Bhakti Dham Welcomes October...

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BHAKTIDHAM WELCOMES Issue 2 Bhaktidham Wales – a registered charity no. 1139888 | Events venue: Tongwynlais Village Hall, Merthyr Road, Cardiff CF157LF www.bhaktidhamwales.com Bhakti Dham Welcomes 18 th October 2015 BHAKTIDHAM: THE EXECUTIVE VIEW IN THIS ISSUE Namaste Dosto We are privileged to have this Second Release of our Newsletter, which will continue to present to one and all, a view of our activities for the year and also to proudly portray the excellent support that has been forthcoming from all for our activities. We have had another eventful year of celebrations of our Hindu faith among our community here in Cardiff. There are many joyful news items that you will read in this issue, ranging from our numerous religious celebrations such as, the Durga puja and Ganesh Chaturthi and the trip to Europe in mid-2015, as well as, our participation in the celebrations for India Independence Day on 15 August, 2015. It is of course also of importance that we showcase the achievements of our children from the families of Bhakti Dham, who have excelled in their examinations and who will pursue their degrees in universities. Congratulations to all of them. Our weekly prayers on Sundays at Tongwynlais Village Hall have brought our devotees to meet and engage in our various activities. We truly appreciate these activities which also highlights our role as volunteers, to support the future of Bhakti Dham so that we remain a strong community in Cardiff and Wales. Another highlight for the year included the adoption of the Logo for our Charity, an outcome from a simple competition among all of us, and which will be our symbol for the future. We are also reminded that one of the important principles that has emerged and appreciated is the strong financial support provided through donations, so far generously forthcoming from our Trustees. We have also had donations from devotees who grace our various religious and related community events. We very much hope that such encouraging and generous support for our activities will continue in the future for the benefit of the community. We also wish to extend our appreciation to the Editor and his team for their efforts in releasing this newsletter. Finally, our expectations are that our community spearheaded by Bhakti Dham will continue to play a meaningful role to engage with all, including our wider community that we cherish in Wales. Dhanyavad Executive Committee, Bhakti Dham Wales Bhaktidham’s young achievers A celebration of the academic and wider achievements of Bhaktidham’s young stars. Page 2 A tour of Europe Find out more about Bhaktidham’s trip to Europe, in a wonderful travel piece. Page 3 The Executive Committee’s welcome

Transcript of Bhakti Dham Welcomes October...

BHAKTIDHAM WELCOMES Issue 2

Bhaktidham Wales – a registered charity no. 1139888 | Events venue: Tongwynlais Village Hall, Merthyr Road, Cardiff CF157LF

www.bhaktidhamwales.com

Bhakti Dham

Welcomes

18th October

2015

BHAKTIDHAM: THE EXECUTIVE VIEW IN THIS ISSUE

Namaste Dosto

We are privileged to have this Second Release of our Newsletter, which will continue to present to one and all, a view of our activities for the year and also to proudly portray the excellent support that has been forthcoming from all for our activities. We have had another eventful year of celebrations of our Hindu faith among our community here in Cardiff. There are many joyful news items that you will read in this issue, ranging from our numerous religious celebrations such as, the Durga puja and Ganesh Chaturthi and the trip to Europe in mid-2015, as well as, our participation in the celebrations for India Independence Day on 15 August, 2015.

It is of course also of importance that we showcase the achievements of our children from the families of Bhakti Dham, who have excelled in their examinations and who will pursue their degrees in universities. Congratulations to all of them. Our weekly prayers on Sundays at Tongwynlais Village Hall have brought our devotees to meet and engage in our various activities. We truly appreciate these activities which also highlights our role as volunteers, to support the future of Bhakti Dham so that we remain a strong community in Cardiff and Wales.

Another highlight for the year included the adoption of the Logo for our Charity, an outcome from a simple competition among all of us, and which will be our symbol for the future. We are also reminded that one of the important principles that has emerged and appreciated is the strong financial support provided through donations, so far generously forthcoming from our Trustees. We have also had donations from devotees who grace our various religious and related community events. We very much hope that such encouraging and generous support for our activities will continue in the future for the benefit of the community.

We also wish to extend our appreciation to the Editor and his team for their efforts in releasing this newsletter. Finally, our expectations are that our community spearheaded by Bhakti Dham will continue to play a meaningful role to engage with all, including our wider community that we cherish in Wales. Dhanyavad

Executive Committee, Bhakti Dham Wales

Bhaktidham’s young achievers A celebration of the academic and wider achievements of Bhaktidham’s young stars.

Page 2

A tour of Europe Find out more about Bhaktidham’s trip to Europe, in a wonderful travel piece.

Page 3

The Executive Committee’s welcome

BHAKTI DHAM WELCOMES | Issue 2 2

Editor’s

In our first, inaugural issue, we celebrated the many achievements of Bhaktidham’s members, young and not-so-young alike.

It is a pleasure to report equally impressive achievements over the course of this year:

Dr. Sheladevi Nair for achievement of PhD in Education from Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Dr. Nadia Nair Chelliah for achievement of PhD in Medical Engineering from University of South Wales Dr. Manisha Kale for the achievement of an M.Sc. in Systemic Family Therapy. Harsha Sinha for successfully graduating in Optometry and Shailja Tewary for Accounting and Management.

Milind and Amreet for their excellent A-

level performances and their upcoming university places.

Parinita and Kishan for impressive AS-level results and Nikhita for excellent GCSE results.

And as a wonderful reminder that learning need never stop, congratulations to Dr. Sudhir Sarnobat for having

achieved proficiency in the Chinese language HSK2 exam.

