Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Top 10 fire festivals around the world
"Remember, remember the fifth of November - gunpowder, treason and plot" goes the nursery rhyme, chanted in the run-up to Guy Fawkes Night (November 5). It goes back to 1605 when Guy Fawkes, one of the members of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding explosives in the House of Lords, London. With the plot to blow up the House of Lords - and kill King James I - foiled, Londoners lit bonfires around the city in celebration.
The bonfire tradition continues to this day, and usually there's an effigy of Guy Fawkes placed at the centre of it. One of the biggest celebrations is in the town of Lewes in Sussex where, in recent years, effigies of various current figures, including those from the UK banking world, have been burned.
2. Daizenji Tamataregu Shrine's "Oniyo" - Fukuoka, Japan
Fukuoka, capital of Fukuoka Prefecture on Kyushu Island, is one of Japan's largest cities and hosts one of its oldest fire festivals. Daizenji Tamataregu Shrine's "Oniyo" (Fire Festival) is a ceremony to drive away evil spirits that has been practiced for 1,600 years. It's held in early January each year. A "devil fire" that has been guarded at the temple is transferred - at around 9 p.m. on the seventh day (January 7) - to six massive torches measuring one meter in diameter and 15 meters long.
The torches are transported around the grounds of the shrine by a group of men in loincloths. It sounds like a potential health-and-safety issue, but it's considered to be good luck if embers or ash from the torches fall on them.
3. Jeongwol Daeboreum Deulbul Festival - Jeju, S. Korea
In early February, the Jeongwol Daeboreum Deulbul Festival takes place on the island of Jeju off the coast of South Korea. It's a fairly new festival, younger than 20 years old, but its origins go back to the time when families kept cows.
To keep the grass grazeable, farmers set fire to the fields in the mountains to destroy old grass and kill harmful insects. Today, a hilltop is set alight to pray for health and a good harvest in the coming year. There's a torchlight march, straw-rope making competition and deumdol (rock) lifting.
4. Diwali - India
The five-day festival (November 13-17 this year) celebrates the triumph of good over evil and is celebrated throughout India and around the world (in Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, Mauritius, Myanmar and London among many others).
5. Samhain 2012 - Out of the Darkness - Altoona, Florida, USA
The main ritual in 2012 is centred around the "Burning Times" when so-called "witches" were put to death.
6. Quema del Diablo (Burning of the Devil) - Guatemala
By watching bonfires, firework displays and burning devil figures in the streets, locals say they are spiritually cleansing themselves. The tradition is best experienced in Guatemala City and Antigua, but many towns throughout Guatemala host similar ceremonies.
7. Ottery St Mary - Devon, England
In the small town of Ottery St Mary, the bonfire and fireworks are not the focal point of the community's celebrations. This November 5, it will be the local townspeople carrying flaming barrels of tar through the streets. In a tradition that predates even 1605 it is said, 17 barrels are carried, starting in the afternoon, with small barrels for boys, medium barrels for youths and women and big ones for the men.
Traditionally, the barrels are set on fire at pubs and hotels around the town and a strict schedule is followed until midnight when the final barrel is carried in the square.
8. Up Helly Aa, Lerwick - Shetland Islands, Scotland
If you've ever wanted to see Vikings, this is the festival to see! Described as a Northern Mardi Gras, its origins stretch back 1,200 years, although the festival started in the 1870s. It's held on the last Tuesday of January (January 29 in 2013). On that evening, nearly 1,000 men march in ranks, carrying fencing posts topped in paraffin-soaked sacking. At 7:30 p.m. a rocket cresting over the Town Hall marks the start.
Torches are lit, bands start playing and the men march with the Guizer Jarl (the head of the festival) who stands at the helm of a longship. Dragged to the burning site, the Guizer Jarl will leave his ship for it to be set alight. As the longship is engulfed by flames, the Vikings sing "The Norseman's Home" before heading to halls for feasts of mutton soup, bannocks and plenty of warming drinks.
9. Bonfire Night - Newfoundland, Canada
When English and Irish people, in search of a better life, crossed the Atlantic Ocean to Canada, they took their traditions with them. The English took Guy Fawkes Night, the Irish took Samhain and over time the traditions merged into Mischief Week.
With a belief that certain types of naughty behaviour (soaping windows, taking pins from gate hinges or stealing old tires for bonfires) is permitted at this time, many of Newfoundland & Labrador's close-knit communities hold bonfires and celebrations.
