Ugadi subhakamkshalu!

Ugadi marks the beginning of the New Year. This day is considered quite auspicious as new ventures are begun and people pray for prosperity of their business. 

As per the calendars followed in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, Chaitra maasam in 2012 begins on March 23 and ends on April 21, 2013. Chaitra month 2012 is the first month in Sri Nandana nama Samvatsaram (2012 -2013) Hindu year.
The word Ugadi means YUGAADI, yuga- era and aadi- begining.
According to Hinduism, on the first day of Chaitra month Lord Brahma started the creation. Sage Veda Vyasa described Ugadi day as the starting of Kaliyuga.
Ugadi, Gudhi Padwa, and Cheti Chand are the festivals celebrated as Telugu and Kannada New Year, Marathi New Year, and Sindhi New Year respectively.

“Chaitramasi jagadbrahma sasarju prathamehaani
Shukla paksha samagranthu thadaa suryodaye sathi
Pravarthayaa maasa thatha kaalasya gananaamapi
Grahannaagaa nruthoonmaa saaswathsaraa nwathsaraadhipaan”

According to this Sloka of ‘Chaturvarga Chintamani, Lord Brahma created the universe on the first day of Shukla paksha in the Hindu month Chaitra maasam. He also gradually included planets, stars, ruthu (seasons) and rains. Chaitra month is considered as very auspicious masam in which the creation of the universe has started.
In Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka on Ugadhi day Ugadi Pachadi is prepared and distributed among the people. 

It symbolizes six tastes or flavors of life
Pacchadi ,a dish which has raw mango pieces(tanginess), neem flowers(bitterness), new tamarind pulp(sourness), ripe banana and jaggery made from new sugar cane crop(sweetness), chilli powder(spice or heat) and a pinch of salt(saltines). This dish has 6 different types of tastes (shadruchulu) which means life is a mixture of various experiences happiness, sadness, surprise, anger, fear and disgust. Eating it signifies that to treat every experience alike, accept the fact and live the moment. Believe whatever happens is for one’s own good and live happily.
Significance of Ugadi Pachchadi’s 6 tastes and ingredients
Neem flowers – bitterness signifies sadness
Jaggery – sweetness symbolizes happiness
Pepper – hot signifies anger
Salt – saltiness signifies fear
Tamarind – sourness symbolizes disgust
Mango – tang symbolizes surprise
Panchanga Shravanam is the most observed ritual in Telugu and Kannada families. Kavi Sammelanam or poetry recitation is a typical Telugu Ugadi feature
Happy Ugadi and let this year be filled with delightful things in each of its days.

Quiz of the day (35)

I enjoy answering quiz questions. If you are like me, here is a random quiz question of the day in general knowledge for you to answer or else check back tomorrow for the answer.  
Newborn babies are cute to look at and soft to touch. Now, if you were touching the ‘fontanelle' in a newborn human, which part are you touching? . 
a) baby's palm
b) soft spot on the skull
c) tip of the nose
d) sole of the foot
Quiz of the day (34) Answer: d) astronomy (parsec is a unit of astronomical length based on the distance from Earth; equivalent to 3.262 light years)

Happy Women's Day!

courtesy : tamilspider.com

Happy Women's Day!

Quiz of the day (34)

I enjoy answering quiz questions. If you are like me, here is a random quiz question of the day in general knowledge for you to answer or else check back tomorrow for the answer.  

We measure distances while traveling to different places. In what branch of science would a unit of distance called a "Parsec" be used?

a) Meterology

b) Proxemics

c) Petrology

d) Astronomy 

Quiz of the day (33) Answer: bamboo (fastest growing plant on earth-100cms in one day)

March flower

courtesy:flowers-gallery.com

January month flower - Jonquil (daffodil or narcissus)

Jonquil - juncus in Latin means rush

Meaning - Friendship and happiness

Hidden message -“you are an angel”

Common name – daffodil or Narcissus

Represent - desire, affection returned, sympathy

National flower – Wales

"If one daffodil is worth a thousand pleasures, then one is too few"

-William Wordsworth

Leap day!

