Monday, November 25, 2013

Bangalore’s festival -Oora Habba,



Bangalore’s traditional festival, known as the Oora Habba, 
was celebrated in certain parts of the city, where local 
communities please the Gods with festivities and rituals, 
to look after the well-being of the people.
Witnessing this was like taking a time travel back in history 
where hundreds of people, largely agrarian, used to pray 
for a good harvest. The sheer scale and splendor of the 
Oora Habba procession was a visual treat indeed!

Friday, November 15, 2013

Mythology ..- Head Count:









 Shanmuka Temple, Bangaluru

Head Count: 3 for Trisiras, 4 for Brahma, 5 for Siva, 6 for Skanda, 10 for Ravana, 1000 for God; 

Purushasuktam is one of the most popular Vedic hymns. 

It is in the Tenth Mandala of the oldest scripture in the world Rig Veda. 

It is recited in almost all the temple and domestic rituals. 

Orthodox Hindus who have studied Vedas recite it every day. 

The first few verses describe the omnipresence and omnipotence of the God

“ The Purusha (Supreme Being) who has thousands of heads, thousands of eyes and thousands of feet enveloped the earth on all sides and stood beyond it in ten directions of space. All this is Purusha only. All that has been and all that will be. And he is the Lord of Immortality which grows by food”.

In short he is all pervading. He was there and he will be there. He is the giver of immortality. God is projected in cosmic form.

Four Faces of Brahma

Brahma is the creator of the universe, the father of gods and men and he is the lord of wisdom from whose heads the four Vedas said to have sprung. 
Brahma is worshipped as the first member of the Hindu trinity. 

He is depicted with four Faces/Heads and four arms, holding a sceptre, Akshamala/rosary, Vedas and a bow. Four faces represent Four Vedas Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharvana
Brahma originally had five heads and lost one head according to the mythology. 

He is called Prajapathi/Pitamaha. 
He created a beautiful daughter Satarupa and fell in love with her. 

When she walked around him he looked at her and one face grew for each direction. 

When she went to the sky a fifth head emerged to look at her. Brahma’s fifth head was burnt off by the fire of Siva’s third eye because he had spoken disrespectfully.

Five Faces of Lord Shiva

Shiva had many forms and formless Linga as well. 

His five faces are described in Vedas and Agamas. 
They are Satyojata, Vamadeva, Agora, Tatpurusha and Isana. 

Five faces/heads represent five elements and five senses. Five faced Shiva is called Panchanana Shiva and a hymn is also there. 
Four faces look at four different directions and the fifth looks at the sky. Each is attributed with different colour and action.
Shiva in Elephanta caves.
The gigantic Trimurti statue at Elephanta caves near Mumbai is actually five faced (Panchanana ) Shiva, but two faces are not carved because of its close position to rocky walls of the caves.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Everyday Products




18 Everyday Products You’ve Been Using Wrong


Your life has been a lie.1. You’ve probably been ignoring this feature.
You've probably been ignoring this feature.
Most aluminum foil boxes have press-in tabs that secure the roll in place, so you don’t have worry about it flying out every time you rip off a sheet.

2. You’ve been dispensing Tic Tacs the hard way.

You've been dispensing Tic Tacs the hard way.
You know how when you violently shake a container of Tic Tacs into your palm it seems as though you always end up with zero or seven? Avoid that altogether by letting a mint gently glide into the tiny lid crevice.

3. Forget to pack a spoon with that applesauce? No problem.

Forget to pack a spoon with that applesauce? No problem.
Ever find yourself with an individual cup of applesauce or yogurt and no spoon? Instead of slurping and probably getting half of your snack on your shirt, turn the foil lid into a makeshift spoon.
Obviously, don’t try this if you’ve got a mouth full of metal fillings.

4. You’ve been storing peanut butter the wrong way.

You've been storing peanut butter the wrong way.
Never arm wrestle with a jar of peanut butter, just to make sure it’s not oily on top and crumby on the bottom, again. Store it upside down, so the oils distribute evenly.

5. You haven’t been using ketchup cups to their full potential.

You haven't been using ketchup cups to their full potential.
Instead of grabbing multiple cups of ketchup, simply pull apart at the edges for twice the space.

6. You’re probably using the wrong plunger.

You're probably using the wrong plunger.
This is easily the most recognizable plunger. Chances are you have one lying around the house. BUT, did you know it’s only meant to be used on clogged sinks?
To unclog a toilet, you need a flange plunger, which doesn’t have a flat bottom.

7. Chinese takeout containers are actually made to fold out into plates.

Chinese takeout containers are actually made to fold out into plates.
The containers actually are meant to unfold into a makeshift plate, which you can easily reassemble into a box for storing leftovers.
More info here.

8. You’re brushing with too much toothpaste.

You're brushing with too much toothpaste.
You only need to use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste for effective cleaning. Most ads feature globs of toothpaste the size of the brush because a.) it looks nice and b.) it makes you use up more toothpaste.

9. Greek yogurt containers are meant to be folded in half.

Greek yogurt containers are meant to be folded in half.
Chances are you’ve been scooping the toppings with your spoon onto the yogurt.
But, have you realized, the topping holder folds over, so you can pour the toppings DIRECTLY ON TOP?

10. You’ve probably been placing toilet seat covers in the wrong direction.

You've probably been placing toilet seat covers in the wrong direction.
The flap is meant to be placed toward the front. This prevents the agony of sitting down on a toilet seat, only to realize you’ve dragged the cover down into the bowl.

11. Soda tabs double as straw holders.

Soda tabs double as straw holders.
Turn the tab around so that it acts as holder that can stop the straw from raising out of the can as the soda fizzes.

12. There’s a foolproof way to keep your extension cords from coming undone.

There's a foolproof way to keep your extension cords from coming undone.
Plug the cords into a loop to avoid disconnection.

13. Pipe cleaners can be used to clean..ACTUAL PIPES.

Pipe cleaners can be used to clean..ACTUAL PIPES.
OK, sure, you can use them to make mess free crafts with your kids, but did you know you can also use them…
…for this.
Instructions here.

14. You’ve been serving juice boxes the wrong way.

You've been serving juice boxes the wrong way.
Pull the sides out so you child has something to grasp onto, stopping them from spilling.

15. Never break off more chocolate than you can chew again.

Never break off more chocolate than you can chew again.
To easily break off a single piece of Toblerone, pull toward the bar, not away from it.

16. You probably don’t realize it, but your pots come with built-in spoon rests.

You probably don't realize it, but your pots come with built-in spoon rests.
That hanging hole doubles as a spoon rest, in a pinch.

17. There’s a much easier way to floss.

There's a much easier way to floss.
Tie floss into a loop and never strangle your fingers again.

18. Soft-drink lids can double as coasters.

Soft-drink lids can double as coasters.
Take the lid from the top of cup (or grab an extra) and use it as a perfectly sized coaster.
  Thank :from Facebook 


18 Everyday Products You've Been Using Wrong