GUAJRATI

GUJARATI

Gujarati language is spoken by the Gujarati people. Gujarat is state of India. It is spoken by the 46.1 million people. It is also spoken in much different country: Pakistan (100,000), US, Australia, South Africa, Uganda (150,000), Tanzania (250,000), Canada, Portugal, and Panama etc. Gujarati alphabet was adapted from Devanagari   script to written the Guajarati. The name of the Gujarati language is derived from the gujar community. Gujarati is official language of the state of Gujarat in India. From the estimate, it is spoken by approximately 50 million people in the world. A large number of native speakers of Gujarat can also be found in North America as well as in United Kingdom. The majority of characters are taken from Sanskrit with some modifications. It was the mother tongue of the Mohandas K. Gandhi, “Father of the India”. Explain about the Guajarati Language through the

Another English Language and Sanskrit and Prakrit script.

English	Sanskrit	Prakrit	Gujarati
hand	hasta	hattha	hāth
seven	sapta	satta	sāt
eight	aṣṭā	aṭṭha	āṭh
snake	sarpa	sappa	sāp

HINDI

HINDI

Hindi is the national language of India. It is known as a Devanagari. It is used as Primary official language of India because it is a one of 22 official languages of India.  The common states of  Hindi in India : Rajasthan Haryana, Delhi, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar hand,  and Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, It is spoken so many other  different countries as like Nepal, United Kingdom, USA, Malaysia. Singapore, Australia, Pakistan, Canada, Afghanistan, South Africa and New Zealand etc. Now, it is spoken by 550 million people. Hindi language is closely related to Urdu. But actually Hindi is associated with Hindu community and Urdu with the Muslim community. During the 4^th century, it was originally written with the Brahmi script but during the 11^th century it has been written with the Devanagari script. And its first book was published in 1976. Hindi became the official language of India on 26 January, 1965. Hindi would become the main working language of the central government by 1965.

‘Hindi’ word: written in Devanagri script.

Source: google.com

Hindi is the national language of India.

INDIAN LANGUAGES

PUNJABI



I would like to explain about the languages which are my topic in Indian culture. India is multinational country. There are so many people who belong to different cultures and religions. They speak so many different languages such as Punjabi, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengalis, Pothohari and biharti etc. First of all I would like to explain about the Punjabi language.  Punjabi is my mother tongue language. It is official language of the state of Punjab (India). It is spoken as native language by over 2.85% of Indians. It has many different dialects, spoken in the different sub regions of greater Punjab.

 It is main of the eastern part of the Indian Punjab. Punjabi language also has spoken other many different country such as Pakistan, United Kingdom, United State, Canada, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and Australia. Punjabi is most spoken language of the Pakistan. It is spoken as first language by the 44.15% of the Pakistanis because Punjab is province of the Pakistan. And 70% Pakistanis can understand and speak Punjabi. Punjabis comprise the largest group of the country. Mostly Punjabi people are living in Majhi, Malwi Doabi area. Punjabi language is common language in this area.

The Mahji is main dialect of the Punjab’s and spoken in the heart of the Punjab where most Punjabis lives. It is spoken the southern and central part of Punjab which is known as a Malwa. It is also spoken the north part of Punjab as like Haryana, Hissar, Kurukshetra, Sirsa and Ambala. There are many different scripts which are used for writing Punjabi. The Gurumukhi script is used for writing of Punjabi in Punjab State of India. And Shahmuki is used for writing in the Punjab province of Pakistan.

Indian Festival - Diwali

Diwali also known as 'the festival of lights’ is an Indian festival that is celebrated mostly by Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains communities. The people of all age groups and classes celebrate Diwali throughout India with full of enthusiasm. They put on new clothes and participate in the various activities that are related to Diwali celebrations. Diwali is a five-day long festival, each day is important on its own ways.

