes.


Fast Facts about Black mamba Snake

Type: Reptile
Diet: Carnivore
Average life span in the wild: 11 years or more
Size: Up to 14 ft (4.3 m)
Weight: Up to 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg)
Did you know? : Black mambas use their incredible speed to escape threats, not to hunt prey.

Courtesy : http://animals.nationalgeographic.com, http://en.wikipedia.org/

Black mamba Snake Images / Pictures


































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Christmas Day - Birth Day Celebration of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the savior of all people

December 12, 2022, 12:34 am
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 Merry Christmas

(Birthday Celebration of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the savior of all people)


http://apostolicmessenger.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/jesus_manger_1.jpg

Christmas or Christmas Day is a holiday observed generally on December 25 to commemorate the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity. The date is not known to be the actual birthday of Jesus, and may have initially been chosen to correspond with either the day exactly nine months after some early Christians believed Jesus had been conceived, the date of the winter solstice on the ancient Roman calendar, or one of various ancient winter festivals. Christmas is central to the Christmas and holiday season, and in Christianity marks the beginning of the larger season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days.

Christmas is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religion. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. December 25--Christmas Day--has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1870.

Although nominally a Christian holiday, Christmas is also widely celebrated by many non-Christians, and many of its popular celebratory customs have pre-Christian or secular themes and origins. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift-giving, music, an exchange of greeting cards, church celebrations, a special meal, and the display of various decorations; including Christmas trees, lights, garlands, mistletoe, nativity scenes, and holly. In addition, several similar mythological figures, known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas and Santa Claus among other names, are associated with bringing gifts to children during the Christmas season.

Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, the holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses. The economic impact of Christmas is a factor that has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world.

Christmas and Santa Claus

Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, or simply "Santa", is a figure which was derived from the Dutch figure of Sinterklaas, a historical, legendary figure who in many Western cultures, is said to bring gifts to the homes of the good children during the late evening and overnight hours of Christmas Eve, December 24 or on his Feast Day, December 6 (Saint Nicholas Day).


Christmas Facts

Each year, 30-35 million real Christmas trees are sold in the United States alone. There are 21,000 Christmas tree growers in the United States, and trees usually grow for about 15 years before they are sold.

Today, in the Greek and Russian orthodox churches, Christmas is celebrated 13 days after the 25th, which is also referred to as the Epiphany or Three Kings Day. This is the day it is believed that the three wise men finally found Jesus in the manger.

In the Middle Ages, Christmas celebrations were rowdy and raucous—a lot like today's Mardi Gras parties.

From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was outlawed in Boston, and law-breakers were fined five shillings.

Christmas wasn't a holiday in early America—in fact Congress was in session on December 25, 1789, the country's first Christmas under the new constitution.

Christmas was declared a federal holiday in the United States on June 26, 1870.

The first eggnog made in the United States was consumed in Captain John Smith's 1607 Jamestown settlement.

Poinsettia plants are named after Joel R. Poinsett, an American minister to Mexico, who brought the red-and-green plant from Mexico to America in 1828.

The Salvation Army has been sending Santa Claus-clad donation collectors into the streets since the 1890s.

Rudolph, "the most famous reindeer of all," was the product of Robert L. May's imagination in 1939. The copywriter wrote a poem about the reindeer to help lure customers into the Montgomery Ward department store.

Construction workers started the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree tradition in 1931.

