Online way to celebrate Vinayaka Chaturthi

Vinayaka or Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival celebrating the birthday of the elephant-headed Lord Ganesha. It begins on the fourth day of Bhadrapada, which is usually sometime in August or September, and lasts eleven days. This Year festival is being celebrated on 23 August.
Lord Ganesha was created by Goddess Parvati who needed protection while her husband, Lord Shiva was away. She made young Ganesha guard her house. Upon his return Shiva was denied entrance by the boy who didn't realize their relation. In his anger Shiva struck off his head. Parvati broke down in sorrow and in order to soothe her, Shiva ordered men to bring a head of the first creature they encounter. They came back with an elephant's head which was attached to the boy's body and Shiva bestowed powers of a God upon him.
Traditionally clay figures of Ganesha are made for worship and later immersed into the water. Sweets (ladoos) are distributed, milk offered to the idols of the Lord, people pray and feast. It's time to worship and surrender to Lord Ganesha.
To perform onling puja to Ganesha Click: http://www.jaishreeganesha.com
Wish You Happy Ganesh Chaturthi.

How to be cholesterol smart

Understanding the good and the bad cholesterol will help maintain a healthy heart. This is what I understood after getting my general health checkup recently.

Cholesterol is a waxy substance present throughout the body, and is involved in the production of hormones, Vitamin D, and the bile acids used for digestion. When present in excessive amounts, it can injure blood vessels, which may eventually cause heat attacks and stroke. Our body gets cholesterol in two ways: by producing the substance organically, and through the food we eat. The body makes enough of the stuff on its own, so most of the cholesterol we eat is excessive. This is why, if we are at risk of heart disease or have high cholesterol levels in our blood, it is vitally important to cut out the “unnecessary” cholesterol from our diet. Just like oil and water, cholesterol and blood do not mix, it must be “chauffeured” to and from the cells by carriers called lipoproteins. There are two types of lipoprotein: low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is known as “bad” cholesterol. High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is known as “good” cholesterol. Too much LDL-cholesterol in the blood can lead to cholesterol build up in the arteries. FAQs on cholestrol: http://healthy-india.org/preventheart4.asp
Controlling our cholesterol is possible. First it is important for us to have our cholesterol tested. Whatever our blood cholesterol level, we can make changes to help lower it or keep it low and reduce our risk for heart disease. I am using Green Tea [without sugar and milk] , Raw Vegitable juice and Almond Nuts. I have changed simple walk to brisk walk in the morning and increased the duration. I now find myself physically active and healthy.

Loksatta Timely Help To Fire Victims

Political parties with their leaders generally make their appearance at the spot of good & bad happenings, just to receive media attention. But for Loksatta -the newly emerged political party in Andhra Pradesh, India led by Dr Jayaprakash Narain it is a different approach. It was surprising to see this party workers going round in our locality even after elections were over, to show their concern to the fire victims to collect donations in cash and kind. Recently dozens of thatched houses in a slum near our locality [Gudimalkapur-Mehdipatnam] were destroyed in a fire. The fire that broke out in one of the houses during mid-night immediately spread to adjoining houses rendering the poor people loosing their houses and belongings in the fire though the fire tenders rushed to the spot and doused the flames. We came to know about this only when the Loksatta volunteers knocked our doors for some help to the fire victims. We have offered our contributions in kind. What touched us more is that the service minded political party jumped into action to collect contributions and give some relief to the victims instead of making a name-sake-visit to the spot. We congratulated the yeoman service of Loksatta and wish to be emulated by others. Click here http://www.suryanarayana.com/media/Vaartha7Jun2009.pdf to read the Vaartha Telugu Newspaper coverage with photo as appended in this blog.

Web Judge

I have recently got an opportunity to be web judge for Rotary International District 5300 [ covering portion of Los Angeles, Angeles National Forest,Santa Ana Freeway,Orange County, San Bernardino County etc., serving 61 clubs and about 3000 members] who appointed me to help judge the Rotary District 5300 Club Website Competition. I was advised to browse 16 Clubs websites keeping in view of the competition rules. An Excel spreadsheet was provided to rank and score our ratings on (1) Home Page information [ fast load speed, identifiability as Rotary Website, link to RI and District websites, club meeting info] (2) Effective communication tools applied [ whether website is current & update, club bulletin online, members director] and [3] General appearance and overall effectiveness of the websites [ graphics usage, easy navigation system, maintaining single design through the site, unique features of site and bonus point]. My scores were taken into consideration for the outstanding website awards which were presented in the recently held District Conference to the Rotary Club of Pasadena Sunrise http://www.pasadenasunriserotary.org ; RC Moapa Valley http://moapavalleyrotary.com and RC Las Vegas http://www.lasvegasrotary.com

I thank Rtn.Chris Datwyler, Webmaster & District Governor Rtn Eugene J. Hernandez, Rotary District 5300 for this best opportunity.

