Tulasi Puja – Utthana Dwadashi

What is the spiritual significance of Tulasi Puja done on Utthana Dwadashi day ?
Tulasi puja is celebrated by performing marriage of Saligrama representing Vishnu and Tulasi representing the Prakriti – Nature. Tulasi Puja symbolizes the union of Universal consciousness and Nature Prakriti.
Saligrama stone is available in river Gandaki of Nepal is considered as sacred stone. Saligrama stones most ancient stone formations of the universe and is used as representation of Vishnu. Vishwam ( Vishnu Sahasranama) is the form of the Lord Vishnu and Saligrama represents symbolically the same.
Out of Vishnu Maya, the universe is projected. Tulasi represents the prakriti – maya aspect. Tulasi being a medicinal plant also represents the healing aspect of nature.
What is the spiritual significance of Uthana Dwadashi ?
Utthana represents waking up. It is the day Lord Vishnu who was sleeping in yoga nidra woke up on that day. Lord Vishnu uses the Maya for the creation of the Universe. He is not affected by the maya. But individual soul – jivatma is trapped in maya. This maya which traps individual soul is called avidya maya. Individual soul is nothing but the reflected consciousness of the Lord Vishnu – Vasudeva as sakshi inside us. Shri Vishnu is the Bimba – original and the sakshi in the individual soul is the pratibimba. Uthana dwadashi at the individual level is waking up from ignorance of maya. The individual soul finding the Vasudeva in him. Realizing the Sakshi.
What is the spiritual meaning of Dwadashi ?
Dwadashi means twelve. Sanskrit is a beautiful language . It communicates dual meanings in single word. Dwa – dashi also means two ways. We have two paths – outward and inward. We have two purposes – outer and inner. Dwadashi is the day we chose one of these. We see the world outside and seek happiness. This becomes our outer purpose. The inner purpose of life is to seek the Lord within. Lord Vasudeva – Sakshi inside us. Excessive focus on getting happiness from the outer world makes us demonic (asuric) in nature and focusing on the inner Self makes us divine (devas). These qualities are described in chapter 16 of Bhagavadgita.
What is the spiritual meaning of killing shanka chuda sura by Shri Vishnu ?
Again Sanskrit wordings communicate dual meaning. Shanka stands for conch and also shanka stands for – doubt. At the individual level shanka sura is the demonic nature in jiva creating doubts. Shankasura or doubts get killed when we read Shastras – scriptures which tell our essential nature as divine. Shastras are nothing but words of Lord Vishnu – Vishnu himself. Killing of Shankasura represents the destruction of ignorance by reading scriptures and removal of ignorance by Sadguru who is one with the Lord Vishnu.
At the cosmic level – shanka represents the conch. Conch is symbolic of the Omkar – primodial sound. Killing the primodial sound is bringing into manifestation of the universe. Conch is used as sacred object in Tulasi puja.
What is the significance of Tulasi ?
Tulasi is the medicinal plant which cures many diseases. All the plants take carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. Tulasi plant does it more efficiently. Hence having Tulasi in house is considered as auspicious. Tulasi puja also represents our respect for nature which is nothing but manifestation of maya of Lord Vishnu.
Tulasi represents the healing aspect of nature. While nature binds jiva with avidya maya, nature also provides individual soul chance for liberation in the form of Vidya maya. Mind which is purified and is full of satva.

COLDS

COLDS


Mix a gram of dalchini/cinnamon powder with a teaspoon of honey to
cure cold. Prepare a cup of tea to which you should add ginger, clove, bay
leaf and black pepper.. This should be consumed twice a day. Reduce the
intake as the cold disappears.
GINGER FOR COLDS.


Ginger tea is very good to cure cold. Preparation of tea: cut ginger
into small pieces and boil it with water, boil it a few times and then
add sugar to sweeten and milk to taste, and drink it hot.
DRY COUGHS.


Add a gram of turmeric (haldi) powder to a teaspoon of honey for
curing dry cough. Also chew a cardamom for a long time.
BLOCKED NOSE.

For blocked nose or to relieve congestion, take a table spoon of
crushed carom seeds (ajwain) and tie it in a cloth and inhale it.
SORE THROAT.

Add a tea spoon of cumin seeds (jeera) and a few small pieces of dry
ginger to a glass of boiling water. Simmer it for a few minutes, and
then let it cool. Drink it twice daily. This will cure cold as well as
sore throat.

AJWAIN/AJMO FOR ASTHMA.

Boil ajwain in water and inhale the steam.
CURE FOR BACKACHE..

Rub ginger paste on the backache to get relief.
GARLIC FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.


Have 1-2 pod garlic (lasan) first thing in the morning with water
HONEY AND GINGER FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.


