It is believed in Hindu tradition that the earth rests on the thousand headed Ananta or Adi Sesha – the snake or serpent on which Hindu God Vishnu reclines. The story on how earthquakes happen is connected to Ananta holding earth on his head. Puranas states that Ananta fed up with his mother Kadru’s evil tactics to defeat Garuda’s mother went on pilgrimage and started performing intense austerities (Tapas) at Badrikashram and Gandamadana. Pleased with Ananta, Brahma appeared before him and asked to go to Patala (netherworld) and hold the earth on his head. Brahma also asked Ananta to wipe out Adharma by using his Tejas. The belief is that when the balance on earth tilts in favor of Adharma, Ananta uses his powers to get the balance in favor of Dharma. As Ananta has thousand heads, he holds the earth on one head. When that head gets tired he shifts it to another. Earthquakes happen when Ananta shifts earth from one head to another.

Instead of immersing the Durga idol after Durga Puja, Kolkata civic body is planning to offer Durga puja organisers the option of melting the idols with jets of Ganga water. This environment-friendly immersion process is already followed by Naihati Kali pujas. The Telegraph India reports In the proposed process, the melting of idols, after completion of the religious rituals, symbolises immersion. “We want to introduce the wash-melt process, at least at Babughat, after Durga Puja. Discussions are on with the fire services. The puja organisers will have the option of choosing this process or going for the conventional one,” said Debasish Kumar, mayoral council member (parks and garden).  This is a welcome move to minimise Ganga pollution. Despite the widespread use of lead-free paint last year, lead contamination of the river has increased,” said Krishnajyoti Goswami, a scientist working on lead pollution.  Representatives of many of the clubs welcomed the proposal. “The Hooghly is e

Madhyashtami is observed annually during the Mahalayam fortnight which falls before Ashwin Navratri (September – October). It is an important day during at Gaya. This fortnight is popularly known as Pitru Paksha Shradh. Madhyashtami 2023 date is October 6. This day is chosen by those people who do not perform paksha mahalyam – rituals on all 15 days. Observing one day Shradham is known as Sakrun Mahalayam. Sakrun Mahalayam is in addition to the Amavasya Shradh, which should be performed by all people. The importance of Madhyashtami is that one need not worry about tithi, vara, Nakshatra and other doshas and can perform the ritual.