The Darog Journal - Compute Through

Tamil New Year day, Bengali New Year Day (Pohela Baishakh) and Vishu are celebrated on April 13th & 14th 2008, in the month of Chitthirai in Tamilnadu, Kolkatta and Kerala. Tamilians around the world believe that it was on this day that Brahma started creation of the world. In Tamilnadu, people exchange greetings "Puthandu Vazhthukal" on this day. This auspicious day is popular as Varusha Pirappuv. It is also said, that Goddess Meenakshi got married to Lord Sundareswar on this day. Tamilians start the day by getting up early in the morning and viewing the auspicious light called Kanni at dawn with a hope to bring good luck. Followed by ritual bath. People offer special prayers to Lord Ganesha with flowers, sweets and fruits. Later Panchagam is read in the house by priest or in the temple. On this day, people decorate the house entrance and pooja room with Kolam (made of rice flour). People also place Kuthuvillakku in the center of the kolam to bring light to...

The festival marks the new year day for the people in Deccan region of India - Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra (festival called as Gudi Padwa). People from these states follow the lunar calendar with a change in moon's orbit. It is believed that the creator of the Hindu Pantheon Lord Brahma started creation on this day. Ugadi falls on Chaitra Shuddha Paadyami. The day starts with oil bath afterwhich entrance of the house is decorated with fresh mango leaves. It is said that Subramanya and Ganesha (2 sons of Lord Siva & Parvati) were fond of mangoes. As the legend says, Subramanya exhorted people to tie mango leaves to the doorway signifying good crop and general wellbeing. This is followed by prayers, then eating of Bevu-Bella (in Kannada) / Ugadi Pachhadi (in Telugu). Bevu Bella is a mixture of - Neem flowers, Neem leaves, Raw mango, Tamarind juice, Jaggery, Pepper and salt. This symoblizes that life is a mixture of happiness, sadness, impurity, chaos, fear, ange...

Not too long ago, I had the opportunity to visit Mac Anderson's(Founder of Simple Truths and Successories) web site. I was touched by the stories and inspirational movies on the web. Developed an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and subscribed to his newsletter. Thank you very much Mac for sharing with us the stories and movies. Good ideas dont just happen, they depend on the people who are making them happen. On Leadership ==> http://www.eagleschoolmovie.com/ Power of Teamwork (be inspired by the ultimate team) ==> http://www.powerofteamworkmovie.com/ What it takes to be #1 ==> http://www.lombardimovie.com/ Power of Attitude ==> http://www.powerofattitudemovie.com/ On Service ==> http://www.stservicemovie.com/ 212 - The extra degree ==> http://www.212movie.com/ Nature of Success (inspire to reach goals) ==> http://www.natureofsuccessmovie.com/ The Race (Life's greatest lesson) ==> http://www.the-race-movie.com/ Rock solid leadership (how gre...

In Hinduism, an avatar is an incarnation of the ultimate supreme being. It is derived from the sanskrit word (अवतार) which means "descent". Ten avatars (Dasavatara) of Vishnu in Garuda Purana Matysa - fish, appeared in Satya Yuga (represented by a man carrying a small pot) Kurma - tortoise, appeared in Satya Yuga Varaha - boar, appeared in Satya Yuga Narasimha - half-man/half-lion, appeared in Satya Yuga Vamana - dwarf, appeared in Treta Yuga (represented by a man carrying a Cow and an Anchor) Parashurama - rama with the axe, appearaed in Treta Yuga Rama - king of Ayodhya, appared in Treta Yuga Krishna - dark coloured, appeared in Dwapara Yuga (represented by a man carrying a Bow and Axe) Buddha - enlightened one, appeared in Kali Yuga (represented by a man without clothes) Kalki - eternity or destroyer of foulness, appeared in Kali Yuga Twenty Five (25) avatars of Vishnu in Bhagavata Purana Catursana - four sons of brahma (god of knowledge) Varaha - board ...

Reciting of slokas or recitation of stotras is an integral part of every Hindu family.  Sri Vishnu Sahasranama is recited by every Hindu - be it an Dvaita(Madhavacharya), Advaita(Shankaracharya) and Visistadvaita(Ramanujacharya). Sri Vishnu Sahasranama, sung by several Yogis and by Hindu people is taught by Bhishmacharya (grandfather to Yudhistira) to King Yudhistira (eldest of the five pandavas and embodiment of Dharma) in Mahabaratha for the good of the world, is the praise of the Lord (Supreme God Narayana) with thousand names.  Reciting Sri Vishnu Sahasranama daily after bath helps us to reach heaven and it is considered to be most beneficial to mankind. Sri Vedavyasa is the rishi of Sri Vishnu's one thousand names. We have over forty commentaries on Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram. Sri Adi Sankara's commentary is the earliest of them. Sri Parasara Bhatta, a disciple of a disciple of Sri Ramanujacharya has written a detailed commentary. Sri Satyasandha Yatiswara from th...

Qutab Minar is situated in South Delhi, India. The magnificient tower of victory is located at Aurabindo Marg, Delhi near Mehrauli, around 14 Km south of Connaught place. King Qutubuddin Aibak of Slave dynasty laid the foundation of the Qutab Minar in 1199 adjoining the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque to proclaim the victory of Islam, after the defeat of the last Hindu kingdom in Delhi. The word 'Qutab Minar' means 'axis minaret'. The tower was built in three stages. The height of Qutub Minar is 72.5 metres(237.8 ft) with five storeys and total number of steps in stair is 399. Qutab Minar, the sandstone (red-stone) tower is Indo-Islamic architectural wonder of ancient India.

Chikmagalur district takes its name from the headquarters town of Chikmagalur which literally means younger daughter's town. It is said to have been given as a dowry to the younger daughter of Rukmangada, the legendary chief of Sakrepatna. Another part of the town bestowed on the elder daughter is known as Hiremagalur. Certain ancient inscriptions reveal that these two places were originally known as Kiriya-magalu and Piriya-magalu. Chikmagalur is located in a lush valley south of the Babu-Budan range. The district houses fascinating monuments of all religions - the Kondadarama Temple, a beautiful blend of Hoysala and Dravidian styles of architecture, the Jamia Mosque and the new St. Joseph's Cathedral with an attractive shell-shaped portico. Hiremagalur which is now a part of Chikmagalur town has an Ishwara Temple with a 1.22 metre high, intriguing figure of Jademuni. The temple also houses a Yoopastambha, believed to be installed by King Janamejaya, during his serpent s...