Source: www.google.com

The festival is all about lighting diyas, colourful lights all over the place and doing rangoli at the entrance of the house which indicates that we are welcoming happiness, wealth and joy at our place. This festival is celebrated usually in the month of October or November. The festival is celebrated by colourful display of lights, bursting of crackers, cleanliness, sweets, lots of shopping, and being happy all the time. The festival spirit brings people of different communities closer, to celebrate the vibrant festival in the most beautiful and lively way.

I use to enjoy Diwali festival with great enthusiasm. This festival is of 5 continuous days for the celebration. The most beautiful part of this festival is that you get officially 5 days off from the office to celebrate this festival. We used to invite all our close relatives at our place to celebrate Diwali with us. I used to buy different kinds of fire crackers and burst the crackers with my friends and families. We use to wear new clothes in all the 5 days of this festival and decorate our house with diyas, colourful lights and my mother used to do beautiful rangoli at the entrance of our house. I used to go to the temple to worship God and also enjoy the atmosphere because I can see everyone smiling and being happy. The most beautiful part of this festival is delicious food. My mom used to prepare different kinds of snacks and sweets. You are invited by your friends and relatives place to have lunch or dinner with them. This festival has always brought lot of happiness, peace and joy in my life.

Indian Festival - Makar Sankranti

India is known for its diversified culture, festivals, religions, multi languages and beautiful places. Since, India has different religions; there have been a lot of festivals celebrated by different communities.

Each month has at least one festival celebrated in India. For e.g. In January, we celebrate Makar Sankranti. In February, it is Vasant Panchami. In March, it’s Holi. In April, we celebrate Baisakhi. In May, it’s Pooram. In June, it’s Sitalsasthi. In July, we celebrate Rath Yatra. In August, it’s Rakshabandhan. In September, it’s Janmasthmi. In October, we celebrate Navratri. In November, it’s Diwali and in December, it’s Christmas.

My blog is trying to focus on the important festivals celebrated in each month by various religions and out of them, my favourite festivals has been Makar Sankranti, Holi, Navratri and Diwali.

January – Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is an Indian festival, celebrated almost everywhere in the country. Makar Sankranti is a popular Indian festival and it is celebrated in many parts of the country with great enthusiasm. It is a harvest festival which is basically celebrated in the Hindu communities. In India, the states of Bihar, Bengal, Punjab, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu celebrate the festival with great enthusiasm. In Tamil Nadu the festival is known as Pongal, in Assam as Bhogali Bihu, in Punjab as Lohri, in Gujarat and Rajasthan as Uttarayan.

Source: www.google.com

I have been following Uttarayan festivals for many years and my blog would be focusing more about Uttarayan and how it is celebrated in the state of Gujarat.

The festival of Uttarayan is one of the biggest festivals in Gujarat. In Gujarat, you get Uttarayan day a holiday, where you will see people of all ages fly kites from early morning till late evening. You will find rooftops crowded and also there is fun-loving rivalry with each other in kite flying skills with delicious traditional Gujarati food as the trademarks of the day.

I use to go on the roof to fly the kites from early morning 8am till evening 7pm and then at night, we all friends use to lit and hang candles on the thread when our kite is flying in the air. We all use to have lunch and dinner on our roof and my friend Maulik always brought drum with him so while flying kites we use to enjoy dancing and have lots of fun.

india's famous places - red fort

RED FORT

The red fort is also created during the Mughal period by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.The fort was built with the help of red bricks .It is located in Old Delhi, INDIA .The imperial and royal family of India used to live in this place

Its construction started in 1638 and ended by the year 1648. There are many building inside Red fort such as Moti Masjid, Zenana, Diwan i Aam.

Now a days, Prime minister of India addresses the whole country from red fort on 15 august, the Independence Day of India .

Many tourist visit this place . The sound and light show is organised for the tourists in evening and this show narrates the history of the Mughal's.

JAINISM

JAINISM

 Jainism is an independent and most ancient religion of India. Jainism is an eternal religion. The Jain religion also known as Shraman Dharma, Nirgranth Dharma. It has been taught by Tirthankaras also called “jina”.