And our heartiest congratulations go to Varsha and Arpan on their beautiful wedding of 24

th May 2015 [see below].

Please do continue to send us your and other members’ achievement stories!

Executive Committee 2014/15 Dr. Rawindaran Nair Dr. Kishore Kale Dr. Nagaraj Rao Dr. Rajesh Tewary Dr. Sudhir Sarnobat Mr. Vivek Kumar Ms. Nisha Rawindaran

Executive Committee 2012/13

Mr. Rajkumar Kadaba Dr. Rawindaran Nair Dr. Nagaraj Rao Mrs. Chetna Sinha Mrs. Mamta Tewary

Executive Committee 2010/11

Dr. Alokmoy Sinha Mr. Rajkumar Kadaba Mr. Sudhir Sinha Mrs. Suchitra Das Mahapatra

Celebrating Bhaktidham’s young achievers

Dedicated Bhaktidham young members, celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi

Congratulations to Varsha and Arpan on their wedding Bhaktidham members on Indian Independence Day

BHAKTI DHAM WELCOMES | Issue 2 3

Editor’s

Events 2016

Vasanth Panchami 12 February

Maha Sivaratri 7 March

Holi 24 March

Ram Navami 15 April

Independence Day 15 August

Janmastami 25 August

Ganesh Chaturti 5 September

Durga Pooja 7-11 October

Diwali 30 October

New Year’s Eve 31 December

Pooja and Lunch Every Sunday

We left for a beautiful experience as a group from Cardiff on the tour of Europe from 1

st

to 4th

May, 2015. Our tour included Brussels, Holland, Germany and Luxembourg. On the morning of the first day, Friday 1

st May,

we left Cardiff by coach to Dover port, to board the ferry for the French port of Calais. On reaching Calais, we drove along the coast of France and proceeded into the famous European city of Brussels where we visited the Grand Place, the Mannekin Pis statue and the Atomium. The mini reproduction of Brussels’s Grand Place is one of the more expensive models. Here we saw the “model of Mini Europe”, which highlighted miniature-sized monuments from European cities such as, among others, the Eiffel tower of Paris, Big Ben of London, the Grand Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Madrid and the Tower of Pisa in Italy. The Mannekin Pis statue in a different part of the city, is a small bronze fountain sculpture depicting a naked little boy urinating into the fountain's basin and which bears a cultural significance. One story has it that in the 14th century, Brussels was under siege by a foreign power. The city had held its ground for some time, so the attackers conceived of a plan to place explosive charges at the city walls. A little boy named Julianske happened to be spying on them as they were preparing. He urinated on the burning fuse and thus saved the city. Well, it is up to you to believe it or not! The Atomium, on the other hand, is a huge metalic structure which stands 102 meters tall and with nine 18 meters diameter stainless steel-clad spheres connected to the stand, so that the whole forms the shape of a unit cell of an iron crystal, magnified 165 billion times. For many of us particularly the children, were quite tired already and remembering that, we started the journey at around 2am on

the 1st of May. We were then driven to an

Indian restaurant to have a hearty meal after which we were driven to our hotel in Amsterdam, arriving late in the evening and ready for a good rest. The following day, we were driven along the flat landscape of Holland, passing spectacular sights of the windmills in this region. The treat of the day included a cheese-making and clog-making demonstration for which appeared to be a truly unique experience, once again for many of us in the group. We were provided with lunch at an Indian restaurant and then headed for our next highlight of the day, which was the visit to the world famous “Keukenhof” Tulip Gardens also known as the Garden of Europe, which is situated in Lisse, in the Netherlands. The colourful floral displays make up for the unique and captivating experiences that you can imagine! We were all so overwhelmed by the spectacle of colours and the whole setting and experience. You have to experience the absolute drama that lingers within “Keukenhof”. Thanks once again to the organisers. Another special treat was the canal cruise in Amsterdam, through the city’s complex system of waterways. This was simply the most relaxing and fun way to discover the most beautiful spots and buildings. Most of all, there was a commentary of the experience in various languages offered to all guests/tourists during the cruise. Amsterdam is also one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world, with bike paths and bike racks and several guarded bike storage garages. At the end

Events 2015

Vasanth Panchami 24 January

Maha Sivaratri 17 February

Holi 6 March

Rama Navami 28 March

Independence Day 15 August

Janmastami 5 September

Ganesh Chaturti 19 September

Durga Pooja 18-22 October

Diwali 11 November

New Year’s Eve 31 December

Pooja and Lunch Every Sunday

A tour of Europe by Sheila Nair

Bhakthidham Trip to Europe

2015: THIS YEAR’S EVENTS

2016: THE YEAR AHEAD

BHAKTI DHAM WELCOMES | Issue 2 4

Editor’s

of this day, we were again provided with wonderful Indian food at a local restaurant here in Amsterdam. We had a good rest at the same hotel. We were also told earlier that we needed to be ready and packed after breakfast at the hotel as the bus would be waiting for all for our next destination, Germany. On day three, after checking out from our hotel in Amsterdam, we proceeded on into Germany, with Cologne (Koln) in our destination. We joined the autobahn to arrive in Europe’s largest Gothic twin spire cathedral, the “Cologne Cathedrale”. Following the marvel of this tour of the cathedral and a short walkabout in the city, close by, we drove to join the next sojourn, which was the spectacular ride on a cruise ship for an unforgettable trip along the River Rhine, a mesmerising trip indeed!! This was another wonderful opportunity to witness the lovely landscape of Germany as we cruised the famous river, seeing the lives and the landscape of the great nation of Germany. We witnessed, era after era of castles, mountain top sites, fast trains gliding along the banks of the Rhine and to keep all together, we then frenzied and cherished moments by taking videos and photographs, who knows a thousand perhaps, to add up all that we captured!! As always, there had to be the final day of the tour, when we checked out of our hotel in Amsterdam and headed for the famous city of Luxembourg. This was once again a fantastic experience to just walk about and take up local delights such as baguette sandwich and soft drinks and again, walk about in a city that was truly beautiful in its elegance and historical monuments and stories. Finally, in the early afternoon of the 4

