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Showing posts from October 1, 2009


Diwali Gift Baskets – What are the Items in Diwali Gift Hampers?

There is a tradition of giving a present or sending gift hampers during Diwali. Gift Baskets are presented during Diwali to relatives, friends, colleagues and co-workers. Gift baskets usually contain delicious sweets, dry fruits and nuts, lamps or diyas and crackers. Some people opt for custom made Diwali gift baskets and assemble the gift items on their own. Others opt for branded Diwali gift hampers available in the market. The dry fruits and nuts that are usually found in the Diwali gift baskets include almonds (badam), raisins, dry black currant, cashews (kaju), fig (anjeer), pista, dried apricots (khubani) and dates (khajoor). Some people also gift small idols of Ganesh or Lakshmi. While planning about Diwali gift baskets the most important aspect to be kept in mind is the age of the person receiving the gift hamper. Diwali Gift Hampers for Older People: If the Diwali Gift Basket is for an elderly person then opt for dry fruits, diyas or lamps or even a small i

Eco-Friendly Durga Idol immersion – Bhu Visarjan or Burying of Idols

To Save River Ganga from pollution numerous Durga Puja pandals and organizers situated on the banks of the River Ganga opted for Bhu Visarjan or burying of the idol of Goddess Durga. In Fatehpur town in Uttar Pradesh, nearly 2000 Durga Murtis worshipped during Durga Puja and Navratri were buried by the organizers to save Ganga . This burying of the idol is termed as Bhu Visarjan. The normal practice is Jal Visarjan, or immersion of idol in water, but many Durga Puja organizers this year decided against Jal Visarjan to help in the Save Ganga mission launched by government, NGOs and Hindu spiritual organizations. PTI reports Almost 99 per cent idols of Goddess Durga installed in Fatehpur town, about 150 km from Lucknow , during the nine-day-long Durga festivities were given "bhu visarjan" (buried in earth) on the banks of the river instead of 'jal visarjan' (immersed in water) on Dusshera. The awareness drive was initiated by intellectuals, NGOs and of

Sharadotsav at Vrindavan

Sharadotsav is an important festival associated with Lord Krishna and Radha in Vrindavan. In 2024, Sharadotsav at Vrindavan begins on October 15 and ends on October 16. Sharad Poornima is marked on October 16. It is the festival associated with the Raas-Lila of Sri Krishna, Radha and Gopis and is observed on the full moon day in the month of Ashwin (September – October). The day is popularly known as Sharad Purnima. The day is of great importance at Shri Banke Bihari Mandir, Radhavallabh Temple and numerous other temples dedicated to Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna is dressed up to match the special occasion and the temples are decorated to look like a small forest.