Kozhukattai (Mothagam)
IngredientsFor the Dough or Outer covering
Raw rice - 2 Cups
Salt - to taste
Oil - 1 tbls
For Filling
Jaggery/sugar - 1 Cup
Shredded Coconut - 1 Cup
Ghee - 2 tbls
Method:Soak rice for 2 hours. Drain the water and spread the rice on a clean cloth and allow it to dry in a shady place. When all the moisture is gone, grind it into a smooth flour. Take a heavy pan. Add 4 cups of water to it and a pinch of salt and 1 tbls of oil. When the water begins to boil, add rice flour and mix well without any lumps. Stir continuously. Make this into a smooth dough. Remove from heat.For the Filling: Add ghee to a pan and add jaggery immediately. Keep on low flame for a few seconds just until the cane sugar begins to melt. Immediately remove form heat add shredded coconut and mix well.To Form Kozhukattai: Take the rice dough. Form small balls. Take a ball flatten it and make it into a cup shape. Put a tsp of filling in it and close the cup so that the filling is secure inside. Shape the balls to have a tapered end. Steam the Kozhukattai in a idli cooker or pressure cook them for 10 minutes.
Modak
Ingredients
Khoya - 1 Pound
Powdered sugar - 1 Pound
Pistachios - Shivered 1/4 Pound
Rose essence - Few Drops
Food coloring - yellow
Method:Take a huge plate. Mix all the ingredients, except the pistachios into a dough. Knead well to from a soft dough. Shape into small balls. Press the ball in the center. Place a piece of pistachio in it and press slightly.
Sweet Appam
IngredientsRaw Rice - 2 Cups
Jaggery/Cane Sugar - 1 1/4 Cups
Shredded Coconut - 1/2 Cup
Ripe Banana - 1
Cardamom - 2-3 Pods
Ghee - 1 tbls
Oil - For Frying
Method: Soak rice in water for 1-2 hours. Grind into a smooth paste. Before removing from the grinder add, jaggery, shredded coconut, cardamom pods, and ripe banana. Run the grinder till everything mixes well and forms a thick paste. Add 1 tbls of ghee to it. Heat oil in a pan. Make balls with the dough, flatten them and deep fry till golden brown.
Ladoo
Ingredients
Gram flour - 2 Cups
Sugar - 2 Cups
Cashews - 2 tbls
Raisins - 1 tbls
Cardamom - 2-3 pods
Baking soda - 1/4 tsp
Ghee - 3 tbls
Oil - for frying
Method:Heat a heavy bottomed vessel. Add sugar to it and after it melts and little water to it and make a thick sugar syrup. Add powdered cardamom to it and set aside. Sieve gram flour/besan with the baking soda. Mix will water to from a smooth paste without any lumps. Heat oil add ghee to it and pour the besan mixture into a boondi sieve. Remove when it just starts to crispen. Add fried cashews and raisins add everything to the sugar syrup and mix well. Rub oil on your hands and make balls of Laddos with your palms.
Sundal
Ingredients
Channa Dal - 1 Pound
Red Chilies - 5
Curry leaves - few
Shredded Coconut - 5 tbls
Mustard Seeds - for
seasoningSalt - to taste
Oil - for seasoning
Method: Soak channa dal overnight , for atleast 8 hours. Pressure cook it with little salt. Heat oil in a pan. Season mustard seeds. Add curry leaves and red chilies, and the shredded coconut, salt and the cooked channa dal. Mix well.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
How to Score High on English TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Tests
Score HIGH on NEW English TestsWhy international students fail English testsStudents fail because they do not understand the test requirements.Students fail because they underestimate the large volume of work necessary to pass.Students fail because they have limited English vocabulary.Students fail because some English skills are not practiced.Students fail because they rely on "secret tips" rather than real skill.Students fail because they cram for tests and become confused.Students fail because they become upset and cannot perform.How international students can SCORE HIGH on NEW English tests.First step in your plan to score high on a specific English test is to understand the test requirements. Is the test a written test only? Do you have to read a text? Do you have to listen to a conversation on tape? How much speaking is required? What type of questions will be asked? What type of answers are required? Students must understand how the English information is presented, what English skills are being tested, and how answers must be submitted.