th May, we

started off in our coach destined for Calais, and wonderfully passing through France, and we experienced the never ending beautiful landscapes. We reached our ferry station in Calais and we able to board the 8.45 pm for Dover. The ferry trip was unique this time since we were exhausted and just sharing some cool moments and taking on some bites, especially to make sure our group, especially the kids were fed and so on. On arrival in Dover, we boarded our coach to to leave for Cardiff reaching around 2 am on Tuesday 5

th May, 2015.

We said our farewells, given the late timing and that for some, this was to be

another working day. What struck us all was the spontaneous way that the whole trip was organised by volunteers who happened to only think of their contribution to the families who joined the tour. It was truly marvellous that these volunteers who worked tirelessly were able to bring together so many of us from our community, together with other close friends, to join together. We wish to place on record our sincere appreciation to one person, who was most energetic and selfless in his focus, to get the trip to Europe going, and that person is Rajesh Tewary. Thank you also to all those who also contributed and supported this holiday to make it a worthwhile one. We will all agree that the trip enabled us on the coach, to exchange stories and to better know and communicate to one another as friends, and to just enjoy our warmth and sincere wishes to get along together. A wonderful experience. Dhanayavad.

~~~~~~~~~~~

● ● ●

Education shapes and rewards our future Where hopes and dreams are fulfilled.

The journey towards it may have trials and

tribulations But it is for life.

Through this journey, the mind changes Melting away negativity and ignorance.

It has the power to replace a very different

thinking Providing future aspirations and promises.

Consistency, Dedication and Motivation

The most valuable possessions in obtaining the Gift of Education.

A wonderful life enlightening experience ...

to be treasured.

By Dr Nadia Nair Chelliah

● ● ●

● ● ●

I see Hanuman

I see Hanuman flying in the sky,

Up and away his wings come by,

Over the mountains,

Over the seas,

Please Hanuman Please take me…

Please Hanuman,

Take me on my journey,

Over the clouds,

Over the rainbows,

Over the seas,

I love you Hanuman,

I see you in me.

By Jaden Rohan, aged 7

● ● ●

BHAKTI DHAM WELCOMES | Issue 2 5

Editor’s

Call for advertisements!

Through the pages of our newsletter, we allow local

businesses and organisations to engage a large, diverse number of members and

visitors across South Wales.

If you are interested in placing an advertisement in future editions, please do get in

touch at [email protected].

BHAKTI DHAM WELCOMES | Issue 2 6

Editor’s

Home Away from Home

by Archana Kulkarni

I have been in this country for almost 9 years now and needless to say I miss India and my family so much but the place that brings me closer to India is 'Bhakti Dham Wales'. A place where all Indian festivals are celebrated with equal zest and zeal which is very important for Indian born parents like me who struggle to keep their British kids acquainted with the rich Indian culture and inculcate true Indian values.

Cultural events are organised during festivals like Holi, Navratri giving people a chance to unveil their hidden talents and boost self-confidence. Yummy food is cooked at the Tongwynlais hall-an opportunity for few like me to improvise on their culinary skills.

Before the start of any festival or 'pooja', a brief introduction is given to explain the underlying importance and reasons behind celebrating that particular festival which is important for our kids. It is really nice to see almost 3 different generations coming together under one roof to celebrate the feeling of 'Being Indian'. The elders bring in their experience, the young bring in their enthusiasm and the middle-aged form a beautiful link between the two generations-all together making Bhakti Dham a perfect Home Away From Home. 'Long Live Bhakti Dham'

Help me I’m Trapped by Giovanni Verma

Last night, Alfred Cummings went to the infamous Mandela house or as the locals called it ‘Madi House’. Alfred had heard many stories about the old mental hospital and he wanted to see if these forbidden stories of ‘Madi House’ were true so he decided to find out for himself. When he reached the old house there was a large rusty gate with metal spikes like ancient spears. But luckily he found a hole in the hedge next to the gates. Someone had already been there before, he thought, so he wasn’t that scared.

There was a long winding pathway to the door of ‘Madi House’. As he pushed his way through the overgrown garden, prehistoric nettles bit his ankles like blood-thirsty piranhas. He struggled over massive rocks and through the suffocating fog. Lightning struck so hard that he thought that it would strike the weather vane on the roof of the old house and that it would disintegrate into dust. A fork of fear drove through him but he couldn’t help but wonder if the tales of the forbidden ‘Madi House’ were true…. So he went on.

The great wooden door of Madi House was left ajar so he gently pushed it open and went in…SLAM!!! It closed behind him and Alfred was trapped! He punched, kicked, slapped, banged and pushed at the closed door but it was useless. Inside he saw a dishevelled reception area with broken desks and chairs without legs. At the end of the corridor Alfred saw a dented steel door, he walked towards it and pushed it open. What he saw was what seemed to be a room of torture. A chunky wooden chair stood in the middle of the room. A strange light fixture hovered above it and looked like an electric octopus with wires tangled all around it.