In a new role in Rotary

Rotaract is a Rotary-sponsored service club for young men and women ages 18 to 30. Rotaract clubs are either community or university based, and they’re sponsored by a local Rotary club. This makes them true "partners in service" and key members of the family of Rotary. As one of Rotary’s most significant and fastest-growing service programs, with more than 7,000 clubs in about 163 countries and geographical areas, Rotaract has become a worldwide phenomenon. Our Rotary District 3150 [comprising 78 Rotary Clubs in Andhra Pradesh, India] has 32 sponsored Rotaract Clubs with 722 Members. The sponsored Rotary Clubs guide and support the Rotaract Clubs while the District designate few Rotary Members to compliment their efforts. I am happy to inform that I have been designated as Rotaract District Trainer for the year 2009-10 Rotary year with a responsibility to guide and oversee necessary training requirments for the young Members of all the 32 Rotaract Clubs. To start with, I am required to associate with the Rotaract District Assembly that has been scheduled to be held in Hyderabad on 7th June, 2009 to equip and energize the Rotaract Leaders to take-off with the new vigor for ensuing Rotaract year commencing from July 1.

Tuneful tribute to Annamacharya - Singers set Guinness Record

For one and a half hours, more than one and a half lakh professional singers and amateurs sang the Annamacharya Kirthanas in one voice in Hyderabad on 10th May to mark the Telugu saint-poet Thallapaka Annamacharya's 602 birth anniversary. It is not lakhs of people who attended the programme that alone enjoyed the evening but also several lakhs of TV viewers including me. When I went to the venue to register my name and collect a book & CD of all seven sankirtans, I could see from the afternoon itself, people started pouring into the Parade grounds, the venue of this mega event. A festive atmosphere prevailed in and around the venue with many children and youngsters with traditional costume and some are seen dressed up as composer-singer Annamayya and Lord Sri Venkateswara. The stage was decked up beautifully to suit the occasion and Vedic pandits from Tirumala Tirupathi Devastanam also participated in this programme named as Laksha Gala Sankirthanarchana (one lakh voices singing Annamacharya Sankirtanas).
At about 6-20 pm all the participants seen reciting the sankeertanas simultaneously along with noted singer Garimella Balakrishna Prasad, who rendered the sankeertanas from the podium. The participants followed suit by clapping their hands and thighs. Starting with the noted Bhaavamulona, Bahyamunandunu Govinda, the musicians and singers rendered Brahma Kadigina Padamu, Entamatramuna Evvaru Thalachina, Podugantimayya mimmu, Kondalalo Nelakonna Koneti Rayudu Vaadu , Narayante Namo Namo and concluded the extravagnaza with Muddugare yashoda. In the process of reciting these sankeertanas, the participants set a new Guinness Book of World record surpassing a 72-year-old record set in Germany by a choir of 60,000 in 1937. The record was announced and a Certificate was presented by Guinness Book of World Records representative and adjudicator for the programme, Mr.Raymond Marshall amidst huge roar of applause from the audience. Mr. Raymond Marshal admitted that he had not seen such a performance, which he said was a treat to the eye and the ears.
The programme was organised by SiliconAndhra, a voluntary organisation in association with Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), the Andhra Pradesh state cultural council. Silicon Andhra is a non-profit, non-political, cultural and community organization based in the Silicon Valley (Bay Area), California, USA started its preparations in December last year for this spiritual musical event involving mass recital. This is second time Silicon Andhara entered Guinness Book of World records. The first record was in June 2008, when it has organized a Largest Kuchipudi Dance performed in California by 328 Kuchipudi dancers came from all over the world. SiliconAndhra's President Mr. Kuchibotla Anand and his band of volunteers must be congratulated for selecting Hyderabad as its venue and all their efforts to make a well structured mega event successful right in the Capital of Andhra Pradesh. The photos of this event and kirteenas in MP3 are available on http://www.siliconandhra.org What best I found in this event was that people came on their own, maintained utter discipline and participated enthusiastically. For several weeks they had been practicing the seven sankirtans prior to their lending voice. More than creating a record, participants sheer passion for Annamacharya brought the them to the venue who enjoyed the evening in a devotional bliss. It was indeed a exceptional experience for every one of us. Annamacharya Anniversary is being observed year after year and a postal stamp was released in his honor in 2004. But this Annamacharya Lakshagala Sankirtana has proved that Sisurvetti, Pasurvetti, Vetti Gaanarasam Phanihi (From children to animals to snakes, music enthralls all).
I admire any event of this sort with innovative ideas as it would certainly help in propagation of Telugu culture across the world.