Second step is to understand the volume of advanced English skills and vocabulary required to score high on these tests. Students must have studied and practiced English for 2500 to 5000 hours counting school classes and self study.Students require a vocabulary of between 8,000 and 15,000 words to score high on the new TOEFL, TOEIC, AP, IELTS and Cambridge tests.To score high students require all four English skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening), technical language structure knowledge (grammar) and the application of the grammar knowledge in the active productions of speaking and writing.The "secret tips" of using specific words that have a higher percentage of occurrence in the correct answers may give you the opportunity to raise your score from 0 to 1 %. If your vocabulary is less than 8000 words or your listening skills or writing less than advanced then you will still fail despite using all the "secret tips" or "secret vocabulary indicating correct answers".Everyone knows that cramming helps memorizing facts for a short time but does very little for the practice of the application skills. All new English tests are a combination of facts and the application of English skills including technical grammar knowledge. Students who only cram for tests will fail most of the new tests as answers require the application of English grammar skills. The students who cram can only help some of their factual knowledge if they can remember it perfectly. I have never met a student who can remember crammed English facts correctly.Students become upset when they read questions they cannot answer, questions they cannot understand, words they do not know the meaning of, or "secret words" that occur in two or more answers.Remember students that are prepared have less chance of becoming upset. Students that are rested, relaxed and arrive on time at the test site will score higher on the tests.What English Should I study to PASS English Tests?Diagram showing the overlap between the English concentrationsThere is only one English language. There are a variety of programs and courses that overlap each other. Many business English courses cover 90% of what students require to pass the TOEIC exam. Many advanced English courses cover 90 % of what is required to pass TOEFL, TOEIC, AP, IELTS and other English tests.Many Toeic, toefl, IELTS courses only provide practice tests without teaching any vocabulary the four English skills and applied grammar practice. Students must create a plan to increase all applied English skills, vocabulary and become comfortable with the test requirements and answer formats.Students can take combinations of programs and still pass tests.For example: Advanced students could take 100 hours of business English, 200 hours of academic preparation and 10 hours of toefl and score high on the new Toefl test . The only secret is to have a balance of applied English skills and factual knowledge. The following is an example of a balanced study program.EXAMPLE PLAN TO PASS ENGLISH TESTS20% vocabulary 15% grammar comprehension 15% reading comprehension 15% listening comprehension 15% writing skills, short answer and essay 15% speaking skills 5% practicing test formatsTeaching Since 1974To contact Author: Ross (at) eslincanada (dot) com
Second step is to understand the volume of advanced English skills and vocabulary required to score high on these tests. Students must have studied and practiced English for 2500 to 5000 hours counting school classes and self study.Students require a vocabulary of between 8,000 and 15,000 words to score high on the new TOEFL, TOEIC, AP, IELTS and Cambridge tests.To score high students require all four English skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening), technical language structure knowledge (grammar) and the application of the grammar knowledge in the active productions of speaking and writing.The "secret tips" of using specific words that have a higher percentage of occurrence in the correct answers may give you the opportunity to raise your score from 0 to 1 %. If your vocabulary is less than 8000 words or your listening skills or writing less than advanced then you will still fail despite using all the "secret tips" or "secret vocabulary indicating correct answers".Everyone knows that cramming helps memorizing facts for a short time but does very little for the practice of the application skills. All new English tests are a combination of facts and the application of English skills including technical grammar knowledge. Students who only cram for tests will fail most of the new tests as answers require the application of English grammar skills. The students who cram can only help some of their factual knowledge if they can remember it perfectly. I have never met a student who can remember crammed English facts correctly.Students become upset when they read questions they cannot answer, questions they cannot understand, words they do not know the meaning of, or "secret words" that occur in two or more answers.Remember students that are prepared have less chance of becoming upset. Students that are rested, relaxed and arrive on time at the test site will score higher on the tests.What English Should I study to PASS English Tests?Diagram showing the overlap between the English concentrationsThere is only one English language. There are a variety of programs and courses that overlap each other. Many business English courses cover 90% of what students require to pass the TOEIC exam. Many advanced English courses cover 90 % of what is required to pass TOEFL, TOEIC, AP, IELTS and other English tests.Many Toeic, toefl, IELTS courses