"Leap" in time is when the calendar is adjusted to make up for extra seconds accumulated over the preceding three years, due to the rotation of the earth. A leap year has 366 days and it occurs every four years

But did you know….

• In England and Wales, the date of the legal birthday for someone born on 29th February is 1st March
• February 30th was a real date in Sweden, a Scandinavian country.
• The town of Anthony in Texas, USA was known as ‘The Leap Year Capital of the World’.
• In Scotland, it was considered unlucky to be born on a Leap Day.
• Babies born on 29th February are known as Leaplings
• In Greece it is considered unlucky to marry on a Leap Day.
• Roman Emperor, Julius Caesar was said to be behind the origin of the Leap Year

Nursery poem-

Thirty days hath September,

April, June and November.

All the rest have thirty-one,

Excepting February alone,

And that has twenty-eight days clear

And twenty-nine in each leap year.

-Unknown

Quiz of the day (33)

I enjoy answering quiz questions. If you are like me, here is a random quiz question of the day in general knowledge for you to answer or else check back tomorrow for the answer.

The first impression we have about grass is what we seen in our lawn. Can you guess what is the tallest and thickest type of grass?

a) buffalo grass

b) fake grass

c) bamboo

d) tall fescue

Quiz of the day (32) Answer: b) cartographer (in Greek- chartes is a sheet of papyrus (paper) and graphein is to write) 

Quiz of the day (32)

I enjoy answering quiz questions. If you are like me, here is a random quiz question of the day in general knowledge for you to answer or else check back tomorrow for the answer.

We all use maps in all occasions and in all places. What is a person who draws and designs map's called?

a) lithographer

b) cartographer

c) mythographer

d) geographer

Quiz of the day (31) Answer: b) Ravana (veena player)(source:http://kdpindia.com/Ravana-flag.html)

Phalguna maasam-the twelvth month of the Hindu lunar calendar (February 22-March22)

Last but not the least, Phalguna masam is the last month as per traditional Hindu Lunar calendar. The month in which full moon day coincides with Poorva/Uttara Phalguni nakshatra is denoted as Phalguna maasam. This is also good time of the year to perform auspicious functions like, housewarming, marriage, especially upanayanam etc. We find still cool but pleasant climate, change in the color of the leaves as they start withering. When the season ends we find new leaves start springing up that marks the beginning of spring season and the temperature slowly gets warmer. 
As I have read somewhere, the most prominent incidents of the most important Itihasas for Hindus, Ramayana and Maha Bharata occurred in the Phalguna month. The Ramayan War (war between the army of Vaanaras and Ravanas army) started on the day of Phalguna Bahula Padyami (first day after pournami). The most important incident in the Ramayana, Ravanasura Vadha, (demolition of demon Ravana), was occurred on Phalgun Amavasya. 
The real representative of Dharma in Mahabharata, Dharma Raju (Yudhistira), was born on Phalguna Bahula Astami.The body builder in Pandavas, Bhimasena, was born on Phalguna Shudda Trayodasi. On the same day, Duryodhana and Dushshasana were also born. 
The most important festival in this month is the festival of colors. Holi is celebrated on the full moon day (March 8th) of Phalguna maasam.

Mother-tongue Day!

February 21 every year is International Mother Tongue Day. The day was declared by UNESCO in 1999 to be celebrated globally.

Dictionary meaning of mother-tongue states:

1. The language first learned by a person; native language.

2. Mother language. A language from which another is evolved

rrclassroom.wordpress.com

Though I grew up outside of my native place, I was lucky to learn my mother tongue “Telugu”; read write and talk fluently. Thanks to my mother who insisted upon me to learn during my school breaks. Now, I with my family living in a foreign land motivated my children to acquire the fluency to converse freely.  Not that they mastered to read and write, they are comfortable to have a conversation without hesitation in their mother tongue i.e. telugu. Growing-up they picked up vocabulary to increase their conversation capability. Research has said that having learnt mother tongue help them to retain their culture; improves cognitive ability and has myriad benefits. It makes sense when I read that, if the language (mother tongue) disappears means culture is diminishing; if culture is lost means mankind vanishes. Don't you agree upon this? If you could not learn for some unforeseen reason respect your mother tongue which equals to respecting your mother land and in turn your own mother.