A visit to Basara Temple

India is “The Land of Temples”. Almost every temple in India has its unique legend telling a fascinating story about its existence. Amongst such numerous legendary temples in India, the temple of Gnana Saraswati at Basara in Adilabad District in Andhra Pradesh holds a prominent place. Basara Saraswathi Temple is one among the two temples of this Goddess in India. The other is in Kashmir. Basar is a village situated on the banks of river Godavari; the serene and pious nature attracts everyone. Basara temple is surrounded with beautiful gardens amidst the dry and barren patches of the north Telangana region, 30-km from Nizamabad. Basar is situated on the banks of River Godavari. It is located at a distance of about 220-km by road and 190-km by rail from Hyderabad. I have accompanied few of my friends of Rotary Club, Rtn. Siva Kumar, Rtn Prabhakar and Rtn. Ravindranath for a brief visit to Basara after an all day District Event of Rotary Club held in Nizamabad on Sunday, the May 3. Devi Navarathrulu is celebrated for ten days during Dasara Festival in Basara Since Maharishi Vyasa spent considerable time in prayers, the place was then called "Vasara" and turned into Basara due to the influence of the Marathi language in the region. Built at the confluence of the rivers Mangira and Godavari this temple is adorned by the goddess of knowledge and wisdom. The presiding deity, 'Gnana Saraswati Devi', is in a seated position with a 'Veena' in hand and bedecked with turmeric. Adjacent is the shrine of Goddess Maha Lakshmi and a little distance away, on the eastern side is the Maha Kali temple. This temple has no exquisite carvings like other temples. Walking ahead a few steps, one enters the sanctum sanctorum - a feeling better experienced than described. A feeling of peace, brightness and unlimited joy engulfs one.
Temple speciality: Devotees stream the temple for the ritual of ‘Akshara Abhyasam’ of their children -the formal starting of education deeming it to be auspicious with the blessings of the Goddess of Knowledge. 'Akshara Gnana' is a special ritual before commencing formal school education wherein the child is given little bit of turmeric paste to taste, believing that it will clear his/her vocal chords for better learning. The Goddess answers all the prayers of the committed devotees, filling their life with bliss and happiness. Basara Aksharabyas can be done by just taking a new slate or notebook wherein the poojari will bless the child by writing the sacred "Om" on it. "Postal Aksharabhyasam" Scheme is in association with the Indian Postal Services is also available. After paying necessary fee in a Post office, Basara Temple will perform pooja on the child's name and send a Magic Slate, Kum Kum, Turmeric, Misri, and Kankanam ( Sacred Thread).
Well, our trip to Basara did make us feel blessed and was spiritual indeed. I would say staying at Basara for atleast one night (as is usually done by devotees) brings more happyness. Staying at Punnami Guest House of Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation or Devasthanam Choultry will be the best options to make the visit a pleasant one rather than just taking a snap trip from Nizamabad and visiting the temple for a quick darshan as we did. A shrine one must visit in one’s lifetime; the abode of Goddess of learning and knowledge is the BASARA.

Resources: Log on www.basaratemple.org to find more info about Basara and listen to:
Saraswathi Namasthubyam,
Varadey Kaamarupinee!
Vidhyarambham Karishyami,
Sidhir bhavathu mey sada !
Oh ! Goddess, Saraswathi, my humble prostrations unto Thee, who are the fulfiller of all my wishes. I start my studies with the request that thou will bestow Thy blessings on me.