only provide practice tests without teaching any vocabulary the four English skills and applied grammar practice. Students must create a plan to increase all applied English skills, vocabulary and become comfortable with the test requirements and answer formats.Students can take combinations of programs and still pass tests.For example: Advanced students could take 100 hours of business English, 200 hours of academic preparation and 10 hours of toefl and score high on the new Toefl test . The only secret is to have a balance of applied English skills and factual knowledge. The following is an example of a balanced study program.EXAMPLE PLAN TO PASS ENGLISH TESTS20% vocabulary 15% grammar comprehension 15% reading comprehension 15% listening comprehension 15% writing skills, short answer and essay 15% speaking skills 5% practicing test formatsTeaching Since 1974To contact Author: Ross (at) eslincanada (dot) com
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
The History of Valentine's Day
Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.
According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.
While some believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine's death or burial -- which probably occurred around 270 A.D -- others claim that the Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to 'christianize' celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia festival. In ancient Rome, February was the official beginning of spring and was considered a time for purification. Houses were ritually cleansed by sweeping them out and then sprinkling salt and a type of wheat called spelt throughout their interiors. Lupercalia, which began at the ides of February, February 15, was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.
To begin the festival, members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at the sacred cave where the infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been cared for by a she-wolf or lupa. The priests would then sacrifice a goat, for fertility, and a dog, for purification.
The boys then sliced the goat's hide into strips, dipped them in the sacrificial blood and took to the streets, gently slapping both women and fields of crops with the goathide strips. Far from being fearful, Roman women welcomed being touched with the hides because it was believed the strips would make them more fertile in the coming year. Later in the day, according to legend, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The city's bachelors would then each choose a name out of the urn and become paired for the year with his chosen woman. These matches often ended in marriage. Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day around 498 A.D. The Roman 'lottery' system for romantic pairing was deemed un-Christian and outlawed. Later, during the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds' mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of February -- Valentine's Day -- should be a day for romance. The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. The greeting, which was written in 1415, is part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England. Several years later, it is believed that King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a valentine note to Catherine of Valois.
In Great Britain, Valentine's Day began to be popularly celebrated around the seventeenth century. By the middle of the eighteenth century, it was common for friends and lovers in all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes. By the end of the century, printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one's feelings was discouraged. Cheaper postage rates also contributed to an increase in the popularity of sending Valentine's Day greetings. Americans probably began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s. In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began to sell the first mass-produced valentines in America.
According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.)
Approximately 85 percent of all valentines are purchased by women. In addition to the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia.
Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages (written Valentine's didn't begin to appear until after 1400), and the oldest known Valentine card is on display at the British Museum. The first commercial Valentine's Day greeting cards produced in the U.S. were created in the 1840s by Esther A. Howland. Howland, known as the Mother of the Valentine, made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as "scrap".
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.
According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.
While some believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine's death or burial -- which probably occurred around 270 A.D -- others claim that the Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to 'christianize' celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia festival. In ancient Rome, February was the official beginning of spring and was considered a time for purification. Houses were ritually cleansed by sweeping them out and then sprinkling salt and a type of wheat called spelt throughout their interiors. Lupercalia, which began at the ides of February, February 15, was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.
To begin the festival, members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at the sacred cave where the infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been cared for by a she-wolf or lupa. The priests would then sacrifice a goat, for fertility, and a dog, for purification.