I would like to share a small story, that I used to tell my children when they were young. I believe this helped them learn the names of the vegetables in “Telugu-my mother tongue”.

అనగనగా ఉల్లిపాయంత ఊరిలో, ములక్కాడంత ముసలమ్మ వుంది. ఆమెకి వంకాయంత వజ్రము వుంది ఆ వంకాయంత వజ్రాన్ని బిరకాయంత బీరువాలో పెట్టి తాటికాయంత తాలంవేసింది. అది దొండకాయంత  దొంగ చూసి ఒకరోజు రాత్రి కరక్కాయంత కన్నము వేసి ఇంట్లోకి వచ్చి తాటికాయంత తాళం తీసి ఆ వంకాయంత వజ్రాన్ని దొండకాయంత దొంగపట్టుకు పోతుంటే పొట్లకాయంత పోలీసు చూసి బెండకాయంత బేడీలు తీసి దొండకయంత దొంగకు వేసి జామకాయంత జైలుల్లో పెట్టి ఆ వంకాయంత వజ్రాన్ని తెచ్చి ములక్కాడంత ముసలమ్మకి ఇచ్చాడు ఇది కథ. కథ కంచికి మనం ఇంటికి. 

“One should respect his motherland, his culture and his mother tongue because they are givers of happiness… ”

-Rig Veda quotes

Maha Sivarathri!

Mahasivarathri is one of the holiest nights of the year. It is the night dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. 
May the Lord shower his blessings on each one of us.

Quiz of the day (31)

I enjoy answering quiz questions. If you are like me, here is a random quiz question of the day in general knowledge for you to answer or else check back tomorrow for the answer. 

If mythology is "your cup of tea", I am sure you would know the answer for this question. In Indian mythology, which king's flag had a veena motif on it? 

a) Bharata

b) Ravana

c) Arjuna

d) Dasaratha

Quiz of the day (30) Answer:b) 60 miles per hour (A sneeze can exceed the speed of 100 mph)

Quiz of the day (30)

I enjoy answering quiz questions. If you are like me, here is a random quiz question of the day in general knowledge for you to answer or else check back tomorrow for the answer. 

The function of coughing is to assist the removal of material from the airways. Coughing also prevents additional inhalation of material, or movement of inhaled material into the peripheral airways. Did you ever imagine at what speed does an average cough comes out of your mouth?

a) 15 miles per hour,

b) 60 miles per hour

c) 90 miles per hour

d) 130 miles per hour

Quiz of the day (29) Answer: b) Denmark (flag named, Dannebrog is adopted in 1219 AD)

February flower

February birth-month flower is Violet in purple or sky blue.

Violet - Faithfulness, modesty, and affection

Meaning - ‘Vias” means wayside

Scientific name - Viola sororia

Common name – common woolly blue violet

Hidden message - I’ll always be true

State flower - Illinois, Wisconsin, Rhode Island, and New Jersey

“Stars will blossom in the darkness, Violets bloom beneath the snow.”
Julia C.R. Dorr 

What happened in those 40 minutes?

courtesy ucdavis.edu

Consciousness has long been one of the great mysteries of life. It is something experienced by every one of us, yet we cannot even agree on how to define it. Are they lost moments in sleep or the effects of a drug? We really don’t know. Sure enough they cannot be recovered in rest of the life. Knowingly or unknowingly we do make use of our time wisely. This reminds me of a saying “May you live all the days of your life”.  Life has to move on but even the lost moments sometimes teach a lesson to oneself and an experience to share.

