Holy Ramayana is one of the most widely read epics in India. In Kerala Ramayana month begins on 1st Karkadakam (17th July 2015 Friday). In almost all Hindu families one will read the holy Ramayana and other members will listen. The climate during the period is almost rainy and many people will not have any work and it is also considered as a month for preventive treatment. Elaborate arrangements will be made in the temples to read Ramayana and preach the divine message to lead an ideal life. There are two powerful 'Taraka Namas'. One is 'Aum' and another is 'Rama'. All mantras have to be prefixed with Aum for obtaining the benefits of those mantras, whereas there is no need to prefix Aum when 'Rama' is recited because the name it self is 'Tarka Namam'.
The Ramayana (The journey of Rama) belongs among the world's oldest literature. Cherished throughout india and Asia for millennia, it has been faithfully preserved and passed on in varied forms of popular-expression-epic poems, folk tales, music, dance, drama, puppet shows, sculpture, painting and even films and comic books. Its story and characters have captured the hearts and minds of countless generations.
Nalambalam Yatra, A Blessed Journey
Nalambalam yatra begins from the Sree Rama swamy temple in Triprayar and ends up at Shatrugna swamy temple in Payammal. It is customary to visit four temples in order Rama, Bharatha, Lakshmana and Shatrugna respectively. A pilgrimage to these temples on a single day during the month of Karkkidakam believed to shower blessings and ensure prosperity. Starting from Triprayar and ending in Payammal through Irinjalakuda and Moozhikulam.
If your drive to your destination on Tuesday takes you longer than usual, blame the hundreds of baraatis who will be dancing on the city streets that day. And if pundits' predictions are to be believed, there will be some 1,000 or more couples who will tie the knot on April 24, the auspecious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya...
Touted to be the last auspecious date for weddings this season, wedding venues are booked chock-a block for this day in city. Although April 25, Wedensday, is also a good day for weddings, kanyadaan is not conducted on a Budhvar (Wednsday) as per Gujarati tradition.
Hence, Tuesday walks away with the full honours of scripting hundreds of 'live happily ever after' stories.
Ram Navami is a festival that celebrates the birth of lord Ram, the son of king Dasaratha. It was a joyous occasion in Ayodhya and all over the India. All those centuries ago when King Dasaratha's heir was finally born. It was like a dream come true for the king as the lack of an heir had troubled him sorely for many years.
Lord Ram is an avatar of Lord Vishnu who came down to to battle the invincible Ravana in human form. Lord Brahma had been recieving complaints from all the gods about the havoc that Ravana was wreaking on earth, but because Lord Brahma had granted Ravana so many boons, he could not be killed by a god. But Ravana had become so overconfident that he would never expect an attack from a human being. So Lord Vishnu agreed to go to earth in the guise of Prince Ram, the son of King Dasaratha and Queen Kaushalya.
The story of Lord Rama as told in the great epic Ramayana is one that most Indians know irrespective of caste, creed and religion. Lord Rama is a legendary figure, the epitome of all that is good and true, the man who vanquished the demon king Ravana. Lord Sree Ram is not just a hero, but he has been given the status of a god by the Hindus. Therefore, it comes has no surprise that his birth is celebrated year after year with great pomp and enjoyment on the nineth day after the new moon in Sukul Paksh (the waxing moon), which falls sometime in the month of April.
The festivities
Some people choose to fast on this day. the diet of such a person would include potatoes made in any form without haldi (turmeric) garlic, ginger or onion. They can also eat fruit and root vegetables of any kind. Curd, tea coffee, milk and water also permitted.
Bhajans praising the exploits of Lord Rama, his loyal brother Lakshman and his devoted wife Sita are sung. The house is swept clean and pictures of Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman are put on a dais in preparation for the puja. Flowers and incence are kept before the deities. There are two thaalis kept ready in the puja area. One contains the prasad and the other the items necessary for the puja like roli, aipun,rice water, flowers, a bell and a conch.