How "Merry Christmas" is said in different countries
Afrikaans: Geseënde Kersfees
Afrikander: Een Plesierige Kerfees
African/ Eritrean/ Tigrinja: Rehus-Beal-Ledeats
Albanian:Gezur Krislinjden
Arabic: Milad Majid
Argentine: Feliz Navidad
Armenian: Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand
Azeri: Tezze Iliniz Yahsi Olsun
Bahasa Malaysia: Selamat Hari Natal
Basque: Zorionak eta Urte Berri On!
Bengali: Shuvo Naba Barsha
Bohemian: Vesele Vanoce
Bosnian: (BOSANSKI) Cestit Bozic i Sretna Nova godina
Brazilian: Feliz Natal
Breton: Nedeleg laouen na bloavezh mat
Bulgarian: Tchestita Koleda; Tchestito Rojdestvo Hristovo
Catalan: Bon Nadal i un Bon Any Nou!
Chile: Feliz Navidad
Chinese: (Cantonese) Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun
Chinese: (Mandarin) Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan
Choctaw: Yukpa, Nitak Hollo Chito
Columbia: Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo
Cornish: Nadelik looan na looan blethen noweth
Corsian: Pace e salute
Crazanian: Rot Yikji Dol La Roo
Cree: Mitho Makosi Kesikansi
Croatian: Sretan Bozic
Czech: Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok
Danish: Glædelig Jul
Duri: Christmas-e- Shoma Mobarak
Dutch: Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar! or Zalig Kerstfeast
English: Merry Christmas
Eskimo: (inupik) Jutdlime pivdluarit ukiortame pivdluaritlo!
Esperanto: Gajan Kristnaskon
Estonian: Rõõmsaid Jõulupühi
Ethiopian: (Amharic) Melkin Yelidet Beaal
Faeroese: Gledhilig jol og eydnurikt nyggjar!
Farsi: Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad
Finnish: Hyvaa joulua
Flemish: Zalig Kerstfeest en Gelukkig nieuw jaar
French: Joyeux Noel
Frisian: Noflike Krystdagen en in protte Lok en Seine yn it Nije Jier!
Galician: Bo Nada
Gaelic: Nollaig chridheil agus Bliadhna mhath ùr!
German: Fröhliche Weihnachten
Greek: Kala Christouyenna!
Haiti: (Creole) Jwaye Nowel or to Jesus Edo Bri'cho o Rish D'Shato Brichto
Hausa: Barka da Kirsimatikuma Barka da Sabuwar Shekara!
Hawaiian: Mele Kalikimaka
Hebrew: Mo'adim Lesimkha. Chena tova
Hindi: Shub Naya Baras (good New Year not Merry Christmas)
Hungarian: Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket
Icelandic: Gledileg Jol
Indonesian: Selamat Hari Natal
Iraqi: Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah
Irish: Nollaig Shona Dhuit, or Nodlaig mhaith chugnat
Iroquois: Ojenyunyat Sungwiyadeson honungradon nagwutut. Ojenyunyat osrasay.
Italian: Buone Feste Natalizie
Japanese: Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
Jiberish: Mithag Crithagsigathmithags
Korean: Sung Tan Chuk Ha
Lao: souksan van Christmas
Latin: Natale hilare et Annum Faustum!
Latvian: Prieci'gus Ziemsve'tkus un Laimi'gu Jauno Gadu!
Lausitzian:Wjesole hody a strowe nowe leto
Lettish: Priecigus Ziemassvetkus
Lithuanian: Linksmu Kaledu
Low Saxon: Heughliche Winachten un 'n moi Nijaar
Luxembourgish: Schèine Chreschtdaag an e gudde Rutsch
Macedonian: Sreken Bozhik
Maltese: IL-Milied It-tajjeb
Manx: Nollick ghennal as blein vie noa
Maori: Meri Kirihimete
Marathi: Shub Naya Varsh (good New Year not Merry Christmas)
Navajo: Merry Keshmish
Norwegian: God Jul, or Gledelig Jul
Occitan: Pulit nadal e bona annado
Papiamento: Bon Pasco
Papua New Guinea: Bikpela hamamas blong dispela Krismas na Nupela yia i go long yu
Pennsylvania German: En frehlicher Grischtdaag un en hallich Nei Yaahr!
Peru: Feliz Navidad y un Venturoso Año Nuevo
Philippines: Maligayang Pasko!
Polish: Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia or Boze Narodzenie
Portuguese:Feliz Natal
Pushto: Christmas Aao Ne-way Kaal Mo Mobarak Sha
Rapa-Nui (Easter Island): Mata-Ki-Te-Rangi. Te-Pito-O-Te-Henua
Rhetian: Bellas festas da nadal e bun onn
Romanche: (sursilvan dialect): Legreivlas fiastas da Nadal e bien niev onn!
Rumanian: Sarbatori vesele or Craciun fericit
Russian: Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom
Sami: Buorrit Juovllat
Samoan: La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou
Sardinian: Bonu nadale e prosperu annu nou
Scots Gaelic: Nollaig chridheil huibh
Serbian: Hristos se rodi.
Singhalese: Subha nath thalak Vewa. Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa
Slovak: Vesele Vianoce. A stastlivy Novy Rok
Slovene: Vesele Bozicne Praznike Srecno Novo Leto or Vesel Bozic in srecno Novo leto
Spanish: Feliz Navidad
Swedish: God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt År
Tagalog: Maligayamg Pasko. Masaganang Bagong Taon
Tamil: (Tamizh) Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal (good New Year not Merry Christmas)
Trukeese: (Micronesian) Neekiriisimas annim oo iyer seefe feyiyeech!
Thai: Sawadee Pee Mai or souksan wan Christmas
Turkish: Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun
Ukrainian: Srozhdestvom Kristovym or Z RIZDVOM HRYSTOVYM
Urdu: Naya Saal Mubarak Ho (good New Year not Merry Christmas)
Vietnamese: Chuc Mung Giang Sinh
Welsh: Nadolig Llawen
Yoruba: E ku odun, e ku iye'dun! 

Merry Christmas to All..

jingle bell jingle bell

jingle all the way
Santa clause is coming along
riding on a sledge
jingle bell jingle bell
jingle all the way
santa clause is coming along
riding on a sledge


Christmas Wallpapers

http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/Christmas-Wallpaper-christmas-450008_1600_1200.gif







Courtesy:
http://www.santas.net
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas
http://www.history.com/topics/christmas
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Queen Alexandra's birdwing - Largest butterfly species in the world, Facts, Photos, Information, Habitats, News

December 26, 2022, 1:44 am
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Amazing Queen Alexandra's birdwing Butterfly


Ornithoptera alexandrae, the Queen Alexandra's birdwing, is the largest butterfly species in the world, with females reaching wingspans slightly in excess of 25 cm to 28 cm (9.8 inches to 11 inches). This birdwing butterfly is restricted to the forests of the Oro Province in eastern Papua New Guinea.

The Queen Alexandra's birdwing is considered endangered by the IUCN, is restricted to approximately 100 km (40 sq mi) of coastal rainforest near Popondetta, Oro Province, Papua New Guinea. It is nonetheless abundant locally and requires old-growth rainforest for its long-term survival. The major threat to this species is habitat destruction for oil palm plantations. However, the eruption of nearby Mount Lamington in the 1950s destroyed a very large area of this species' former habitat and is a key reason for its current rarity.




Female: Female Queen Alexandra's birdwings are larger than males with marked rounder, broader wings. The female can reach and slightly exceed a wingspan of 25 cm to 28 cm (9.8 inches to 11 inches), a body length of 8 cm (3.1 in), and a body mass of up to 12 g (0.42 oz), all enormous measurements for a butterfly. The female has brown wings with white markings arranged as two rows of chevrons. The hindwings are brown with a submarginal line of centered yellow triangles. The body is cream-colored, and a small section of red fur is on the brown thorax.
Male: There is sexual dimorphism in this species. The wings are long with angular apices. They are iridescent bluish-green with a black central band. There is a pronounced sex brand. The underside is green or blue-green with black veins. Males are smaller than females. The abdomen is bright yellow. The wingspan of the males can be approximately 20 cm (8 in), but more usually about 16 cm (6.3 in). A spectacular male form is atavus, which has gold spots on the hindwings.

Courtesy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Alexandra%27s_birdwing

Amazing Queen Alexandra's birdwing Butterfly Images









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Exploring the World of Weird Shoes: From Ugly to Bizarre Footwear Fashions Around the Globe

February 9, 2023, 11:42 pm
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We've all seen them - the shoes that make you wonder who would ever wear them in public. From ugly to downright bizarre, some shoe designs around the world are just awful. Whether it's a practical joke or the latest fashion trend, here's a look at some of the worst footwear fashions around the world.


Step Into the World of Weird Shoes

No matter where you are in the world, there are always a few people who like to stand out with their fashion choices. From bright colors and outlandish combinations to outrageous shapes and styles, these people have taken the concept of shoes to a whole new level.

