Ramnath Temple at Rameshwar

Ramnath Temple at Rameshwaram

Ramnath, one of the 12 Jyortir Linga Shiva Temple, with 1212 Lion Pillars, was constructed is present form during 1740-1770 by the local King. It was renovated in 1975. It has Shiva and Parvati temples as well as many deities around. One has to clear three corridors to reach to the main place of Shiva. The colour work of the pillars and roof is in progress.

Swami Vivekananda visited the temple before leaving for Chicago conference. He had expressed his pleasure over the simplicity and assistance of the priests and supervisors. Many saints and religious leaders have visited the temple including, Sahjanand Swaminarayan Maharaj as Neelkanthwarni.

The Jyortir Linga was established by Lord Rama, approximately 10,000 years ago, to get himself free from the Brahm Hatya sin of killing Ravana.

We have evening Darshana of the temple with pooja samagri and offerings to the priests. Next day morning at 5 AM, we did the Mani Darshana, the Sfatika Shivlinga Darshana, that was gifted to the temple by Jagadguru Shankaracharya. Then we had holy bath of 23 places, the Sea and 22 sweet water kunds. Their names are: Mahalaxmi, Savitri, Gayatri, Saraswati, Sankh, Chakra, Setu madhav, Nala, Nila, Gavay, Gavach, Ganda mardan, Brahmhatti bhav vimochan, Surya, Chandra, Sadhya mruda, Shiv, Sarva, Gaya, Yamuna, Ganga and Koti tirth.

After the holiday bath, we had one more round of Darshana to complete our pilgrimage.

The exit way of common man is an entry way for the VIP. Mano the assistant of Jafar managed our darshana and holy bath speedily.

There is TTDC and other hotels to stay. Food is no more a constraint. Apart from religious Jyortir Ling Darshana, the students of history, students of sculptures must visit the place. The area seems backward, with scarcity of water, where Ganda Baval (Prosopis juliflora) is adding greenery to the area.

Punamchand
18 May 2015
Rameshwaram

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Indian economy at the Sea Shore

Indian economy at the Sea Shore

50 fishermen were working for nearly 3 hours for catching fish at the Kovalam beach near Tiruvanthpuram. A boat went deep into the sea to put the net into the water very early in the morning. And 50 fishermen were pulling the net for nearly two hours to earn their bread and butter. It was not only an act of pulling but smart pulling, maintaining harmony and synchronizing with the tidal waves. A captain, two assistants and remaining others try their fate every morning.

Today was a bad day for them as the catch was only 10-12 kg; one big butter fish and small others. It was auctioned on the spot. A trader was waiting, offered Rs.1500, and after negotiations, the deal was finalized at Rs. 2000. Each fisherman will receive Rs. 40, for enjoying a morning tea with little snacks. Nothing is left for the lunch and dinner of their families. They have to search for another labour during the day.

The trader, an entrepreneur, taking liability of selling the fish to the demand area in the mar will get Rs. 3000 out of it. A net profit of Rs. 1000 for buying them in a minute.

This is the contrast of Indian economy, where the labourers get small share for working hard for hours and the entrepreneur earn the big cake working for a minute. The previous is called labourer and the later is called smart entrepreneur. This is the reason of economic disparities. The cake is not being shared proportionately and honestly. Forming a society of trust amongst the fishermen and selling the catch directly in the market could have added another Rs. 1000 in their basket, raising their income by 50%. 

But the gunas act. The labourers though work hard but govern by Tamas guna, don't ready to act further for adding skill of trading. The trader full of Rajas guna, look at the profit and better quality of life for his family takes risk and earn more.  

For us as third party, both are Indians but to note that the share of natural wealth divided between them unevenly. 

Punamchand
16 May 2015
Tiruvanthpuram

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All set for monsoon to onset over Kerala

All set for monsoon to onset over Kerala

Monsoon is to onset over Kerala on 30 May 2015 and in Andamans this week, as per IMD forecast. Pre monsoon showers have started here day before and it is raining today like all set for an onset of monsoon in Kerala. Lightening and sounds of clouds clashes with sounding rains are making the atmosphere fit to enjoy crispy dosha, sambhar with chatani.

Megh Savari (Varun) with thousands of clouds; small, big, giants; is marching over Indian continent with the push of Wind Chariot. They are all looking enthusiastic barati and some were dancing in the winds. They are white in colour but as soon as the time of marriage between Megh Raja and Prithvi will take place, they will all turn black. 

Sun Dev has lifted the water vapour up from the Samudra Dev and now Varun Dev will shower its blessings upon us with the support of Vayu Dev. 

I pray them all to shower their blessings upon India and it's neighbors. 

Praying good season for India.

Punamchand
15 May 2015
Trivendram

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Monsoon 2015, an astrological look.

Monsoon 2015, an astrological look.