The boys then sliced the goat's hide into strips, dipped them in the sacrificial blood and took to the streets, gently slapping both women and fields of crops with the goathide strips. Far from being fearful, Roman women welcomed being touched with the hides because it was believed the strips would make them more fertile in the coming year. Later in the day, according to legend, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The city's bachelors would then each choose a name out of the urn and become paired for the year with his chosen woman. These matches often ended in marriage. Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day around 498 A.D. The Roman 'lottery' system for romantic pairing was deemed un-Christian and outlawed. Later, during the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds' mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of February -- Valentine's Day -- should be a day for romance. The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. The greeting, which was written in 1415, is part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England. Several years later, it is believed that King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a valentine note to Catherine of Valois.
In Great Britain, Valentine's Day began to be popularly celebrated around the seventeenth century. By the middle of the eighteenth century, it was common for friends and lovers in all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes. By the end of the century, printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one's feelings was discouraged. Cheaper postage rates also contributed to an increase in the popularity of sending Valentine's Day greetings. Americans probably began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s. In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began to sell the first mass-produced valentines in America.
According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.)
Approximately 85 percent of all valentines are purchased by women. In addition to the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia.
Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages (written Valentine's didn't begin to appear until after 1400), and the oldest known Valentine card is on display at the British Museum. The first commercial Valentine's Day greeting cards produced in the U.S. were created in the 1840s by Esther A. Howland. Howland, known as the Mother of the Valentine, made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as "scrap".
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Hindu Festivals Calendar 2008
It's been said often enough that Hindus celebrate everything. So they do. The birth of gods, death of asuras, victory of the gods, marriage of the gods, the new year, new months, full moons, new moons, harvests, birthdays, initiations, marriages, deaths, anniversaries - you name the event, and it is reason for music, dance, processions, and what have you.
And there is the religious bit lurking behind it all. The reasons for this lie deep, in the origin of Hinduism as an organic religion. Its followers have over time considered anything, animate or inanimate, to be sacred and aspects of divinity.
That is also why even secular events like harvests take on religious overtones, with the patron deity presiding over the festivities. As soon as something happens, there is a kind of thanksgiving to the divine that follows it.
Apart from the universally celebrated festivals like Dussehra, Diwali and Ganesh Chaturthi, there are others that are observed in specific communities or geographical areas. Hindu holidays are also confined to particular regions by the importance a certain god enjoys.
Worship of Kartikeya (as during the festival of Skanda Shashti) is predominant in Tamil Nadu, where the god is considered a patron of the region. Onam is a good example of a festival that is celebrated solely by Keralites. Another interesting aspect of Onam is that it is perhaps the only major Hindu festival that celebrates the reign of an asura king, although a benevolent one.
The profusion of legends and the contradictions inherent in them is reflected in festivals too. Travel around the country, and you will hear people tell you a variety of legends involving different gods behind a single festival. Besides, you will also find versions of the same festival being celebrated under different names in different regions.
All this adds that facet of unending novelty and constant change to the strikingly colourful kaleidoscope that is India. You might end up thinking the thought: "The more things change, the more they remain the same", which is something often said about India and its magical agelessness.
With so many holy days and more than 20 major hindu festivals, the calendar should be liberally sprinkled with them. But it isn't so. There is a distinct festival season, which runs from late August through December. This is when there is a fever of celebrations, with a string of important festivals following one another in a rush.
But the major festivals are not the only ones that the people celebrate. Browse through the Hindu almanac, and you will find a mention of holiness or sacredness against almost every day of the year. Most of the lesser festivals are lesser because they have a private rather than public face. There are rituals for phases of the moon, solar and lunar eclipses, days of the week, a person's auspicious star or zodiac sign.