There were two vents above a shattered window was a gaping mouth full of jagged teeth. He felt like if he came any closer the window would gobble him up. Through the window the moon was watching him like an eye and the spot lit him in the darkened room. Alfred felt a creepy presence. Then, lightning struck and suddenly the house came alive. He was blinded by the bright florescent lights and the electric octopuses’ tentacles went wild with electricity. He could feel the buzzing under his feet, the trees scratched and clawed at the wind. Blood seeped from the corner of the room and wrote: ‘Help Me I’m Trapped!’

The lightning struck one final time. It killed the lights. The electricity which had ran the octopus tentacles died away. The fierce wind weakened and a ragged cloud blotted out the eye of the moon. Alfred stood alone in darkness….

By : Giovanni Verma

BHAKTIDHAM WELCOMES Issue 2

Bhaktidham Wales – a registered charity no. 1139888 | Events venue: Tongwynlais Village Hall, Merthyr Road, Cardiff CF157LF

www.bhaktidhamwales.com

म ाँ – Mamta Tewary

A visiting perspective – by KR Gururaja Rao

At the outset I must confess that we (me and my two sisters) had not in our wildest dreams thought that we would be undertaking a tour of UK. Our brother, Dr.Nagaraja Rao, who has been living in Cardiff for almost four decades now, had insisted on a visit time and again, but we could not make it due to domestic and career compulsions. Things dramatically changed with the passing away of our aged parents in succession and also our retirement from service. Better late than never as the adage goes, we decided to embark on the tour at last.

True to its reputation, Heathrow Airport is sprawling and crowded with passengers jostling each other to catch either the underground train or a connecting flight to the next destination. It was a fascinating sight no doubt, but at the same time being first time visitors, we were bewildered at the prospect of being lost in the melee. But we followed the instructions displayed very prominently and made our way to Immigration Zone checks. To our utter surprise, no questions were asked at the Immigration Centre and with a smile we were welcomed to UK. There was absolutely no difficulty in collecting our Baggage and as we moved towards the exit, we saw our brother waving at us. He had driven all the way from Cardiff to the airport to receive us. Our face lit up on seeing him as we were overwhelmed by his gesture.

We had been hearing a lot about the City of Cardiff for four decades now and being our first visit to the City, we had our own imaginations. Did it belie us? Yes to a certain extent. We had expected the city to be crowded with people moving around and horrendous traffic. But to our astonishment, we did not find anything like that. The City was very calm and quiet with people showing penchant for using their own cars. We wondered whether the City had more cars than people. Unlike in major cities in India, Cardiff presented a vibrant and hassle free life. No wonder people who settle down here may not wish to move out. The lane discipline and the traffic regulations followed by the motorists made us feel that back home that we should take a leaf out of it.

The weather was absolutely brilliant with sun shining contrary to our expectations. The City almost resembled a hill station very similar to our own Ooty, Shimla, Nainital and Darjeeling. One feature which made us awestruck was the dwelling area. The houses were very symmetrical and almost identical. This was an amazing spectacle to see. There were no high rise apartments which we normally see in a burgeoning metropolis. The planners have very thoughtfully kept both shopping and residential areas independently which may be unique in this part of the country or in the whole of UK. It is a week since our stay in Cardiff, the experience so far has been wonderful and with the promise of brother taking us for a tour of Wales in the coming days, we hope our stay for a month would be exciting and memorable.

We were ruing that for the first time in our lives we would not be able to celebrate Independence Day of our dear country back home. But the celebration of the Independence Day at BHAKTHI DHAM made us feel that we were not away from home. The celebration was very typical of the way we organize back home. The dance performances rendered by the children were exemplary. The organizers had taken utmost care to present the culture of our dear country with zeal and enthusiasm. Kudos to them.

We have already spent a week in Cardiff and everyone remembers their first visit. Our brother is making every effort to ensure that our stay is enjoyable and memorable. We very fondly and affectionately refer him as BANGARADA MANUSHYA in Kannada which means Man of Gold.

Our best wishes to all the members of the BHAKTHIDHAM and thank for the opportunity given to express our impressions.

Vande Mataram, Jai Hind.

मेरे गिर जान ेसे तुम्हें क्यों ददद होता था मााँ मेरे देर से आने पर क्यों दरवाज ेके पास

बाट जोहती थी मााँ मााँ अब क्या िीत लिख ाँ मैं संिीत तो मेरा चिा िया

ततनका ततनका जोड़ कर जजस घर को सजाया था मााँ वो अब क्यों इतना शांत है बाब जी एकटक आकाश में ककसको ढ ाँढा करते हैं मााँ सब कहत ेहैं तुम भिवान के पास चिी ियी हो तुम उसी का तो रूप थी जो धरती पर आयी थी मााँ

मााँ अब क्या िीत लिख ाँ मैं संिीत तो मेरा चिा िया जजन िोररयों की थपककयों से सोया करती थी मैं वो बचपन कब बीत िया जजन पायि की छमछम स ेउठ जाती थी सुबह सुबह

वो सरिम कब ख़त्म हो ियी आाँिन में मााँ अब क्या िीत लिख ाँ मैं संिीत तो मेरा चिा िया

स्क ि से आकर बस्ता फें क जजन बाहों में भर जाती थी मैं उसका मखमिी स्पशद अब भी ढ ाँढा करती ह ाँ मााँ

