A befitting tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – “Rashtriya Ekta Diwas”

I am extremely happy with our Government’s decision to observe today - 31st October, the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day), today and every year, as a mark of tribute to his efforts in uniting India.

Among Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s innumerable contributions to our society and to our freedom struggle and as the first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of young India, what stands out is his effort and success in merging all the independent princely states which were over 500! into Indian Republic during the years 1947-1949, through peaceful negotiations. And what can be a greater example then the sensational annexation of the largest of all Kingdoms – my province, the “The Hyderabad State” despite several hurdles. When negotiations failed with Hyderabad State it was through Military action, popularly known as Operation Polo and as Police Action. He was solely responsible for such integration of a complexly divided India, into one great united Country.

You may click on the underlined name of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel here or above; to know more about him and also follow (on TV) the various programs dedicated to him today throughout the length and breadth of our Country.

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple – Jiyaguda, Hyderabad.

The attached photographs are of us at the ancient Temple of Sri Ranganathaswamy at Jiyaguda in Hyderabad. Sri Ranganathaswamy is Lord Sri Maha Vishnu in a reclining posture. The idol of Sri Ranganathaswamy and that of his consort Sri Maha Laxmi, known here as Ranganayaki, and all other idols at this Temple are very beautiful and can be seen distinctly in a detailed video I provided at the bottom of this article.

This Temple is four centuries old, close to 450 years!  Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple came up here because of the then Vanamamalai Jeeyar Swamy. At that time, when the Jeeyar Swamy visited the Golconda province (Hyderabad province), the authorities provided accommodation to the Swamy and his entourage along the banks of River Muchukunda (River Musi). As there cannot be an interruption to the Jeeyar Swamy’s daily pooja rituals to Sri Ranganathaswamy, an idol of the God was brought by the entourage and installed here and daily rituals performed. Subsequent to the departure of the Jeeyar Swamy, a Temple came up here for the idol and soon developed into what it is today. And as the Jeeyar Swamy camped here for some time, the place came to be known as Jeeyargudem and over the years the name got transformed into the present short form as Jiyaguda!

Vaikunta Ekadashi is the major celebration here and this coincides with the month long Dhanurmasam celebrations. All rituals at the Temple are performed according to Vaishnavite traditions. The temple is extraordinarily decorated with flowers, oil lamps, lights and huge idols of Gods for Vaikunta Ekadashi. Lakhs of devotees visit the Temple during these celebrations. This year’s Dhanurmasam is from 16th December 2014 to 13th January 2015, and Vaikunta Ekadashi is on 1st January 2015.  

There are also Temples of Lord Sri Hanuman and Navagrahalu in the premises of Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple. On normal days the Temple is open from 6:00 am to 12:00 Noon and from 5:30 to 8:00 pm.

The Temple is under 12 Kms. from our house and similarly easily accessible to many in our city as you can see in the location map below and please do see the Temple video below the map:

VIDEO:

Weekend’s chilly and drizzly weather continues.

Weekend’s chilly and drizzly weather continues. It is a welcome change in weather after several months of hot days. But unfortunately the untimely rains have caused havoc to crops and open granaries. And all this due to a depression in the Arabian Sea about 1000 kilometers west of our coastline!

Unseasonal weather and climate changes are always bad for some and good for others.

Our Deepavali Celebration Pictures – 2014.

Srilekha,

22^nd & 23^rd Oct. 2014.

Our Deepavali festival celebration "Pictures and Video":

Video: