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August-September Special (For Kids)In August and September, several important and auspicious days are celebrated in Orissa as well as in other parts of India. Although some of the celebrations differ in the rules of rituals, the tradition is founded on the same belief. We describe some of these festivals below. The children might explore more on these festivals by either asking questions to their parents or researching through books/internet. These festivals are:
Raksha Bandhan-Gahma Purnima (August 30)What to do? Sisters - Tie a thread around your brother's right hand wrist. Arrange a plate with some vermillion powder (sindur), turmeric powder (haladi), sweets and a lamp (Deepa). Offer the sweets to the Lord. Then tie the rakhi, put "haladi" and "sindur" on your brother's forehead, do "bandapana" to your brother, and finally feed him sweets. Brothers - Extend your hand when your sister ties the rakhi. In your mind make a promise that you will always protect her, support her and help her. Make her happy by offering your help, or giving some present, money etc. The word
"raksha" means protection and "bandhan" means bond. Thus "rakhsha bandhan" is the bond of love that is
In Orissa, on Raksha Bandhan day, priests tie rakhis on their patrons and in return receive offerings from them. It's also observed as the sacred thread changing ceremony or "Abhiseka" when the old "paitA" is replaced by a new one. If you have a sister, you are very lucky. You have somebody who prays for you, who feels for you and who wishes your prosperity, happiness and success. If you have a brother, you are also lucky. You have somebody with whom you can always share your secrets, and never repent. You can cry loudly in front of him without being ashamed and you can always count on him as a good friend. If you do not have a brother, you are not alone; you have the God. Buy a silken thread and tie around Lord's wrist. He will be behind you. If you do not have a sister, also consider the Lord as your well wisher, who desires your success and prosperity. Celebrate Raksha Bandhan with happiness and cheer. Khudurukuni Osa: In Orissa, traditionally Rakhi Purnima is celebrated as Gahma Purnima. (Raksha Bandhan as it is understood is the tradition adopted from North India). From the Sunday before this Purnima, "Khudurukuni Osa" (Bhalukuni Osa) starts. That means, this year Khudurukuni Osa should start on Sunday, August 29th. Khudurukuni Osa is observed by the unmarried girls for a month on Sundays. Khudurukuni is considered as Mother Mangala (Durga, Parvati). The girls do the puja for the well being of their brothers. From the morning they collect flowers and engage themselves in making garlands and decorating the place of worship. The puja is performed in the evening by reading the book about "Ta-apoi", the luckiest sister of seven brothers who was tortured by the six sister-in-laws in her brother's absence and prayed Mother Mangala for her brothers' safe return. Usually seven to twenty families can arrange Khudurukuni puja in one place. The other festival that is celebrated for brothers in Orissa is "Bhai Jountia" in Western Orissa during October. Jhulana Purnima: Vaishnavas celebrate this day as Jhulana Purnima or the Swing festival which is observed in most of the Vishnu temples. It begins from the tenth day of the bright fort-night and culminates on the Purnima day. The images of Radha and Krishna are placed on beautifully decorated swings and nights are spent with singing and dancing in front of the deities. This festival is celebrated in Puri as an important festival of Lord Jagannath. The festival in the temple was first initiated by the Gajapati King Dibyasingha Dev-II (1793-1798). (Thanks to Birendra Babu, Dr Birendra Jena for making suggestions which motivated the writings for the above two paragraphs) Guru Dibas – Teacher's Day (September 5)What to do? Do you have a favorite teacher? Then go and express your appreciation for that teacher. Write a "Thank You" letter to the teacher, or help him/her in getting ready for the semester. In India we make garlands for the teachers. Here you may do that if you have some Indian teachers. Why do we celebrate? In India, we celebrate September 5, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan's birthday as Teacher's day (Guru Dibas). This day is reserved to express our gratitude and appreciation for our teachers. Dr. Radhakrishnan was born on September 5, 1888 in Tirutani. He was a great teacher of his time and held professorships in Eastern Religion and Ethics at Oxford. He was also Chancellor of Delhi University and Vice Chancellorship of Banaras Hindu University. Radhakrishnan was appointed Indian Ambassador to the USSR in 1949. He then became the Vice President of India in1952 and was finally elected as President of India in 1962. The importance of a good teacher in life cannot be ignored. In ancient days students spent years in the teacher's house to learn. If the guru gives his grace, of course we will attain to God! Education is life. This is essential for the development of individuals as well as for the development of a nation. A teacher is thus a significant figure in the society. The teachers play vital roles in contributing to the development of moral, ethical, spiritual and social values in the minds of the children. There is undiluted respect for teachers or Gurus in Indian tradition. Guru is the one who dispels the darkness of ignorance and illuminates the mind with the lamp of knowledge. There are four types of teachers; Pita (Father) Guru, Mata (Mother) Guru, Siksha Guru and Diksha Guru. Father and Mother as teachers have unique identity. Diksha Guru is only one. Siksha Gurus are many. They are the teachers who teach us in schools, colleges, universities etc. There are also other teachers who teach us different skills such as music, dance, cooking, driving and they should also be respected for their contribution to our lives. The significance of the word "guru" is inexpressible. What the guru is cannot be understood by words or explanations. Therefore in our guru pranam we say: Om akhanda mandalakaram byaptam jena characharam
Translation: He whose presence occupies the infinite universe,
Meaning: I offer my respectful obeisance unto my spiritual master, who has given me knowledge about the truth of the supreme master. The teacher is Brahma, he is Bisnu and he is also Maheswar, the three supreme powers of this creation. I salute the teacher, the ultimate Brahman. The teacher has opened my eyes with the torchlight of knowledge, which were blinded by the darkness of ignorance. What is the word guru? The word guru means he who in the midst of great darkness shows us light; he who removes the darkness; he who lights the lamp of wisdom in us; he who makes us see within ourselves the light of Parabrahma, Paramatma; he is the guru.
