Ganesh Chaturti..."EKAVIMSHATI PATHRA POOJA"

On the day of Ganesha Chaturthi festival, there is a tradition of worshipping Lord Ganesha with 21 different varieties of leaves known as Ekavimshati Pathra Pooja. Ekavimshati is a Sanskrit word meaning 21. What is the significance of this number 21 and the specific variety of leaf (Pathra) used in the pooja? Since Vedic times, usage of sacred leaves and roots/stems/herbs of sacred trees is in vogue while performing any Homa/Yagna or any sacred ritual. Apart from spiritual significance there is also an element of health consciousness and environmental protection involved in its usage. Even today these leaves/herbs are used in preparing Ayurvedic medicines used for curing several diseases. Apart from this they act as a Divine way of controlling pollution, be it water or air.For example Ganesha Chaturthi festival occurs during monsoon season when the climate is generally not suitable for health. People suffer from various viral infections and water born diseases during this period. There will be lot of water pollution also due to rains and floods during monsoon. After the Ganesha festival, the worshipped Ganesha idols along with the pooja leaves (Pathra) are immersed (Nimajjana) in water (rivers/canals/lakes/sea). These leaves when they are thrown in to water it helps in purifying the water with its medicinal properties. When these idols are made up of natural clay (mud/soil) they get dissolved very easily in water and also cleanse the water without causing any pollution.Instead, what is happening today is, we find people using idols made up of Plaster of Paris coated with colours (enamel paints). These idols generally take lot of time to get dissolved and in the process water gets polluted with mixing of chemicals and paints used for the idols. Moreover, they are harmful even to the living beings inside the water. Hence, from the environmental angle as well as health point of view it is suggested to use only idols made up of natural clay which are eco friendly. ignificance of # 21 in Ganesha Pooja The significance of # 21 stands for five organs of perception (Gnanendriyas) + five organs of action (Karmendriyas) + five Pancha Pranas (Vital airs) + five elements (Pancha Bhoothas) + the Mind, add up to 21.Now, let us see what these 21 varieties of leaves (Pathra) used in Ganesha festival stands for and their medicinal value. Maachi Pathram (Artemisia vulgaris/Imperata Cylindrica) – They have the property of purifying the surrounding. They are used for curing skin diseases (leprosy, leucoderma), nervous diseases, and abdominal related. Bruhathee Pathram (Solanum indicum/Carisssa Carandass) – Used for asthma, cough, constipation. Also used for women in post natal period Bilva Pathram (Aegle marmeolus) – Used for Dysentery. It also purifies water. Bilva leaf is very popular in the worship of Lord Shiva. Durva Pathram (Cyanodon dactylon/Cyanodon Dacry) – It is used for Skin diseases, arresting bleeding, anemia. Durva leaf is used in the worship of Lord Ganesha. It is also called as Garike. Dattura Pathram (Stramonium) – Used for joint pains, abdominal, skin diseases, hair fall. Also used in poisonous bites Badari Pathram (Zizipus Jujube) – Used for digestive disorders, wounds and injuries, blood impurities. Also used for maintaining the voice. Badari Kshetra is known after these trees as they are in abundance in Badari. Lord Veda Vyasa is also called as Badarayana named after the forest of Badari trees which is said to be the hermitage of Lord Veda Vyasa. Apamarga Pathram (Achyranthus Aspera) – Used for digestive disorders and also used for poisonous bites. Thulasi Pathram (Ocimum sanctum) – Used for respiratory diseases, skin diseases, purifies air, water and surroundings. This is a common house hold plant which is considered to be very sacred and celestial. The leaves are used in the worship of Lord Vishnu who is very much fond of Thulasi. Chootha Pathram (Azadarcata indica/ Mangifera indica) – Used in Diabetics, for cracked heals, diseases of throat. Karaveera Pathram (Thevetia Nerifolium/Nerium indicum) – Used for leprosy, wounds and injuries, hair fall, lice. Vishnu Krantha Pathram (Evolvulus Aisinoides/Convolvulus pluricaucis) – Used for Nervous related, memory power Daadimi Pathram (Punica granatum) – Used for Dysentery, Vata/Pitta/Kapha dosha Devdaru Pathram (Cedrus deodar) – Used for skin diseases, wounds/injuries Maruvaka Pathram (Origanum Valgara/Origanum majoram) – Used for Joint pains, skin diseases, heart diseases Sindhudara Pathram (Vitex nirgundo) – Used for Vaata related problems and also used in anti poisonous drugs. Jajee Pathram (Jasminum grandiflorum/Myristica Fragrams) – Used for skin diseases, Mouth related problems and also in indigestion. Gandaki Pathram (Sterculia Urens/Latha Durva) – Used for Heart related, Piles, Skin diseases. Shami Pathram (Prosopis specigera) – It is used for respiratory problems. This tree acquired lot of significance from Pancha Pandavas who had kept there weapons on this tree during their Agnathavasa. This tree is also worshipped as a remedy and we find people taking pradakshina around this tree on the day of Vijaya Dasami. Aswattha Pathram (Ficus religiosa) – Its bark is used in preparation of many medicines. It is also used for arresting bleeding. The significance and importance of this tree is so much that it is considered as Trimurthi (Trinity) swaroopa (Trinal Lords, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva). We find people performing Naga Devatha Pratishta under this tree. Arjuna Pathram (Morinda Tinctoria/Terminelia Arjuna) – Used for Joint pains, Vata/Pitta/Kapha related, heart diseases, wounds and septic conditions rka Pathram (Calotropis Procera) – It is used in poisonous bites, wounds and injuries, curing skin diseases, leprosy, tumors, joint pains, etc… It is said that it has 64 varieties of medicinal usage. It is called as a healing herb. We find usage of this leaf on the day of Ratha Sapthami. It is associated with the worship of Sun God, Lord Hanuman and also Lord Ganesha.While usage of these leaves has proven medicinal value, it is suggested to use them only under Medical advice. Usage of Durva (Garike) in Ganesha Pooja: It is said and believed that usage of Garike has attained lot of significance in the worship/pooja of Lord Ganesha who is very much fond of this item. The legend behind this relates to the curse given by Goddess Parvathi (Consort of Lord Shiva) to Nandeeswara (Mount of Lord Shiva). In order to get rid of the effect of curse, Goddess Parvathi had asked Nandeeswara to shed what is most pleasing to him and offer the same to her son Lord Vinayaka which will please him the most. Thus Durva became most pleasing item to Lord Ganesha. Generally Durva is offered in pooja in odd number (5/7/21)Thus worshiping of Lord Ganesha with different varieties of leaves is associated with the belief that these medicinal values will reach the human beings either through air or water apart from providing the required sanctity and spirituality.

