Madurai Veeran and other Guardian Gods
How multiple versions of these regional tales got the community to appreciate hierarchies and human behaviour Source: The Hindu Chennai, 17/12/2023, Magazine Section – Pg.6.
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A temple for a giant Muneeswarar sits on the banks of the Adyar
Source: The Hindu Chennai, 18/12/2023, pg.7.
Epics for children: Birds of divine feather
By Gaurav Yadav Of all the birds that are considered divine, the hamsa or hansa has the most exalted position as it is identified with Brahman—the Supreme Spirit. Of all the birds that are considered divine, the hamsa or hansa has the most exalted position as it is identified with Brahman—the Supreme Spirit. It has also been used as a representation of the individual soul; its pure white complexion denoting the pristine soul, before it is tarnished by worldly things. It is the vehicle of Brahma and Saraswati. The epics claim that hamsa eats pearls, and is able to separate milk from water. Saints are sometimes referred to as paramhamsa (supreme hamsa), implying that they have the ability to separate the good from the bad. The hamsa is also revered in Buddhism as a symbol of wisdom. There is a controversy over which bird is referred to as hamsa in the epics. Most scholars believe it to be a swan as it flies high, remains alone, is graceful and pure white-coloured, just l...
Mountains are water reservoirs for the planet
N Munal Meitei Mountains are one of the oldest nature’s pristine structures, stolid and regal they stand against the sky, of such a size that they can catch entire countryside’s in their shadow, and turn back the ravages of storms against their unflinching sides. They are the source of recreation and resource, with stones of green dressed slopes to enthusiasts, and to those brave enough to delve into their stony sides. Mountains are one of the most beautiful and interesting geological features that nature has to offer us. Mountains have served as playgrounds and places of worship for countless generations - a mainstay for so many people and cultures. International Mountain Day is observed on 11 December to celebrate the beauty of mountains and their values. Mountains are recognized as particularly sensitive physical environments where intense and rapid changes have taken place in the past and may increasingly in the future. Manipur being with 90% hills have the relevance to...
Epics for children: The divine gift called trees
Almost all cultures around the world believed in the concept of an all-encompassing ‘world tree’ or ‘tree of life’, which connected the earth to the heavens and the underworld. by Gaurav Yadav Trees already existed when humans came into existence. The ancient humans depended on trees for food, shelter, clothing, fuel, medicine and tools. Almost all cultures around the world believed in the concept of an all-encompassing ‘world tree’ or ‘tree of life’, which connected the earth to the heavens through its branches and to the underworld through its roots. In Hindu mythology, it has been called the kalpavriksha—the wish-fulfilling tree, which came out of the samudra manthan. Indra took the tree to heaven and planted it there. The kalpavriksha was one of the main reasons the asuras continuously fought wars against the devas because the latter were enjoying the divine flowers and fruits while the asuras had to live among the roots. To placate his wife, Satyabhama, Sri ...
Historical Importance Of Our Forests
G L Khajuria Nature has endowed the Indian sub-continent with luxuriant and plentiful forest wealth. The vast and varied climatic and geological conditions bore forests of different types and intensities ranging from dry thorny forests to wet evergreens. The coniferous forests of hilly region and the deciduous types along foot kills conglomerates many valuable species which serve for the use of construction of houses, bridges and score of other purposes. The original inhabitants of the country had great reverence for forests and a groove of trees around temples were of ample importance of these trees were considered as sacred as our Gods and Goddesses. And cutting or removal of any of such tree was considered a sin. Under some compelling conditions of a tree was removed, five to ten saplings were planted out to absolve oneself of the sin so committed. As such, the forests played a prominent part in the cultural and spiritual development of our generations. The Rishis and the Muni...
44 waterbodies may be declared as wetlands
45% rise in identification of potential wetland areas Source: The Navhind Times Panjim, 29/11/2023, pg.1 & 10