In some places, these often outrageous designs are considered acceptable - even fashionable. In other areas, they are seen as completely tasteless and ridiculous. However, no matter where you go, there are bound to be a few pairs of shoes that make you question their designers’ sanity.

Wildly Unfortunate Footwear Fashions

When it comes to terrible shoe designs, some places have a particularly bad reputation. One example is Japan, where many shoe designs are definitely out of the ordinary. From shoes with feet printed on them to shoes that look like cartoon characters, Japanese shoe designs seem to be extra eccentric.

In other regions, shoes can be just as bad. In Europe, for instance, there are some exceptionally ugly shoes that are made with extra-thick soles and clunky designs. And in the United States, many shoe designs don’t look like shoes at all - some look more like a plastic bag or a sock with a sole.

What Not to Wear on Your Feet

It’s not just the design of the shoes that makes them so bad - some are made with materials that are just plain awful. In many parts of the world, it’s not unusual to find shoes made of cheap plastic, foam, or cardboard. In some cases, these materials don’t even provide any support for the wearer’s feet - which can lead to painful blisters and aching feet.

Of course, not all shoe designs are made from such poor materials. In some cases, designers use high-quality materials such as leather and suede to create shoes that are both stylish and comfortable. However, this doesn’t always guarantee a good-looking shoe - as there are still many designs out there that are just plain ugly.

From Unflattering to Unbelievable

When it comes to bad shoe designs, there are some that are just plain ugly - and then there are others that are completely bizarre. In some areas of the world, you can find shoes with bright colors, strange patterns, and even animal motifs. In other regions, there are shoes with heels so high they look more like stilts than shoes.

No matter what kind of outrageous design you stumble upon, it’s almost guaranteed that you won’t see anyone else wearing them. Of course, there are always those few brave souls who will don a pair of these ridiculous-looking shoes. But for most people, these outrageous designs are just too much to bear.

Stomping Through the Worst of the Worst

When it comes to bad shoe designs, it’s hard to decide which ones are the worst. From shoes with feet printed on them to shoes that look like cartoon characters, the options are almost endless. No matter which pair you choose, there’s no denying that they are all equally terrible.

In some cases, the designs are so bad that they’re almost charming. But in other cases, they’re just plain ugly - and you can’t help but wonder who thought they were a good idea in the first place.

Not All Shoes are Created Equal

No matter where you go in the world, you’ll find some truly awful shoe designs. While some are just plain ugly, others are completely bizarre. But no matter what, these shoes are sure to turn heads - and make you wonder who would ever wear them.

So the next time you’re out and about, keep your eyes peeled for some of the worst shoe designs around the world. After all, a little knowledge of fashion can go a long way - and you might even find yourself avoiding a few pairs of these terrible shoes!

The possibilities are endless when it comes to bad shoe designs. From ugly to downright bizarre, there’s no shortage of terrible footwear fashions around the world. So the next time you’re out and about, remember to keep an eye out for some of the worst shoes on the planet - you’re sure to be amazed (and horrified) at some of the designs you find!





















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Ohh! There is a chameleon on my head [Image]

April 25, 2023, 12:41 am
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Fun with Vegetables, Fruits & Breads - Funny & Strange Vegetable, Strange Fruits & Strange Breads Pictures

April 25, 2023, 2:25 am
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 See the following pictures of Funny & Strange Vegetable, Fruits & Breads which shows us how we can make Fun with Strange Vegetables, Strange Fruits & Strange Breads.




















































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Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's Grand Wedding: A Fairytale Come True

August 5, 2024, 1:16 am
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The wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant was an extraordinary affair that dazzled the world. As the youngest son of Mukesh and Nita Ambani, Anant's wedding was destined to be a showcase of grandeur and elegance. Radhika Merchant, the daughter of industrialist Viren Merchant, brought her grace and sophistication to this momentous event, creating a celebration that will be remembered for years to come.

The Magnificent Journey Begins: December Engagement

The wedding celebrations commenced with a private engagement ceremony in December at Antilia, the Ambani family's opulent residence in Mumbai. This intimate gathering was attended by close family and friends. The venue was adorned with stunning floral arrangements and soft lighting, creating a magical atmosphere. Anant looked regal in a designer sherwani, while Radhika captivated everyone in a custom-made lehenga adorned with intricate embroidery.

A Lavish Affair: January Engagement Party

January brought a grand engagement party that further elevated the celebrations. Held at Antilia, this event was a high-profile affair, attracting some of the biggest names from the worlds of business, politics, and entertainment. The evening was filled with enchanting music, vibrant dance performances, and an exquisite array of gourmet dishes. Renowned musicians provided a melodious backdrop, while the couple was showered with heartfelt blessings from their distinguished guests.

A Sophisticated Celebration: March Pre-Wedding Party

The pre-wedding festivities continued in March with an elegant party held at the Alila Fort Bishangarh in Rajasthan. This sophisticated event was characterized by its opulence and charm, featuring live music performances and a lavish dining experience. The gathering included close friends and family, who mingled with Anant and Radhika in a setting that combined luxury with cultural richness.







Cruising in Luxury: May European Cruise Party

In May, the celebrations took to the high seas with a luxurious European cruise party. This exclusive event saw close friends and family embarking on a breathtaking Mediterranean journey. The cruise was a feast for the senses, offering lavish parties, exquisite dining, and stunning ocean views. The unique experience provided a memorable backdrop for celebrating Anant and Radhika’s union.

A Night to Remember: July 2-5 Mass Wedding and Musical Extravaganza

The highlight of the wedding celebrations was the mass wedding and musical extravaganza from July 2-5. Held at the Dome @ NSCI, Worli, this event was a spectacular affair featuring performances by some of Bollywood’s biggest stars. The couple, along with their families, enjoyed a night of choreographed dances and musical acts that showcased their love for entertainment. The grand scale and star-studded performances made this a truly unforgettable experience.

Embracing Tradition: July 8 Haldi Ceremony

On July 8, the Haldi ceremony was celebrated at Antilia in a vibrant and intimate setting. This traditional ritual involved the application of turmeric paste to Anant and Radhika as a symbol of blessing and purification. Surrounded by close family and friends, the couple experienced a joyful and heartfelt occasion filled with flower petals and well-wishes.