आज मााँ का सही अथद मैंने पा लिया संसार में तनिःस्वाथद प्रेम को जान लिया तुम्हारी हर यादें मेरे मन के कोन ेकोने में बसी हाँ मााँ मााँ अब क्या िीत लिख ाँ मैं संिीत तो मेरा चिा िया हाँसते हाँसत ेहर काम करूाँ िी मााँ तुमने जो हमेशा ख़ुश रहने का आशीवादद जो ददया है मााँ तुम्हें शत ्शत ्नमन है मााँ अपन ेिीतों की श्रदधाजंलि तुम्हेँ समर्पदत करती ह ाँ मााँ

रचयित : ममत यतव री

BHAKTI DHAM WELCOMES | Issue 2 8

Editor’s

An insight into Malaysia, a nation that has welcomed Indians by Rawindaran Nair

We may want to know something of Malaysia, where there is a large community of Indians living as descendants of migrant who arrived in the country, since the early 19

th century to work in the rubber plantations. The early Indians arrived largely from south India from the

states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala with some also from Punjab and Madhya Pradesh. It is a wonder how these communities from India gradually mingled not only with the rest of the indigenous population of Malaysia, but also very much with others from India, whom we all regarded as from a similar community.

The country has a population of 30 million people and those from India comprise about 7 per cent of the population and speak mainly Tamil, Malayalam, Telegu and Punjabi. We have had an experience, for those born of these migrants to live in an exciting country for all to explore our Indian cultures and traditions. We celebrate all our Hindu religious festivals and have beautiful temples all over the country and have experienced a deep sense of belonging with the rest of the indigenous population referred to as Malays, a wonderful community indeed. There are frequent visits to India by our brethren, not only to original ancestral family homes, but nowadays, just like any overseas Indian, to explore the beauties of India.

There is also evidence in history that between the 7th

and 13th

century, the peninsula of Malaya, which is the western component and the location of the capital Kuala Lumpur was under the Buddhist Srivijaya Empire. This empire had strong links to Sumatra, which is an island part of Indonesia, which was reported in history to be the centre of the Srivijaya Empire and thus the influence of India, its cultures and history does appear to be strong in the region. These are the influences that those of here in Cardiff, who come from Malaysia, bear with us when we meet and relate to our friends from India who are living here. The journey of our people is truly magnificent and steeped in history and traditions, and we should nurture this diversity in our origins, although our being Indian is always the strong bond.

पे्ररण - एक सच्ची कह नी by Mamta Tewary

िााँव के पहरेदार ने जाित ेरहो की आवाज ििाई और आनंद अधखुिी आाँखों स ेकफर सपने देखन ेििा । दो बहनों की शादी की गचतंा उस ेख़ाये जा रही थी । र्पताजी िुिाब जि का काम कर के जो भी कमात ेसब मााँ की दवाई में चिा जाता । दो बहनों की शादी, अपनी और छोटे भाई की पढाई, सबकी गचतंा उसके नौजवान मन में भरी रहती ।

उसने तनश्चय ककया वो किकत्ता जायेिा । उसन ेद सरे ददन ही र्पताजी स ेबात की और र्पताजी न ेहााँ कर दी । पढने में मेघावी आनंद कुछ कर ददखान ेका सपना िेकर किकत्ता तो आ िया ककंत ुपढाई के खच ेके लिये उसन ेपैैैतकृ व्यवसाय िुिाब जि और इत्र का काम शुरू ककया ।

किकत्ता र्वश्वर्वदयािय में स्कािरलशप िेकर अच्छे नंबरों से उत्तीर्द हुआ । प रे घर में ख़ुशी त्योहार का माहौि था । अम्मा बिैयााँ िेत ेनहीं थकती थी । उसने मेहनत

कर एक अच्छी नौकरी ढ ाँढ तनकािी । सफिता की सीदढयााँ चढते चढते उसने दोनो बहनों की शाददयााँ कर दी । ब ढे मााँ बाप के लिये शहर में मकान बना ददया । छोटे भाई

को पढाया, ख़ुद शादी की और सबके आशीवादद से िहृस्थी की िाड़ी चि तनकिी ।

बच्चों को पढाया लिखाया, शादी व्याह हुए और नाती पोतों से घर भर िया । उसकी पत्नी न ेहर क़दम उसका साथ ददया । घर हमेशा नात ेररश्तेदारों स ेभरा रहता । कम्पनी को मैनेजर पद पर पचपन वर्षों तक संभािना ऐसा ही था जैस ेककसी बच्चे को बड़ा करना ।

आज आनंद कफर अधखुिी आाँखों स ेसपने देख रहा है । उम्र के पड़ाव में पत्नी का साथ छ ट िया, बच्चे अपन ेअपन ेघर के हो िये । उसने हमेशा औरों के बारे में सोचा कभी अपन ेलिये नहीं । उसन ेबाक़ी जजंदिी अपने लिये जीन ेका तनश्चय ककया । आनंद ने एक िम्बी सााँस िी, उठ कर पानी र्पया और काग़ज क़िम िे कर बैठ िया । िााँव के पहरेदार की जािते रहो की आवाज उसके कानों में अब भी बज रही थी । जो काम वर्षों से अध रा था उसे अब प रा करना है । अपनी जीवनी को लिख कर उसे हर उस इंसान को प्रेरर्ा देनी है जो संघर्षद से हार जात ेहैं । आनंद कभी हारा नही,ं थका नहीं, रुका नहीं । शायद जजंदिी इसी का नाम है ।

रचयित - ममत यतव री

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A selection of Bhaktidham activities over the year

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A selection of Bhaktidham activities over the year

BHAKTIDHAM WELCOMES Issue 2

Nabakalebara: The periodical renewal of the wooden images in the Jagannatha temple, Puri, Odisha, India.

By Dr Nishebita Das

In May 2015, I went to Odisha. Unlike my previous visits, this was a very different stay with some thought-provoking experiences and observations that I had never come across before.

My sister-in-law came to fetch me from Bhubaneswar airport at 3 pm on 15 May, 2015 for the flight from Delhi. As we journeyed from the airport, she mentioned that on the same night, quite late about 10.30 pm, she and her family were going for the darshana of Jagannatha Mahaprabhu (The Lord of Lards)’s Daru. The Daru (log) which was on its way to Puri stopped for a night’s rest at Nuabazara in Cuttack. She emphatically told me that I should also visit Cuttack as this was such a spiritual opportunity. She emphasised that I was fortunate to arrive at Cuttack on the same day and that it would be an utmost disrespect and almost sinful act if I did not go for the darshana. After the long flight and not knowing whether I would still have any energy left in me particularly at that time of the night, I diverted her attention to a large advertising board showing Bhubaneswar to Cuttack road and she got engaged on that discussion and did not pursue on my reply. However, at 10.30 pm I was woken up to be told that my sister-in-law had telephoned to say that she was on her way to pick me up for the Daru Darshana. In double-mind and reluctantly, I went along just to please her. My experience unfolds here …

