HERITAGE WEEK: 18th to 24th November, 2021

Day-2: Kashi and Sarnath

Part-1: ‘Kashi Karvat Temple’

Living in India and not taking a pilgrimage to Kashi is often considered an incomplete life. We take birth live our several dreams and then we go back to universe as one part of it. Kashi symbolises that spirit of human innate life and its subliminal connections with the universal cosmos. From the ‘Assi Ghat’ of beginning where saint poets like Kabir, Tulsi, and many more gave spiritual sermons of life and its many facets. Thereafter, in the same passage of 86 ghats we come across Harishchandra Ghat and Manikarnika Ghat where we see the temporality of life, when human life forms take the transition of karmic cycles of death… the corpses are burnt in pyres with sacred funerary rituals and solemnly sought blessings from Mother River Ganges so that the karmic balance may give the passing soul blessings to give solely the righteous karma henceforth.

In the passage of these life and death and transition of soul of this sacred city… we have the ‘Kashi-Karvat Temple’, there are many legends associated to the history of this temple. For its hard to ascertain the absolute truth. Nor the documents nor the orality can tell us fully what was there in past, which brought us to the present state of events and truths. Therefore, to my understanding I will go with the legend of ‘Matru-Rin Temple’ (Mother’s debt temple). According to folkloric tradition, one of the contingent ‘cavalry soldier’ of Raja Mansingh, was asked by his mother that its her wish that a temple of ‘lord shiva’ ‘also known as Ratneshwar Mahadev’ to be constructed besides river Ganges in Kashi. The ‘cavalry soldier’ son took his mother’s words with serious note and constructed the temple, however, in elated pride he started saying around, that he gave back his mother’s debt by constructing the temple. As we know, mothers are the ultimate giver, and no one can ever pay back their debt to mother’s. This made the temple start to lean, eventually, soldier repented, and temple came to be known as ‘Kashi Karvat Temple’; ‘Which means Kashi turning temple’. The temple has a leaning of 9 degrees which is more than the leaning tower of Pisa. During monsoon the temple remains almost half submerged in the river Ganga.

Definitely, as we visit the heritage city of Kashi, we experience the solemn essence in this city through this temple.

 

Part-2: ‘Dhamekh Stupa’

The essential spirit of India is co-existence of different philosophies together. Therefore, in the oldest city of Indic philosophy neighbours the Buddhist philosophy and its genesis. As we intensely delve into grounding spirit of life and death in Kashi, hardly ten kilometres from there we come across the ‘Dhamma-Chakra Parivartan’ foundation grounds. Almost 2800 years ago, in the land of Sarnath Lord Buddha went and gave his first sermon of Buddhism. Thereafter, five of his first disciples followed him with his teachings. In the same land of first sermon, later in 250 B.C. onwards emperor Ashoka the greatest follower of Buddhism constructed the Dhamma chakra Parivartan Stupa, which eventually known as ‘Dhameka Stupa’. What is calming about this place is…its serenity. The peace reverberates in this place, with message of Buddhism.

 

Text copyright: Bina Sengar

Images: By Bina Sengar and Wikicommons

Website: http://ruralsouthasia.org/

Blogger: https://draft.blogger.com/profile/00688098669082299426

Twitter: https://twitter.com/binasengar

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/binasengar/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/binasengar/

 

Source

https://kevinstandagephotography.wordpress.com/2020/05/16/ratneshwar-mahadev-kashi-karvat-banaras-varanasi/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhamek_Stupa

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratneshwar_Mahadev_temple

 HERITAGE WEEK: 18th to 24th November, 2021

Day:1: Rani Ki Vav

These are images of excavation of #RanikiVav conducted by ASI Gujarat in 1980's for seven years. Image credit from former excavation officer of Rani ki Vav #ShriNarayanVyas

As part of World Heritage Week, we will try to explore some seven unique heritage sites of India which are not so very well highlighted, yet amaze it's visitors for life long.

As Day-1 of Heritage week: let's see and know about this unique heritage site which was also a major public welfare building as source of water for community.

RANI KI VAV or QUEENS STEPWELL was restored and reconstructed by Queen Udaymati, as her inscription and icon was also found during excavation in 1986 from the site. It's believed that Queen Udaymati got this monument restored in respect of her husband and king Bhima (1022-1064) in 1063 C.E., which took 20 years of construction. The step well was already in use in the capital city of #Patan of the Chalukyan kings of Western India. Queen Udaymati restored it with venerated inverted temple of 7 levels with over 65 metres layered depth. The structure is ornately carved with over 500 principal sculptors.
The site remained submerged for over 700 years after a possible flood of river Saraswati in 1300.

The monument stands tall and amazingly making people live in awe in Western India and Inspiring generations to come as UNESCO declared world heritage site.