Janmastami (September 6)What to do? If you can do fasting, that would be better. Otherwise, just eat vegetarian food. Go to a temple and recite the following stanzas from "Sri Krishna Astakam". There are other "slokas" that you may recite in Lord Krishna's praise. If you have Gods in your house, you can recite in front of Lord Krishna's statue in your house too. Vasudevasutam devam kamsa chaanura mardanam
Translation: I salute Lord Krishna, the Universal spiritual Teacher, who is the son of Devaki and Vasudeva, who always gives mental happiness to his mother Devaki and who kills the demons Kamsa and Chanura. I salute Lord Krishna, the Universal Guru [Teacher] of Truth, who is equal to the flax flower and who is wearing jewels around his neck, who is wearing bracelets on his two arms. I salute Lord Krishna, whose hair always curls like ringlets around His face, who wears earrings and whose face is equal to the full moon. Ganesh Puja (September 18)What to do? Join the puja celebration if your family makes the puja arrangement or go to the temple to perform the puja. Recite the slokas for Lord Ganesha that are discussed below. Organize some of your favorite books and keep it near the puja place for Lord Ganesh's blessings. Eat vegetarian food.
Ganesh Puja is the birthday of Lord Ganesh. This falls on the 4th day of Bhadrava Shuklapaksha of the Hindu calendar. Ganeshji is the God of learning and good fortune. Ganesh is worshiped all over India. He is addressed as the "Remover of Obstacles" (Bighnaraja). In sanskrit "gana" means "multitude" and "Isa" means "Lord". Thus Ganesha literally means the "Lord of all
b The four arms of Ganesh represent mind, intellect, ego and consciousness. The axe in his hand symbolizes the destruction of all desires and attachments. The rope in his other hand is meant to pull the seeker out of the worldly attachments and bind in the everlasting bliss. In Maharastra, Ganesh is worshiped with glamour for about 7-10 days. Ganesh puja is the largest festival in Maharastra. Huge figures of Ganesh are paraded in grand procession accompanied by songs of devotion and drumming. In Orissa, Ganesh is mostly worshiped in educational institutions on this day. Festivities include gorgeous clothing and decoration of the God. There are entertainment programs and invocational songs lasting from 3-5 days. In Odissi dance, Ganesha Mangalacharan dance is presented with the following sloka for Lord Ganesha Mushikavaahana modaka hastha,
MEANING: "O Lord Vinayaka! the remover of all obstacles, the son of Lord Shiva, with a form which is very short, with mouse as Thy vehicle, with sweet pudding in hand, with wide ears and long hanging trunk, I prostrate at Thy lotus-like Feet!" Some Ganesh slokas used in Oriya Ganesh Pujaom, shukLAmbara dharam biSnum shshIbarnam chaturbhujam Meaning: I meditate upon the deity Lord Bighneswar for the removal of all obstacles; the Lord who is all pervading and wears a white garment, who has bright complexion like full moon, who has four hands, and who has ever-smiling face.
namo Ganesha bighnesha Meaning: I salute Lord Ganesh, who is the remover of all obstacles, who is is son of Girija (Parbati, the daughter of the mountain). Please take away my obstacles, I salute you the Lord of the mass.
vakratuNDa mahAkAya sUryakoTisamaprabha
Meaning: O Ganapati, One with a curved trunk, a large body, and a brilliance equal to a crore (10 million) suns! O God, please make all my undertakings free from obstacles always. ekadantam mahAkAyam lambodara gajAnanam
AUM sarvasthuulatanuM gajendravadanaM lambodaraM sundaraM
Here is a bhajan for Lord Ganesh in Hindi: Jai Gańesh Jai Gańesh Jai Gańesh Devă
Jai Ganaraya Shree Ganaraya
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expressed by the sister when she ties the silken thread around her brother's right hand wrist, and prays God for the blessings for the well being of her brother. In exchange, her brother extends his wrist with a promise of his protection over her. Raksha bandhan is thus the story of the affection between a brother and his sister.
eings". Ganesh is also known as "Gajanana" (elephant faced – Gaja: Elephant, Ananan: face).