Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple Stamps Table Top/Wall Hanging Souvenir from INDIA POST!


This is a unique addition to our family’s Stamp Collection (starting from the 1930s!), a FRAMED Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple Stamps  Table Top/ Wall Hanging Souvenir! which I just received from ‘INDIA POST’.

In the attached photos you can also see the Ram Temple commemorative souvenir stamps sheet which was released by our Prime Minister on 18th January 2024.

As you can see, the components of the design of the stamps include the Ram Temple, the verse ‘Mangal Bhavan Amangal Hari’, the sun, the Saryu River and sculptures in and around the temple. The six commemorative stamps are those of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Lord Ganesh, Lord Hanuman, Jatayu, Kevatraj and Ma Shabri - all key figures and symbols associated with Lord Rama.

I am exceedingly happy to collect these historic and precious souvenirs!


Sunday, March 17, 2024

An appeal as Lok Sabha Elections 2024 schedule is out!

 

In the midst of Lok Sabha's grand affair,

With schedules laid out, we're now aware.

Excitement brews within my kin and me,

To choose leaders of character, you see.

Our pictures attached, from the past, do impart,

Our joy as voters, is a cherished part.

Yet, some dates now cause concern and dismay,

For they may hinder the turnout's sway.

First, the second, fourth, and fifth schedules stand,

On Mondays and Fridays, as planned.

Long weekends beckon, tempting allure,

For some to shirk their duty secure.

Irresponsible acts could mar the scene,

As citizens opt for leisure serene.

Skipping the polls for rest or play,

Dims the beacon of democracy's ray.

The Chief Election Commissioner, wise and just,

With leaders, agencies, and common trust,

Urges all to heed the call,

To cast their vote, one and all.

Despite the pleas, the numbers still dwindle,

Especially in urban lands, where minds should kindle.

Education's grasp seems to slip away,

As many remain deaf and dumb to the election day.

But hope remains, a flickering flame,

That wisdom will guide, and all will acclaim.

Let's celebrate elections, with voices clear,

By casting our votes, the future we steer.











Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Wired whispers to smart symphonies…

 

From wired whispers to smart symphonies, we've spun,

A journey from dial tones to screens that outshine the sun.

Wired phones tethered us, bound by a cord,

Now smart devices wield a power unexplored.

In the palm of our hand, a universe unfolds,

Endless stories, connections, a tale to be told.

Yet in this progression, a dichotomy is spun,

The dance of advancement, shadows and sun.

Gone are the days of patience, a slower pace,

Now instant gratification, in this digital embrace.

But with the good, the bad intertwines,

Lost in screens, we miss the real-life signs.

Connections severed by virtual strings,

A paradoxical dance, where freedom sings.

Privacy lost in the web's intricate maze,

Yet knowledge blooms in the smartphone's blaze.

Wired to wireless, a seamless transition,

Yet the price we pay is an ethical admission.

In the dance of progress, let's find our way,

Balancing the bright and the shadows at play.

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Giant Tiger Prawns! Exotic and Grand!

 


Amidst the whispers of the Bay's embrace,

Where River Godavari finds its grace,

Giant Tiger Prawns, a gift divine,

A feast from distant shores, a friend's design.

Raghu's hands, hold this treasure rare,

Not for sale, but meant for us to share.

From Yanam's heart, where waters blend,

Comes a taste of bonds that never end.

Invitation extended, an evening's delight,

To dine together under evening light.

Fried to perfection, or in curry's embrace,

Or any form that brings taste to grace.

In camaraderie, we shall eat with rice or bread,

With stories spun and laughter spread.

For in the sharing of this culinary delight,

Friendship's flavours find their height.

So let us gather, dear friend of mine,

To savour the prawns, to pour the wine.

In Raghu's gesture, a warmth you'll find,

A friendship banquet, one of a kind.


Monday, February 26, 2024

Revering and cherishing ‘Srilekha’


In Srilekha's embrace, our sacred dwelling,

A heritage spanning generations, compelling.

Named as Goddess Lakshmi's Letter, a blessing profound,

With grace from deities, a home where love is crowned.

Goddesses and Gods from diverse devotion,

A symphony of faith, a harmonious potion.

In Srilekha's halls, laughter takes flight,

A sanctuary of love, bathed in tranquil light.

Four generations' stories are etched on its walls,

Whispers of joy in every corridor it recalls.

From the threshold to corners, memories bloom,

A tapestry of life, Srilekha's sacred rooms.

On this Grihapravesham's anniversary glow,

Nostalgia swirls, like soft winds that blow.

Every room, every nook, a treasury of delight,

In Srilekha's haven, memories take flight.

Through the tapestry of our intertwined lives,

Srilekha, the keeper of cherished archives.

In its shelter, we've grown, we've become,

A legacy of love, brightly shining as the sun.

As we gather today, in reflection and prayer,

For happy times ahead, this moment we share.

May Srilekha's blessings echo through time,

For us and the generations, an eternal rhyme.





Thursday, February 22, 2024

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam

 










Pilgrimage to Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple – A Video:

The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, also known as the Srirangam Temple, is one of the most prominent and revered Hindu temples in South India. It is located in the town of Srirangam, just 12 km from Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) in Tamil Nadu. The temple is situated on an island formed by the Twin Rivers Cauvery and Kollidam. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ranganatha, a form of God Maha Vishnu. Lord Ranganatha is also known as Ranganathaswamy, Ranganathar, Sri Ranga, Rangan, Aranganathar, and Thenarangathan.