A Day to Celebrate Earth

Earth Day is the largest, most widely celebrated international environmental event. Earth Day helps celebrate Earth’s unique place in the universe. It is the only planet in our solar system teeming with incredible biodiversity. Learning about and protecting this biodiversity is what Earth Day is all about. People all over the world celebrate our efforts to protect plants and animals and to clean up the world we live in. Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd each year. Why Celebrate Earth Day? Earth Day reminds us we all share the same planet. Sharing Earth means taking responsibility for what we use and how we use it. It is a day to think of the environmental challenges we face and how to solve them. Protecting Earth is every person’s and every country’s responsibility. Top 10 Ways To Celebrate Earth Day Earth Day is a time to celebrate the gains we have made in protecting the environment, but also a time to reflect and ask, "How can we do more?".

1. Educate Yourself. 2. Create Awareness. 3. Adopt Recycling. 4. Vote for politicians who share the same Green values as you. 5. Drive less by walking, cycling, using public transportation and car pooling. 6. Use Fuel Efficient Vehicles. 7. Use Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs). 8. Reduce your energy consumption 9. Turn Them Off lights, computers, TVs and other appliances when not using them. 10. Water Conservation.
Help the environment and help yourself through the actions mentioned above.

Circus, Then & Now

All eyes are glued to the main stage, as tightrope walkers, fire jugglers, trapeze artistes and clowns take turns to alternately amuse, beguile and amaze us, occasionally take our breath away too. A girl in a glittering bodysuit perched on an elephant's trunk enters to an enthusiastic applause. She proceeds to do a trapeze act, holding on to a ring hanging from its trunk, while the elephant, height increased by perching on a precarious platform, rotates counter clockwise. Seems like hard work, especially for the elephant, but it's all in a day's routine. Thunderous claps follow as the glittering lights are turned off and on to present the grand stage of the Circus feats created with high standards of performance and presentation. Despite a drop in patronage, circus still remains vibrant and continues to allure elders and children alike. I could see this when I went to enjoy the "New Golden Circus" one among the three circuses currently touring in Kukatpally & Attapur areas in Hyderabad.

In earlier days, circus used to evince a lot of interest among the public. People thronged the venue to have a glimpse of trained animals they might have heard or seen on papers. But after the Government's blanket ban on using wild animals in circus [Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, Wildlife Protection Act, and Performing Animals (Registration) Rules] the turn out of spectators has come down considerably. But with the ban that was put in place years ago on the exhibition of wild animals, the aura associated with circus has faded away . Animals were the backbone of the circus. In the absence of the tigers and lions, it's the elephant, horses, dogs and birds that are performing mesmerizing acts to entertain the audience.
The two-and- half-hour show is packed with 26 items when 50-odd artistes put the show together to entertain their patrons, performing such daredevil acrobatics, balancing and coordinated acts, it leaves us all wide-eyed and in awe. As an ardent admirer right from my childhood, I have so far witnessed more than 25 Circus shows. I must say Circus is the first and may be the last real show business that has the ability to put people on the edge of the seat, with its awe-inspiring daredevil feats.No matter what kind of new forms of entertainment come and go, circus still remains vibrant and continues to allure elders and children alike, though at a lesser level of patronage now than before.

New Year In Different Parts Of India & World

I have been searching to know about Tamil & Malayalam New Year Day [14 April] and then Greet my friends. I came across a website http://www.newyearfestival.com Different regions in India follow different cultures and so the New Year traditions also vary. Every Indian state has its own history behind the New Year celebrations. People in various parts of the country celebrate New Year as per their traditional calender. One can see vibrant colors and distinctive features of these celebrations. This website portrays New Year Resolutions, New Year Calendar, New Year by Religions. This web portal also has a section to provide New Year Special, New Year Messages, New Year Wishes, New Year SMS, New Year Recipes, New Year Quotes, New Year Poems, New Year Songs, New Year Prayers, New Year Symbols, New Year Parades etc.,
One more specialty is "New Year Around the World" with interesting details as to how & why various countries around the world celebrate their New Year's Day in different times of the year. The Society for the Confluence of Festivals in India (SCFI), Nioda, India team must be commended for this excellent idea and maintenance of this site to place every thing about New Year. It is worth visiting http://www.newyearfestival.com