Uniting in Grandeur: Friday Main Wedding Ceremony

The main wedding ceremony took place on Friday at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai. The venue was transformed into a floral paradise, featuring a blend of Indian and Western elements. Anant looked majestic in his intricately designed sherwani, while Radhika was a vision in her bridal lehenga, adorned with exquisite zari work and delicate embroidery. The ceremony, conducted according to Hindu traditions, was a beautiful and emotional celebration of their union.










Seeking Divine Blessings: Saturday Spiritual Ceremony

Saturday’s Divine Blessings Ceremony added a spiritual dimension to the wedding festivities. Held at a revered temple in Mumbai, this serene event allowed Anant and Radhika to seek blessings from divine powers. Surrounded by their nearest and dearest, the couple experienced a tranquil and sacred moment, highlighting the spiritual significance of their marriage.

A Grand Finale: Sunday Wedding Reception

The wedding reception on Sunday was the grand finale of the celebrations. Hosted at the Jio World Centre, the reception was a lavish affair featuring a menu curated by world-renowned chefs. The evening included a delectable mix of global cuisines and gourmet desserts, providing a culinary feast for the guests. Anant and Radhika made a stunning entry, and the night was filled with music, dance, and heartfelt speeches, celebrating their new life together.

Elegance in Detail: Invitations, Attire, Jewelry, and Gifts

The wedding invitations were a masterpiece of elegance, featuring intricate motifs and personalized touches. Each invitation came with a beautifully crafted gift box containing traditional sweets, handcrafted jewelry, and personalized memorabilia. The attention to detail in these invitations and gifts showcased the grandeur and thoughtfulness of the Ambani family’s celebration.

Anant and Radhika’s wedding attire was nothing short of royal. Anant donned a custom-made sherwani with elaborate embroidery, while Radhika dazzled in her bridal lehenga, which featured intricate zari work and delicate embellishments. Her jewelry collection, including diamond and gold pieces, complemented her stunning bridal look.

A Culinary Delight: Exquisite Dining Experience

The wedding and reception menus were a culinary delight, offering a diverse range of dishes from around the world. Guests enjoyed a lavish spread of traditional Indian delicacies, international cuisines, and gourmet desserts. The chefs crafted a menu that catered to varied tastes, providing an exceptional dining experience.

The wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant was a grand affair attended by a plethora of high-profile guests from various fields. Here's a glimpse into the illustrious guest list:

International Celebrities

  • Kim Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian
  • Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra Jonas
  • Justin Bieber
  • Katy Perry
  • John Cena
  • David Beckham
  • Mike Tyson
  • Andrea Bocelli
  • The Backstreet Boys

Bollywood A-Listers

  • Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan
  • Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan
  • Salman Khan
  • Aamir Khan
  • Hrithik Roshan
  • Deepika Padukone
  • Ranveer Singh
  • Karan Johar
  • Rohit Shetty
  • Katrina Kaif
  • Vicky Kaushal
  • Akshay Kumar
  • Kareena Kapoor Khan
  • Saif Ali Khan
  • Kajol
  • Ajay Devgn

Indian Business Tycoons

  • Gautam Adani
  • Ratan Tata
  • Kumar Mangalam Birla
  • Shiv Nadar

Political Dignitaries

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi
  • President Droupadi Murmu
  • Several Chief Ministers

This is just a partial list, as the wedding was attended by a massive crowd of influential people from around the world.

A Display of Opulence: The Wealth and Wedding Costs

According to Forbes, Anant Ambani is part of one of the wealthiest families globally, with a net worth of over $122 billion. Radhika Merchant, hailing from an affluent background, set the stage for an unparalleled opulence wedding. While exact figures of the wedding expenses remain undisclosed, estimates revealed the total cost of the Ambani wedding reached more than $600 million. The grandeur of the events, luxurious venues, and high-profile guest list contributed to making this wedding one of the most talked-about celebrations of the year.

Celebrating Love and New Beginnings: Anant and Radhika’s Journey

The wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant was more than just a union of two individuals; it was a grand celebration of love, family, and tradition. The scale and splendor of the event, coupled with the genuine warmth shared between the couple and their families, ensured that this wedding would be remembered as one of the most memorable and grandest celebrations of recent times. As Anant and Radhika embark on their new journey together, their wedding stands as a testament to the magnificence of love and the joy of new beginnings.

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Diwali 2024, Deepavali - Festival Of Lights, Fireworks, Sweets, Gifts Celebrated In India, Malaysia, Nepal, Sri Lanka

October 22, 2024, 12:53 am
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Diwali - Festival Of Lights
  

This Year Diwali is on Thursday, October 31, 2024.

Diwali, Deepavali is popularly known as the Festival Of Lights, Fireworks, Sweets, Gifts. It is an important five-day festival in Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism, celebrated between mid-October and mid-November. Diwali is an official holiday in India, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Mauritius, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Myanmar , Fiji and Surinam.

For five consecutive days every year, starting from a day when the moon decides to hide giving way to complete darkness, every Indian regardless of his/her caste, creed or religion celebrates a festival called ‘Diwali’ – a festival that glorifies the triumph of light over all that is darkness and of the good over all that is evil, and one which rekindles the flame of love and hope in one and all. This festival is also a manifestation to the fact that every ounce of darkness can be outweighed by something as weightless yet strong – willed as a ‘Diya’ (traditional Indian earthen lamps); one simply needs to muster the courage to stand and walk again.

Diwali, the festival of lights, gets its name from ‘Deepawali’ – a row of lights, where ‘Deep’ stands for ‘light’ and ‘Awali’ stands for ‘a row’. Indian households across the globe, on these five days, dwell in the dazzling luminosity of these earthen lamps, ‘Diya’. However, it’s not just Diyas that contribute in illuminating the nation during these Diwali days, but also fire crackers, which light up the sky unceasingly with a million sparkles. Their blaring sounds serving as messengers carrying joyous notes of gratitude from the rejoicing masses to the heavens for their generosity.

Diwali History & Legends

There are several theories pointing to the origin of this festival with one stating that the festival is celebrated to mark the beginning of the post – monsoon harvesting season. However, the festival is most often than not associated with Rama’s return from his fourteen year long exile and the great demon king Ravana’s execution at the hands of the former.