Just two miles away from Daru’s resting place, police barricades were set up on the major high way to stop cars. There we had to get down joining with hundreds and thousands of people walking with extreme devotion. Along the way, volunteers were distributing water in the hot summer night. There were also vehicles with loudspeakers announcing the timetable for the journey of the Daru for the following day and night. Occasionally, there were announcements of a lost child or on other programmes going on around in the precinct, such as, the continuous solo and group Odissi dances on the open stage. It was absolutely amazing to watch how ardently enthusiastic these people were. There were people rushing forward with so much excitement and devotion even to see the log that is not yet shaped. They appeared spiritually overwhelmed just at the thought that the log would be made into Lord Jagannatha (after making of the deities) and with Bramha being transferred from the old body to the new deity.

I was answering my questioning mind, as to where I was going … or was it just to see the log. I was miffed. But, observing all other people with such love, passion, devoutness and reverence, it was impossible for me, not to feel the sense of extreme devotion. There was some sort of silence around, considering such the large crowd of people. It was as if there was nothing to say but with all eyes focused on one thing, the Daru, and people were awestruck. They were throwing money, gold and sarees on the Daru. We joined the long queue in bare feet with police and bamboo barricades on both sides. The walking line went around the approximately 5 meter long Daru which was completely covered with Odisha khandua pata silk, haladi, kumkum and flowers. The Daru was resting on a wooden trolley-like back half of the bullock cart. After completion of the round, while my sister-in-law and her daughter-in-law spent more time touching the Daru and offering the saree, sindura, haldi, gold and money, I caught hold of one of the Daita’s (The Daita in Odisha are believed to be an aboriginal, tribals living in forests for thousands of years who are the log investigators, identifiers and carriers of the log. They play very important and sacred role in the ceremony of Nabakalebara and arrange the car festival, Ratha Yatra) in charge of the Daru and started chatting with him. His stories were so fascinating that I wanted to hear more and more. He said to me that every word he uttered was linked to another story and that it would take days to describe the history and all other rituals of Nabakalebara. Nabakalebara is a festival observed in Puri, when the sacred tree, Daru Brahma, get located, cut down into logs and transported on small carts by devotees all the way to Jagannatha temple. These logs, after appropriate rituals are then sculptured and engraved into forms of deities, namely, Lord Jagannath Daru; Lord Balabhadra Daru; Maa Subhadra Daru and Sudarshan Daru. The Daita told me this in a very short time:

According to ancient tradition, the sacred “Nabakalebara” (that is, the ‘new body’ ritual) of Lord Jagannatha, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Chakra Sudarshana in Sri Purushottama-Kshetra (Puri) takes place whenever there is an additional month (mala-masa) of Asadha. The astrological configuration had happened this year after a period of 19 years, and the last one being in 1996. The process of Nabakalebara is very complex and arduous. This year it started in March with temple sevakas (non-brahmin priests, in collaboration with Brahmin priests play a very significant role in the Nabakalebara ceremony in the Puri Jagannatha temple) embarking on “Bana-jaga yatra” in search of the Maha-Darus (sacred trees) from which the holy new deities (Vigrahas) will be made. Many weeks prior to the Daru identification, the Bana-jaga party which consists of Daitapatis, Rajaguru, Deula purihita, Bramhans, Deulakarans, Tadhaukarana, Lenka, four Badagrahi Vishwakarmas (carpenters) and temple police reach Royal Palace, and the king (Gajapati) comes out of the palace to greet the party. From there the party moves to Kakatapura Mangala, a place nearly 50 kilometers away from Puri. They walk mostly by foot and carry the necessary required materials by a cart. The Daitapatis pray and seek blessings of the Goddess to have dreams regarding the location of Darus. After getting the hints about the location of the sacred Neem tree, the Daitas are divided into 2 to 4 groups, in search of the Darus.

Maha Daru Nirnaya means verification and identification of Maha Daru. The verse below lists the characteristics of the special Neem tree destined to be carved into the deities.

Darunam sruyatamatra tad ekadasa lakshanam Daru nirnaya belayam yatpramanam bhavishyati Prathamam jnayatametan nischitam daru-sannidhau Vartate kinchit yadeva tada-duratah

There are 11 signs to be verified by Daitas and all the signs must be present to fulfil the requirements to label the one for Daru.

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1 The location: has to be on the outskirts of a village, there should be a temple or a hermitage nearby and a crematorium nearby.

2 The tree should be near a river or water tank.

3 No birds and no wild animals must have nested in it.

4 The tree must be very old Neem Tree and it must not have been struck by lightning and burnt by forest fire or submerged in flood water.