#RaniKiVav

Text credit: Bina Sengar
Source and image information: 
#arcehologicalsurveyofindia Narayan Vyas
#Wikipedia #Unesco

Remembering Zohra Sehgal

Zohra Sehgal (27 April 1912 – 10 July 2014) is not a name to be just taken as it is she is an artist who has lived the life in the most astounding manners in Indian and World theates, movies and teleseries, giving them her own special touche' of specialty of skill. Her acting is so very special which could leave you feel one in her part of persona.

Her famous appearance in the series: Amma and her Family, made her a household name. Equally her appearances in the movies like: Bend it Like Beckham, Cheeni Kum Make her doyennes of the cinematic viewers at large.If she is venerated as Amma in South Asia, then she receives applause for her performances in the tele series like: Tandoori Nights and Jewel in the Crown.

Recently in a ceremony she released her autobiography: "CLOSE-UP", could be as confessions or revelaing some of the secret linings of her life. But when asked about the secret man in her life, this witty 98 years old actress in her most charismatic style told; "I wont tell you."

She is one of those rare surviving actors who lived the best of the times of their genres. After working with thespians like Pritviraj Kapoor and Sir Tyrone Guthrie. She could well acclaim that: Having seen the glorious years of Prithvi Theatre where her sister Uzra Butt was the leading lady, Zohra says her idea of beauty revolved around blue eyes, blonde hair and gorgeous body. "I also wanted everything. But now I believe inner beauty is better." Having seen the best of theatre, British and Hindi cinema, Zohra's fans missed an autobiography. Zohra reflects: "When I was in Britain, publishers used to say I have spent my formative years in India so I should approach an Indian publisher. Later, when I returned to India, Indian publishers told me I have spent a major chunk of my career in Britain, I should look for an international publisher." However, Zohra has a biography in the form of little-known Stagers.

She is loved, she is adored, she is languished to have a company of at least a cup of tea. Because there is something truly captivating about this legendary and smiling Zohra Sehgal. After living almost 9 decades of her life in hearts of peple,how she feels with her evets the secret behind it, then she says: "Main roz raat ko kachchi chipkali khati hoon."[I eat daily at night a raw lizard]. As one more correspondent quoted, asking her secret of her active, healthy and happy life: "She is in her nineties, but nervousness is the last thing on her mind. Ask her the mantra of sustenance and Zohra Sehgal shocks you: "It is sex, beta." But the shock is short-lived as Zohra confirms what you and I generally attribute longevity to — a disciplined and organised lifestyle and certainly a sharp sense of humour."

Fondly remembering Zohra Sehgal

30 Jul
10:48 AM

Talking Heads Once in a Lifetime (1984)

Once In A Lifetime


And you may find yourself living in a shotgun shack
And you may find yourself in another part of the world
And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile
And you may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful
wife
And you may ask yourself-Well...How did I get here?

Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/after the money's gone
Once in a lifetime/water flowing underground.

And you may ask yourself
How do I work this?
And you may ask yourself
Where is that large automobile?
And you may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful house!
And you may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful wife!

Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/after the money's gone
Once in a lifetime/water flowing underground.

Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was...

Water dissolving...and water removing
There is water at the bottom of the ocean
Carry the water at the bottom of the ocean
Remove the water at the bottom of the ocean!

Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/in the silent water
Under the rocks and stones/there is water underground.

Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/after the money's gone
Once in a lifetime/water flowing underground.

And you may ask yourself
What is that beautiful house?
And you may ask yourself
Where does that highway go?
And you may ask yourself
Am I right?...Am I wrong?
And you may tell yourself
MY GOD!...WHAT HAVE I DONE?

Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/in the silent water
Under the rocks and stones/there is water underground.

Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/after the money's gone
Once in a lifetime/water flowing underground.

Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was...


Acknowledged from the Talking Head Band; after reading biography of Steven Culp and his trivia comment on his role as Rex. Talking about his Rex character from "Desperate Housewives" (2004): "He's like the guy in the Talking Heads song. He's like 'This is not my beautiful house, this is not my beautiful wife, how did I get here?'"
 
http://scontv.com/desperate_housewives/desperate_housewives_122/dh122.html

Women and social change /

Women and social change /

Shared via AddThis

Tryst With God

What will you do if you happen to meet God?

May be I am inspired to write this post for my freind saw an incredible dream last night. She saw the most adorable Trio-Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesh (Trimurti) of Gods in her dreams, and in her lengthy dream she discussed and argued hell lot of questions with them. Will you also do the same...if happen to meet GOD, no matter in dreams only? Or what will you do then?

What about meeting God in dream...how will you react then?

Rarely ever I happen to see God in my dreams. But my friend saw it for long almost for 3-4 hours;her dream sequence was really long. And she argued a lot and complaint about all the negativity which surrounds her and wanted God to eliminate them...sooner possible. However, the quest is does divinity exists...


