Somayagya for Global Healing April 2010

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Our dear friends at the Vedic Society have informed us about a Maha Soma Yagya which will take place from April 24th to 29th, 2010 at Auroville, (just 10 kms north of Pondicherry). There will be 18 pundits and 22 helpers performing the Yagya, which will last for five days. All four Vedas (Sama, Rig, Yajur and Atharva) will be chanted during the Homam.

In the Vedic Society Website they explain that:

“Yagyas are ancient Vedic practices that were performed to bring coherence and harmony to the world though mantra, fire and the release of medicinal and aromatic substances as smoke. In all ancient cultures fire was used to invoke communication with the creative intelligence of nature.

Soma is the lunar and nourishing component of nature, which gives us vitality, health, wisdom and stability in our human physiology. And Yagyas are performed to increase the quality and quantity of Soma for the entire society. The Soma plant is put into the Yagya fire with specific combinations to produce a unique effect harmonizing.”

To learn why its necessary for Global Healing, to perform such Yagyas and to understand their scientific basis, please refer to the Vedic Society’s page dedicated to this upcoming event. While at their site you will also learn how these Yagyas preserve living traditions and information letting you know how you can attend this special Yagya function.

If you are unable to travel to Auroville, other methods of support are outlined in the Vedic Society website, where in addition there will be a live streaming feed covering the event.

Happy Tamil New Year

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Tamil New Year (Puthandu) in keeping with the Hindu solar calendar, generally falls either on April 13 or April 14 and marks the first day of the traditional Tamil calendar. This auspicious day is also popular as Varusha Pirappuv when as per Hindu mythological legends, Lord Brahma started upon the creation of the Universe.

New Year's day is a gala time for all Tamils. The main focus is on the food eaten on the day. 'Maanga Pachadi' is the pulse of the festival. It is a dish made of raw mangoes, jaggery and neem flowers thus representing different tastes; sweet, salt, sour and bitter and signifies the various flavours of life.

Prior to Puthandu, people often get their homes painted to mark the renewal of life. Ladies adorn their houses with fresh mango leaves and Kolam (rangoli) designs. Sometimes, a decorated lamp kuthuvillakku is placed in the center of colourful Kolams to bring light to the house.

People in the advent of merrymaking and feasting exchange gifts with each other. Children are highly excited at the time of Puthandu as they receive small gifts or cash from their parents and relatives.

In Tamil Nadu, people follow some strict rituals in a belief to ensure well-being and prosperity of their families. Most important ritual of the day is called 'Kani Kanal', the literal translation of this is 'first sight'.

In Kani Kanal there is a prescribed list of items, which a person must see first thing to bring good luck like gold and silver jewellery, betel leaves, nuts, fruits and vegetables, flowers, raw rice and coconuts.

Following the rituals, Tamils take bath, wear fresh clothes and visit the temples to pray for success in life. After this, the Panchangam (almanac) is read.

At the time of New Year festivities, a grand Car Festival also takes place at Tiruvadamarudur near Kumbakonam. At some places, Chitthirai festival is also celebrated. It is said on this day, Goddess Meenakshi got married to Lord Sundareswarar.

The ‘Real’ Kani

WISHING YOU AND YOURS A BLESSED, JOY-FILLED NEW YEAR

A New Day

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Now that the temperature is regularly in the early 100s (degrees Fahrenheit) my doggies and I have taken to very early morning walks. And even though Samudram Erie is drought-like, there is one wonderful watering hole, which is an overflow from an agricultural tank, that is available for grazing goats and sheep.

Being that those creatures won't be arriving for a couple of hours, my doggies enjoy a very refreshing swim and have fun splashing around, chasing frogs in the pond.

Below are three of my scamps drying off after their swim.

And my three other scamps enjoying a nice cooling soak.

Samudram Erie is dry and crispy in the early morning sunshine.

And the in background, the presence of Arunachala heralding a New Day and a New Life.

Water Situation

This Summer Tiruvannamalai is facing severe water shortages and although the TNEB (Tamil Nadu Electricity Board) has announced a 9-hour supply for agriculture, long power cuts are common place throughout rural Tamil Nadu.

Farmers have asked that the TNEB maintain a three-phase power supply for agriculture – 6 hours in the morning and 6 hours in the evening. They have also requested expansion works of the Mettur thermal power station be expedited immediately. To read more on the concerns over the looming power crisis check this link here:

I’ve been told by those who have originated from this place, that as recently as thirty years ago it was rare to see paddy (rice) cultivated in these parts. Tiruvannamalai is a dry area with limited water resources and heavily depends upon the rain acquired through its seasonal rainy seasons.

A combination of independent bore wells and thus a more easily accessible water supply and the considerable incentive of free electricity, has driven farmers to plant ‘cash crops’ that need excessive water irrigation. Currently with temperatures in the early 100s (Fahrenheit degrees) makes the sight of twice daily water flooded rice fields somewhat bizarre!

There is no doubt that countries and communities need to maintain an independent agricultural system. However the fact is Tamil Nadu is likely to face a severe water crisis in the next half century and according to experts, what will contribute to the crisis is the fast-depleting groundwater table, and the increasing pollution of water sources. The crisis in the making in Tamil Nadu would be as much about the quality of water available as its shrinking availability. Experts want Tamil Nadu to reduce its dependence on water from neighbouring States and formulate alternative plans.

As well as the concern that many rivers are already badly polluted in the State, another area of concern is the general over-exploitation of groundwater. According to experts, too many farmers are cultivating water-intensive crops and are indiscriminately exploiting groundwater for irrigation, which has led to a steep fall in the water table.

In this respect agriculture accounts for 85-90% of the total use of water in the State. Even by the judicious planting of less water intensive crops and gaining a 10% reduction in the agricultural sector, would considerably ease the impending water shortage situation.

To read an excellent report on the Tamil Nadu water problem please click here:

And to read a previous posting on 'Water Sustainability: Extract from Report on Rain Fed areas by Planning Commission, New Delhi'; click on this link here.