5 Branches: The tree for Lord Jagannatha Daru must have five branches, for Lord Balabhadra, seven or more branches and for Subhadra, 3 branches. For Sudarshana the tree must be upright and straight.

6 The colour of the wood for Lord Jagannath Daru required to be mixed black; for Lord Balabhadra Daru, white and for Maa Subhadra Daru, mixed yellow and for Sudarshan Daru deep red.

7 Proof of movement of snakes by its side – recent Daru was noted to have two king cobras guarding the tree.

8 Tree should be surrounded by ant hills filled with ants.

9 Presence of Tulasi, Sahada and Baruna trees nearby.

10 The tree must be highest in the locality.

11 Mark of divine weapons: The tree must bear the symbols of conch, whell, mace and lotus.

It is also said that, as soon as Daitas get near the tree, they will feel the hair on their bodies stand on end. Only then is the Daru tree recognised and the Chakra Danda carried by the Lenka Sevaka, is placed on the trunk of the tree. Then the tree cutting (brukhya chhedana) ceremony begins with recitation of the 15th chapter of the GITA, entitled, “Purusottama Yoga”.

After locating the tree, the Daitas make their own temporary accommodation nearby and live a very austere lifestyle. Tree cutting ceremony starts as Daitas prepare and perform the Yajna mandapa (offerings and prayers) for 3 days invoking the Vaishnava Agni, the Nava Shaktis and other Devas. The ceremony continues amongst sound of sankha dhwani, hulahuli and bugle. The Pati Mahapatra (head daita) is the first one to touch the tree for Daru for Lord Jagannatha with a golden axe, then the Daitapati touches it with a silver axe and lastly the

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head wood carver of Maharana (carpenter) family touches it with an iron axe and finally Biswakarma cuts the tree from its root and it falls on the ground. The tree is cut into pieces and sized according to required specifications. This process is called ‘Chaupat’, the portions of the tree that is not required, are buried in a hole, dug on the ground in a near-by area.

For carrying each Daru, one new four-wheeled trolley like chariot is prepared. Its wheels, axis and main rods are made of banyan, tamarind, kendu and jackfruit woods before the chariot is duly worshipped. The logs are loaded on the chariot, covered with khandua pata and tied up by muslin thread. The small chariot (cart) is tied with cane-ropes, dragged by the sevayats (people who perform the ritual services) on road and brahmins chant Shakunsukta mantra, in the transit. At night fall, the chariot rests in different villages. In course of the journey, thousands of villagers in both sides of the road pay respect by worshipping, ringing of bells, tambouring, garlanding and reciting different prayers. They encourage, escort and follow the Daru for a long distance at least till the next village.

The long journey takes Daru to Karu Sala, the place where the deities will be carved. Following this, abhisheka is done to Daru in Koili Baikuntha using the Maha Jyestha Mantras and the Viswakarmas start the carving of the deities, amidst the sound of various musical instruments so that nobody can hear the sound of carving. The method of carving is very secret and cannot be disclosed. The public is not allowed to enter the designated area, only the appointed Acharyas, Daitas, homa bramhanas and Pati Mahapatra are allowed to enter. This year, 2015, for Nabakalebara, Jagannatha Daru was located in the village Kharipadia in Jagatsinghpur and on its way to Puri, the night stay was at Nuabazara in Cuttack. I was fortunate to be there in the town, as confirmed also by my sister-in-law.

On reflection, I really feel so lucky to have had this amazing experience of seeing thousands of people attending with so much devotion not to the deity but to the log (Daru) from which the deity was sculptured and engraved. For many, these are stories that they read in books but for millions, they believe it, do it, live in it, devote their time and entire life in it and pass it on from one generation to the next. After all, it is the feeling of liberation to be achieved. Who knows, perhaps it does bring liberation from the bondage of birth and death.

I have learned that this is the most unique and sacred religious event, unknown in the annals of religious traditions anywhere in the world. The sacred scripture “Skanda Purana” states that the Supreme Lord manifested in “daarava tanuh” (wooden form) to perform manushya-leelaya (His Divine Play like a human being). Just as at the time of death, the “jeevatman” (soul) departs from human body, so also the Supreme Divine (Brahman). In the Nabakalebara tradition, Lord Jagannatha leaves his body and enters the new one.

O’ Lord, everything about you is so secret, inexplicable and mysterious and I am so mute and ignorant. Forgive me for my mistakes.

Jagannatha Swami, Nayanapathagami, Bhabatume

******

Festivals by Rajsri Saikrishnan

Holi is the festival of colours Diwali is the festival of light.. Holi is celebrated with fervour Diwali is lighting the lamps bright. Amongst other festivals children celebrate happily Whose significance is worth a lot From bursting fireworks to going to temples with family To forming a pyramid where one at the top breaks the pot.

There are many more Indian festivals, all as special as can be Makar Sankaranti, Shivaratri, Ramnavami Jamnashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi and Viajayadashami That are celebrated by one and all is equally enjoyed by me.

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BHAKTIDHAM WELCOMES Issue 2

एक डोळी चली एक अर्थी चली.....,,

ब त दोनों म॓ं कुछ इस तरह से चली,

बोली डोली तुम्हें ककसने धोक ददि ,

कह ाँ त ूचली...??

अर्थी बोली........

च र तुझमें लगे, च र मुझमें लगे (क धे)

फूल तुझपे सज,े फूल मुझप ेसज,े