Rama’s return to Ayodhya
According to Hindu mythology, Kaikeyi, King Dashratha’s youngest wife and Bharat’s mother, stricken with jealousy tactfully forced her husband to exile her eldest son, Rama, whose blood mother was Kaushalya, for fourteen years on the eve of his son, Rama’s coronation ceremony. Rama, the embodiment of righteousness, an ideal son, husband and brother, acceded to his father’s helplessness and left Ayodhya with his wife, Sita, and younger brother, Lakshman. The trio donned a monk’s attire and journeyed southward on the banks of the river Godavari, where they built cottages and lived.

During their stay in the forests, Rama and his brother, Lakshman, humbled a few menacing demons, who, in their bid to avenge Ravana’s sister’s humiliation at the hands of Lakshman, tried to kill them. The deaths of these demons consequently sparked an outrage against the brothers in the demon world to which Ravana, the mighty demon King, responded by abducting Sita with guile while she was alone in her cottage.

Rama and his brother, Lakshman, after hearing the news plan an attack on the demon king by joining hands with a monkey King. Rama and his army of monkeys lay siege on Lanka, Ravana’s kingdom, and annihilate the powerful demon army and then go on to vanquish the mighty demon king, Ravana.

Meanwhile, the trio completes their fourteen year exile and prepares to return to Ayodhya. On hearing the news, Bharat, Kaikeyi’s son and Rama’s younger brother, who as a respectful gesture to his elder brother, Rama, refuses to sit on the throne and instead places Rama’s footwear on it after the latter left for his exile, jumps in exultation and prepares the kingdom for a grand welcome. The people of Ayodhya too are elated on hearing the news and clean their houses and decorate them with flowers, garlands, candles and earthen lamps (Diya). On the day of Rama’s return, every corner of every street was cleaned, watered and painted with colorful designs called ‘Rangolis’. The entire kingdom erupted with joy on having their dear King, Rama, back.

Narakasura’s execution 
Narakasura, an invincible demon who ruled Pradyoshapuram, was obliterated by Krishna’s wife, Satyabhama, in order to rescue the people of Pradyoshapuram from the demon’s atrocities. The myth says Narakasura underwent a severe penance in an effort to seek blessings from Lord Brahma, who eventually acknowledged his devotee’s sincerity by granting him a powerful boon that he would only succumb to death at the hands of his mother, the earth goddess, Bhudevi. Krishna’s wife, Satyabhama, was a reincarnation of Bhudevi.

Krishna knew of this and cleverly sought help from his wife, Satyabhama, in a battle that was to ensue between him and the demon, Narakasura. Satyabhama accompanied Krishna to the battleground as his charioteer. However, after Krishna fell unconscious on being hit by Narakasura’s arrow, Satyabhama took charge and effortlessly killed Narakasura with an arrow. After the battle, Krishna reminds her of her reincarnation and the boon she had sought as Bhudevi.

This mythical story is not just a story about the unfathomable physical and mental prowess of gods and goddesses, but also one that conveys a simple yet powerful message, which says that every parent is under a moral obligation to punish his/her children should they tread a wrong path. And that the good of the society and not personal bonds should be placed on a higher pedestal. The myth also says that Bhudevi, Narakasura’s mother, announced that her son’s death should not be mourned, but celebrated.

Incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi
Lakshmi, the embodiment of sublime beauty, opulence and divine grace, is a Hindu goddess who rules health, wealth, spiritual, material and intellectual prosperity, and fertility. She came into being as a result of a conquest undertaken by the gods and demons for achieving immortality.

Both the smaller gods and demons initially were mortal. In order to be immortal, they decided to consult Vishnu, who helped them churn the ocean of milk, Kshirsagar, for Amrit (the nectar of immorality). In this process, a number of divine celestial objects including Lakshmi surfaced. Amrit, however, was the last one to come up. But the gods could only consume the nectar of immortality if the demons were in some way distracted. Vishnu then took form of a beautiful maiden and distracted the demons helping the gods achieve immortality.

Ever since, Goddess Lakshmi has dwelled in the heavens and accompanies Lord Vishnu each time he descends on earth as a manifestation of himself in human or superhuman or animal form.

Diwali as a Harvest Festival


Among the many Diwali legends, most of which are strong manifestations of unflinching Hindus beliefs, there is one legend that deviates from religion and moves into the realm of provable historical facts. This theory, which points to the festival’s origin, stems from India’s cultural, social and economic history. It states that Diwali is celebrated to mark the onset of the post–monsoon harvesting season. Speaking of which, the defining role of India’s agrarian society in carving her economic structure gets starkly highlighted.

Owing to the heavy influence of agriculture on the Indian society, quite a few festivals celebrated in India find their roots in the land of farmers. However, there is an identifiable difference in the way different Indian societies celebrate these festivals. In rural India, the harvesting festivals are celebrated by observing traditional rituals that reciprocate God’s generosity in providing the farmers with a bountiful cropping season. Whereas, the urban masses celebrate these festivals by observing rituals that pay an obeisance to God for His generosity in showering wealth and prosperity on them. These festivals may not be celebrated in the same manner, but the fact that some typical traditions and customs associated with these harvesting festivals found their way to the modernized urban society goes to prove each Indian’s unyielding commitment to his cultural values.

Five Days of Diwali

Dhanteras


Dhanteras is the Thirteenth lunar day of the Krishna Paksh, the dark forthnight of Kartik month according to the Hindu calender. The day is also called Dhanvantari Triodasi or Dhan Theras. With the day of Dhanteras the Diwali celebrations begin. Word “Dhan” means wealth and “Teras” means the Thirteenth lunar day. Dhan, wealth is worshiped of this special day. Goddess Lakshmi is the Goddess of wealth, light, beauty and prosperity; therefore, Indians worship her and seek her blessings for a prosperous new beginning. Footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder at the entrance of the house, to mark the awaited arrival of Goddess Lakshmi. Lamps are kept burning all through the night. As a form of good omen, people buy an ornament or a piece of precious metal on Dhanteras to bring a financial good Luck. Lord Dhanwantari emerged out of the ocean with Ayurvedic for mankind on this day.

