Mahatma Gandhi In Jabalpur.

      Mahatma Gandhi's longest and most important stay in Jabalpur was in 1933 at the "Beohar Palace" of Beohar Rajendra Simha. Bapu was accompanied by Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan,Ravishankar Shukla, Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari, Khurshed Nariman, Abul Kalam Azad, Jamnalal Bajaj, Dr Syed Mahmud, Mahadev Desai, etc., and a meeting of AICC/CWC was held at the "Beohar Palace" 

                                     

                                 An important landmark event was the holding of the Tripuri Congress session in 1939 that was presided over by Subhash Chandra Bose. Politically under Lokmanya Tilak's direction, Jhanda Satyagraha was launched with success, Mahatma Gandhi visited 4 times and famous Congress session was held at 'Vishnudatt Shukla Nagar' at TilwaraGhat (near Jabalpur) in 1939 when Subhash Chandra Bose was elected the Congress President against the wishes of Mahatma Gandhi. A memorial Kamania gate was erected in city.

      Like any other city, Jabalpur also mourned Mahatma Gandhi's mytyrdom in 1948. Because of Bapu's strong linkages with Jabalpur and a very special love for it, his mortal remains were brought to the city. After going through the entire city, the urn containing Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were immersed in holy river Narmada by Pt. R.S. Shukla, Beohar Rajendra Simha, Seth Govindas and others on 12 February 1948 in TilwaraGhat where a massive unprecedented condolence meeting was held and addressed by these national leaders, great freedom-fighters and Gandhian-philosopher from Jabalpur.

Superstitions

                           Why do people follow such stupid type of customs? Why are people so superstitious? Recently I read a news about such a custom. 

                          As part of a ritual in a temple in Maharashtra's Jalna town , children were hurled from a height of 40ft, in the belief that it would enhance the kids physical health and stamina. The temples in Jalna town have witnessed the tradition of hurling young children for two centuries. The ritual is carried out by the temple priest, who throws the child, to land safely in the hands of devotees waiting underneath, holding a cloth. Thousands of devotees witnessed the ritual in the Navratri festival. 

                           Now, what do you say? Is such a custom relevant in todays scientific world? On one hand we say that we are modern people and on the other hand we follow such superstitions.! Not one person among the thousands witnessing said anything or tried to raise voice against it .

                          We all believe in superstitions.  In nearly every brain is found some cloud of superstition.When it comes to India everything is possible.

Superstitions were born with an aim to protect and are based on sound reasoning. But such superstitions that are not based on reason or knowledge should be abolished. It is up to the government to put an end to such rituals being held publicly .

Jabalpur, during the Independence Movement of 1857.

                   In Jubbulpore (Jabalpur), the first sparks for struggle for Indian independence from the British Raj were lit by Gadadhar Tiwari on 16 June 1857 when he opened fire on his European superiors. He was later blown publicly from the mouth of a canon. His supreme sacrifice did not go waste as the movement caught momemtum in the region but was short lived. 
                  It broiled for more than four months during which the British were petrified, became extremely vulnerable and dreaded the worst. They ran out not only of support but also of supplies and were besieged in their own citadels. They survived only because a local banker/merchant came to their rescue which bought them time for reinforcements to arrive. 
                  The 1857 struggle was locally spearheaded by gond Raja Shankar Sahi and his son Yuvraj Raghunath Sahi who were later arrested and detained in a jail which still exists near DRM office. The movement culminated tragically following martyrdom of Raja Shankar Sahi and Yuvraj Raghunath Sahi from the mouth of a canon on 18 September at the very spot where Lady Elgin Hospital now stands. 
                 Subsequently, their supporters and masterminds Jagat Singh Rajput, Beohar Aman Simha, Ganga Mishra, Sooraj Prasad and others went underground and never surfaced. Their estates and assets were confiscated.

In Search Of New Ideas

                            One of the most famous Brands says,"An Idea can change your life"

                           Our minds are like bank accounts which keeps depositing good ideas, positive thoughts and pleasant experiences. Our minds are thought-factories and can produce either positive or negative thoughts. Ideas are our raw materials to develop and grow.

