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We
are now in the last quarter of the year and
eagerly waiting for the grand festive season
to begin. The weather during this part of the
year is always at its best; people can break
away from their daily routine, and make plans
to enjoy themselves in the coming months.
On the 2nd of this month the nation celebrates the 138thbirthday of Mahatma
Gandhi.
The month
of October will witness a series of Hindu festivals,
following the fortnight –long Pitr-Paksh or Shraadh − which started on 27th September this
year. During this period, Hindus in north India
observe certain austerities and do not undertake
any new ventures − be it business deals or
real estate, or buying anything big or small.
This
fortnight ends with Mahalaya (11th October this year) which invariably
coincides with new moon / no moon. In spirit, it is a counterpart
of All Souls’ Day, observed by the Christians on 2nd November every
year − to remember and pay homage to all departed souls. |
Durga Puja |
On the very next day commences Navaratri (12th – 20th October) – the worship
of the Mother Goddess, in her nine avataars, spanning nine successive nights.
During the last four days of Navaratri, Bengalis
will busy themselves with Durga Puja, worshipping the divine mother
with great enthusiasm and fervour. On October 25th is Lakshmi Puja when the goddess of wealth will be worshipped in most Bengali
homes. On October 13th Muslims all over the world will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr.
To read in detail about these festivals, do look
up our newsletter archives at:
http://www.indiaheritage.org/newlet/oct06.htm
http://www.indiaheritage.org/newlet/oct05.htm |
| Must
be there |
During
this part of the year the coastal state of Orissa would be the ideal choice. For a major part of
the year the region remains hot but the weather
takes a turn for the better with the onset of
autumn. In case you didn’t know, there are numerous
interesting places to choose from, as the state
is blessed with a bounteous wealth of lovely
beaches, forests and unlimited varieties of flora
and fauna.
The major airport of the state is at Bhubaneswar the capital city, from where Puri (an important
railway junction) is 62 kms, Konark 65 kms and
Cuttack 29 kms away respectively. Orissa is connected
to the nearby states as well as other parts of
the country by an efficient railway network.
The prominent tourist destinations within the
state are linked to each other by roadways and
train services.
Both the devout and the holiday-makers are bound
to be mesmerised by Puri (a.k.a Jagannath Puri or Shri Kshetra). The sprawling sunlit beach
at Puri is the perfect location for watching
glorious sunrises and sunsets. The Temple of
Lord Jagannath built during the 12th century
AD by the erstwhile ruler Chodaganga Dev dominates
the skyline of Puri. It is one of the most magnificent
pieces of temple architecture in India. |
Bhubaneswar,
the capital of Orissa, is also called "Temple City of India". It is famous for the Tribhubaneswar or Lingaraj temple. The entire old city
is dotted with numerous temples. In the newer
parts of the city there are a number of good
hotels to suit all types of budgets, besides
all other basic facilities for tourists. So
it may conveniently serve as a base for tourists
wishing to travel to various parts of the state.
Make it a point to visit Dhauli hill on the bank of the river Daya, 8 kms from
Bhubaneswar − a place with great historical
significance. This was the place where the
savage Kalinga War was fought. This war changed
the course of ancient Indian history and transformed
a cruel king (Ashoka) into a compassionate
and virtuous one. After the war, Ashoka converted
to Buddhism and became an apostle of peace.
At
the foot of the hill, one can see the Rock
Edicts of Ashoka and the forepart of a beautifully
sculpted elephant, hewn out of a huge rock. |
Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar |
In the 1970s the Japan Buddha Sangha and Kalinga
Nippon Buddha Sangha jointly constructed a
Buddhist Peace Pagoda, popularly known as Shanti
Stupa on the top of this hill, which has since
then attracted large crowds of tourists and
the spiritually inclined.
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Cuttack (a.k.a.Kataka), the former capital, is one
of the oldest cities in the state of Orissa.