10. Sadeh - Iran
Sadeh (or Jashn-e Sadeh) is an ancient Zoroastrian festival. While it refers to 100 days and nights before the New Year (Nowruz, which falls on the Vernal Equinox, March 20 or 21), it is celebrated 50 days earlier - around the end of January. It honours the discovery of fire that defeated the forces of darkness and cold.
Traditionally, festivities went on for three days and gifts of food were given to the poor. Today, Zoroastrians light bonfires, perform religious rituals around them and thank God for his blessings. It's usually celebrated in the Kushk-e Varjavand gardens in Karaj (in Tehran province) where members of the Zoroastrian community congregate for the festivities.
The five-tier rajagopuram of Sri Sangameswarar Temple Bhavani
Sri Sangameswara Temple is hailed as Bhaskara kshetram as Surya worshipped Siva here.
Bhavani, 15 km from Erode, noted for its carpet industry, is a small
town nestling at the confluence of the two rivers, the Cauvery and the
Bhavani, and it has earned the sobriquet, ‘Dakshina Prayag’ or ‘Triveni
Sangamam of South India’ for the river Amudham that emerged out of the
nectar, which was given to Sage Parasarar, at this place by the Devas,
joins the two rivers invisibly (Andhar Vahini). Tirugnana Sambandar
refers this place as ‘Tirunaa,’ which means those who visit this temple
will be blessed with a hassle free life.
This place also has the epithet ‘vani’ in Sangam literature such as
Purananuru, Agananuru and Pathitru-p-pathu. The sanctity of the place is
heightened by the presence of the Sangameswara temple on the western
bank of the Cauvery dating back to the time of Tirugnana Sambandar (and
earlier), who has immortalised it in his Thevaram (second Thirumurai).
As one alights at the Koodalthurai bus stop and walks along the road
following the course of the Bhavani (choked with weeds) one comes face
to face with the rajagopuram of Sangameswara temple and on its right is a
Vigneswara idol. To its left are the traveller’s bungalow of the
Highways Department and the office of the Assistant Engineer of the
Department. The temple ranks third among the seven specially mentioned
shrines of Kongu Nadu, the boundaries of which are Dharmapuri in the
north, Palani in the south, Karur in the east and Coimbatore in the
west.
As one enters the temple to worship Vedanayaki samedha Sangameswara one
could witness the significant changes that have taken place with the
passage of time.
The five-tier rajagopuram faces north. But the shrines of Sangameswara
and His consort Vedanayaki of Adikesava Perumal with His consorts, Yoga
Narasimhar and Soundaravalli Thayar, face east. This shrine has a
captivating nritya mantapam, maha mantapam, ardha mantapam and garbha
graham. The 18 pillars of nritya mantapam have sculptures of smiling
figurines, crouching lions with their mouth wide open, a hunter on a
prancing horse and figures of Sivanadiars, besides those of Immudi Getti
Mudaliyar and his sister Chinnammal. Sculptural excellence peaks at the
centre of its ceiling where four (originally eight should have been
there) parrots are pecking at the whorls of a lotus flower. The ceiling
also carries the inscription that the nritya mantapam was constructed by
Chinnammal, sister of Mummudi Getti Mudaliyar.
The Getti Mudaliyars ruled over Dharmapuri, Salem and parts of
Coimbatore with headquarters at Amaragundi near Taramangalam in Salem
district. Since they were loyal to the Chola, Chera and Pandya kings,
Mummudi Getti Mudaliyar, the first ruler in this lineage, carried in his
state flag the logos of tiger, bow and fish. The sculptures at the
nritya mantapam of Vedanayaki shrine is in Taramangalam style similar to
the one found in the Kailasanatha temple built by Getti Mudaliyars at
Taramangalam.
Exquisite sculptures
The icon of goddess Vedanayaki is a free-flowing piece of sculpture with
a beaming smile. She has four arms, the lower in abhaya and vara
mudras. The upper arms carry padmam (lotus). Around the garba graha
there is an enclosure for circumambulation. On the walls are beautiful
pictures of goddesses of famous temples of Tamil Nadu from Thiruvenkadu
to Madurai. Indeed this is a recent addition!
On the northern side of the maha mantapam is ‘palli arai’ the doors of
which, though closed, have eye-lets in their upper segment in order to
peep through and for ventilation. What catches the eye is a wooden
cradle, hanging from the ceiling. The ivory plaques carry the engraving
that it was presented by Collector William Garrow on Janauary 11, 1804.
