September '99

September is nesting time for Egrets, Spoonbills, Yellow-backed Sunbird, and the Pheasant-tailed Jacana, to name just four ..... September is also the month for one of India's favourite festivals - Janamashtami. So ... bird-lovers and festival lovers, read on.

If you're so inclined, check out the place of origin of the fabulous Golconda diamonds (yes, this includes the Koh-i-noor!). While you're there, the Golconda Festival - food festival and cultural event- in Hyderabad (state:Andhra Pradesh) promises to be another treat. Confirm the dates upon arrival.

September 2 - anniversary of the completion of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs.

September 3 - Janamashtami.
The birthday of Lord Krishna, the blue-skinned God. The festival is celebrated at Krishna temples all over the country. Prayers and fasts mark the day, and images of the god are placed in specially-decorated cradles.

Legend - Lord Krishna's parents, Vasudev and Janaki, had been imprisoned by his evil maternal uncle Kamsa - because of a warning that his sister's child would kill him. On the night of the god's 'birth', a storm raged all round, prison doors opened of their own accord and the prison guards slept. His father carried him to safety across the flooded Yamuna river while the sheshnag (many-headed cobra) formed a protective umbrella over the divine infant.

Krishna was a playful child and a miraculous one; an amorous cowherd who played an irresistible flute. His flute-playing is seen as the lure of the Divine for all those who care to listen. The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita offers Lord Krishna's metaphysical teachings : Karma (right action), Nishkam Karma (action without thought of reward), Yoga (paths to realization of the Divine) and the all-encompassing sublimity of the Creator (through the revelation of his Viratrupa i.e. True/Complete Form). Lord Krishna is regarded by some as one of the avatars (incarnations) of Lord Vishnu; by others, as the physical manifestation of the Creator Himself.

September 5 - first death anniversary of Mother Teresa.
The renowned nun who lived in Calcutta and practiced compassion and care is an example to all.

September 8 - World Literacy Day.
Literacy is the key to knowledge (gyana) and therefore a better world and personal fulfilment.

September 11 - Rosh Hashanah.
The Jewish New Year, celebrated on the first and second of Tishri (the seventh month according to the Jewish calendar, and the first month of their civil year).

September 12-14 - Tarnetar mela.
Venue : Saurashtra region in the state of Gujarat.
Highlights -
: for all - Tarnetar chhatris (umbrellas) with mirror-work and embroidery. Folk dances - ras, garbha and haro.
: for Rabari, Koli and Bharwad tribes - its matchmaking time.

Rabari vandhas (homes) are much admired. What makes them special? -- The white-washed walls, decorated with colourful drawings, with tiny mirrors often forming part of the design. Wooden doors in all hues and colours; consisting of rectangular or square panels surrounded by geometric or floral motifs in metal. Main doorway enlivened by niches occupied by images & pictures of gods, candles and diyas (little clay lamps). Windows of intricate jali (lattice) work. Kitchen utensils : always gleaming & flawlessly balanced near the cooking area (never just stacked). Torans - colourful applique-work hangings - guard the inner doorways!

September 14 - Vishwakarma Pooja.
The day of worshipping tools and machinery.

Vishvakarma was the divine artificer, and one of the fourteen precious things born of the samudramanthan (the churning of the Cosmic Ocean to gain amrita, nectar of immortality). He constructed the holy city of Dwarka where Lord Krishna ruled, and was the creator of many fabulous weapons for the gods.

September 16 - World Peace Day.

September 16 - Solar eclipse.

September 20 - Yom Kippur.
Prayers of penitence, and fasting, mark this Jewish festival.

Worth a visit! - the beautiful synagogue built in 1568 at Cochin, in the state of Kerala. The Jewish people arrived on the Indian sub-continent before AD 68, and were welcomed by the Hindu ruler of the state. Most have emigrated to Israel in recent years but the Torah (a sacred text) remains at the synagogue.

September 21 - Heikru Hitongba.
The Boat-race of the jewel-like state, Manipur.

The people believe themselves descended from the gandharvas - celestial musicians and dancers who graced Lord Vishnu's abode, Swarga. If you're in Manipur & very, very lucky, you may spot the Gulab sir (Pink-headed duck), often feared (but never confirmed) to be extinct.

September 25 - Succoth, a Jewish festival.
- Also, the night of the full moon.

September 26 - Mahalaya. Known too as sharaad.
The fortnight of September 26-October 9 is auspicious for prayers and worship for the peace of departed souls.

Favourite foods of the dead person are distributed to Brahmins and the pious. The appropriate days that correspond to the date of death are determined by a pandit (priest) and on the day itself, a havan ceremony is performed. A container (the havan kund) is filled with wood, and samagri is tossed into the fire 108 times accompanied by mantras (religious chants). At the close of the havan, Purnahuti is performed : a coconut half is filled with ghee (clarified butter) & remaining samagri, and placed in the havan kund. Mantras are recited. Samagri consists of til, rice, sugar, rice husk, walnut pieces, ghee, makhana. These are mixed together.

We continue our good work!! To save you the effort of coming to us for the newsletter, we'll e-mail it to you -- just leave your e-mail address.

..... So, September lovers - bring your binoculors, cameras and note-pads!!