There are 24 Tirthankaras and the first Tirthankara is known as Rishabhdeva and the 24^th Tirthankara is known as Mahavira.

 A follower of a jina is called a Jain and the religion followed by jains is called Jainism. Jainism has no belief in a creator god. The Jains are divided into two parts: the Shvetembara and the Digambara. The holy places of Jains are Sikharji, Palitana and Hastinapur.

In Hinduism, human life is judged in terms of its accumulated karma, but for the Jains the karma is more

physical. It is like an impurity, which clogs and weighs down the soul. The gradual extension of Jainism from its homelands is in eastern India into the south, and then into the western India, Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Source: Google.com

india's famous places - taj mahal

Taj Mahal

TAJ MAHAL is located in Agra,India. It is regarded as one of the most beautiful sculpture in the world and is counted in one of the seven wonders of the world.It was built by Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife Mumtaz Mahal after her death and that is the reason it is considered as symbol of love . Most of the people who visit India surely visit this place.

The project began in 1632 and completed in 1648 with the help of thousends of artisans and craftsmen.it is finest work of Mughal architecture .They used white marbles inlaid with semi precious stones

There is a tomb which is considered as main part of building.this tomb is surmounted by the marble dome and it is really spectacular feature. this dome because of its shape is also known as onion dome .The top portion of the dome have a lotus design. This building is created by lots of effort and it is worth seeing .

SIKHISM

SIKHISM

This is one of the old religion in India. The word ‘Sikh’ in Punjabi language means ‘Disciple”, Sikhs are the disciples of God, who follow the writing and teachings of the Ten Sikh Guru. In India Sikhism is about only 2%. This religion was oriented in 1469 with the birth of Guru Nanak Dev. He was the First Guru in Sikh religion. He is the creator of the Sikh religion. He was born in 1469 in Hindu family in Punjab. In Sikhism religion, traditionally, the men keep their hair and do not shave their beard. They gather their head hair in the turban.

A Sikh place for worship is called “Gurudwara.” According to Sikhism God is everywhere. But in a Sikhism there are some few important places like Golden Temple in Amritsar in Punjab.

The final living Guru of Sikhism was Guru Gobind Singh died in 1708 and after him the guru of the Sikhism is the holly book, “Guru Granth Sahib.” Before his death in 1708 Guru Gobind Singh declared that the Sikhs no longer needed a living and appointed his spiritual successor as Sri Guru Granth Sahib, his physical successor as the Khalsa and any Sikh is free to read the Guru Granth Sahib in the Gurdwara. Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa order (meaning ‘The Pure’), soldier saints.

Source: Google.com

Philosophy and Beliefs:

1.      There is only one God. He is the same God for all people of all religions.

2.      Sikhism condemns blind rituals such as fasting, visiting places of pilgrimage, superstitions, worship of the dead, idol worship etc.

3.      Sikhism preaches that people of different races, religions, or sex are all equal in the eyes of God. It teaches the full equality of men and women.

4.      Sikhs have rejected the caste system of the Hindu religion. They believe that everyone has equal status in the eyes of God. This is a very important principle that permeates all Sikh beliefs, behaviors, and rituals.

5.     In sikhism all men and women are equal. Both have equal rights. Women have equal status as men.

INDIAN RELIGION

INDIAN RELIGION



India is a religious country with a different religions. India has multi religions. I would like to list the following religions in my blog:

HINDUISM

 It was developed about 5000 years ago on the scared banks of the river Indus. Hinduism is one of the biggest and oldest religions of India. In India, majority of the population is of Hindu religion. Hinduism is the world’s third biggest religion after Christianity and Islam. “According to Hinduism, three lord rules the world. Brahma: The creator, Vishnu: The preserver, and Shiva: The destroyer.”

Hindu also worships the “wives” of Shiva. A Hindu place for worship is called “Temple or Mandir”

 

Beliefs of Hinduism:

1.      Hinduism believes that what we are now is the result of our Karma in the past life. The Karma is what we done in our life. The good things we do are called good Karma and the bad things we do is called as bad Karma or sin.