It may be considered almost a twin city of
the present capital. For your travels further
into the state, this city too would make a
good starting point.
A visit to Konark is a must. The place is famous
all over the world for its magnificent and peerless
specimen of temple architecture −the Sun Temple.
Shaped like a massive, exquisitely carved chariot,
rolling on gigantic wheels, pulled by seven powerful
horses, the temple, now in ruins, stands in isolated
splendour, surrounded by drifting sands − a silent
testimony to the rise and fall of kingdoms.
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Sea beach at Puri , Orissa |
Originally,
the ocean waters almost touched the base of
the shrine, but over the centuries the sea
has retreated to a distance of two kilometers
from the edifice.
While in Orissa enquire about and there enjoy live performances of traditional
Odissi and Chhau dances …
Also
take time off to indulge in a shopping spree
− from the colourful breathtaking Sambalpuri
(a.k.a.Kataki), Ikkat and Bomkai sarees, the
exquisite silver filigree work for which the
state is famous, patchwork wall hangings, bags,
bed linen and umbrellas − to decorative objects
and jewellery made with seashells, cowries,
mother-of-pearl, ivory and buffalo horns −
to woodwork, Chhau dance masks, stone carvings,
papier-mâché and lacquer items − there is an
endless variety to pick and choose from, as
keepsakes and mementos to take back home with
you… so, go ahead and enjoy yourself…
Use these links to our website for more information
on Orissa:
http://indiaheritage.org/travel/show_state.php?id=45
http://indiaheritage.org/travel/show_imp_cities.php?id=45
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| Why
not learn about ? |
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| Origin
of Hockey |
Hurling,
a sport similar to hockey, is known to have
been played during the first millennium BC
in Ireland. The name hockey is probably derived
from the French word hoquet (shepherd´s crook)
which to a certain extent resembles the hockey
stick as we know it today. Some scholars maintain
that around 1740 the British explorers along
the St. Lawrence Valley in Canada discovered
the native Indians playing "air hockey" or lacrosse as it is called now. Each time a player was hit, during the scramble
for the ball, he would yell "Hoee", which might gradually have been transformed into the word “Hockey.”
Hockey-like
games involving long sticks and balls are known
to have been played by the ancient Greeks, Romans,
Egyptians, Arabs and Persians. From the 5th century
AD to the 15th century AD, similar games were
prevalent among the Europeans.
|
Hockey |
The pre-Columbian
(prior to the 16th century) South American natives
are known to have played something like modern
hockey. In the 17th century the Dutch used to
play Kolven, a game similar to hockey.
By the 1880s the popularity of hockey was fairly well-established in England
and Wales where local hockey associations were already in existence and standardised
rules and regulations were being set up.
Shortly after women too began to play this sport.
There are two versions of the game of hockey − field hockey which is the more
common, and ice hockey which is played on snow-bound terrain when winter is in.
full swing in the countries lying in the higher latitudes of the northern hemisphere.
Experts believe, ice hockey originated in Northern Europe, where during the cold
winter months, die-hard players resorted to playing hockey on frozen ice ponds.
However, some historians say that modern ice hockey was developed in the mid-1850´s
by British soldiers stationed in Canada.
Students of McGill University in Montreal, Canada, organized the first recorded
game of ice hockey, on March 3rd, 1875. This was played by members of the McGill
Football Club, while the first game in the United States is believed to have
been played in 1893. By early 20th century, ice hockey had spread to Great Britain
and other parts of Europe.
Before a game of hockey begins, a coin is tossed and the captain of the winning
teamcan opt for a starting end or start with the ball. The time for the game
is divided into two halves of 35 minutes each, and five minutes for half-time.
At the start of each half, and after goals are scored, playing starts with a
pass from the centre of the field. All players must start in their defensive
half, but the ball may be played in any direction along the field. Each team
starts with the ball in one half, and the team that scores a goal is eligible
for the restart.
The ball must be hit only with the flat part of the carved side of the stick.
