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Ananda Sangbad
January 2014
Sapta Tirtha
ANANDA SANDHYA
By Sushmita Dutta
Reported by Arun Bhowmik, Chair, Cultural Committee
Author's Note:A special series of reports on seven holy places prescribed in Hindu scriptures Varanasi also called Benares and, named Kashi in Hindu scriptures, is one of the prescribed Sapta Tirthas. Visiting Varanasi, at least once in one's life time, is a cherished desire of Hindus, and, some believe that breathing last in Varanasi delivers moksha - liberation from the cycle of birth and death. It is believed that, at Manikarnika Ghat on the river Ganges Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva together deliver moksha to all those who die in Kashi. Considered one of the oldest cities in the world, Varanasi is located in Northern India. Ideally positioned on the banks of auspicious river Ganges, Varanasi is breathtakingly beautiful at dawn when the sun beams through the eastern sky of the river Ganges creating a celestial glittering of sparkling water of the river against the backdrop of deep orange sky. The sounds of temple bells, the chanting of morning mantras, and the fra-
Panchami celebration. Faith matters for any worship, ritualistic chores come later. With ardent faith and belief that worshipping snakes is a good religious act, snakes are worshipped on the Nag Panchami day. According to Hindu scripture of Garuda Puran, offering prayers to snake on Nag Panchami is considered very auspicious and is believed to usher goodies in one's life. In Narasinghgarh akhara in Varanasi there is a special shrine dedicated to Naga Raja (the King of Snakes) where milk is poured over the deity as a part of the ritualistic offerings. Om Bhujanga Bhushanaya Namah - says one of the 108 names of Lord Shiva, meaning salute to the Lord who is adorned by snakes. On Nag Panchami day, therefore, worshiping Lord Shiva is considered extremely auspicious. Being a festival day, the temple was thronged with people, but somehow, I managed to offer
lieved to deliver desired happiness in life. Surrounded by many other shrines, the courtyard of Vishwanath temple has a "wisdom well" called Gyan Vapi and a series of temples. There is a temple having a cluster of five lingas called Nilakantheshwar - a Vishnu temple, Virupakshi Gauri temple, Avimukta Vinayaka temple, Shanishchara temple and Virupaksha temple. A temple at the entrance called Avimukteshvara temple is disputed to be the original Jyotirlinga. But then, there is a controversy over the matter. Kashi Vishwantah temple is built like a "mandap" (Hindu temple architectural form) having a sanctum, which has a square silver altar that holds one of the 12 Jyotirlingas found in India. The Jyotirlinga in Kashi Vishwanath temple is of black stone decorated with "Bhashma" (ash). One of the 108 names of Lord Shiva includes "Om Bhashma
It was the proudest moment of Ananda Sandhya when its 100th event was celebrated on October 27th. It was a jubilant occasion for many – obviously for Arun Bhowmik, the creator of this program with his fellow musicians, for those music loving people in the community with their presence and their financial support, and for the entire Ananda Mandir organization. In spite of lacking a good acoustical friendly auditorium, and a sophisticated sound system, the program attracted talented performers from the Tri-state as well as some of the great names in classical music from India. In admiration of the dedication of Arun, the Ananda Mandir organization bestowed a special service award, see boxed announcement. This day was reserved for a performance by Pandit Kaivalya Kumar Gurav. Kaivalya Kumar hails from Dharwad, Karnataka. He was initiated into classical music by his father Pandit Sangameshwar Gurav. Endowed with a mellifluous, fluid and high
pitched tenor voice, he has achieved much recognition with awards -"Surmani", " Pt. Jasraj Gaurav Puraskar” and "Sarva Shreshta Kalakar" to name a few. He has performed at several prestigious music festivals in India and has several albums to his credit. Kaivalya Kumar was assisted by Kedar Naphade on Harmonium and Amod Dandawate on tabla. On November 2, the day of Kali Puja celebration at Ananda Mandir, Sandip Bhattacharya, a scholar from the prestigious "Sangeet Research Academy" in Kolkata, presented Shyamasangeet, Bhaktigeeti and light classical music. Born in 1980, Sandip was trained under Ustad Mashkoor Ali Khan at the Sangeet Research Academy. He also trained under Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan. He has participated in many major concerts in India including the famous Dover Lane Conference. Sandip was assisted by our own Anirban Roy Chowdhury on Tabla.
Announcement Dear Members of Ananda Mandir, grance of "dhoop" (incense sticks) scattered in the air, make mornings in Varanasi a truly heavenly place unfolding legends concomitant to Lord Shiva, Parvati and, other Hindu Gods and Goddesses.
my prayers. And, that was my first puja at the famous Kashi Vishwanath temple mentioned in Hindu Purans (ancient scriptures) as the abode of Lord Shiva together with his wife Goddess Parvati.
My visit to Varanasi on the night before Nag Panchami was not planned, so, I wasn't really prepared for the ritualistic ceremonies that began from dawn, which forced me to wake-up at about 5 a.m. Looking out the window of my hotel room facing the main street that leads to Kashi Vishwanath temple, I found people (mostly ladies) carrying plates containing flowers, milk, fruits etc. to offer special Nag Panchami puja at the temple. I had to take a quick shower to join the crowd for Nag
Mythology has it that Kashi is situated on the tip of Lord Shiva's Trishul (trident), and the place will not be destroyed even at the final dissolution of the world. To date, the air of Kashi is probably jammed with the vibrating sound waves of "Om Namah Shivaya" chanted by millions and almost all sages in India who lived there and meditated upon Lord Shiva for salvation. Worshipping Lord Vishwanath at the Kashi Vishwanath temple reciting the mantra "Om Namah Shivaya" with complete devotion is be-
dhulita Vigrahaya Namaha" meaning salutation to the Lord whose murti (Vigraha) is decorated with bhashma or ash. Jyotirlingas are extremely important shrines in Hinduism, found in locations where Lord Shiva appeared in person. Fourteen Hindu scriptures including Rig Veda mention the importance of Kashi saying that Lord Shiva himself declared the place as his residence where he would live with his wife Goddess Parvati. Here, Goddess Parvati offered food to one and all, and since then she is worshipped as Annapoorna. In Puran pictures, Lord Shiva himself is seen holding a bowl to receive food from Goddess Annapoorna. The temple of Goddess Parvati is Turn to page 12
As you all know by now, the cultural events presented by Ananda Mandir (musical shows during Kali Puja, Durga Puja, Live Mahalaya to name a few) have gained great popularity in our community of music lovers. One such routine event is the monthly ANANDA SANDHYA, presented usually on second Friday evening of the month. This is a wonderful platform where our community musicians get a chance to showcase their talents. Are you interested in doing an Ananda Sandhya program at Ananda Mandir as a solo artist, or presenting a group program? If you have attended any, you know that this is a 2 hour program of high quality. If you are “READY, WILLING AND ABLE”, please contact our cultural secretary Arun Bhowmik at arun.bhowmik@hamonusa.com, or call him at 908-672-1452 for details. We look forward to hearing from you.
BASANTI
DURGA PUJA
SASTHI -5th APRIL, SATURDAY, 5:30 pm SAPTAMI -6th APRIL, SUNDAY, 9:00 am to 11.30 am ASTAMI-7th APRIL, MONDAY, 9:00am to 1:30am SANDHI PUJA (Monday Midnight) - 2:53 am to 3:41 am NABAMI & RAM NABAMI- 8th APRIL, TUESDAY, 9:00 am to 2:30 pm DASHAMI-9th APRIL, WEDNESDAY, 10:30 am to11:30am