Hindu Calendar 2008
Hindu Festivals Calendar 2008
JAN 13 Sunday Lohri
14 Monday Makar Sankranti
14 Monday Pongal
FEB 07 Thursday Mauni Amavashya
11 Monday Vasant Panchmi
MAR 06 Thursday Mahashivratri
22 Saturday Holi
22 Saturday Hola Mohalla
APRIL 06 Sunday Bikarami Samvat /Gudi Padwa
07 Monday Navratras Begin
14 Monday Ram Navmi
19 Saturday Hanuman Jayanti
JUNE 13 Friday Ganga Dussehra
JULY 16 Wednesday Rath Yatra
18 Friday Guru Purnima
AUG 16 Saturday Rakhi
24 Sunday Sri Krishna Janmashtami
SEP 03 Wednesday Ganesh Chaturathi
12 Friday Onam
29 Monday Navratras Begin
OCT 09Thursday Dussehra
18 Saturday Karva Chauth
26 Sunday Dhan Teras
28 Tuesday Diwali
29 Wednesday Govardhan Puja
30 Thursday Bhaidooj / Bhai Beej
DEC 25 Christmas
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
STORY OF DIWALI
India is a country that is culturally so rich that it celebrates one or the other festival almost every month. And most of these festivals have their origin in Indian Mythology and there is very interesting stories about them. It is the spiritual and religious richness in India that each festival is related to some or other deity. One of such festivals is the 'festival of lights', Deepawali. Dipavali is the Indian festival that brings a series of festivals with it. One after another it gives a chance to celebrate five festivals together.
Return of Shri Ram Chandra to Ayodhyaa
The most famous legend behind the celebrations of diwali is about the prince of Ayodhya Nagri, Lord Shri Ram Chandra. The story goes like the king of Lanka, Ravan kidnapped Ram Chandra's wife, Sita from the jungle where they were staying as per the instructions of King Dashratha, father of Ram Chandra. Then Ram Chandra attacked Lanka and killed Ravan and released Sita from imprisonment. He returned to Ayodhyaa with his wife Sita and younger brother Lakshamana after fourteen years. Therefore the people of Ayodhyaa decorated their homes as well as the city of Ayodhyaa by lighting tiny diyas all over in order to welcome their beloved prince Shri Ram Chandra and Devi Sita.
Incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi
On the auspicious new moon day, which is 'Amavasyaa' of the Hindi month of Kartik the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi was incarnated. She appeared during the churning of the ocean, which is known as 'Samudra Manthan', by the demons on one side and 'Devataas' on the other side. Therefore the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the Lakshmi Pujan, on the day of Divali became a tradition.
Lord Krishna Destroyed Demon Narakasur
One famous story behind the celebrations of Diwali is about the demon king Narakasur who was ruler of Pragjyotishpur, a province to the South of Nepal. During a war he defeated Lord Indra and snatched away the magnificent earrings of Mother Goddess Aditi who was not only the ruler of Suraloka but also a relative of Lord Krishna's wife, Satyabhama. Narakasur also imprisoned sixteen thousand daughters of Gods and saints in his harem. With the support of Lord Krishna Satyabhama defeated Narakasur and released all the women from his harem and also restored the magnificent earrings of Mother Goddess Aditi.
The Return of the Pandavas
The great Hindu epic 'Mahabharata' has another interesting story related to the 'Kartik Amavasyaa'. The story reads that 'the Pandavas', the five brothers Yudhishthhira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahdeva, were sentenced thirteen years banishment as a result of their defeat against 'the Kauravas', Duryodhana and his ninety nine brothers, at the game of dice. Therefore they spent thirteen years in the jungles and returned to their kingdom on the day of 'Kartik Amavasyaa'. On their return the people of their kingdom welcomed the Pandavas by celebrating the event by lighting the earthen lamps all over in their city.