Tackling is permitted so long as the tackler does not touch the attacker or his
stick before playing the ball. Also, the player with the ball must not deliberately
push a defender out of the way.
The players must not move the ball with their feet. But if the ball accidentally
hits the feet, and the player gains nothing out of it, then he is not penalised.
Obstruction occurs in three circumstances − when a defender comes between the
player with the ball without first tackling, or when a defender's stick comes
between the attacker's stick and the ball or makes contact with the attacker's
stick; and finally when blocking the opposition's passage to the ball This is
known as third party obstruction.
A hockey match is supervised by two umpires with each umpire controlling a half
of the diagonally divided field. These umpires are assisted by a technical bench
including a timekeeper and record keeper.
In the Olympic Games of the years 1908 and1980 respectively, men’s field hockey
and women's field hockey were enlisted in the events of the Olympics. In 1924,
the Fédération International de Hockey (FIH) was established to serve as the
international apex governing body for this sport. Till date hockey is popular
in Europe, India, Pakistan, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. |
| Plant
focus |
|
| Egg
Plant |
The
Eggplant also known as brinjal and Aubergine
(in French) is an annual in temperate zones
and perennial in the tropics. The plant was first domesticated in India. The Persians invaders to India subsequently
introduced the brinjal to Africa, while the
Arabs introduced it to Spain, from where it
spread to the rest of Europe. Today, the many
varieties of brinjal plants grow throughout
the warmer parts of the world, including Greece,
France, Italy, northern parts of Africa bordering
the Mediterranean Sea besides Southeast Asian
countries. Brinjal
is classified as a herb because of its non-woody
stem. Brinjal plants usually grow upto 4 feet
tall with many branches having large, long
and slender leaves. The leaves of the eggplant
are alternate and lobed. The flowers are violet
in colour, star-shaped, blooming singly or
in clusters.
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Egg
Plant
|
The
fruit varies in shape from oval to round and
long to oblong. We commonly see the mature
fruit as shiny purplish black, oval or pear-shaped.
However, it can also be red, yellowish-white,
or green. The purplish black brinjals are mostly
bitter with thick tough skins and fibrous flesh
or mild-sweet with thin tender skin and non-fibrous
flesh. In contrast, the white-skinned eggplant
is firmer, drier and milder in taste. Each
fruit contains countless seeds which are embedded
in the flesh.
There are many ways of eating brinjals − they may be baked, sautéed, stuffed,
cut into strips, wheels or cubes, stewed, deep fried, or added to soups and curries
etc. In India dishes using brinjal, namely baingan bharta (mashed spicy brinjal)
bharwan baingan (spicy stuffed brinjal) and begun bhaja (fried discs of brinjal)
are enjoyed by all. In southern parts of the country it is extensively used in
sambhar (a lentil-based spicy dish), chutney, and pickles.
To
try out a few interesting dishes using brinjals,
browse through the cuisine section of our website:
www.indiaheritage.org
Did you know that brinjal is a good source
of vitamin C and potassium, and helps to lower
blood cholesterol levels? Or that as part of
daily diet it helps to regulate high blood
pressure? However, eating brinjals is known
to cause temporary itching sensation and
allergies in some people.
Brinjal acts as an antidote to poisonous mushrooms. Pieces of brinjal crushed
and dipped in vinegar, is used as poultices
for cracked nipples, abscesses and haemorrhoids.
The ashes of the stalk are used in the treatment
of intestinal haemorrhages, piles and toothache. |
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| From
one wise human to another: |
"Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers, but to be fearless in facing them.
Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain,
but for the heart to conquer it.” |
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- Tagore |
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Indiaheritage invites its
subscribers to share with us good
clean, jokes or humorous anecdotes, on a regular basis. We will publish your jokes, if appropriate, in the forthcoming issues of India Heritage Newsletter.
Please e-mail your jokes to:
webmaster@indiaheritage.org
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Aum
Shanti! Shanti! Shanti!
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