2.      The four fold goal of human life is The  Purushhaarthas - Dharma (Duty and Righteousness), Artha (Worldly Prosperity), Kaama (Enjoyment) and mokshha (Liberation).

3.      The oldest aspect of Hinduism is as much social as religious, and that is the caste system. “According to Hindu teaching, there are 4 basic castes, or social classes. Each caste has its own rules and obligation for living.

Source: Goggle.com

 

India's famous places- golden temple

Golden Temple

Golden temple is a holy place of Sikh religion.It is also known as Harimandir Sahib and is located in Amritsar, India . Its construction started in year 1574 and it is completed in year 1601. The whole project was look after by 4th and 5th Gurus of Sikh. This piece of land was provide by Mughal emperor Akbar.

Gold and decorative marbles inlaid by precious stone were used to create this temple and, that is why it looks very beautiful. Harimandir Sahib is built at centre of large body of water.The water body is called as AMRIT SAROVAR in which people take holy bath. There is also a langer hall in which 35000 people can sit and eat free food. Guru Granth Sahib,the 11th Guru of sikh and the holy book of sikhs is kept in the main hall where the people come and have darshan and also offer their prayers.

This temple was also attacked in June 1984 on the order of Indira Gandhi who was Prime Minister of India at that time but, after 4 months of attack she was killed by two of his sikh body guards.

Many tourist visit this temple to see how it is created and offer their prayers in front of Guru Granth Sahib . You have to remove your shoes and the entrance and cover your head before entering the temple. You are not allowed to drink alcohol and smoke. The people from any religion can visit this temple without any kind of discrimination . It is a place which provide satisfaction to your soul.

Indian Festival - Navratri

Navratri is a nine night's festival, celebrated in the honour of Goddess Durga. Navratri is a long festival, which is celebrated continuously for nine days. During these nine days celebration, it is the time to put all routine work aside and prepare for the nine days of festival where you need to spend time in worship, dance, singing prayers (Bhajans) and offering your sincere prayers and love to the Goddess Durga.

To pay tribute to Goddess Durga, Garba (dance form) is done whole night for nine nights. This dance form is originated in Gujarat. Garba has been an important part of Guajarati weddings and celebrations apart from Navratri. This festival involves many different dances, from the main garba, dancing in a circle around an altar or an image of Goddess Durga, to many styles of Dandiya Raas, a dance performed with two sticks (dandiyas) and a partner. We use to do lot of spinning, hopping, and striking each other’s dandiyas in garba (dance form).

Navratri has been always my favourite festival because I use to get chance to dance all the night for nine days with my friends. We use to be in a group of 16 including boys and girls. We use to get traditionally dress for all nine nights and dance with different styles in a circle where Goddess Durga has been placed. We use to do fasting for all the nine days to get blessings from goddess Durga. I use to spend lot of time and money in the design of the traditional dress since there used to be the best dress competition.

Indian Festival - Holi

Holi is one of the most important Hindu festivals. This festival is about letting go whatever has happened in your life or with anybody and enjoy life together with friends and family. Usually people play pranks on this festival just to colour each other.

Originally, Holi was considered to be the festival to celebrate good harvests and fertility of the land. There are several ancient stories behind Holi. A popular story says that Holi is remembered for the sacrifice of goddess Holika who burnt herself in fire on this day. Celebration of Holi festival is celebrated by performing Holi puja as per Hindu tradition and then Dhuleti, which is after Holi Puja, is considered to be the actual festival of colours.

I use to enjoy lot in this festival, since this is the only day where you see and get lot of unconditional love from your friends, families and relatives coming at your place to play with colours and water. I use to go out with my friends on the streets in a group and colour each other as well as any unknown person walking on the street at that day and have lots of fun. Apart from throwing colours on each other, traditional dances and delicious foods have always been the main attractions of Holi.