Coronation of King Vikramaditya
Another legend or story about diwali celebrations relates to one of the greatest Hindu King Vikramaditya. It was the day when he was coroneted and the people celebrated this event by lighting tiny earthen 'diyas'.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Mata Vaishno Devi
At about 2 kms from Katra, from where we start our Rani Ma Yatra today, is situated an old village, Hansal, also called (Hansalli). Around 700 years ago, there lived a very poor priest named Pandit Shirdhar, who was very heartily devoted to Rani Ma Vaishnodevi. He used to sing his daily prayers and performed Rani Ma Puja daily. He also used to worship little girls (called Kanya Pujan) regularly. And as faith was, he was childless and had no children of his own.
His daily Puja and Prayers for Rani Ma Vaishnodevi went on for many years. At last seeing his firm-faith and the true devotion, Rani Ma one day came to Panditji, in the form of a little innocent girl.
Pandit Shridhar had been busy in his daily preparation of Kanya Pujan, where, some little girls were present before him. Rani Ma Vaishnodevi manifested herself in those little-girls. As per the Hindu tradition, while Pt. Shirdhar had been washing the feet of these little girls, his sight fell on Rani Ma manifested Herself in the form of a little girl. Panditji was astonished to see HER celestial beauty in vermilion garbs; SHE wore on HER divine body...
Divine Durga Pooja
At about 2 kms from Katra is situated an old village, Hansal, also called (Hansalli). Around 700 years ago, there lived a very poor priest named Pandit Shirdhar, who was very heartily devoted to Meri Maiya Vaishnodevi. He used to sing his daily prayers and performed Meri Maiya Puja daily. He also used to worship little girls (called Kanya Pujan) regularly. And as faith was, he was childless and had no children of his own.
His daily Puja and Prayers for Meri Maiya Vaishnodevi went on for many years. At last seeing his firm-faith and the true devotion, Meri Maiya one day came to Panditji, in the form of a little innocent girl.
Pandit Shridhar had been busy in his daily preparation of Kanya Pujan, where, some little girls were present before him. Meri Maiya Vaishnodevi manifested herself in those little-girls. As per the Hindu tradition, while Pt. Shirdhar had been washing the feet of these little girls, his sight fell on Meri Maiya manifested Herself in the form of a little girl. Panditji was astonished to see HER celestial beauty in vermilion garbs; SHE wore on HER divine body. He had never seen the little girl before, and SHE did not even seem to belong to his village. Anyway, he worshipped as usual. When the Puja was over, all the girls returned to their homes after getting their offerings from Panditji, except Meri Maiya who remained seated.
Panditji was very much confused and was about to enquire and ask Meri Maiya, that Meri Maiya Herself spoke to him and said " I have an important task for you." Panditji was spell bound and was astonished more and more to listen to such a conversation from that little-girl. Meri Maiya asked Panditji to invite people from neighboring villages for a collective lunch - called Bhandhara. Panditji was very much confused and before he could say anything or ask Meri Maiya about HER, Meri Maiya disappeared. [Read More: Bhumika Temple - About 2 kilometers from Katra on Panthal Road, is situated Bhumika Temple. This is the place, where Pt. Shirdhar had the sight of Meri Maiya Vaishnodevi - The Divine Girl. At this very place Pt. Shridhar arranged the Bhandhara.]
Pt. Shirdhar went on thinking hard - who this little girl was?, but was unable to find an answer to it… SHE might be an "Eternal-Girl", or may be Meri Maiya Vaishnodevi Herself and the more he thought the more he got confused, and worried for the "Bhandhara", as it was not possible for him to keep such a huge Bhandhara. He could not think of anything, and in the end, he decided to obey the Divine Girl and went to tell and invite the people in the neighboring villages.
He went on to invite people from one village to another. On his way, he came across a group of saints. He very humbly bowed before them, and with his folded hands, extended an invitation to them also to attend Bhandhara, the next day. Gorakhnath - the leader of the group of saints - told him that he was mistaking in inviting them at home, as even Lord Indra had not been able to satisfy them. Pt. Shridhar got afraid and related them the event and told them of the Divine-Girl. Gorakhnath in his anxiety accepted Panditji's invitation. He also wanted to see, such a girl, who could prepare food for so many peoples and was very curious to find Who this Girl was?