Couple of weeks ago I had to undergo a minor procedure in my neck. The procedure required anesthesia. I was in the day-surgery room for nearly three hours. After my vitals, and preop instructions I was taken into a procedure room in my surgery outfit. The moment I was in the room, it appeared that they were all waiting for me to arrive. Three or four assistants with the Dr.F started their preassigned tasks. I was asked to lie in prone position resting my face on a foam cutout pillow, placing hands in the front pockets. Being in that position, I was unable to see what was going on around me. I could only hear their light conversations. Not paying attention to their casual conversations I was lying down on my stomach, nervously, waiting for the procedure to be done. My train of thoughts took me to my teen days. By and large, our youth is spent unaware of the consequences we go through in the journey of our life. Experience asks us to choose the right direction, by then we get older and our body does not want to cooperate. Dr.F started the procedure preparations on my neck region by administering anesthesia. I was told that the anesthetic would make me feel drowsy, I would go to sleep, and when I woke up it would all be over.

Within seconds I distanced myself from this world, I have no idea of what so ever went on in the room. I awoke with no memories of what had passed between the feeling of mild drowsiness and waking up in a different room. I was woken up by a nurse assistant in the recovery room. I heard him asking me how I was feeling. Only then I realized, the procedure was completed. I answered him by just blinking my eyes and nodding my head. I was drifting in and out of awareness for some undefined period. I sipped a few drops of water placed near bedside and was lying down drowsy. After a while, when I slowly regained complete consciousness, I wondered where I was for the past 40 minutes. What happened to me?   
The elapsed time right after entering the surgery room, I can’t remember and probably never will. Series of thoughts crossed my mind; suddenly my renewed sense reminded me of what anesthetists do it as a routine, without really understanding what exactly consciousness is. It seems consciousness is tough to define, but easy to manage for them. They take people to the brink of nothingness without killing and bring them back home again. Human consciousness is just about the last surviving mystery of the being. Anesthesia is probably the best tool for understanding consciousness in managing health and disease. What a miracle!

"A life lived of choice is a life of conscious action. A life lived of chance is a life of unconscious creation."
-Neale Donald Walsch

Quiz of the day (29)

I enjoy answering quiz questions. If you are like me, here is a random quiz question of the day in general knowledge for you to answer or else check back tomorrow for the answer. 

Since medieval ages, flags came in use primarily to identify a knight or a state. Modern period each county is represented by an unique flag. Which country do you think has the world's oldest flag?

a) Spain

b) Denmark

c) India

d) Chile
Quiz of the day (28)  Answer: d) rinderpest (known as cattle plague was eradicated in 2011)

Happy Republic Day!

courtesy 123greety.com

Today, India is celebrating the 63^rd Republic Day with grandeur. The Constitution of India was passed by the Constituent Assembly of India on November 26, 1949, but came into effect on January 26, 1950. As a school going child we only remember that this day was a national holiday, Indian flag will be hoisted, and in the evening usually cultural events are arranged in most cities. The day will be celebrated every year with much enthusiasm all over the country to mark the importance of the occasion.

As I grew up and with the entry of television set in my home, on the Republic Day I have enjoyed watching the famous grand parade to the historic Red Fort in New Delhi concluding with the President’s address to the nation.

On the eve of Republic Day, the country's highest civilian awards are conferred in various categories, namely, bravery awards, gallantry awards, Bharat Ratna, and Padma awards. Bravery awards are presented to recognize and honor children below 16 years of age who have performed outstanding deeds of bravery and selfless sacrifice.  Gallantry award are conferred to appreciate brave and gallant. Bharat Ratna is awarded to the great contributors who brought international recognition by excelling in their fields. The Padma awards are given in all disciplines/ fields of activities 'Padma Vibhushan' is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; 'Padma Bhushan' for distinguished service of high order and 'Padma Shri' for distinguished service in any field. These awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year. This year 109 eminent people were awarded. Of these, Andhra Pradesh received 2 awards one to Syed Mohammed Arif, sports, badminton; and the other to Dr. G. Muniratnam, social work.

Freedom in Mind, Faith in Words,
Pride in our Heart, Memories in our Souls.
Let’s Salute the Nation on REPUBLIC DAY!