The temple is renowned for its Dravidian style of architecture and is one of the largest functioning temples in the world. It covers an area of about 156 acres, making it the largest temple in India. The temple complex is adorned with a series of impressive Gopurams (towers), which are monumental entrance towers. The Rajagopuram, the main entrance tower, is one of the tallest in Asia and is a major landmark. The temple has 7 Prakarams, a total of 21 Gopurams, each with intricate sculptures and carvings depicting various stories from Hindu mythology, 39 Mandapams and over 50 Shrines, including the main temple of Sri Ranganathaswamy and an equally grand temple with a golden Vimana (tower), of Goddess Ranganayaki, a form of Goddess Lakshmi Devi, consort of Lord Ranganatha.

The main shrine for Ranganatha is in the innermost courtyard. The sanctum has a golden Vimanam (crown tower over the sanctum sanctorum) which is plated with gold. Inside the sanctum sanctorum is a 20-foot edifice of Ranganathaswamy reclining on Adishesha - the coiled serpent, as Maha Vishnu. Lord Vishnu's head rests on a small cylindrical pillow and his right palm which faces upwards rests next to his head. A pendant containing Lakshmi Devi’s image is placed on Ranganatha's chest. Ranganatha's crown, hands and feet are plated with gold.

I and my wife recently visited Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple on 30th September 2023. This is our first visit to the temple together, and we are happy that we had a very comfortable and satisfactory Darshan at all temples in the complex, though there was a heavy rush of pilgrims, this was possible because we engaged the services of a temple guide. Earlier, over the years I visited the temple a few times when I went to Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) on official work, for commissioning and servicing of CNC Machining Centres which my Company supplied to Ordnance Factory Trichy. And my wife visited the temple before our marriage a few times as her mother is from Trichy and her father was there for a few years and continued to have business relations with the town for several decades even after returning to Hyderabad.

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is the most illustrious Vaishnava temple in South India, rich in legend and history. Beyond the ancient textual history, the archaeological evidence such as stone inscriptions found refers to this temple, from late 100 BCE to 100 CE, making it one of the oldest surviving active temple complexes in South India. The deity finds a mention in the great Sanskrit epic Ramayana which is dated around 800 to 400 BCE which also pushes the existence of the deity to the same era. This shows that the temple is a minimum of 2500 to 3000 years old archaeologically and traditionally 30 lakh years old.

According to legend, after Lord Rama and Sita Devi returned to Ayodhya, Lord Rama was coronated King and he gave valuable gifts to Sugriva, Jambava, Hanuman, and the Vanaras who helped him in the war against Ravana and to the people of his kingdom. He also gave many gifts to King Vibhishana, brother of Ravana, who helped him in the war; and he also gave him his Kula Devatha Ranganatha idol as a gift. Vibhishana accepted it happily and left for Lanka. On the way to Lanka, Vibhishana passed through Thrishiragiri where river Cauvery was flowing and halted there to perform Sandhyavandanam (a daily worship/ritual).  He put down the idol to perform Sandhyavandanam and when he returned he was unable to pick it up. Then Lord Maha Vishnu appeared before him and said that he wished the idol to remain at this place as he loved this beautiful island place where the pious river Cauvery flows, like a garland around him. As Ranganatha idol was supposed to go to Lanka he said he would remain here facing towards the South, in the direction of Lanka. Vibhishana was pleased with the proposal and asked the local king Dharmavarma, to consecrate the idol facing in the South direction, eternally blessing him and Lanka. Hence, the deity (in a reclining posture) faces South, his body aligned to the east-west axis, head at the west and legs towards the east.

The temple is also mentioned in the Alvar literature. The Alvars are considered to have lived between 4200 BCE and 2700 BCE (traditionally), and by modern academics, the lifetime of the Alvars is between the 5th century and 9th century CE.

The temple also has a rich detailed recorded history that dates back to the 10th century. It was expanded and renovated by various dynasties, including the Cholas, Pandiyas, Hoysalas, and Vijayanagara rulers. The Srirangam temple has played an important role in Vaishnavism history starting with the 11th-century career of Ramanuja and his predecessors Nathamuni and Yamunacharya. The temple complex as it stands today is a result of centuries of construction and renovation.

The temple celebrates various festivals throughout the year, with the Vaikunta Ekadashi being one of the most significant. During this festival, it is believed that the gates of heaven are open, and devotees believe that passing through the Vaikunta Dwaram, a special North-facing entrance (Utthara Dwaram) will grant them salvation.

The temple has historical significance in the context of the philosopher-saint Sri Ramanuja (1077–1157 CE), who played a crucial role in the Bhakti movement and spent a considerable period at Srirangam temple. Ramanujar’s shrine is located inside the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple where his mummified body has been brilliantly preserved for centuries. Rather than chemicals, sandalwood paste and saffron are used to protect the mummy. A coat of Pacha Karpuram (camphor) mixed with Kumkum (vermilion) is applied twice a year which gives it an orange tint. This tradition has been followed for centuries, and it helped to keep Ramanjucharya’s mummy intact.

The temple is managed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The administration follows strict rituals and practices, ensuring the smooth conduct of daily worship and various festivals.

 In essence, the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam stands as a testament to the rich cultural and religious heritage of India, attracting millions of devotees and tourists from around the world, not only as a place of worship but also as a masterpiece of architectural and sculptural brilliance.

















Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple Stamps Table Top/Wall Hanging Souvenir from INDIA POST!

This is a unique addition to our family’s Stamp Collection (starting from the 1930s!), a FRAMED Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple Stamps  Table Top...