There is a legend accosiated with Dhanteras. A Sixteen year old son of king Hima was destined to die on the fourth night of his marriage. So to save him from untimely death, his wife heaped up lot of gold and silver ornaments and coin on her husband’s room entrance. Lighted so many diyas in the room and kept telling stories and singing songs all night. She kept her husband awake the entire night. Lord Yama came and set on the heap of gold, listening to the songs and left in the morning. This is how the king’s son was saved from death, by him wife. On this day, before sunset, people bathe and offer lighted diyas to Lord Yama, the Lord of death to protect themselves from untimely death.

Chhoti Diwali
Chhoti Diwali is the second day of Diwali. Lord Krishna defeated the devil Narakasur on this day thus giving a sigh of relief to the people. With this belief this day carries a lot of importance for Indians.
The demon king Narakasur after defeating Lord Indra, had snatched away the precious earrings of Aditi, the Mother Goddess (the ruler of Suraloka and a relative of Satyabhama, Lord Krishna\'s wife) and imprisoned sixteen thousand daughters of the gods and saints in his harem. Enraged with the hostile behavior of Narakasur, Satyabhama appeals Krishna to allow her to destroy Narakasur. On the other side, it was said that Narakasur was destined to be killed by a woman. Krishna granted Satyabhama a boon to fight against Narakasur. Satyabhama entered the battle field with Krishna as her charioteer and destroy Narakasur. Soon after that the imprisoned women were released, and Krishna accepted to marry them. As a symbol of that victory Lord Krishna smudged his forehead with the demon king\'s blood. Krishna returned home in the very early morning of the Narakachaturdashi day. Krishna got a scented oil message on his body by the womenfolk and took a bath to remove the filth of demon’s blood from his body. Since then to message the body with scented oil to get rid of tiredness and take bath early in morning has become a traditional practice on this day. Bhudevi, the mother of Narakasur declared that this day should not be for mourning but to rejoice the victory of good over evil. So the festival of Diwali is celebrated with lots of happiness and hopes.

Diwali Day
The Diwali day is the fifteenth lunar day of the dark forthnight of Hindu month Kartik. It is the heart and soul of the entire Diwali festival. It falls on the darkest day, the Amavasya. To wade away the darkness and welcome the new year on a bright path; innumerous diyas, lights and candles are lit.  
On this day women wake up early in the morning and make Rangoli on the threshold of the house. Also make small footprints of rice, vermillion and turmeric near the entrance of the house; depicting it to be Goddess Lakshmi’s footprints. People decorate the house beautifully and light lots of diyas in the evening. The families wait for Goddess Lakshmi to visit their house and bless them with wealth and prosperity. It is believed that on Diwali day Goddess Lakshmi descends on earth from heaven in her celestial being and visits all the homes and blesses them. She visits the cleanest, decorative and well lit house first. In the evening Lakshmi Puja is performed along with Ganesh Puja to please and seek blessings of the God and Goddess. Later in the evening kids and youngsters burst firecrackers to fill the sky with adorable colors and light.

Padwa / Gowardhan Puja
The fourth day of the Diwali is commonly known as the Hindu New Year. It is said that as the Indians lit the diyas on the Amavasya night, the diyas illuminate the darkness and welcome a bright new year. This day has many legends associated with it. At large, this day is associated with Gowardhan Puja.
Gokul, a small town in Uttar Pradesh is where Lord Krishna lived. The people there used to celebrate a festival to worship Lord Indra at the end of the monsoon season to express their gratitude for good rain. On a particular year, Lord Krishna stopped them from worshiping Lord Indra, instead he asked them to worship their fields and cattle as there are the ones who earns them their bread. There was a heavy down pour that year. People were scared thinking that this down pour is the result of Lord Indra’s Anger for not worshiping him. So to save the people of Gokul Lord Krishna lifted Govardhan Parvat on his little fingure and thus gave shelter to the Gokul residents. Since then this Day is celebrated in honour of Lord Krishna, The Gowardhandhari. A small hillock is made, depicting Gowardhan parvat and decorate it with flowers and light. The devotees worship the Gowardhan parvat and the Gowardhandhari.
On this day as part of the Gowerdhan Parvat legend, people also offer “Annakoot” to Lord Krishna. The devotees cook 56 or 108 food delicacies. Make a mount of it for offering it to the Lord. They pray to save them from all the pains and trouble as Lord Krishna saved the “Gokul Vasi” from the heavy down pour.
Gudi Padwa is celebrated on this fourth day of Diwali. It’s a Marathi festival. Gudi Padwa celebrates love and devotion between husband and wife. The wife applies a tilak on forehead of her husband and prays for his long life. As a part of the Ritual, outside the door or the widow of the house, a decorated Gudhi is kept. It is a symbol of victory and happiness. The newly wed daughter along with her husband is invited for a meal at her parents place on Gudi Padwa.
The Hindu New Year is also celebrated as “Kartik Shuddh Padwa” or “Bali Padyami” by the south Indians. It is believed that King Bali come to visit the people on earth from Patalaloka (netherworld) as per boon given by Lord Vishnu, on this day.
From this Day the Vikram Samvat begins. It is said that this day marks the Coronation of King Vikramaditya.

Bhai Dooj
The fifth day of Diwali got its name as it falls on the second day of full moon forthnight, “Dooj”. This day is very auspicious for every brother as on this day the sister applies a tilak on her brother’s forehead, performs an aarti, shares a meal with him and prays to save him from all the evils and seek blessings from God for his long life. This day is also addressed as “Bhai Phota” or “Bhai Biij”.
Yamraj went to meet his twin sister Yami (Yamuna) on Bhai Dooj. They were meeting each other after a long separation. Yami warmly welcomed Yamraj, applied the tilak on his forehead and performed his aarti to pray for his long life. She cooked delicious meal and shared it with Yamraj. Yamraj was so much pleased by his sister’s affection that he declared that if a brother receives a tilak, aarti and a meal from his sister on this sacred day, he would he saved from hurdles and hell.
A legend about Bhai Phota is Lord Krishna after slaying the demon Narakasur, went to meet his sister Subhadra. The affectionate Subhadra greeted victorious Krishna by garlanding him and applying sacred tilak on his forehead.
Another popular legend of Bhai Bij says after the nirvana of Lord Mahavir, his brother Raja Nandivardhan became extremely sad and depressed. With the assistance and affection of his sister Sudarshana, he was brought back to normal.

