Sairam friends,
Couple of Days back one of my friend in the Temple invited me to his house for having Feast on behalf of Onam Festival on Monday. I apologized to him as I don’t have leave but felt since I am writing about festivals now a days in StarSai, Sai wants me to write about Onam too. I don’t know much about Onam but since I studied in college where there were many from Kerala, I am used to it.
There are few devotees of Shirdi Sai Baba in Kerala and I also get mails from Sai Children there. I had been to Saibaba temple in Thiruvilwamala. Its situated in a beautiful place.
I shall simply present few words from Wikipedia about Onam
Onam – Kerala’s rice harvest festival and the Festival of Rain Flowers
Onam (Malayalam: ഓണം) is a festival celebrated by the people of Kerala, India. Onam is an ancient festival which still survives in modern times. Kerala’s rice harvest festival and the Festival of Rain Flowers, which fall on the Malayalam month of Chingam, celebrates the Asura King Mahabali’s annual visit from Patala (the underworld). Onam is unique since Mahabali has been revered by the people of Kerala since prehistory.The King is so much attached to his kingdom that it is believed that he comes annually from the nether world to see his people living happily. It is in honour of King Mahabali, affectionately called Onathappan, that Onam is celebrated.
Beautiful flowers used to create Pookalam during Onam Festival – Courtesy Wikipedia
Mahabali’s rule is considered the golden era of Kerala. The following song is often sung over Onam:
“Maveli nadu vaneedum kalam,
manusharellarum onnupole
amodhathode vasikkum kalam
apathangarkkumottillathanum
kallavum illa chathiyumilla
ellolamilla polivachanam
kallapparayum cherunazhiyum
kallatharangal mattonnumilla
adhikal vyadhikalonnumilla
balamaranangal kelppanilla ”
… (Translation)
“When Maveli ruled the land,
All the people were equal.
And people were joyful and merry;
They were all free from harm.
There was neither anxiety nor sickness,
Deaths of children were unheard of,
There were no lies,
There was neither theft nor deceit,
And no one was false in speech either.
Measures and weights were right;
No one cheated or wronged his neighbor.
When Maveli ruled the land,
All the people formed one casteless races ”
The beauty of the festival lies in its secular fabric. People of all religions, castes and communities celebrate the festival with equal joy and verve. Onam also helps to create an atmosphere of peace and brotherhood by way of various team sports organised on the day.
The rich cultural heritage of Kerala comes out in its best form and spirit during the ten-day festival. The central feature of Onam is the grand feast called Onasadya, prepared on Thiruonam. It is a nine-course meal consisting of 11 to 13 essential dishes. Onasadya is served on banana leaves and people sit on a mat laid on the floor to have the meal.
That’s little I can present for Onam Festival..
Marudhamalai Murugan Temple arch – I love green leaves, Tree branches and white sky
A walk to Marudhamalai Murugan Temple
I had been to friends wedding on Sunday morning. I was happy as Sai showed me a dream when this friend got engaged and I was surprised. I had good time with my friends but when ever I go to wedding these days, I wonder why they do some much make up for the bride?. I asked my friend, “Why do they put make up like this for bride?”. He said its because they have to be there for several hours and it looks odd without makeup. I agree but why this fair tint? May be something has to be done with the Art of showing someone beautiful. Why is that only fairness is considered as beauty? Everyone wants to be fair and more fair. Remember the Ad film “Aaru Mudhal ettu vaarangalil sigapalagu!” he he… In 6- 8 weeks you get fairer using Fair & Lovely.
Courtesy – Fair and Lovely – You look gorgeous. Happy now !
Years back, I worked in a English film with lead actors and technicians from U.S. When they were shooting in Himalayas, the make up artist from U.S, realized the items used in Indian Cinema to do make up are of poor quality and is not advisable for the skin. I believe now a days, it has improved a lot.
I have seen girls who try to over do their natural beauty spoiling whats actually existing and they don’t really know that. I hope we grow up to admire beauty as it is and for Wedding, bridal make up is fine and but needs a natural flavor.