First the youngest female member of the family applies teeka to all the mail members of the family. A red bindi is applied on the foreheads of all the female members. Everyone participates in the puja by sprinkling the water, roli and aipun on the gods and then showering handfuls of rice on the deities. Then everybody stands up to perform the arti at the end of which ganga jal or plain water is sprinkled over the gathering. The singing of bhajans goes on for the entire puja. Finally, the prasad is ditributed among all the people who have gathered for worship.
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Kuwait, although small (its land mass totals only 17,820 sq km), is rich in petroleum and natural gas- its crude oil reserves account for about 10% of world of reserves. And while the 1990/1991 Iraqi invasion and occupation, and the Gulf war, took place less than two decades ago, there is little sign of its destruction and devastation.
The country has a population of aproximately 3 million, of which about one million are Kuwaitis and remaining expatriates.
One of Kuwait's most famous landmarks- the Kuwait Towers- has been completely restored. You can travel by high-speed lift to the sphere on the tallest of the three towers ( its 187 metres high) and take in the city from its revolving observation area and restaurant. Another one addition to the landscape is the 372-metere tall Liberation Tower (above pictured), which symbolizes-- you guessed it--Kuwait's liberation from Iraq.
At 147 meters above sea level this tower maintains water supply to Kuwait Towers with a capacity of one million gallons in its spherical reservoir.
To get a closer look at Kuwait's culture and history, head to Kuwait's many museums and historical sites. Learn about traditional Bedouin weaving at the sadu house, see rare and precious Islamic Antique, or experience traditional pearl diving at the annual pearl diving festival. There is also the Tareq Rajeb museum, The Science and Natural History museum, The National museum and the Saif Al Shahlan museum. Visit the old city Wall Gates, which were originally built in 1922 to keep out wandering desert tribes. The Folklore Centre, which is actively preserving and teaching Kuwaiti folklore, and Doha village is Kuwait's traditional dhow(type of boat) building area.
For less cerebral fun, Kuwait offers a variety of amusement parks and entertainment vennues . Considered one of the best ammusement park in the world ' Entertainment city' is located only 20km from Kuwait city. It has different themed sections such as Arab world, the World of Wonders and surprises, and Future World. Musical fountain offers a water show set to music and coloured lights, for those hot and summer days, there is the wet and wild Aqua water park .
At a height of 412 meters, in the heart of Kuwait city, Al Hamra Tower breaks all records. At this height, Al Hamra enjoys the recognition of being amongst the ten highest skyscrapers in the world, and its innovative design places Kuwait on the map as a centre for business and creativity. Your shopping experience in Kuwait can range from the air-conditioned comfort of a modern mall to the frenetic bargaining in a traditional souk. There are large cooperative supermarkets, gold souks, fresh food markets, and several modern shopping complexes are available all over the country.
Kuwait is geographically small but wealthy country with a relatively open economy and self reported crude oil reserves of nearly 105 billion barrels- approximately 10% of world reserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 95% of export revenues, and 95% of government income. Kuwaiti officials have committed to increasing oil production to 4 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2020. Kuwait Petroleum Corporation(KPC) an integrated, state-owned oil company, is the parent company of the government's operating companies in the petroleum sector. It includes Kuwait Oil Company, which produces Oil and Gas; Kuwait National Petroleume Company, which manages refining and domestic sales; Petrochemical Industries Company, which produces ammonia, urea, ethylene, propylene and styrene and participates in a number of successful joint ventures.
Kuwait is a member of the UN and some of its specialized and related agencies, including the World Bank(IBRD), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Trade Organaization (WTO), African Development Bank (AFDB), Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), Arab League, Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) International Federation of Red Crescent Societies and Organaization of Petroleume Exporting Countries (OPEC)etc.