Diwali Photos and Wallpapers






















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Uttarayan, Makar Sankranti & Pongal: Kite-Flying & Thanksgiving Festival of India - The Most Important Harvest Festival Of India

January 9, 2025, 11:03 pm
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Importance of Makar Sankranti / Uttarayan - Kite-Flying Festival
Makar Sankranti is an important ‘Thanksgiving’ festival of India. In Tamil Nadu it is celebrated as Pongal. Makar Sankranti signifies a bountiful harvest and flourishing of wealth. People believe that by thanking god they are able remain happy and lead healthy life and reap success throughout the year.

The day on which sun enters the zodiac sign called Capricorn (Makara Rasi or Zodiac sign) is considered as an auspicious day. The period from Makarsankrant (the passage of the sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn) to Karkasankrant is called the Uttarayan. In Sanskrit the word ‘Sankranti’ means transition. On this day sun begins its northward movement and the Hindu almanacs call this northward transition of the sun as Uttarayana patha. The day also coincides with the commencement of the Tamil month Thai. The day usually falls on 14th January every year. Of course this is the only festival that adapts solar (Hindu) calendar. The other festival dates are determined according to lunar calendar. It is believed that holy dip in perennial rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, and Kaveri will have huge significance. The Great Kumbh-Mela will be held once in every 12 years on this holy day at Prayag.


Different Names in Different Regions
It is celebrated all over India as well as in few South East Asian Countries with different names. In Uttar Pradesh, Sankranti is celebrated with the name Khichiri’. In Himachal Pradesh and Punjab it is called Lohri. In Assam it is known as Bhogali Bihu. In West Bengal and Orissa it is simply celebrated as Makar Sankranti. It is still more simply called Sankranti in Bihar, Karnataka and Kerala. In Gujarat and Rajasthan the festival is named as Uttarayan. The festival is also celebrated with different names in different nations e.g., Nepal (Maghe sankranti), Thailand (Songkran), Laos (Pi Mao Lao) and Myanmar (Thingyan) (ref: Wikipedia)

Three Days Festival
Pongal is a three days festival in Tamil Nadu. The first day is called Bhogi Pandigai. The second day is called Great Pongal or Makara Sankranti. The third is called Maatu Pongal (thanking the livestock especially cow).

The Word and Meanings

Pongal is a Tamil word which signifies the festival as well as the name of the main dish prepared using the newly harvested rice, dal, jaggery and milk. The fruits and vegetables are also obtained fresh from farm. Pongal means boiling.


How Preparations Made for Pongal Festival ?
The month Thai is considered as an auspicious month by Tamils. It is believed that dawn of the Tamil month Thai will mitigate all miseries. People will discard all old things and replace with new things. They will clean whitewash their house. They also decorate the house with kolams (Rangoli). They will purchase new dresses, jewelry and utensils. They will also prepare sweets. The farmers will offer fresh vegetables and fruits to their near and dear. The villages in Tamil Nadu also consider this as a communal festival. The temples will also get new facelift. Womenfolk decorate the temple premises with kolam, mango and coconut leaf festoons. The married daughters will receive harvested crops, vegetables, fruits, coconuts, utensils and money from their parents. Young girls decorate themselves with henna and share with friends and relatives. Women and young girls wear new clothes, wear golden and silver ornaments, volunteer.


How Pongal Festival celebrated?
The Sankranti or Pongal day is dedicated to Lord Sun, the savior of this world with His golden rays. In every household the pongal is cooked in the early morning at their front yard. Fresh earthen pots are fetched and decorated with kolam (drawing lines and curves with rice flour to beautify). For cooking they will use traditional wooden log flame. Fresh milk and water are allowed to boil and the froth will come out of the pot. It is believed as an auspicious sign. After this rice will be added and allowed to cook. Following this powdered jaggery and cardamom powder will be added. Now ghee will be added and the ingredients will be stirred well. At the end the dish will be decorated with ghee roasted cashew and raisin.
It is customary to tie the turmeric plant at the neck of the pot. They will make a tripod using sugarcane stems (with leaves) tied at the top. The pongal pots will be placed under this tripod. They will be a small pooja and prayer. They will rejoice their festival by shouting ‘Pongal –O – Pongal’. They will feed all housemaids, farm servants, workers, dobhis, barbers and every one come to their house.


How Maatu Pongal Celebrated?
The third day of the Pongal festival is devoted to cows and bulls. The Hindus always worship cow as Gomatha. It is a merry making festival. The cows and bulls will be bathed in water. The horns are shaved and painted. The neck bells are tied. The forehead will have the sandal and kumkum. They will also prepare pongal. Offer prayer to god. They will feed the animal with pongal, plantain, greens etc.,


Significance of Jallikatu (Tamil Bull Fight)?
In South Tamil Nadu Jallikatu (Tamil Bull Fight) is a sport held on this day in prominent villages like Alanganallur and Thammampatti. This sport is considered as showing courage and valor. The raging bulls will be driven from an enclosure towards the youths. The youths are determined to tame the bull and take the prize money or gold from the neck strap of the cow. The wild animal will be frightened by the noisy music bands and will jump on the youths and try to escape from them. If the animal is disturbed or prevented, it will injure the youths. In most of the occasions people will get their stomach punctured by the sharp horns of the bulls. However the culture activists and village folks are supporting jallikatu. But animal sympathizers are against jallikatu. Year by year the issue is debated and the sports also held every year without fail.


Happy Uttarayan / Makar Sankranti & Pongal to All My friends All Over the World!






Here...colorful Kites in shop shelves... 

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RkFR34k_XR-t0hw4whYd-hY7jj16VffrDW3SrUdvyGC0zSxiXV52o_9oMkac9d7pRjG8eZ-cT51ii95GlErcBl__AavCj8xiEk03KQe98K_LBAsoikV4SJZZSzTwB4FfLzd068qWqYQ/s320/kite-festival-774886.jpg








People on terrace...even before 14th Jan, practicing....