Few days back one of my friend had been to Singapore and got us chocolates. This guy who got married made paper dolls with the chocolate paper. I wanted to take Photo. I asked him who is the bride. He said its the one in Red and she Shines !
Indian wedding – My friend made this with chocolate paper – Bride is in Red
One of my friends Son was very cute and started to cry once we got down the stage. It seems gift was not given to him but the bride. He cried so much that one of my friend gave the gift kept on stage. He was happy but we didn’t know how to get it back from him. Me and my friend took him to shop and got chocolates. Then too he was not convinced and cried like anything. I felt painful to see the child cry.
After everyone went, I wanted to go to Marudhamalai. I went last week only but again felt like going. I basically like to walk and so I climbed the steps. I took some photos with mobile but not really satisfied with the result. It was crowded. So I didn’t go to the main sannidhi of Lord Murugan. I am satisfied with the Ancient Moolavar Sannidhi, had darshan of Murugan, Valli, Dhaivanai and went to Saptha kanni temple. I like the way they decorate Saptha Kanni with flowers. Some priests here are doing it very beautifully these days.
Then Went to Pampatti Sidhar Cave and walked back down the steps. I prayed Murugan to show me a way as am confused what’s good for me.
When Murugan wishes to marry Valli, Ganesha takes the form of elephant and chases her to a Cave in Thiruchendur where she finds Murugan
We went to Shirdi in 1905
I came home and slept. Again in the evening I went to Nagasai mandhir and meditated sitting in Dwarakamai for few minutes. Really felt the presence of Sai in my heart. I imagined that me and all in our family are going to Shirdi in 1905. I imagined how we took the Horse ride from Kopergoan, refreshed in Godavari River on the way and reached Shirdi. We saw Saibaba and bowed to him. My Mom offered him tasty foods she cooked for Sai.
We stayed in Shirdi for 30 days and had beautiful experiences everyday. When I meditate, I could imagine this way and can also feel Sai really blesses me with Vision. I love the Shirdi during Saibaba’s lifetime.
You too must try such imagination closing your eyes .
There are so many people who come to StarSai and I think my life is like Open Source software, everyone comes, reads and goes..he he…some devotees mail me and some are silently reading and after many years they will write me.
Its painful at times when Sai still likes to keep me waiting.
Yesterday, When I was really depressed and praying saibaba looking at the holy fire in Dhuni, a Mother came with her mentally retarded son. He touched me and I felt, I must do something to motivate and inspire people who are depressed. Think about the worries of parents who have children with autism and other such problems.
There are youngsters who loose the right path in life due to depression and other issues. I am planning a concept since long to make people send ecards with inspiring messages. I shall work on it in the days to come.
Baba, please show me a way
Am really pained these days.
Love,
Venkat
16/10/2013
You can read my previous article about Marudhamalai Murugan Temple
A walk in the rain to the God who lives in me – Marudhamalai Murugan Temple
dear sai venkatji
today is not simple Kerala rice harvest festival like pongal.
TODAY SREE MAHABALI (MAHAVISHNU ) COMES TO THE HOUSES OF ALL DEVOTEES SIMULTANEOUSLY LIKE SREE PADA SREE VALLABHA’s appearance simultaneously on a diwali day to many houses at the same time.
sree mahabali shall remove our ego and arrogance by keeping HIS LOTUS FEET on our heads and shall BLESS US forever.
rajkumar
dear sai venkatji
As a tamil, i learnt later on, that SREE MAHABALI was the grandson of brahma Gnani sree Prahladar who is close to the lord.
hence, sree mahabali eventhough an asura king, was too close to lord and hence the sweetest devotee of lord and he himself could be called the lord himself.
during vamana avatar, the lord kept two LOTUS FEET ON BHOOMI DEVI AND AKASH AND THE THIRD ON MAHABALI’S HEAD and conquered him.
we too are blessed by the lord on listening to the story.
Every time I come to starsai, i think about u and pray to the almighty that you should be relieved of your pain in the mind and become happy to serve us better.
rajkumar