HH.Sheikh Sabah Al Ahamad Al Jaber Al Sabah Emir of Kuwait
Kuwait is constitutional, hereditary emirate ruled by Emir who have been drawn from the Al Sabah family since the middle of the 18th century. Kuwait's first National Assembly was elected in 1963. Kuwait is well developed economy in the world under the wise and able leadership of HH.Sheikh Sabah Al Ahamed Al Jaber Al Sabah. Kuwait's 93.3% literacy rate, one of the Arab World's highest, is the result of extensive government support for the education system. Public school education, including Kuwait University, is free, but access is restricted for foreign residents. The Government sponsors the foreign study of qualified students abroad for degrees not offered at Kuwait University. In 2009, approximately 3,318 Kuwaitis were enrolled in U.S. universities.
Kuwait Airways is the National carrier of Kuwait. with its head office in Al Farwania Governorate. it operates scheduled International services throughout the Middle East to the Indian subcontinent, Europe, South East Asia and North America, from its main base at Kuwait International Airport. Kuwait Airways member of the Arab Air Carriers Organaization.
Kuwait has good road system. All signs are in English and Arabic. The major north-south roads are effectively freeways numbered Expressway 30,40, etc. These are traversed by increasingly widely spaced ring roads named First, Second etc, making navigation fairly easy. Kuwait's public transport is adequate with three companies (KPTC,City Bus, KGL) running dozens of routes in every major city. Waiting times for buses range from one minute for most frequent routes to fifteen minutes for less used routes. All buses are equipped with air-conditioners and usually one can find a seat without much trouble. It must also noted that although areas with expatriates majority are covered with many routes. A standard rate is applicable in most taxis.
Self-drive is avialable, if you produce an International Driving Permit, the rental company will, at the customer's expense, be able to arrange the statutory temporary insurance, which is drawn on the driver's visa. If you arrive at Kuwait International Airport, you will find car hiring companies located at your left after you exit from the baggage claiming area. If involved in a car accident, do not attempt to move your car until police arrive and have made report. Alcohol is strictly illegal in Kuwait, it may not be imported, manufactured or served.
Public health entirely supported by the government at local clinics and hospitals, with a 5KD fee paid by foreigners visiting Kuwait and 1KD for expats with a resident visa, or a visitor's visa. Private non-governmental clinics are available as well, but charge much more at 30KD and upwards. You will be entitled for free treatment in case of an accident or an emergency. In case of emergency Call. 112
The Hala February Festival (National & Liberation Days 25th &26th February) is an annual event that takes place in Kuwait during the month of February, which is considered one of the distinct month in Kuwait as it coincides with Kuwait's National and Liberation Days. It is also a time when parched sands of the desert transform into a magical green carpet covered with blossoming, colourful flora. The arrival of migratory birds and seasonal animals during this time add further colour, elegance and beauty to the desert.
Hala festival is great opportunity for young and old alike to partcipate in this event featuring cultural festivals, shopping carnivals, visit tourist spots, and win prizes at the many raffles and contests held during the time period. It is an important and remarkable event among the nearby area's festival.
Hinduism is the religion of the majority of people in India
and Nepal. It also exists among significant populations outside of the subcontinent and has over 900 million adherents world wide.
Unlike most other religions, Hinduism has no single founder, no single scripture and no commonly agreed set of teachings. Throughout its extensive History, there have been many key figures teaching different philosophies and writing numerous holy books. For these reasons, writers often refer to Hinduism as a 'way of life' or 'a family of religions' rather than a single religion.
Hinduism is the oldest living religion in the world
Hinduism originated around the Indus Valley near the Sindhu River About 83% of the Indian population regard themselves as Hindu Hindus believe in a Supreme God, whose qualities and forms are represented by the multitude of deities which emanate from him Hindus believe that existence is a cycle of birth, death and rebirth, governed by Karma Hindus believe that soul passes through a cycle of successive lives and its next incarnation is always dependent on how the previous life was lived The main Hindu texts are the Vedas and supplements(books based on Vedas) Veda is a Sanskrit word meaning 'Knowledge',
Hindus celebrates many holy days, but the Festival of Lights, Diwali is the best known
The 2001 census recorded 559,000 Hindus in Britain around 1% of the population.