El Nino is active and Sea surface temperatures (SST) of Central and East Pacific has raised by 1˚ and continuation of this warming, is one of the major indicators of below average rainfall predictions for Asia and Indian monsoon. Meteorologists raise hope by saying, monsoon remained normal in 1998 though the SST raised to 4˚ due to El Nino.

In typical El Nino years, the usual easterly trade winds stall or even reverse in winter or later, dragging rainfall eastwards away from Australia and also south-east Asia. Droughts tend to deepen and spread and bushfire seasons are more active than normal. 

A weak El Niño is classified as sea surface temperatures warmer than normal within a 0.5 to 1 degree Celsius range. A moderate El Niño is classified as a 1 to 1.5 degree Celsius anomaly and a strong El Niño is above 1.5 degrees Celsius in waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean for three consecutive months. 

Anyway, El Nino has direct impact over the formation of clouds, wind direction and monsoon over India.

Summer started late this year, and weather disturbances of un-seasonal rains, flood in Kashmir in mid Summer, put all of us in worry of this year's rainy season. India's food, income, GDP, employment, allied activities and industries are widely dependent on Kharif crops yields. If that is under risk, all including Governments have to worry.

Let us see the season from Astrological angle.

Sun enters into Ardra nakshatra (Gemini sign) on 22/6/15 at 16.44 hrs, with Venus in Cancer from 30/5 to 5/7, and their union with Mars (Sun-Mars angarak yog) may open the season with cyclonic start. 

Jupiter (Semi Watery) is moving from present Watery sign Cancer to a Fiery Sign Leo on 14 July 2015 May remain neutral for the season. Saturn already in watery sign Scorpio is negative for the season. Mars is moving behind the Sun but it is making union with Sun during its transit in Gemini and Cancer from the period 15/6/15 to 16/8/15 indicates scarcity of rains during the period. However, the period of Sun transit to Punarvasu nakshatra from 6/7 to 20/7 with vehicle elephant is a period when most of the sowing will take place.

Venus, the planet of hope is in Gemini at present will transit in Cancer from 30/5/15 to 5/7/15, further transit into fiery sign Leo from 5/7 to 13/8 and will retrogate to sign Cancer during 13/8 to 30/9, giving a hope of revival of the season in the last phase after 13 August.

Jupiter and Venus together in Leo will save Eastern and Northern India but Western India may face scarcity of rain when the crops are in need of water. Those have irrigation facilities will be able to save crops. 

Periodically Moon transition in watery signs Cancer, Scorpio and Piece will give 2-3 days good showers at the interval of 7-8 days, whenever it has positive union with Venus and Jupiter.

Overall, it is a Rain-worry-Rain type below average rainfall year. With India's increased irrigation facilities, the agriculture season may sustain near to its average yields.

Shubham Bhavatu Kalyanam.

Punamchand
13 May 2015

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Orion Pyramids and India

Orion, Pyramids and India

Whether India, Greece, Egypt, Europe, America, China, "Orion" has been recognized in many cultures and countries with different names and tales. Orion is known to human world in prehistoric period. 

Orion is a prominent constellation located on the celestial equator and visible throughout the world. It is one of the most conspicuous and recognizable constellations in the night sky. It was named after Orion, a hunter in Greek mythology. Its brightest stars are Rigel (Beta Orionis) and Betelgeuse (Alpha Orionis), a blue-white and a red supergiant, respectively.

In ancient Egypt, the stars of Orion were called Sah and was used as base for the Solar Egyptian calendar. Muslim astronomy, Orion was known as al-jabbar, "the giant". In China, Orion was known as Shen, literally meaning "three", for the stars of Orion's Belt. 

The Rig Veda refers to the Orion Constellation as Mriga (deer), the three bright Stars. In folk, it is called "Harnu"and many folk songs are sung referring harnu during marriages and other events, in the villages of India. Moon in Scorpio (bichchhu) is considered inauspicious to start any good work. The constellations of Scorpious and Orion are never in the sky at the same time.Therefore, people used to see Harnu and decide their auspicious events. 

Some researchers have found correlation between the location of the three largest pyramids of the Giza pyramid complex and Orion's belt of constellation Orion. The builders of the pyramids intended to make them as Gate way to the Stars as Osiris was the God of rebirth after life.  

Events, seasons, monsoon, epidemics, everything happening around us were linked with Stars and humans in ancient world were looking up in the sky with sixth sense of knowledge and used to decide their future plans and actions. 

Many in highly lliterate present generation don't know what is moving around up in the sky and even can't recognize the four directions of East-West-North-South; ancient world was watching Stars in the sky and used to correlate its calendar of events. Time was created from watching the sky. Sky, full of twinkling Stars was their Clock and Panchang.

And we the literate are unable to move without the help of machines. Our sixth sense has been replaced by machines!

Punamchand
13 May 2015

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Monsoon 2015 based on Holi Fire 2015

Monsoon 2015 based on Holi Fire 2015

There are different methods to forecast weather in India before the onset of Kharif season of agriculture in India. 