Magha maasam-the eleventh month of the Hindu lunar calendar (January 24-February 21)

Magha maasam is the 11^th month of Hindu lunar calendar. Makha nakshtram (star) falls on the pournami day of this month. This month is considered auspicious to perform all the major occasions like marriage, upanayanam (thread ceremony), house warming etc. One year on the earth is considered as one day in the higher abode and this month starts the dawn of the day to the Gods. Deepa daanam (lighting a lamp) is auspicious in Karthika maasam and magha snanam (holy dips in holy rivers) is the major ritual of magha maasam.There are many auspicious and religious events during the month. Some of them are given here.

Vasanta Panchami (January 27) falls on the fifth day of the magha maasam. Goddess Saraswathi is worshiped on this day. Children are initiated into the world of learning on this day.

Ratha Sapthami (January 30) is observed on the seventh day after amavasya and is dedicated to Sun God. An important ritual is taking bath using jilledu aku (erukku leaves), a kind of giant milkweed. Lord Surya is believed to ride a chariot driven by seven horses and this form is worshipped during the festival. To show the significance of the festival a chariot muggu (rangoli) is made on the ground and worshipped. Usually milk is boiled and pudding is made of rice and jaggery and offered to Sun God.

courtesy salagram.net

Bhishma Ashtami (January 31) falls on the eighth day during the shukla paksha (first half of the fortnight of the month). Bhishma is known as the grandfather of the Kauravas. In the Great War of Mahabharata, Bhishma laid himself on the bed of arrows on this day. Before his last breath, Bhishma revealed the Vishnu Sahasranamam (1000 names of Lord Vishnu) to Pandavas in the presence of Lord Krishna (incarnation of Lord Vishnu). Significantly called Bhishma Pitamah, chose this day to leave his body and unite with the Lord. Hence Bhishma Ekadasi (11^th day in the fortnight, February 3, 2012) is auspicious to devotees, who chant or listen to Vishnu Sahasranama stotram and be on fast for the day.

Magha pournami (full moon day, February 7)is the most important and sacred pournimis in the Hindu religion. It is believed that taking early morning baths in holy rivers on this day relieves a person from all sorts of problems. The Magha Mela at Prayag near Allahabad held on this day is very famous in India. More than a million devotees assemble at the confluence of the Ganges and the Yamuna.

courtesy spiderkerala.net

Maha Shivarathri (February 20) is the night of worship of Lord Shiva on the 14^th day after pournami. Lord Shiva is worshiped in the form of lingam will be pleased  if we perform libations (abhishekam).  “Panchamrutham”, the five foods of immortality namely milk, clarified butter, curd, honey and sugar is offered as abhishekam. If you cannot offer panchamrutham he enjoys if one offers water on "sivalingam". Devotees observe a day of strict fast having only fruits and milk. There is also a saying that “janmaniki oka sivarathri” which means that at least in one life time we should fast on sivarathri day. After fasting for the day, devotees spend the whole night by performing abhishekams, kalyanam of Lord Shiva and Parvathi devi along with chanting of “Om Namah Shivaya”. It is believed that, we are required to keep vigil during the night in order to receive Lord Shiva’s grace and assistance. 

May the Lord shower HIS blessings on the living beings!

Quiz of the day (28)

I enjoy answering quiz questions. If you are like me, here is a random quiz question of the day in general knowledge for you to answer or else check back tomorrow for the answer.

In 1980, according to United Nations, small pox was eradicated. Recently UN formally declared that second disease has been eliminated worldwide. Can you name the disease?

a) Polio

b) guinea worm disease

c) malaria

d) rinderpest

Quiz of the day (27) Answer: a) cricket (The idea was first studied by A. E. Dolbear in 1898, later known as Dolbear's Law.)

Quiz of the day (27)

I enjoy answering quiz questions. If you are like me, here is a random quiz question of the day in general knowledge for you to answer or else check back tomorrow for the answer.

Do you know this; temperature can be measured with the help of the noises made by an animal. Which insect/animal can help you give the temperature in Fahrenheit by adding the number of noises it makes in 14 seconds and adding 40? 
a) cricket

b) grasshopper

c) bees 

d) moth 
Quiz of the day (26) Answer: d) Sun and Saturn (Capricorn is a sign of Saturn. On this day of Makara Sankranti, Sun enters into Capricorn the sign of Saturn; Sun God is the father of Saturn)