The cradle has an interesting story linked to it. William Garrow was the
Collector of Salem with headquarters at Bhavani, from July 6, 1802 to
January 20, 1815. A devotee of goddess Vedanayaki, he had a good rapport
with the public through his welfare measures. He had chosen the
bungalow (present Traveller’s bungalow of Highways Department) adjoining
the Sangameswara temple as his office-cum-residence. The temple
authorities had drilled a few rectangular holes on the rampart facing
the Vedanayaki shrine, which was then close to the dwajasthamba, to
enable him have the darshan of the deity daily.
One night he woke up from a dream in which a lady urged him to leave the
room. Garrow rushed out and right behind him, the roof collapsed. The
following day, the priest of the temple took him along to the shrine to
verify whether the lady who appeared in his dream resembled goddess
Vedanayaki. Indeed it did. The Collector thanked the goddess profusely
and gifted the cradle. From the date of making the gift, it can be
inferred that the event took place around November 1803.
The rampart on the eastern side has now moved close to the Cauvery, and
the three rectangular holes (one below the other) drilled in the wall,
though command the view of the dwajasthambam and the deity, look more
symbolic.
The Adikesava Perumal temple was originally in Kalingarayan Pudur lying
south of the Cauvery, and was in a dilapidated condition. Puliyur
Gounder (as per inscription) took the initiative to install Adhikesava
Perumal with His consorts in the temple built by him close to that of
Vedanayaki Amman. Besides, he built shrines for Lakshmi Narasimhar and
Soundaravalli Thayar in the same row. A significant factor at the
Adhikesava Perumal temple is the Ranga mantapam noted for the sculptural
work on its 24 pillars in Taramangalam style.
On the northern side of the Ranga mantapam, there is a separate shrine
for Venugoplaswamy with His consorts, Rukmini and Sathyabama. This
shrine is said to have been built by the Wodeyar family of Mysore. Close
by are Santhanagopalan and His consorts.
On way to Bhavani Mukkoodal, the Sangameswara temple is on the right
side, facing east, and between this temple and the Vedanayaki shrine lie
the shrines for Muruga and Jwarahareswara. At the entrance of the
nritya mantapam of Sangameswara temple are found the idols of Vigneswara
and Subramanya. One could also find a Nandi of moderate size
beautifully sculpted with its head tilted to the left. Statues of
Chandra and Surya are found at the entrance to the maha mantapam.
Incidentally this sthalam is called Bhaskara kshetram as Surya
worshipped Siva here. Interestingly, for three days during
Rathasapthami, the sun’s rays fall on the lingam and the images of
Vedanayaki and Muruga. There is a separate niche for Saturn.
Sangameswara, also known as Trunana Udayar and Sangamukha Nathar is in
the form of a small lingam with the avudaiyar shining like a metal
piece. The lingam is said to be a swayambu. The separate shrine for
Saturn and the ornamentation of avudaiyar seem to be later additions.
Such attempts to change the original structure will sometimes distort
history.
Special mention must be made of Dakshinamurthy idol. Seated under a
banyan tree with lotus flowers elegantly sculpted at the top and stone
chains running around the niche, Dakshinamurthy’s ‘upadesa’ is well
brought out. In the outer prakaram of Sangameswara shrine, at the
south-western corner, is the sthala vriksham, Indian plum (elanthai or
pathari) on a raised platform
The Sangameswara temple had been hallowed by the visit of saint
Arunagirinathar who sang his ‘sandha kavithai’ on Lord Muruga of this
temple. A portion of Murugan sannadhi is attributed to the deity of
Jwarahareswara (yes, he is worshipped for relief from fever) who has
three heads, three arms and three feet. Extolling the greatness of
Sangameswara and Vedanayaki there are a number of works in Tamil and
particular among them is the ‘Bhavanikoodal Puranam.’
The temple at Bhavani draws many visitors on new moon days and on the 18
th day of the Tamil month of Aadi. Consecration of this temple was last
performed on September 10, 2000.
How to reach
By rail: Erode is the nearest railhead to reach Bhavani, which is at a distance of 15 km.
By road: Bhavani is well connected to Coimbatore and Erode. The
distance from Coimbatore via Perundurai is 96 km. Direct buses ply from
Coimbatore to Bhavani at longer intervals. Therefore it is convenient to
travel via Erode.
Accommodation: There are a number of hotels in Erode near the central bus stand.
Quick facts
Deity: Sangameswara
Goddess: Vedanayaki also known as Pannarmozhiammai and Vajreswari.
Place: Bhavani, Erode.
Hailed as: Triveni Sangamam of South India.
Highlights of the temple
The Sangameswara temple ranks third among the seven special shrines of Kongu Nadu.