Mix 1 table spoon and 1 table spoon ginger (adrak) juice, 1 table
spoon of crushed cumin seeds (jeera), and have it twice daily.
MIGRAINE. .

For the cure of migraine or acute cold in the head; boil a tablespoon
of pepper powder, and a pinch of turmeric in a cup of milk, and have it
daily for a few couple of days.
BITTER GOURD/KARELA IS GOOD..


A tablespoon of amla juice mixed with a cup of fresh bitter gourd
(karela) juice and taken daily for 2 months reduces blood sugar.
TURMERIC/ ARAD CURE FOR INJURIES


For any cut or wound, apply turmeric powder to the injured portion to
stop the bleeding. It also works as an antiseptic. You can tie a
bandage after applying haldi/turmeric.
CRAMPS


You must do a self-massage using mustard oil every morning. Just take
a little oil between your palms and rub it all over your body. Then take
a shower. This is especially beneficial during winter. You could also
mix a little mustard powder with water to make a paste and apply this on
your palms and soles of your feet.
HEADACHES.

If you have a regular migraine problem, include five almonds along
with hot milk in your daily diet. You could also have a gram of black
pepper along with honey or milk, twice or thrice a day. Make an almond
paste
by rubbing wet almonds against a stone. This can be applied to forehead.
Eat an apple with a little salt on an empty stomach everyday and see
its wonderful effects. OR When headache is caused by cold winds, cinnamon
works best in curing headache. Make a paste of cinnamon by mixing in
water and apply it all over your forehead
TURMERIC

FOR ARTHRITIS.
Turmeric can be used in treating arthritis due to its
anti-inflammatory property. Turmeric can be taken as a drink other than
adding to dishes
to help prevent all problems. Use one teaspoon of turmeric powder per
cup of warm milk every day. It is also used as a paste for local action.
GOOD FOR THE HEART
Turmeric lower cholesterol and by preventing the formation of the
internal blood clots improves circulation and prevents heart disease
and stroke. Turmeric can be taken as a drink other than adding to dishes
to help prevent all problems. Use one teaspoon of turmeric powder per cup
of warm milk every day. It is also used as a paste for local action.
GOOD FOR INDIGESTION
Turmeric can be used to relieve digestive problems like ulcers,
dysentery. Turmeric can be taken as a drink other than adding to
dishes to help prevent all problems. Use one teaspoon of turmeric powder
per cup of warm milk every day. It is also used as a paste for local
action.

HONEY

HONEY IS A GOOD CURE FOR ALL DISEASES

Mix 1 teaspoon honey with 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder and have at night.

HICCUPS

Take a warm slice of lemon and sprinkle salt, sugar and black pepper
on it.. The lemon should be eaten until the hiccups stop.
HIGH BLOOD CHOLESTEROL


In 1 glass of water, add 2 tbsps of coriander/dhania seeds and bring
to a boil. Let the decoction cool for some time and then strain. Drink
this mixture two times in a day. OR Sunflower seeds are extremely
beneficial, as they contain linoleic acid that helps in reducing the
cholesterol deposits on the walls of arteries.
PILES
Radish juice should be taken twice a day, once in the morning and
then later in the night. Initially drink about ? cup of radish juice and
then gradually increase it to ? cup. OR Soak 3-4 figs in a glass of water
Keep it overnight. Consume the figs on an empty stomach, the next day
in the morning
VOMITING

Take 2 cardamoms/elachi and roast them on a dry pan (tava). Powder the
cardamoms and thereafter add a tsp of honey in it. Consume it
frequently. It serves as a fabulous home remedy for vomiting. OR In
the mixture of 1 tsp of mint juice and 1 tsp limejuice, add ? tsp of
ginger juice and 1 tsp honey. Drink this mixture to prevent vomiting. OR
Limejuice is an effective remedy for vomiting. Take a glass of chilled
limejuice and sip slowly. To prevent vomiting, drink ginger tea. OR In
1 glass water, add some honey and drink sip by sip.
WARTS
Apply castor oil daily over the problematic area. Continue for
several months. OR Apply milky juice of fresh and barely-ripe figs a
number of times a day. Continue for two weeks. OR Rub cut raw potatoes
on the affected area several times daily. Continue for at least two weeks. OR
Rub cut onions on the warts to stimulate the circulation of blood.. OR
Apply milk from the cut end of dandelion over the warts 2-3 times a
day. OR Apply oil extracted from the shell of the cashew nut over the
warts. OR Apply Papaya juice OR Apply Pineapple juice.
URINARY TRACT INFECTION
In 8 oz of water, put ? tsp of baking soda and drink it. OR Drink
plenty of water, as it aids in flushing out the waste products from the body.
OR Drink Cranberry juice. You can also add some apple juice for taste.
SINUSITIS


Mango serves as an effective home remedy for preventing the frequent
attacks of sinus, as it is packed with loads of vitamin A. OR Another
beneficial remedy consists of consuming pungent foods like onion and
garlic, as a part of your daily meals. OR Fenugreek/methi leaves are
considered valuable.