I felt nice after hearing her dream...for I wish I could see GOD (weather He is HE or SHE), just to know that weather;EVERYTHING THAT SURROUNDS US IS CREATED BY GOD AND CONSTITUTES OF GOOD AND BAD THEN IS TRULY GOD IS GOD Vs GOD

Movie Review-SAATH SAATH (1982)

SAATH-SAATH (1982)

Cast:

As Avinash: Farookh Sheikh

As Gitanjali Gupta: Dipti Naval

Other Actors: Satish Shah... etc.

Team Working

Director: Raman Kumar

Producer: Dilip Dhawan

Written by: Raman Kumar

Lyrics: Javed Akthar

Music: Kuldeep Singh

__________________________________________________________________________________

We often live in the world of our own, being in the ideals when we need not to implement them, often means absolutism. When we need to experiment with basics of life only with ourselves then that makes life easier to live. We alter high ideals and then surround people with our magnificent words and elate messages, which mean utopian concepts of doing and making imagination come alive. This was the temperament of Avinash; a town boy when he comes to study at University of Mumbai.

Avinash being son of a feudal lord had only seen the atrocities and mean life of his parents, who wanted to only exploit people for their gains. The life of sickening pleasure made him cutoff all his ties with his ancestary and with the paltry owns he comes to live in the Mumbai a city of hope and where there are immense possibilities to live the way one wants to live. Inspired by the socialist ideas of perfect harmony in life makes him adorable orator in his small friend circle. His simplicity and ideas of well being of the most underprivileged in the society empowers him with the cult status of socialist and revolutionary. The charismatic personality of his gradually gives him the secret admiration of Gitanjali, a young charming classmate of him.

Gitanjali is the effervescent girl, hailing from the affluent class of Mumbai, but unlike the elegant riches, she is carefree and enjoys living life in all its forms. Simplicity and distinct ideology than others of Avinash brings her even more near to him. She tends to motivate him to pursue his ideals in practicality and decides to be his wall like support. In a scene, when, Avinash tells her that he is an idealist and will not be able to make her live a safe life, then she says; “Let the life bring all the thunders I will save myself and you from all the tyranny by my will of live and love for you. ”. The embellished subtlety of the emotion, which they both evolve with, is pleasingly expressed in the song: “Tumko Dekha Toh…”.

The love nurtures and they both decide to get married, irrespective of all the opposition from parents of Gitanjali, the newly wedded couple is now in the helm of realities. They live in a rented house where there were barely any support and only a roof was the luxury of the joyous two. Yet, they tend to blissfully enjoy the company of each other skillfully explaining their emotion in the song; “Yeh tera ghar yeh mera ghar”. As they get married when they were continuing their studies, they tend to work as teachers and writers in the city, where, Avinash is struggling for the career of fortune; Gitanjali becomes a teacher in a school. However, the life turns difficult as the hectic schedule of life barely allows them to interact. In few weeks time, the singing together turns signing notes for each other. In between, she conceives their first child and faints while commuting. Avinash comes to know and realizes that it is harsh to live with idealism. He decides to give on few of his ideas and develops attitude of accepting compromises in life. He joins firm of his friends publishing company, once when he was emphasizing on the publication of classical and idealist literature he was almost eliminated from his services their. Now, he returns in the firm with changed attitude and agrees to work on the latest gossip issues and making fashion fiesta terms. He is accepted in the firm with warm wishes and the rented flat turns into plush mansion, with almost all amenities, he always shunned in his life. He becomes the affluent and impressive husband and star in his firm. Coping with all the so-called distorted ethics of his profession. Gitanjali in the mean time becomes a nurturing mother but losing somewhere the man, she adored. She finds less time of idealism with him, he is like all those chasers of money-men she was always surrounded with but who never appealed her. She gradually looses all her sparkling cheerfulness’ of audacious living and struggles, which she enjoyed in her early nuptial life.

One morning she listens to her husband speaking about some publishing transacts almost violating the essential ethics of life. She cries in agony and determines to show Avinash the mirror explaining vehemently about she is shattered with his behaviour and wants to walk from the life with their son. Avinash is so much intoxicated with his new found success does not reacts sharply to her decision and says that she can stay for one more night as the day was their sons’ birthday. She agrees, realizing that how far he has gone, that she cant even make him realize what he is in now…

That evening she sings a songs in the birthday party …, “Kyun…Zindagi ki raah …”, belligerently explaining that life has brought us is such divides that after coming so close we cant even live together… the touching environs of the song make everyone in the gathering realize that there was tense state in the bond between Avinash and Gitanjali. All the friends quietly depart leaving them alone pondering in the issue. That night Avinash keeps on thinking and restless pertains in his thoughts. Morning when Gitanjali calmly moves away from the doors … Avinash comes to her and confesses to his follies and says that he would change himself and leave the publishing company to start his own venture of the ideals he always epitomized for his life.

The movie ends with a note of hope…. that yes they will change for the good cause of difference and classicism.