फकक इतन ही है अब सुन ले सखी,

तू पपि को चली मैं प्रभ ुको चली........///

म ाँग तेरी भरी, म ाँग मेरी भरी,

चूडी तेरी हरी, चूडी मेरी हरी,

फकक इतन ही हैं ैअब सुन ले सखी,,

तू जह ाँ में चली, मैं जह ाँ स ेचली.........///

एक सजन तेर खुश हो ज िेग ,

एक सजन मेर मुझको रो ज िेग ,

फकक इतन ही है अब सुन ले सखी,,

तू पवद हो चली.......,

मैं अलपवद हो चली

आशशम बतर – Ashima Batra

The logo explained by Dr. Arun Sinha

The Executive Committee of Bhakti Dham Wales, after taking views and suggestions of all members of Bhakti Dham, adopted a visual symbol for the organisation as a logo on 18

th February 2015.

The logo is in keeping with the stated first two Objectives of the Organisation; firstly, ‘To advance the Hindu faith and tradition for the benefit of the public in Wales’; and secondly, ‘To advance the education of the public in Indian art, culture and tradition’.

Followings are key features of the logo:

1) In the centre of the logo is symbol ‘Om’. 2) Circled by the cosmic ‘Sun’. 3) Name of the organisation ‘Bhakti Dham Wales’ in the top part of the circle along with registered charity number of the

organisation underneath. 4) Sanskrit shloka in English (Roman script) in the lower half of the circle and same shloka in Hindi (Devnagri script) and its meaning

at the bottom part of the logo.

A brief explanation of different features of logo is as follow:

Editor’s note by Kanishka Narayan

Thank you for reading the second issue of this newsletter, Bhaktidham Welcomes.

After the publication of the first issue, I was grateful and impressed to receive the submissions that are published in this copy. Both in size and creativity of writing, Bhaktidham members have been stepping up: we have reflections on another wonderful collective trip to Europe; a reflective set of poems; a unique spiritual experience recounted from Odisha; the thoughts of visiting friends; and if that were not enough, an impressive, spooky piece of creative writing.

This issue also marks some further steps in the development of Bhaktidham. The fact of a second issue marks the fact that this is now very much a ‘series’. I am looking forward already to future issues – please keep content coming. And we now have an extremely high quality, and thoughtful, logo, thanks to Dr. Arun Sinha [see below for a clear explanation of it].

As ever, thank you to all those who have contributed, both to this newsletter and the organization at large. And thanks in particular to the Executive Committee, to Nisha Rawindaran for all her work and Nandini Tewary for creatively collating the images for these pages.

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OM (AUM)

Om (Aum) is the most sacred cosmic sound and mystical syllable which simply represents an affirmation of something divine. This is one of the most important spiritual icons in Hinduism, referring to ‘Atman (soul, self within) and Brahaman (ultimate reality, entirety of the universe, truth, divine, knowledge). It is also suggested that the three phonetic components of Om (pronounced as AUM) correspond to the three stages of cosmic creation and when it is read or said, cerebrates the creative powers of the universe. The past, the present and the future are all submerged in one sound. Because of its mystic importance, Om is uttered before and during the recitation of spiritual texts, during puja and private prayers, in ceremonies of rites of ‘sanskara’ such as weddings etc and during meditative and spiritual activities such as Yoga.

The etymological origin of Om is unclear. The symbol is part of the iconography found in ancient and medieval era temples, monasteries and spiritual retreats in Hinduism, Budhism and Jainism.

SUN

Sun is a cosmic power with endless source of energy and bestower of light and life to the totality of the cosmos. In ancient Hindu literatures, Sun is depicted as the source of wisdom, stern guarantor of justice and provider of enlightment.

BHAKTI DHAM WALES

Registered Charity No. 1139888

A group of like minded people were meeting together and performing regular Puja and other functions since the spring of year 2008. Later on, it was felt that there was a need for the group to become a formal public organisation. Therefore, the name of organisation, Bhakti Dham Wales, was formally accepted by all present in a meeting at St. Mellons Village Hall, Cardiff on 23

rd May 2010. Following that, an

application along with a formal constitution of the organisation, adopted on 8th January 2011, was made to the Charity Commission and ‘Bhakti Dham Wales’ was assigned charity status on 18

th January 2011 with its charity number 1139888.

SANSKRIT SHLOKA

This is the first part of a chant / prayer from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. There is a second part of the same chant as well which could not be included in the logo due to lack of space. The whole chant is as follow:

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‘Om, Asato Maa Sad-Gamaya.

Tamaso Ma Jyotir-Gamay.

Mrityor-Maa Amritam Gamaya.

Om Shantih, Shantih, Shantih.

that means:

‘O Lord, keep me not in the Unreality (of the bondage of the phenomenal world), but lead me towards the Reality (of the eternal self).

O Lord, keep me not in the Darkness (of ignorance), but lead me towards the Light (of spiritual knowledge).

O Lord, keep me not in the fear of Death (due to bondage of the mortal world), but lead me towards the Immortality (gained by the knowledge of the immortal self beyond death).

Om (May there be) Peace, Peace, Peace’.

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A selection of Bhaktidham activities over the year

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BHAKTI DHAM WELCOMES | Issue 2 20

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