The inscription on the ceiling of the nritya mantapam says that it was
constructed by Chinnammal, sister of Mummudi Getti Mudaliyar.
Sangameswara, also known as Trunana Udayar and Sangamukha Nathar, is in the form of a small lingam.
Sthala vriksham is Indian plum (elanthai or pathari).
Queen of hill stations: Ooty
Ooty, situated at an altitude of 2,240 mt above sea level is deep within
the Nilgiri hills and is covered in eucalyptus, pine trees and coffee
and tea plantations. It is believed by some that Ooty stands out as a
unique specimen because it had never been part of a kingdom or empire.
Ooty by road
The road to Ooty was a breathtaking mountain road with jungles on either side of the single lane. We made our first stop around 29km from Wayanad at Meenmutty falls - one of the biggest in the region. We had to hike up a winding 2km path through the forest to get there. This winding route was a tad dangerous and tiring, so we went halfway to a point from where we could see the waterfall clearly, took some nice photos and then headed back.
Lofty mountains, dense forests, sprawling grasslands and miles and miles of tea gardens greet passengers on most routes. Since this road trip to Ooty was a sudden plan and it was just September, we weren’t carrying much by way of warm clothes. To our discomfort, the nip in the air became more and more severe with every passing kilometre. On reaching Ooty, we made a halt at a small tea stall as we were feeling cold and hungry.
What not to miss
After filling up our stomachs with warm food, we headed to the 9th Mile (shooting spot), one of the most charming places in this most popular hill station. It was barely nine miles from the city. Once you reach there, you can enjoy a trek up all the way. Undoubtedly, the view from the top is a sheer delight. This place is popularly known as the "Shooting Medu". It is a beautiful picnic spot and locals and tourists flock to this place to unwind and relax. Just make sure you carry a scarf or muffler as it get windy and misty. We were told that there was a 6th Mile as well but since it was just similar to the 9th Mile, we gave it a skip.
The botanical garden in Ooty is quite famous and most Indians have heard or read about it. It's one of the best of its kind in India and is a great tourist destination. The 22-acre garden was laid out in 1847 and is maintained by the Government of Tamil Nadu. A flower show and an exhibition of rare plant species is held every May. The garden has around a thousand species (both exotic and indigenous) of plants, shrubs, ferns, trees, and herbal and bonsai plants. It also has on display a 20-million-year-old fossilized tree.
We were already starving by the time we finished with two tourist spots but since we were short of time and it was getting darker and colder, we just grabbed some small eats like corn (bhutta) and some chips and headed to the next destination - the picturesque Ooty Lake. The lake was formed by damming the mountain streams flowing down Ooty valley. The lake covers an area of 65 acres and is constructed in an L shape. Set among groves of Eucalyptus trees, it is a great place for boating. As we started on the boat ride, the skies opened up and it started pouring, making the ride extra special.
Next was Doddabetta Peak, where many movies like Roja, Dil Se and Saajan have been shot. At an altitude of 2,623 meters in height, this peak is the highest in the Nilgiri and the view simply out of the world. It was much more beautiful than what I had seen in movies or imagined it to be.
The Chamundi Hills of Mysore can be viewed from its peak. The area surrounding Doddabetta is mostly forested. There is an observatory at the top with two telescopes available, offering a panoramic view of the whole district.
We had time enough to visit one last location before we finished with our little tour and so we landed at the Thread Garden. The Garden showcases some of the most exquisite collection of artificial flowers and plants, all hand made by using just thread. Antony Joseph is the mastermind behind this unique creation.
Approximately six crore metres of embroidery thread have been employed in the creation of this one-of-a-kind attraction in the world. We were assured that not a single piece of machinery had been used in the production of these magnificent thread flowers. The workmanship was amazing and it was interesting to see how steel and copper wires were used as stems alongside kaleidoscopic coloured threads to create these 'flowers'.
Fact file
By air: The nearest airport is Coimbatore International Airport.
By rail: Udhagamandalam is Ooty’s railway station.
By road: Ooty is well connected by good roads. It is 535km from Chennai, 80km from Coimbatore, 18km from Coonoor, 155km from Mysore, 187km from Calicut, 290km from Bangalore.
Best season: October - June
Places of interest: Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary (67km from Ooty), Avalanche (28km from Ooty), Coonnoor (17km from Ooty)
Things to do: Hang Gliding in Kalahatty, 20 km from Ooty
Must carry items: Woollens, scarves, mufflers, comfortable shoes, shorts or capris and shades.
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