Malls and even small shops get into groove....look below



and whole day, kites color the sky....and in evening sky is......




Kite festival of gujarat








Harvest Festival PONGAL
The Festival originated in Tamil Nadu and popularly known as “Tamizhar Thirunal”. The festival is celebrated for four days to provide sincere thanks and prosperity that the farmers and his work which payed us..


First day Jan 13 - Bhogi
Bhogi is the first day of this harvest festival which is celebrated by throwing away and destroying old materials on fire thereby marking the end of the old and the emergence of the new.

Second day Jan 14 - Pongal
The second Pongal is the main day of the festival. It is celebreated by boiling rice with fresh milk and jaggery in new pots that are later topped with cashew nuts and sugar and allowing it to boil over the pot in the early morning. The moment the rice boils out of the pot, the tradition is to shout “Pongaloo pongal”. Sugar cane is bought and placed in every houses to symbolise the celebration of this great festival in Tamil Nadu.

Third day Jan 15 - Maattu Pongal
The third day of the festival is known as “Maatu pongal” which is a occasion for offering thanks to cattle for their help to farmers in the field of Agriculture. On this cattle are well decorated with paint, flowers and bells and are allowed to roam. The cattle are then well fed with sweet rice and sugarcane.

Fourth day Jan 16 - Kaaanum Pongal
The final day “Kaanum pongal” is to thank the relatives and friends for their support. During this day people visit their friends and relatives to enjoy the pongal season.People flock together at beaches , parks and temples there by having a great day out.


This four day Harvest Festival is to honor the farmers for their hard work.. May god bless them.. Wish you all a very happy and prosperous Pongal..


The second day of Pongal known as 'Surya Pongal' is dedicated to the Sun God. The granaries are kept full on this day and Sun God with his rays are painted on a plank as he is worshipped with the birth of the new auspicious month of Thai (Tamil month). A special dish is cooked on this day in a new mud-pot that comes in innovative shapes and have artistic designs on them called 'Pongapani'. A colorful sugarcane market is also set up on this day.
The third day known as 'Mattu Pongal' is dedicated to the cattle as cowherds and shepherds pay thanks to their cows and bulls, wash them, paint their horns and cover them with shining metal caps. They are fed 'pongal' and tinkling bells are tied around their neck. Cattle races are conducted and in the game called 'Manji Virattu' groups of young men chase running bulls. Bull fights called 'Jallikattu' are also arranged at some places where young men have to take the money bags tied to the horns of ferocious bulls single-handedly and without the use of arms.





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Holi 2025 - Colorful Festival of India, Festival of Colors in India, biggest color festival in the world

March 12, 2025, 2:33 am
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Holi, also called the Festival of Colours, is a popular Hindu spring festival observed in India, Nepal, Srilanka, and countries with large Hindu diaspora populations, such as Suriname, Guyana, South Africa, Trinidad, UK, USA, Mauritius, and Fiji.

In West Bengal of India and Bangladesh it is known as Dolyatra (Doul Jatra) or Basanta-Utsav ("spring festival").


The most celebrated Holi is that of the Braj region, in locations connected to the god Krishna: Mathura, Vrindavan, Nandagaon, and Barsana. These places have become tourist destinations during the festive season of Holi, which lasts here to up to sixteen days.

The main day, Holi, also known as Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi, is celebrated by people throwing colored powder and colored water at each other. Bonfires are lit the day before, also known as Holika Dahan (burning of Holika) or Chhoti Holi (little Holi). The bonfires are lit in memory of the miraculous escape that young Prahlad accomplished when Demoness Holika, sister of Hiranyakashipu, carried him into the fire. Holika was burnt but Prahlad, a staunch devotee of god Vishnu, escaped without any injuries due to his unshakable devotion. Holika Dahan is referred to as Kama Dahanam in Andhra Pradesh.

Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna (February/March), (Phalgun Purnima), which usually falls in the later part of February or March. In 2025, Holika Dahan is on March 13, 2025 and Holi (Dhulandi) is on March 14, 2025.

Rangapanchami occurs a few days later on a Panchami (fifth day of the full moon), marking the end of festivities involving colors.

There are many stories of the origin of Holi. The most widely held belief is that Holi marks the day when the devotee of lord Vishnu, Bakt Prahlad, seated on the lap of demoness Holika, was saved from the effect of the fire by God and the demoness got burnt instead. Other stories relate to the death of demon Putana at the hands of lord Krishna and to the burning of demoness Hoda by children. Some link the festival with the worship of Karma, God of pleasure and destiny. The main day, Holi, also known as Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi, is celebrated by people throwing colored powder and colored water at each other. Bonfires are lit the day before, also known as Holika Dahan (death of Holika) or Chhoti Holi (little Holi). The bonfires are lit in memory of the miraculous escape that young Prahlad had when Demoness Holika, sister of Hiranyakashipu, carried him into the fire. Holika was burnt but Prahlad, a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu, escaped without any injuries due to his unshakable devotion. Holika Dahan is referred to as Kama Dahanam in Andhra Pradesh. Holi festival has an ancient origin and celebrates the triumph of 'good' over 'bad'. The colorful festival bridges the social gap and renews sweet relationships. It is the second most important festival of India after Diwali. Holi in India is a festival of fun and frolic and has been associated with the immortal love of Krishna and Radha. The exuberance and the festivity of the season are remarkable. On this day, people hug and wish each other 'Happy Holi'. People rub 'gulal' and 'abeer' on each others' faces and cheer up saying, "bura na maano Holi hai". Holi also gives a wonderful chance to send blessings and love to dear ones wrapped in a special Holi gift. Unlike all the other festivals of India, Hindu Holi festival is one such festival where one can put down the social taboos and indulge in the intoxicating drinks and sweets prepared by using opium. It is a festival of romance often represented by the love-play of Radha and Krishna. Brij Holi is famous all over the world for its gaiety in spirit. Each year, young and old, men and women, all indulge themselves in the spirit of colors and for once forget the social taboos. There are mouthwatering delicacies to savor such as 'Gujhias' and 'Papris' and there are interesting traditions and customs of Holi that have their own regional variances. We will also talk about making natural and healthy colors and safety precautions that  one must take to enjoy Holi.








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