A happy Navratri and Eid ul-Fitr to all

[Guest guest]

Dear Believers and messengers of Al-Qiyamah,

 

Namaste - i bow to His Shakti (Ruh/Holy Spirit) who resides in you.

 

i just want to take this opportunity to wish all a Happy Navratri and

Eid ul-Fitr.

 

" Muslims around the world celebrate Sunday their most important

holiday, Eid ul-Fitr.

 

The day marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting

and the beginning of three-day long celebrations. Muslims are

commanded by the Qur'an to complete their fast on the last day of

Ramadan and then recite the Takbir all throughout the period of Eid.

 

Typically, Muslims wake up early in the morning and have a small

breakfast (as a sign of not being on a fast on that day), before

attending a special Eid prayer (salah). Muslims are encouraged to

dress in their best clothes, new if possible, for the occasion. " (end)

 

" Navaratri (nine nights) is one of the greatest Hindu festivals. It

symbolises the triumph of good over evil. Navratri takes place at the

beginning of October around harvest time and, as the name implies,

this festival is celebrated for nine days. Navratri is also known as

Durga Puja.

 

During this period, Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati are worshipped as

three different manifestations of Shakti, or cosmic energy.

 

Durga, the Mother Goddess

 

The festival is dedicated to Durga, the mother goddess who also

represents power. Durga annihilated the demon Mahishasura after a

relentless battle lasting nine days and nights.

 

The motherhood of God

 

Navaratri is a festival in which God is adored as Mother. It is said

that Shiva gave permission to Durga to see her mother for nine days

in the year and this festival also remembers this visit. Families

make an attempt to return home on these days, and leave on the tenth.

 

Hinduism is the only religion in the world which has emphasised to

such an extent the motherhood of God.

 

To celebrate a good harvest and to propitiate the nine planets, women

also plant nine different kinds of food grain seeds in small

containers during these nine days and then offer the young saplings

to the goddess.

 

During Navaratri, some devotees of Durga observe a fast and prayers

are offered for the protection of health and property. A period of

introspection and purification, Navaratri is traditionally an

auspicious time for starting new ventures.

 

Celebrations

 

Navaratri is celebrated by communities getting together for dances

and nightly feasts.

 

In India, the most colourful and elaborate celebrations take part in

Bengal, where huge idols of the goddess are worshipped.

 

Divine power

 

In Gujarat painted earthern pots with water or a lamp inside

symbolise the power of the goddess.

 

The flame symbolises everlasting divine power whilst the fluid water

is transitory.

 

An auspicious time

 

Feasts of great variety and delicacy are offered to guests and family

during the nine days.

 

For women, Navaratri is a time for shopping for new clothes and new

pots. It is an auspicious time to buy gold or jewellery and the gold

markets are open late each night. Women dress elaborately each day

for the puja or rituals and nightly dances.

 

Another part of the puja may involve designing puja-thalis or aartis

which are decorated plates in honour of the mother goddess, Amba

(Ambika).

 

Dasera (Dussera)

The tenth day of the festival is called Dasera, and marks the triumph

of good over evil, and also the motherhood of God.

 

Durga Puja is particularly important for Hindus in Bengal. After

having worshipped her for nine days, her image is taken to the

streets in a procession and there is much celebration and dancing.

 

To mark Durga leaving her mother after the nine day visit, her image

is cast into water.

 

In northern parts of India, Hindus also celebrate Rama's victory over

Ravana during this time. This festival is called Dussera. The ten

days represent the ten heads of Ravana, and each day is used by

Hindus to get rid of bad characteristics, such as lust and jealousy.

The tenth day is known as the Day of Victory. " (end)

 

2009 has been a great year, and today i feel really good. Everything

is working out well. The great Adi Shakti will help us triumph!

 

Jai Shri Mataji,

 

 

jagbir