About Janmashtami

A popular Hindu festival, Janmashtami is a festival that is observed not only in India but, all over the world. The festival is of joy and is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm by the Hindu people. Janmashtami 2011 falls on 22nd August. According to the legendary tale, Lord Krishna is presumed to have made his divine appearance at midnight, in the 28th year of Dwapur Yug. It usually falls in the month of August or September every year, which is also the climax of the rainy season in India. Janmashtami is also known by many other names likes Gokulashtami, Krishnasthami and Srijayanti. Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna witnesses a grand celebration every year on the event of Janmashtami. The place is flooded with not only Indian devotees but, also foreign tourists from all over the world. They watch with great interest the whole procedure of celebrating Janmashtami. Significance of Janmashtami Janmashtami is associated with great historical significance and according to a popular myth the story runs as follows: When the Gods could no longer bear the treacherous impact of Kans’ (the cruel king of Mathura) tyranny they decided to teach him a lesson. In a dream Kans was told that his evil reign and life would be bought to an end by his sister Devaki’s son. Fear grips him and made him imprisoned Devaki and her husband so that he could kill all the sons born to Devaki. It was during her detention that Devaki bore six sons but, none could be spared from the treacherous clutches of Kans. However, on the birth of her seventh son i.e. Lord Krishna, Devaki managed to find a way out of the prison with the child. Eventually, Lord Krishna kills Kans and saves Mathura from the control of the wicked King. Janmashtami was since then celebrated every year to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. Herein lies the significance of Janmashtami. Lord Krishna epitomizes the good over evil. It is said that he was born to free the earth from all the prevailing evils and demons. Krishna is believed to be the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Rituals and Celebrations of Janmashtami Since Mathura is the birthplace of Lord Krishna, people from all over come to this pious place to celebrate Janmashtami. Preparation for this great day starts months ahead. On this day the temples and homes are decorated and illuminated to bring in the desired essence of the joyous occasion. The Lord’s idol is bathed and then rocked in a decorated cradle by all the devotees. This is considered to be a good omen. Devotees of Lord Krishna usually fast the whole day and break their fast at midnight. That was the time when Lord Krishna is supposed to have taken his birth. Songs and hymns are chanted in merriment and they are accompanied by dance and dramas. Since Lord Krishna was an ardent lover of sweet and milk made products, devotees prepared sweets like singhare ki poori, pedha, gulabjamun, shrikhand, doodhachi kheer, gopalkala and celebrate the occasion with great spirit. -------------------------------

Janmashtami.

Shree Krishna was born in the 'Rohini' nakshatram (star) to King Vasudeva and Devaki Devi on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Sravana. This festival is also known as Shree Krishna Jayanti and Krishnashtmi. 
Sri Krishna is considered as the eighth avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu.He is considered to be the Lord's most glorious incarnations. It is said that his remembrance true heart brings extreme joy and pleasure because Sri Krishna himself was a manifestation of joy at all levels and in all walks of life. No other God in the Hindu pantheon, or for that matter in any other religion, is associated with so many romantic tales and so fully radiating with all the divine attributes as Sri Krishna..
The life and message of Sri Krishna is the most stirring saga of one of the greatest saviour and profounder of Dharma. Born in the dungeons of Kansa who was out to kill him at the very moment of his birth, Sri Krishna's life is replete with many such mortal dangers which he successfully triumphs over. He was the unchallenged hero of his times both in terms of his bodily prowess and his intellectual brilliance.

Sri Krishna Jayanti, therefore, signifies not merely the birth of a great and Divine teacher of mankind in some distant past but the lighting of the spark of the Divine Power in every one of us, which spurs us on to play our dynamic part in this world of practical and hard realities with a sense of high spiritual purpose. Krishna represents the total power of attraction (Aakarshna Shakti) like a magnet of infinite rise. Hence Krishna is the source of joy.

The cultural aspects are represented by the traditionally dressed devotees. The raas or dance is also done with devotees taking part with spiritual fervor. Sri Krishna who manifests all levels of joy, is also the source of spiritual joy, which overrides mental or emotional joy, just as emotional joy overrides physical joy. If all the three are integrated and interdependent, then the observance of the festival takes on the full meaning of Sri Krishnaarpanamastu - let everything be offered to Sri Krishna.

 Program संस्कृत दिवस and Raksha bhandhan...

Some Photos.....
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Prayer By Students..








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Welcome By Miss Prameela.










Our Students..

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Speech by Harish Putthuraya.








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Raki bhandha To Lord Krishna
by our President Jayarama Kedilaya..












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Rakshabhandhan...









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Speech...

by our President Jayarama Kedilaya..









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Songs by our Students..








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Songs by our Students..

Vote of Thanks..














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