                           All the famous business concerns today have a panel of experts whose main work is to generate new ideas and promote their products. They do this to survive in todays growing world of competition. We daily face new challenges in life and these challenges can be confronted by creating awareness among ourselves. 

                            We should be  always creative because creativity leads to the generation of new ideas. If new ideas are not created we would easily get bored. This will affect our progress and development. 

                           We often get bored in our daily life doing the same things again and again. Therefore we should think up new ideas to brighten our lives. This search of new ideas should be a never ending process, than only we can get success in life.

India vs Australia 2nd test .A Quick Review.

                    India beat Australia today to win the second test by 7 wickets. This was a clean sweep by India as they already had the 1st test up their sleeves. It was a team effort as said by Sachin Tendulkar,who was also the hero of the match.
                    It was a tremendous effort  by Sachin , making 214 runs in the 1st innings and 53 not out in the 2nd innings,which also won him the man of the match and man of the series award.
                   But we should also not forget the efforts made by Murali Vijay who made 139 & 37 runs in the 1st & 2nd innings resp. A beautiful maiden century made by him.Their was also Pujara who made a nice 72 runs in the 2nd innings. Besides Sachin, these two fellows ,M.Vijay and Pujara were at their best. They are new but played well.They should be given more chances. Others did not make much differences, although their contribution was also counted.
                    The Bowlers also did well. Harbhajan and  Pragyan Ojha did a nice job getting 6 wickets each in both the innings. Not to forget Zaheer Khan and Sreesanth , who took a total 4 & 2 wickets resp. Together these four bowlers kept Australia on the back foot.
                    Also a nice captaincy on part of M.S.Dhoni , who guided his team efficiently throughout the series.
                  And overall once again , a great effort by Sachin Tendulkar, crossing 14000 runs , making a Double, and also highest runs 267 in this test. It was simply superb. I must say that he is indeed like an old wine getting better and better day by day.
                  HATS OFF TO SACHIN TENDULKAR.
                            

The Essence Of Trust.

A little girl and her father were crossing a bridge.
The father was kind of scared so he asked his little daughter:
"Sweetheart, please hold my hand so that you don't fall into the river." The little girl said:
"No, Dad. You hold my hand."
"What's the difference?" Asked the puzzled father.

"There's a big difference," replied the little girl.
"If I hold your hand and something happens to me, chances are that I may let your hand go. But if you hold my hand, I know for sure that no matter what happens, you will never let my hand go."

In any relationship, the essence of trust is not in its bind, but in its bond. So hold the hand of the person whom you love rather than expecting them to hold yours... 

MY JABALPUR

Balancing Rock



Jabalpur is  famous for eroded volcanic rock formations called as Balancing Rocks of Jabalpur. This rock is situated near the base of Madan Mahal Fort, in Deotal in a place called Shailparna.It has one rock balancing on the other with just a human finger's space between the two.This monolith even survived a major earthquake in the city and did not even budge from its place.


Chausath-Yogini (Sixty Four female Yogis)
                  Situated atop a hill rock and approached by a long flight of steps,the Chausath-Yogini Temple commands a singularly beautiful view of the Narmada flowing through the jagged gorge of Marble Rocks in Bhedaghat. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this 10th century temple has exquisitely carved stone figures of deities belonging to the Kalchuri period. According to a local legend, this ancient temple is connected to the Gond Queen Durgavati's palace through an underground passage.


LamhetaGhat.
          The holy location is few kilometers upstream of the Marble Rocks which is accessible from the Dhuadhar Waterfall as well as Tilwara-Medical bypass. It is said that last rites performed here has same significance as at Gaya. There is also a shani kund, extremely beneficial to those affected by Shani-Dev. Most importantly, there are several beautiful and historic temples constructed by the Beohar dynasty between 16-18th century. The entire temple complex, housing about 6-7 temples and a dharmshala on the banks of Narmada, is collectively referred-to as "Shankarji Maharaj Mandir Parisar" 


MadanMahal  Fort

                  Built by the Gond ruler Maharaja Madan Sahi, in 1116 atop a rocky hill, the fort dominates the skyline and provides a panoramic view of the town and the country side around it. 
                   It rises to an approximate height of 500 meters above the ground and was once the Pleasure Palace of Raja Madan Shah, the son of Rani Durgavati.
                    Queen Durgavati had used it as a Watch tower and the architecturally designed rooms in front of the main structure were probably used to house the military troops of the rulers who lived here.

