VIBRANT DAKAR & COLORFUL SENEGAL WITH PRASANNA DAROG

DAKAR is the Capital and Largest City of Senegal in West Africa.

Where is Dakar located ?

It is located midway between the mouths of the Gambia and Senegal rivers on the southeastern side of the Cape Verde Peninsula, close to Africa’s most westerly point.

When was Dakar founded ?

Dakar was founded in 1857 when the French built a fort on the site of the modern Place de l’Indépendance to safeguard the interests of merchants who had been settling there for 20 years and of the residents of Gorée, a waterless island in the lee of the peninsula that once was an outpost for slave and other trading.

How did the city of Dakar arrive at its name ?

The city’s name comes from dakhar, a Wolof (member/language) name for the tamarind tree, as well as the name of a coastal Lebu village that was located south of what is now the first pier.

What is Dakar's population ?

The largest city in Senegal is Dakar, with a population of 3.5 Million (Dakar city has 2.47 Million).

How is the Climate ?

Dakar climate is generally warm. Dakar has a hot semi-arid climate with a short rainy season and a lengthy dry season. Dakar’s rainy season lasts from July to October while the dry season covers the remaining eight months.Dakar between December and May is usually pleasantly warm with daily temperatures around 24–27 °C (75–81 °F). Nights during this time of the year are comfortable, some 17–20 °C (63–68 °F). However, between May and November the city becomes decidedly warmer with daily highs reaching 29–31 °C (84–88 °F) and night lows a little bit above 23–24 °C (73–75 °F).

What is Dakar known for ?

Dakar’s harbour is one of the best in Western Africa, being protected by the limestone cliffs of the cape and by a system of breakwaters.

What industries are in Dakar ?

Dakar is one of tropical Africa’s leading industrial and service center. Its industries include peanut-oil refining, fish canning, flour milling, brewing, truck assembly and petroleum refining. T

What places to visit in Dakar ?

There are excellent museums of the sea and of history in nearby Gorée and of ethnography and archaeology in Dakar. The corniche road (cut into the cliff) around Cape Manuel offers fine views of the harbour and the islands. There are some good beaches.

Ratha Sapthami

Ratha Sapthami comes on maaga shudda sapthami. Ratha means chariot and Sapthami means 7th day. This festival is in the month of January-February. It is the day when Sun God will ride on the chariot drawn by 7 horses. On this day, Sun moves from Southeast to Northeast. The day is also known as Surya Jayanthi as it celebrates the power of Sun God, believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. On Ratha Sapthami day, people take bath with 7 leaves of Ekka or Arka or Jilledu or Erukku (Calotropis Gigantea). Place 1 on head, 2 on shoulders, 2 on knees, 2 on foot. Perform puja to Lord Sun/Surya and do 12 surya namaskaras. The worship of Sun on Ratha Sapthami signifies the spread of energy and light from Sun God. Sun is the ruler of all planets and it is he who disburses energy. The Sun is approximately 149,600,000 kilometers from earth and sunlight takes 8.3 minutes to reach the earth. Mantra chanted while taking bath, Saptha Saptha Maha Saptha Saptha Dweepa Vasundara Saptharka Parn

The 7 Main Chakras

Chakra pronounced in Hindi as Pali, in Chinese as Chakka and in Tibet as Khorlo is a sanskrit work meaning "Wheel". Chakras are depicted as flower like or wheel like. When it is depicted as flower like, a specific number of petals are shown around the circle. It is said that human body contains hundreds of chakras that are key to the operation of our being. According to ancient scriptures, a chakra is where 216 nadis (energy channels) cross over each other, forming energy spirals. The 7 main chakras in human body refer to the 7 energy centers of which our consciouness and energy system is composed. The 7 chakras are aligned along the spinal column. Each of the 7 main chakras is their own intelligence center. It means each chakra is not only associated with our physical health but also controls aspects connected to our physical, emotional, mental and belief system. 1.Muladhara/Base Chakra (last bone in spinal cord) 2.Svadhisthana/Sacral Chakra (ovaries and prostrate) 3.M

Importance of Dhanurmasa

Dhanur Masa or Dhanurmas is a month in the Hindu calendar. It corresponds to the zodiac sign of Saggitarius (Sun transits through Saggitarius). The Dhanus month or masa is called Margazhi (Margali) in the Tamil Hindu calendar. Dhanurmasa is also called as Shoonya Masa as it is considered inauspicious to do any good thing other than God and Holy functions. According to tradition, Gods wake up early in the morning during the month of Dhanurmasa. Special prayers are offered to Sri Maha Vishnu during the auspicious period of "Brahm Muhurta", i.e one and half hours before sunrise. During this month, devotees offer prayers to the Lord very early in the morning. The month of Dhanurmasa is considered a very special month for performing Puja of Vishnu. Vishnu Sahasranama is chanted during the period. The 30 pasurams/verses of Thiruppavai will be recited to wake up Lord Vishnu. Thiru means Sacred and Ppavai means Vrat. It is believed that Goddess Goda Devi, also known as Andal has comp

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