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Showing posts from February 23, 2015


Holi Rang Pashi

Rang Pashi is the first day of Holi celebration in Hindu homes and it falls three days before the Purnima or Poornima (Full Moon). Purnima is the day when Holika is burnt or Holi bonfires are lit. It must be noted that in Mathura and Vrindavan the celebrations begin nearly a month before the actual day of celebrations. On the Rang Pashi day, all the members of the family assemble and the eldest member of the family sprinkle colors (gulal) and water with Tesu flowers. Rang Pashi is a subdued celebration of Holi and all the women in the family wear Holi Dandia saris. It is mainly a day of get together and discuss about the preparation for the festival. After the ceremony, sweets like gujia, papri are served. Non-vegetarian dishes are also served on this day. People also enjoy drinks like bhang and other alcoholic beverages.

Abhimukteshwar Form of Shiva

Abhimukteshwar is one of the manifestations of Shiva worshipped in important temples dedicated to Shiva. Abhimukteshwar Mahadev form is worshipped in Ujjain and Kashi. The popular belief is that this form of Shiva helps in attaining moksha immediately. Abhimukteshwar Shivling is found in front of the main shrine in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple complex. Visit to shrine of this form of Shiva is included in the important Parikramas performed in Varanasi . Abhimukteshwar Mahadev is part of the Chaurasi Mahadev Yatra in Ujjain . Symbolically this form of Shiva suggests that an intense desire for attaining self realization is possible instantly. 

Mahabharata Manuscript by Abul Fazal – Court writer of Emperor Akbar – Found in Jamia Nizamia Varsity in India

Abul Fazal was one of the navratnas (nine jewels) of Mughal Emperor Akbar’s royal court. The rare Mahabharat manuscript composed by Abul Fazal was recently discovered in Jamia Nizamia in Hyderabad in India . The translated version is in Persian and runs into 5,012 pages. It was in the personal collection of Moulana Mohammad Anwarullah Farooqui, the founder of Jamia. The manuscript was forgotten and was recently discovered from the old manuscripts in the library of Jamia Nizamia. Jamia Nizamia is one of the oldest Islamic seminaries of higher learning of Sunnis in India .