Two of the most-reliable predictors are based on Bhadli’s couplets on wind direction on two specific days: Akshaya Tritya and Holi. Interpretations of the wind direction on these days foretell monsoon, and also diseases, pests, and expected yield of the crop for the season. 

End of winter and start of Spring celebrated as Holi the festival of colours. To keep safe from the outbreak of viral diseases like swineflu, people take rounds of the fire like a heat treatment to the body. Some people walk through the fire coal as part of rituals.

But the most important event for the farmers is to look at the direction where the flag falls down, that has kept at the top of the Holi Fire. It is an indicator of air direction on the full moon night of Fagun, the Hindu month.

And the weather forecast for the fall of flag and direction of Winds in any one of the following 9 directions is as per the following:

Wind Direction
1. North : Long Winter, Good Rains.
2. Northeast: Late start of Summer.
3. East: Irregular rains, below average.
4. Southeast: Draught
5. South: Medium Rain, Epidemics, livestock loss
6. South West: Monsoon below average
7. West: Monsoon Normal
8. Northwest: Very good monsoon with good crop.
9. Cyclonic wind from all directions: Famine

This year the flag fell down towards Southwest direction in Holi Fire at Palaj village of Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The wind direction was from Northeast. 

As the Summer started late this year, it has created uncertainty of rain forecast. Garmalo (Cassia Fistula / golden shower) trees blossom in Gandhinagar around 20-23 April 2015. Adding 45-50 days to this, Monsoon over Gujarat will onset around second week of June 2015. It means onset on Andamans on around 25 May, Kerala around 31st May, Mumbai around 10th May and Gujarat around same time before 22 June.

Let me try to see the Stars and predict Monsoon 2015 in my next mail. Till then, read the mails and enjoy life. 

Narmada and Mahi Pariej water grids with giant pumping works have saved Gujarat villages and towns from the problem of drinking water. Increased in irrigation facilities with two crops yields has eased the problem of fodder to animals. Growth has opened new employment opportunities and those left can come for Mnrega works. Life here is much better than British Days and before.

Shubham Bhavatu Kalyanam.

Punamchand
9 May 2015

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OM

ॐ कारम् बिंदु संयुक्तं, नित्यम ध्या यन्ति योगिनः।
काम दम मोक्ष दम चैव, ओमकाराय नमो नमः ॐ।।

Om, the first sound of the Universe, the seed mantra of all mantras, the mother sound of all languages, a healing medicine for brain and all psychosomatic problems, a "pranav", the ship that leads to salvation, it is miraculous. The loving sound to all.

"OM" a sound of God, is the seed of Hinduism. A beautiful story of Panchikaran, the formation of gross matter from the subtle, describes the mystery of creation.

5 Tatvas: Space, Wind, Fire, Water and Earth are created from its tanmatra from the "Mah" tatva, the impure (active-physical) form of Brahman. Ego (I) created from Mah. And I extended further into panchmahabhoots. Each tatva has its characteristic. Space has Shabad (Sound), Wind has Sparsh (touch), Fire has Roop (appearance), Water has Ras (Liquid), and Earth has Gandh (Smell). Each tatva has been created from the previous one. Space created from Mah. The "OM" sound of space created sound waves and became cause of creation of Winds. Flowing Winds created Fire out of resistance. Fire when cools down turns into liquid and Water is created. Water turns into solid form makes the Earth.

Space has Sound; Wind has Sound and Touch; Fire has Sound, Touch and Appearance; Water has Sound, Touch, Appearance, and Liquidity; Earth has Sound, Touch, Appearance, Liquidity and Smell.

And the physical form of all these 5 Tstvas are created (assembly) through Panchikaran (Mixing of 5).

Space has 1/2 of Space and 1/8 each of Wind, Fire, Water and Earth.

Wind has 1/2 of wind and 1/8 each of Space, Fire, Water and Earth.

Fire has 1/2 of Fire and 1/8 each of Space, Wind, Water and Earth.

Water has 1/2 Water and 1/8 each of Space, Wind, Fire, and Earth.

Earth has 1/2 of Earth and 1/8 each of Space, Wind, Fire and Water.

And each gross matter carry its presiding deity, the consciousness (I), the union of Prakriti and Purush.

All are live here and their sound starts from the "mul dhwani" "Om"; the "A" kar, "U" kar, "M" kar and moon. Not only the Sun, but all are moving with the divine sound "OM".

It is a "Anahat Naad" (unstruck/unbeaten sound), can be heard in silence. One attains the Brahman, following the path of this anahat naad. And those who meditate on "Anahat Chakra" (Heart Chakra), they are free from hatred in this family of "vasudhaiv kutumbkam".

ॐ कारम् बिंदु संयुक्तं, नित्यम ध्या यन्ति योगिनः।
काम दम मोक्ष दम चैव, ओमकाराय नमो नमः ॐ।।

Punamchand
4 May 2015

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