Shraadh: Hindus pray for ancestors' salvation

           Allahabad: The Hindus from all over the country flocked to Allahabad to take bath in the Ganga and pray for the salvation of their ancestors here today. The occasion was 'Shraadh Paksha', a ritual for the dead. 'Shraadh Paksha', the 15-day Hindu ritual, began on September 25. Many Hindus perform 'Pind Daan' or 'Shraadh,' believing this will relieve their ancestors of all sins and help their souls attain salvation. Onkar Prasad Tiwari, a devotee said, "I got my head shaved, and after the holy dip I performed rituals. This will give peace to the souls of my ancestors and also to me." Many Hindus believe in reincarnation. It is believed that a body changes with every birth but the soul remains the same. The Hindu philosophy says this cycle can be broken and the soul can be put to rest forever by performing Shraadh.

         "It is written in our religious books that a man should do 'Shraadh' for his dead father and mother so that their spirits can achieve salvation. This is the religious duty of a son," said Kanhaiya Lal Sharma, a devotee from Jaipur. Devotees also offered cots, food, utensils and clothes to the priests. People later took dip in the Phalgu river before offering rice and flowers in gratitude to their ancestors. "People first take bath in the Phalgu river and then offer water to the spirit of the dead ancestor. Then they perform 'Pind Daan' or 'Shraadh'. (It is believed that) the spirit will receive salvation if we will perform this," said Kishanlal Barik, a priest. September 26, 2007

Guru Nanak's death anniversary from Sept 20

          Lahore: The ceremony to observe the 468th death anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev will start on September 20 at Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Kirtarpur. Kirtarpur is about 16 km from Narowal, where he is believed to be resting. Sikhs from all over the world will attend the religious rites at Guru Nana's grave on September 22. Both Sikhs and Muslims respect Guru Nanak Dev as their religious leader, and it is believed that after his death a controversy cropped up regarding his funeral. Sikhs wanted to pay him last respects according to their religious rites while Muslims wanted to conduct his funeral according to Islamic traditions. Later, Muslims constructed a grave while Sikhs built a smahdhi at the site now housed by Gurdwara Darbar Sahib. Sikh traditions state that at the age of 30, Guru Nanak went missing and was presumed to have drowned after going for one of his morning baths to a local stream called the Kali Bein or the Humber Bain. Three days later, he resurfaced and gave the same answer to question posed to him: "There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim". It was from this moment that Nanak began to spread the teachings of what was then the beginning of Sikhism. Though Sikhs considered him as their Guru, some Muslims equally respected him as their religious leader during his lifetime as his preachings were very close to Islamic thoughts. In 1504, Guru Nanak decided to stay at a place now Kirtarpur village on western bank of river Ravi near Jassar, some 60 kilometres away from Amritsar and some 36 kilometres from Batala. During his last days, Guru Nanak appointed one of his followers, Guru Angad Dev as his successor on Sept 7, 1539. Guru Nanak died on Sept 22, 1539 at the age of 69.

          According to the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) over 1,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims have applied for visa to visit Pakistan. It said 500 visas had been issued to the SGPC, 300 to Delhi Gurdwara Management Committee and a few to other organisations, including the Bhai Mardana Society and the Kar Sewa Committee. They said all applicants had been issued visa by the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi without any difficulty from. The celebrations will start on September 20 with a Akand Path Sahib (reading from the Holy Guru Granth Sahib) and will end on September 22 with the distribution of sweets among the pilgrims. Pakistan Government sources said that necessary arrangements have already been made to facilitate visiting Sikh pilgrims from around the world, including those from Britain, Canada, the US, Malaysia and Dubai. Sikh pilgrims are also expected to visit the Sucha Sauda, Panja Sahib, Dera Sahib and other gurudwaras. Guru Nanak was born in 1469 in Talwandi, a village in Sheikhupura, now known as Nankana Sahib. As a boy he learnt regional languages, Persian and Arabic. The year 1496 is considered the year of his enlightenment when he began his mission. Guru Nanak began his missionary tours with a low caste Muslim, Mardana, and rendered help to the weak and spread his message against caste system and idol worship. He spent twenty-five years promoting his message of universal brotherhood and peace. His basic message was remember God, share with the needy and earn livelihood by honest means. Guru Nanak died at Katarpur Sahib, a village between Shakargarh and Narowal in 1539, where a Gurdawara was built.
September 18, 2007