India’s very own and first cruise line AMET CRUISES was launched in Chennai, recently, by AMET Shipping Private Limited. The luxury cruise, M V AMET Majesty, will sail from Chennai to destinations such as Srilanka, Maldives, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and more.

Foreign cruise liners have touched just one or two Indian ports but these have been few and remained the prerogative of the rich and the affluent. Launching the cruise line in Chennai, Dr J Ramachandran, Chairman, AMET Shipping India Private Limit ed, stated that it was the privilege of the group to pioneer tourism in the country.’’  AMET CRUISES is India’s first cruise line that seeks to introduce a new format of holiday, recreation and entertainment in the country…for the burgeoning urban middle class households’’ observed Dr. J Ramachandran.

Capt. Bhardwaj, Vice Chancellor, AMET University says, “This ship is certified to carry over 1000 passengers on  international voyage.” He is also very confident that  cruise tourism will accelerate holiday options for the middle class, who now view foreign holidays as viable and affordable.

solar plane

'Good-bye laptops!'

Look closely and guess what they could be...  Are they pens with cameras? NO  Any wild guesses? No clue yet? NOT YET  Ladies and gentlemen... congratulations! You've just looked into the future...yep that's right! You've just seen something that willreplace your PC in the near future. Here is how it works:  In the revolution of miniature computers, scientists have made great developments with bluetooth technology... These are the forthcoming computers you can carry in your pockets . This 'pen type of instrument' produces both the monitor as well as the keyboard on any flat surface from where you can carry out functions you would normally do on your desktop computer. Can anyone say .'Good-bye laptops!'

. Maa Tuje Salam

Baby Monkey hit by bike at Jaipur {India}  but monkey mother...... . we already know the Mother history.                Maa Tuje Salam

...Nothing in this world is better than a Mother...

God cannot reach everywhere...So he created Mothers on the Earth!!!

A simple, yet very expressive snap!


MOTHER IS GOD'S Best GIFT.

. .





If God is great, (Amma ,Aai,Amme,Ma,MOM,Mummy..............................is the greatest.)

THERE   IS   NOTHING    IN THE WORLD     BETTER    THAN     MOTHER'S    LOVE........ 

Amazing Pencil Art works in the world

Amazing Pencil Art works in the world

The creator of these pictures 

“The sculptures were originally inspired by the form and function of the sea urchin. The spines of the urchin, so dangerous yet beautiful, serve as an explicit warning against contact. The alluring texture of the spines draws the touch in spite of the possible consequences.”

“To make the pencil sculptures, take hundreds of pencils, cut them into 1-inch sections, drill a hole in each section (to turn them into beads), sharpen them all and sew them together.”

A box with a secret compartment that would contain a pearl. The box would be shaped like a sea urchin, made of silver. In order to open the box and reveal the secret compartment, you’d have to pull on one of the urchin’s spines. The idea was of something beautiful, sculptural, but that you wouldn’t necessarily want to touch, and that also held a secret treasure.”

used pencils to draw and paint over their canvas, all but one. By the name of GhostPartol, this this australian artist creates beautiful works of art the other way around: using the pencils as canvas! He is a self-taught illustrator, he moved from the area of stencil art to exhibit his illustration work worldwide. His works of art ranges form fine ink drawings, graffiti, and commissioned murals to soft sculptures.

Pencil Art: using pencils as canvas

Top 9 Unique Structures To Be Built Soon

Construction technologies are advancing extremely quickly. Couple that with multi-billionnaires / deep-pocketed companies trying to outdo each other in the quest for the next standout design and you have a near-future filled with mile-high skyscrapers and buildings that no longer look like buildings.

Below are 9 strange and unique structures which have either been approved or are in the final stages of approval. some have already been partially constructed.

Welcome to the future landscape.

1. aqua, usa (website) 



From a distance this skyscraper, to be completed in 2009 in chicago, will seem quite traditional. it’ll only be when you get close and look up that you can appreciate the ripple/jelly effect created by variously sized balconies from top to bottom.



2. residence antilia, india (architects’ website)



Construction has begun on residence antilia despite opposition from those who see it as an ‘excessive’ design in a city where more than 65% of the population live in slums. politics aside and after you recover from the initial shock of seeing a skyscraper that resembles an ikea cd rack, the building actually looks like it may succeed as a stunning, unique, green piece of architecture.