Panditji was fully exhausted when he returned home, and so he went fast asleep immediately on returning home. The next morning, once again, he started worrying about the arrangements for Bhandhara. He just sat in his home, thinking, when people began to gather outside his small hut. Gorakhnath and Bhairavnath, a disciple of Gorakhnath, also arrived along with their disciples.
Panditji was not able to understand what was going on, and to his surprise, all of a sudden Meri Maiya Vaishnodevi - The Divine Girl, entered into the little hut. No one could know - which way SHE had come! How and when did SHE arrive? Meri Maiya told Panditji, "Don't worry, and get up! Everything will be arranged very soon. Tell your guests to come in and sit in the hut." Pt. Shirdhar, immediately got up, and came out to the eagerly awaiting crowd. He invited them to come inside the hut and have food. Gorakhanth then asked - How can we sit in your hut? It does not have a sufficient space for all of us. Panditji folded his hands and said. No problem - please come in .....
All people who were invited began to enter one by one in the hut. All of them were astonished to see, that all of them had entered and sat inside the hut and still a small space was left in the corner of the same hut, which was very small !!
Meri Maiya began to serve food from a small vessel in HER little hands. The foods of their respective choice and likings! Everyone was surprised and Meri Maiya bhakt Pt. Shirdhar was overwhelmed with joy.
Gorakhnath and his senior disciple Bhairavnath were very much amazed and began to consult between themselves - and said SHE seems to be an Eternal Power. Who SHE was? and when Meri Maiya reached Bhairavnath to serve him the foods, he asked, "Shall I get the food of my choice?"
"What do you want?" Meri Maiya asked him politely.
Bhairavnath asked for meat and wine. Meri Maiya very gently told him that he was sitting in the hut of a pious Vaishnav Brahmin, and that only vegetarian food will be served.
Bhairavnath turned a deaf ears to the words, as he wanted to cross-examine the Girl. Nevertheless, Meri Maiya knew his evil desires and as soon as, Bhairavnath could rose up with some seditious thinking and tried to catch hold of Meri Maiya hand, Meri Maiya disappeared.
Bhairavnath was an expert at the science of meditation and was a tantrik. He closed his eyes for a moment and saw with the help of his yogic-powers (tantrik powers) that Meri Maiya had proceeded towards the Trikuta Hills, in a subtle form of "Air". Bhairavnath started chasing Meri Maiya. [Read More : Darshni Darwaza - Meri Maiya Vaishnodevi proceeded through this way, after disappearing from the Bhandhara. One can get a clear view of the hills, from this place. Hence it is called Darshni Darwaza, i.e., a gate to the hill-site one and a half kilometer from Katra.]
During this chase, Meri Maiya felt thirsty, and SHE perched an arrow with HER bow on the land and a stream of water flew out. This place is called Ban Ganga. [Read More : Ban Ganga - Starting form Katra and passing through Darshni Darwaza, Ban Ganga is a streamlet gushing out from the hills over a bridge. The stream is regarded very sacred and many bhakts take a purificatory bath in it before proceeding further. A beautiful idol of the goddess is place in the corridors of Ban Ganga temple.]
Meri Maiya stopped for some time and looked behind at Bhairavnath who was chasing her. [Read More : Charan Paduka - The place where Meri Maiya rested have marks of the impressions of HER feet and were printed on a stone as SHE stopped here. The foot prints are still visible on the stone, preserved here in the temple. Hence, the place is called "Charan Paduka" i.e., the holy foot prints.]
At a considerable distance from Charan paduka, Meri Maiya reached a small charming plateau, called Ardhkwari, where a mendicant was practicing his meditations opposite a small tunnel. SHE gave HER divine sight to the mendicant and told him not to tell any thing about HER visit to any one. Thereafter, Meri Maiya went into the tunnel and took rest for full long nine months, as if the child in the womb of a mother. Meri Maiya spent the nine months in complete devotion. Hence, the tunnel was called "Garabh Joon".