'Ramadan' begins as moon is sighted

          New Delhi/ Srinagar/Mumbai: The Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan began on Friday as the new moon was sighted. The Muslims do not take food or water from dawn to dusk during the Ramadan month. They also devote their time to worship and the studying of the Quran. They eat a pre-dawn meal, called Sehri and at the end of the day called Iftar (break of fast). Scores of devotees thronged the Jama Masjid in New Delhi at dawn to offer their prayers. "We will offer Taravih (midnight prayers), we will observe a fast, we will have Sehri and Iftar during the whole month. These fasts are observed for Allah. We will not eat or drink anything for him. We will not see and hear anything wrong during this month" said Ahmed, a devout. In Mumbai too, devotees thronged markets and mosques to mark the first day of Ramadan. Meanwhile, Muslims in Kashmir prayed for the return of peace and prosperity to the region. Markets in Srinagar were abuzz with activity, as hordes of people thronged shops selling dry fruits and nuts, which are consumed during the fasting period. Khursheed Ahmed, a devotee said: "I have come here for the preparations of Ramadan, to buy dates and do some other shopping. This is a month of barkat. We pray to god for peace and prosperity of Kashmir." People buy supplies of meat and vegetables to make huge feasts traditionally prepared to break each day's fast at sunset. Shopkeepers say the month brings good business to them. "We have lots of expectation from this month as this is a month of rehmat and barkat. We have good business in this month, demand of dates rise during this month," said Noor U-ddin, a shopkeeper. The new moon, which ushers in the month of Shawal that follows Ramadan, marks the end of these activities. Meanwhile, shops in Karachi, Pakistan were busy stocking up meat and vegetables to make the huge feasts. Confectioners were busy preparing oriental delicacies such as "Khajla" and "Pheni", small pancakes and vermicelli soaked in milk with sugar. More than one billion Muslims across the world are expected to observe the holy month, which ends with the festival of Idul Fitr. Muslims are also required to refrain from indecent acts and improper thoughts, nor may they make offensive gestures or unkind words during the period. They seek the blessing of Almighty for peace and prosperity of the Islamic Ummah (the nation of the believers) on the occasion and give alms to the needy.
September 14, 2007

Guru Granth Sahib: Sikhs take out procession

          Amritsar: The Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) led a massive procession here on Saturday to mark the 403rd year of the installation of the Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib. Attired in colourful traditional robes and chanting religious hymns, the devotees participated in the procession that culminated at the Harmandir Sahib in the Golden Temple premises. "To celebrate the occasion, we have taken out a procession from the Ram Sar Gurudwara, which will culminate at the Harmandir Sahib. The entire Sikh populace of Amritsar is taking part in commemorating this joyous occasion," said Rajinder Singh, an SGPC member. The Guru Granth Sahib has hymns written and recited by some of the 10 Sikh gurus. The compilation was prepared by Guru Arjan Dev. The voluminous book was finally completed in 1604 and was installed in the Harmandir Sahib. Rani Gosain, a devotee said: "Today, we are celebrating the installation of the Guru Granth Sahib (at the Harmandir Sahib). It is being celebrated with a lot of happiness, pomp and ceremony by residents of the city. Every year, it is celebrated with a lot of fervour and gaiety." The Golden Temple is considered the holiest of sites by Sikhs, and is visited by thousands of people every day. Home to the "Akal Takht", the temporal seat of the Sikhs, the Golden Temple promotes the religious traditions of Sikhs. The Sikh religion originated with Guru Nanak (1469- 1539 AD) who was succeeded by nine other preceptors, Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708 AD) being the last. Followers of Sikhism are identified by five visible symbols namely, Kachcha (underwear), Kesh (uncut hair), Kanga (comb), Kara (iron bangles) and Kirpan (dagger).
September 1, 2007

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