3. chicago spire, usa (website)



The phenomenal chicago spire, when completed in 2010, will be the world’s tallest residential building and the tallest building of any kind in the western world. seemingly modelled on the image of a giant drill poking through the ground, the 609m structure will dominate the chicago skyline.




4. cctv headquarters, china (website)



At a modest 234m the cctv building isn’t going to stand out from a distance. however the design and shape is a crowdstopper to say the least and will be another incredible addition to beijing’s skyline in time for the 2008 olympics. the shape, described as a ‘z criss-cross’ results in a very high, seemingly unsupported corner at the front. let’s hope there’s a glass floor up there.



5. regatta hotel, jakarta (website)


Taking on a nautical theme, the developers say the 10 smaller towers represent sailing boats whilst the larger building is ‘the lighthouse’. it’s the lighthouse that steals the show for me, possibly the most incredible looking structure i’ve seen for a long time. if it ends up looking anything close to these pictures i’ll be impressed.



6. russia tower, russia (architects’ website)



Topped with an observation deck over the city of moscow, russia tower will become the tallest building in europe when completed in 2012 and twice the height of the eiffel tower. construction has already started on this angular beast which was designed by foster & partners, also responsible for the gherkin and spaceport america, currently in development.



7. penang global city centre, malaysia (website)




Following months of speculation and sturdy opposition, this humungous project is in the final stages of approval and apparently construction will start very soon. even so, due to the size of the plan it will take at least 15 years to complete. resembling a sci-fi city, the area will be crowned by 2 x 200m towers and completely transform the small island of penang.




8. gazprom headquarters, russia (architects’ website)




This gigantic, 300m tall glass flame of a building will house the gazprom headquarters in st. petersburg, dwarfing all structures in its vicinity. it will apparently change colour up to 10 times per day depending on the position of the sun. the building has already been nicknamed ‘corn on the cob’ by unhappy locals.





9. burj dubai, dubai (website)





This is the big one. when completed next year it will be the tallest man-made structure in the world and the tallest building by a long shot with a predicted height of 818m. note: currently the tallest building on earth, excluding an antenna, is taipei 101 in taiwan which stands at 509m. the photo below is the building’s current state: the skyscrapers below the burj dubai used to look tall.

Southbank

Southbank is an inner city suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia located direct south of the Yarra River opposite Melbourne's Hoddle Grid. The northernmost area is considered part of the Central Business District and Central Activities District of the city. Its Local Government Area are the Cities of Melbourne and Port Phillip.

Bordered to the north by the Yarra River, and to the east by St Kilda Road, Southbank's southern and western borders are bounded by Dorcas Street, Kings Way, West Gate Freeway and Montague Street.



Southbank was formerly an industrial area and part of South Melbourne. It was transformed into a densely populated district of high rise apartment and office buildings .
Today Southbank is dominated by high-rise development. It is one of the primary business centres in Greater Melbourne, being the headquarters of Foster's, Crown Limited, the Herald Sun as well as regional offices of many major corporations in a cluster of towers . It is also one of the most densely populated areas of Melbourne with a large cluster of apartment towers including Australia's tallest tower measured to its highest floor, the Eureka Tower.
Southbank Promenade and Southgate Arts and Leisure Precinct on the southern bank of the Yarra River extending to Crown Casino is one of Melbourne's major entertainment precincts. Southgate's landmark Ophelia sculpture by Deborah Halpern has been used to represent Melbourne in tourism campaigns.
The area was part of the first port of Melbourne. It had a few old bridges, the first being the first Princes Bridge and later the Sandridge Bridge which was formerly part of the Port Melbourne railway line .
South Bank from one of Brisbane’s CityCats.


Arts centre precinct which opened  on  parkland which was once used as an amusement park and featured the Southgate Fountain.
Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane 



The Southbank art and craft market occurs on the promenade near the Arts Centre every Sunday. The promenade is also home to several buskers and a pavement chalk artists.




Southgate, Sheraton towers and new tall office buildings for The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd and IBM were built along with an award winning pedestrian footbridge
 Eureka Tower  >


The 91 floor Eureka Tower was begun in 2002, aimed at being the tallest residential tower in the world and was completed in 2006.



Southbank promenade, designed by architects Denton Corker Marshall, runs from Princes Bridge along to Queens Bridge street and Queens Bridge which also incorporates Queensbridge Square and continuing to the west of the Bridge is "Yarra Promenade", which runs underneath Kings Way and Kings Bridge to Clarendon Street, Spencer Street Bridge including Crown Entertainment Complex and promenade restaurants.

Colorful fountain at night in Melbournes Southbank Australia