Searching for Meri Maiya, Bhairavnath reached here. He asked the mendicant " Have you seen a girl on this plateau?" The old mendicant replied, " SHE is the supreme power in the whole world, whom you think to be an ordinary girl and that she is Adikumari", i.e. A virgin since the very beginning of this earth. He told Bhairavnath either to run away or to beg pardon from HER. The moment universe came into existence since then SHE has maintained virginity better you go back. Bhairavnath again put a deaf ear to the advice and entered into the tunnel. Meri Maiya Vaishnodevi was aware of it. Meri Maiya with HER divine powers made another opening of the cave by strucking a path at the end of the tunnel with the help of HER trident and moved ahead towards the Holy cave at Darbar (Bhavan). [Read More : Garabh Joon - The tunnel is about 15 feet long that starts horizontally and ends vertically. This place is about 5 kms from Charan Paduka.]
On reaching at the Holy cave at Darbar Meri Maiya with all HER powers looked as Meri Maiya MAHA KALI and in the end Meri Maiya with HER Trishul cut the head of Bhairavnath and threw it with such a force that it went at a distant Mountain. The place at which the head fell is now Bhairav temple. According to the katha the big rock at the entrance of the Holy cave is the remaining body of Bhairavnath.
Bhairavnath then started pleading Meri Maiya, and begged to Meri Maiya to forgive him, for his sins.
Merciful Meri Maiya Vaishnodevi forgave Bhairavnath for all his sins and blessed him and granted him a wish that whenever HER bhakts will come to Bhavan for HER Darshan their yatra will not be completed unless on going back after HER Darshan the bhakts pay homage at Bhairavnath temple.
On the other side, Pt. Shirdhar was very much disappointed with the sudden disappearance of Meri Maiya. He was very much worried about Meri Maiya, and went on for fasting for many days, even leaving food and water.
Kind hearted Meri Maiya Vaishnodevi, again appeared before him, in his dream one night. In his dream, Meri Maiya showed him HER shrine - the Holy cave and asked him to follow HER through the route. Panditji followed Meri Maiya and reached Meri Maiya Pavitra Gufa. Pt. Shirdhar was very happy when he woke up in the morning. All his distortion was removed.
From that very day, Panditji began to search for the Holy cave of Meri Maiya, which he had seen in his dream. He was very much disturbed and wanted to find Meri Maiya Holy cave as soon as possible. He started recounting and following the route as Meri Maiya has directed him, and once while climbing up the hills, Panditji was able discover the Holy cave, the same which he saw in his dream.
Panditji entered inside the Holy Cave .…. And to his astonishment, he got the Holy sight of the abode of Meri Maiya Vaishnodevi to the success of his life. He saw, Meri Maiya Vaishnodevi, represented by three goddesses, viz. Meri Maiya Maha Laxmi (the goddess of beauty and wealth), Meri Maiya Mahakali (the vanquisher of evil (right)), Meri Maiya Maha Saraswati (the muse of art and learning (left)). Pandit Shirdhar read hymns and verses in praise of Meri Maiya Vaishnodevi, with his hands folded before HER, and offered "Aarti", and bowed and prayed by all means. Meri Maiya Vaishnodevi was very much pleased with him. SHE granted him a boon of four sons, and said that his descendants will continue to worship HER. Since that day, the descendants of Pt. Shirdhar have been worshipping Meri Maiya Vaishnodevi, inside the Holy cave (Pavitra Gufa).
Thereafter, Pt. Shirdhar made known to this world of the Holy Cave and existence of Meri Maiya Vaishnodevi in the Pavitra Gufa. This is how, we all came to know of our beloved Meri Maiya Vaishnodevi ..... and had been blessed by HER all through these years .....
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