SHUBHA JANMASHTAMI

Krishna Janmashtami is observed on the eighth day of the dark half (Krishna Paksha) of the month of Shraavana in the Hindu calendar, when the Rohini Nakshatram is ascendent. The Hindu calendar being lunar, these two events the day being the eighth of the waning moon (Krishna-paksha Ashtami) and the Rohini Nakshatram being ascendent may overlap for only a few hours. In such an event, the festival may be celebrated on different (but successive) days by different people, depending on their local or family traditions.

The festival falls sometime in the months of August/September of the Gregorian calendar.

The ritual is to fast the previous day (Saptami, seventh day), which is followed by a night-long vigil commemorating the birth of Krishna at night, and his immediate removal by his father to a foster-home for safe-keeping. At midnight, the deity of the infant Krishna is bathed, placed in a cradle and worshipped. The traditional Prasad is 'Panchajiri', made of five ingredients (ginger, 'suva', coriander, sugar and ghee. It can include poppy seeds (khaskhas) and coconut.). The fast is completed after aarti, a special prayer.

In the early morning, ladies draw patterns of little children's feet outside the house with rice-flour paste, walking towards the house. This symbolizes the entry of the infant Krishna into his foster-home. This performed to recreate incidents from the life of Krishna and commemorate his love for Radha.

Care is taken among certain circles not to imitate the Rasa Lila in a mundane way. It is said that one should not imitate the Rasa Lila even in dreams. The idea is that Krishna, or God's pastimes cannot be understood by the mundane mind-set and discussing them should therefore be avoided altogether. Krishna's pastimes with Srimati Radha can never be understood by materialistic people, they are transcendental and great care should be taken to present them in such manner.
While the Rasa Lila recreates the youthful Krishna's alliance with the milkmaids (gwale) of his native land, the "Dahi-Handi" tradition of Maharashtra re-enacts his childhood pranks, wherein Krishna and his young friends helped themselves to butter and other goodies in the houses of their neighbours. Clay pots called "Dahi-Handi", filled with curd and butter, are suspended high above the ground. To a constant chorus of "Govinda, Govinda" from all those present, teams of young men form human pyramids to reach the pot and break it, to the merriment of the youths and of the assembly.

The festival is thus celebrated with great joy and communal togetherness by one and all.


Sobai-ke Janmashtami-r preeti-o-shubhechchha

Last post made by: dsdsinin on Aug 26 2008, 06:09 PM

Beijing 2008 Olympics - Interesting facts

Beginning on August 8, 2008, and running for 16 days, athletes from 203 National Olympic Committees will compete in 28 sports to win 302 gold medals. Held at 37 venues, 6 of them are located outside of Beijing in the city of Hong Kong for equestrianism, Qingdao for sailing, and Shanghai, Tianjin, Qinhuangdao and Shenyang for football preliminaries, with the remaining 31 in Beijing, including 12 new venues, 11 renovated venues and 8 temporary venues.

The centrepiece of the 2008 Summer Olympics will be the Beijing National Stadium, nicknamed “Bird’s Nest” because of its nest-like skeletal structure. Featuring a lattice-like concrete skeleton forming the stadium bowl and a seating capacity of over 90,000 people, it will be hosting the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the ahteletics events and soccer finals.

The 2008 Summer Olympics emblem is also known as “Dancing Beijing”. Combining a traditional Chinese red seal and a representation of the calligraphic character jing (Translating to ‘National Capital’) with athletic features, the open arms of the calligraphic word also symbolises the invitation of China to the world to share in its culture.

The official Olympic Slogan is One World, One Dream, which fully reflects the essence and the universal values of the Olympic Spirit - Unity, Friendship, Progress, Harmony, Participation and Dream. It also highlights the ideal of the Chinese people to share the joy of the Olympics with the world.

Consisting of five members that incorporates fish, giant panda, fire, Tibetan antelope and swallow designs, the five Fuwa are the official 2008 Olympic Mascots. Based on the colours of the five Olympic Rings, the five Fuwas have the primary colours of blue, black, red, yellow and green. Named Beibei, Jingjing, Huanhuan, Yingying, Nini. When the first syllable of each of the five names are put together, the results is the phase Beijing huanying ni, meaning Beijing Welcomes You.

Around 3500 babies in China have been given the name Aoyun, or “Olympics”, with more Chinese mothers trying to give birth on the day of the opening ceremony, August 8, 2008

The opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics will begin at 8:08pm and 8 seconds on 8 August 2008, with the date (8/8/08) and time reflecting the auspicious nature of the number 8 in China.

The program for Beijing 2008 will see the return of 28 sports, with 302 events, 165 men’s events, 127 women’s events, and 10 mixed events). Also, 9 new events have been added, including two from the new cycling discipline of Bicycle Motorcross (BMX). Also, women will compete in the 3000m steeplechase for the first time. In swimming, 10km open water swimming events for men and women have been included. Team events (men & women) in table tennis will replace the doubles events while the women’s team foil and women’s team sabre will replace the men’s team foil and women’s team epee.

20,000 officials and 70,000 volunteers are expected to participate in the Beijing 2008 Olympics, with 20,000 members of the media and 4.8 million tourists expected to visit Beijing in 2008.

Last post made by: τσ on Aug 24 2008, 09:21 AM

Wishing every Indian a very Happy Independence Day


Jai Hind !!

Last post made by: sree840 on Aug 15 2008, 02:09 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-m6MWBooYg

PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

Ruhul Amin

Documentary films -- Although still making more the 100 features a year and producing wealthy stars, Bangladesh 's film industry is in a sad decline. Today, rickshaw wallahs make up much of the cinema audience while the better--off watch foreign videos at home. This is the story of Tayb, a poor rickshaw wallah and a film buff, exploring his everyday life and dream of films.

Last post made by: Romuz on Aug 7 2008, 02:38 PM

Because of sheer irresponsibility, glitch, unprofessional behaviors we have moved CGC to a new host. And it is up now with the same URL. Please move around and let us know if you face any problem anywhere. Be patient and we will try to solve the problems you encounter. As for other sites and subdomains of CGC we will be moving them gradually. Thanks to all of you for all of your patience and support.

ENJOY!

Last post made by: arup123 on Aug 8 2008, 12:07 PM