The Navratri Festival.

          The Navratri commences on the first day (pratipada) of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Ashwin. The festival is celebrated for nine nights once every year during the beginning of October, although as the dates of the festival are determined according to the lunar calendar, the festival may be held for a day more or a day less.

        Hindu festival of worship of Shakti and dance & festivities. The word Navaratri literally means nine nights in Sanskrit,nava meaning nine and ratri meaning nights. During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakti/Devi is worshiped.They are:-

1.  Shailaputri.

2.  Brahmacharini

3.  Chandraghanta

4.  Kushmanda

5.  Skandamata

6.  Kaatyayani

7.  Kaalratri

8.  Mahagauri

9.  Siddhidaatri

                    Millions of Hindu women consider Navaratri each year's primary festival, the one they can most deeply connect to. Many see it as a way to commune with their own feminine divinity. A widespread practice honors the Goddess in every woman by inviting young girls to the family's home, feeding them and offering new clothes. Navaratri is a time to present to the Goddess our silent requests.We pray morning and evening, the women fast.

                 On the tenth day, Vijayadashami, the festival culminates in the triumph of the Goddesses over the demon Mahishasura.

                At the end of the celebration, in all Her glory, the exquisitely crafted Durga murti, with countless adornments, is taken to a river, where it is immersed.It is said that this final ritual returns the Goddess to Her eternal home in the Himalayas--until next year's Durga Puja.

              

BHEDAGHAT

             
Marble Rocks


      This small village of Jabalpur district situated on the banks of river Narmada and widely famous for its marble rocks is at a distance about 25 km from Jabalpur by road.  Soaring in glittering splendour, the marble rocks at Bhedaghat rise to a hundred feet on either side of the Narmada. The serene loveliness of the scene is one of cool quiet, the sunlight sparkling on the marble-white pinnacles and casting dappled shadows on the pellucid waters. The area serves as a source of marble, the marble statues and sculptures made by local sculptors are famous throughout the country.






Dhuandhar

      The famous waterfall is located just 25 km from Jabalpur. The Narmada making its way through the Marble Rock's narrows down and then plunges in a waterfall known as Dhuandhar or the smoke casade. So powerful is the plunge that its roar is heard from a far distance. The falls and the breaking of the volume of water at the crest present an awesome spectacle of Nature's power unleashed.

This Is How They Make TEA.

                   I have always hated unauthorized vendors. Their is reason to it,because I have seen them making different items, mixing all sorts of duplicate things I don't know what.
                  This incident which I'm telling you happened a few months back, when I was on an official tour to Allahabad.Their is a small station near Allahabad named Iradatganj. Since I had some spare time, I along with my colleagues,just wandered to a tea-stall out of the station. As we were having tea, we saw two boys,about 15-16yrs old,making tea to sell on train.
                  They had put a large kettlee on a stove,filled with water. They added half a kg sugar to it. Then they took a mug and half filled it with water. One of the boy took out a small pouch from his pocket, opened it and added colour powder into the mug, mixed it well and poured it into the kettlee. This brought colour to the tea. Then one of them took out a white coloured  paste(chemical solution) from his pocket, and added it into the mug, half filled with water and then mixing it well poured it into the kettlee. This represented the milk but was not. Now the kettlee-full of tea was ready to be sold on train.
                  So this is how they made tea. They were selling poison in the form of tea. If you happened to go to Allahabad you could yourself see them selling tea. And they are not one or two, but dozens of them. So my advice to you is not to drink tea from an unauthorized vendor.

Good Bye to Rainy Season.

                  Well, today is 1st October,which is the starting of winter season and time to say good bye to rainy season. This year it rained 59inches in my city,Jabalpur. It was good compared to last year,which was only 46.80inches.All the water tanks such as khandari tank, Pariat tank, etc and the Bargi Dam are full. Seeing the rain it is being expected that winter will be much cold this year. Nights are already getting cold day by day, although it is still hot during day.