Re: [Ilugc] significance of deepavali
Everything in this world does not revolve around GNU/Linux! Take some time off to enjoy things around you! Yes and Deepavali is not the only festival. In India, we can relate most of the days to some event belong to some specific religion. Our members also belongs to different religion and if every one start sending seasonal greetings, then we will see only greetings in this list. So please restrict your discussions only to FOSS related topics. DON'T SEND SEASONAL GREETINGS TO THE LIST. STOP. Bye :) -- Bharathi S ___ To unsubscribe, email ilugc-requ...@ae.iitm.ac.in with unsubscribe password address in the subject or body of the message. http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc
Re: [Ilugc] significance of deepavali
On Saturday 17 Oct 2009 11:18:08 am Varrun Ramani wrote: Wish you all a very happy deepavali(not :) diwali )! I just was enlightened what has this post got to do with linux? or foss? do you not know that it is a breach of list rules to send seasons greetings. Or are you incapable of reading and following rules? -- regards kg http://lawgon.livejournal.com ___ To unsubscribe, email ilugc-requ...@ae.iitm.ac.in with unsubscribe password address in the subject or body of the message. http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc
Re: [Ilugc] significance of deepavali
On Saturday 17 Oct 2009 1:01:34 pm narendra sisodiya wrote: On Sat, Oct 17, 2009 at 11:18 AM, Varrun Ramani darthsit...@gmail.com wrote: Wish you all a very happy deepavali(not :) diwali )! I just was enlightened by my professor with some info i had no idea about. I think every Indian ought to know this! *Significance of Diwali* India is a land of festivals where you will see at least one major festival each month.* Deepavali* (or Diwali) which literally means rows of lamps is one of the four main festivals of India. Throughout the world all Hindus celebrate Deepavali or Diwali with great pomp and enthusiasm. The celebration of Diwali lasts six days, beginning on the 12th day of the month of Kartik (as per the North Indian lunar calendar). The day before Diwali, in order to evoke the grace of God, women fast. It is not that God wants you to go hungry or takes pleasure in your suffering - the principle is that you gain only by giving up. That evening, devotees worship Gomata (the cow) and her calf and feed them special food. Women pray for the welfare of the entire family. This holy day is called *Vasubaras*. The first official day of Diwali falls on the 13th of Kartik. People set about cleaning houses and shops, and decorating doorsteps and courtyards with rangoli or multi-coloured designs. They purchase gold ornaments, new vessels, clothes, and other such items. Devotees arise early in the morning before sunrise and take oil baths. If possible, they wear new clothes. In the evening, people worship coins representing wealth. Families decorate houses and courtyards with lanterns giving a warm glow to the night. This day of celebration is called* Dhantrayodashi* or* Dhanteras.* The second day is called* Naraka Chaturdashi*. People take an oil bath in the early morning and then in the night they light lamps and burn firecrackers. People visit their relatives and friends, exchanging love and sweets. On the third day, people worship Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. People decorate their houses with lit lamps and lanterns to welcome Lakshmi to their home and hearts. On this day businessmen close old accounts and open new accounts. The earth is lit up by lamps and the skies are coloured by the multi-hued lights of fireworks. In North India, the *Govardhana Puja* occurs on the fourth day of Diwali. Devotees in the North build large mounds made of cow dung, symbolising Govardhana - the mountain that Krishna lifted up with his finger to save the villagers of Vrindavan from rain - and decorate and worship them. North Indians observe this day as *Annakoot*, or the mountain of food. The fifth day of the festival called *Bhaiyya Dooj* celebrates unique and fun customs. Every man dines in his sister's house, and, in return, presents her with gifts. North India calls it Yama Dwitiya. Thousands of brothers and sisters join hands and have a sacred bath in the river Yamuna. The Legends *Dhanteras * The scriptures mention the divinity called Dhanvantari emerging from the churning of the ocean holding a kalash (pot) filled with Amrit (ambrosia). Due to the fact that Dhanvantari, who revealed the science of Ayurveda to the world, first manifested on this day, all over India, doctors following the Ayurvedic system of medicine organise joyful celebrations during the annual Dhanvantari festival. *Naraka Chaturdashi* There is a legend about a king of Prag-Jyotishpur, named Narakasura. He was a powerful king who misused power to harass his subjects. Sri Krishna destroyed this oppressive asura king on this day. Unjustly imprisoned people celebrated their freedom with friends and family. The citizens celebrated their deliverance from Narkasura's reign by lighting lamps. *Sri Rama* Deepavali falls on a no-moon day - in fact the darkest day of the year. The illuminations and fireworks, joy and festivities, are to signify the victory of divine forces over the powers of darkness. On Deepavali day, triumphant Sri Rama is said to have returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, the asura king of Lanka. *Goddess Lakshmi Devi* The Puranas say that it was on this day that Goddess Lakshmi, who emerged from the churning of the ocean of milk (Ksheera Sagara), married Lord Vishnu, the repository of all divine qualities. *Govardhana Puja* In order to shelter the gopis and gopas and their cows from the torrential rains sent by Indra, Krishna lifted a hill near Mathura called Govardhana with his finger and sheltered all the people for a period of seven days under it. By then Indra saw Krishna's greatness and asked him for forgiveness. *Bhaiyya Dooj *The river Yamuna and Yama, the God of Death, were brother and sister. As they grew up they went their different ways. On this day Yama supposedly visited his sister Yamuna, who in her joy at seeing her brother after
Re: [Ilugc] significance of deepavali
2009/10/18 Kenneth Gonsalves law...@thenilgiris.com On Saturday 17 Oct 2009 11:18:08 am Varrun Ramani wrote: Wish you all a very happy deepavali(not :) diwali )! I just was enlightened what has this post got to do with linux? or foss? do you not know that it is a breach of list rules to send seasons greetings. Or are you incapable of reading and following rules? -- Fine.Granted, i wont send any seasonal greetings again :-( Will stick to decorum and rules.I had read the rules earlier. Thanks for all your instantaneous replies -- Take up one idea.Make that one idea your life- think of it,dream of it, live on that idea - Swami Vivekananda Thanks Regards Varrun Ramani Amrita University '10 ___ To unsubscribe, email ilugc-requ...@ae.iitm.ac.in with unsubscribe password address in the subject or body of the message. http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc
Re: [Ilugc] significance of deepavali
Hi Kenneth Well, i got a mail from the very same group earlier with a mailing list etiquette where it was specifically mentioned that i have to top post. Well, i really cannot suit my mails to the fashions of different people wanting to read different mails differently.So please bear with it. Check out 1 October 2009, Mailing list guidelines: monthly reminder , by Shrinivasan T PS:I did not find your bottom post irritating, as in gmail it shows old posts as quoted text. Cheers! 2009/10/18 Kenneth Gonsalves law...@thenilgiris.com please do not bottom post - it is as bad as top post. This is a bottom post to show how irritating it is to scrool miles down to read one line. -- regards kg http://lawgon.livejournal.com -- Take up one idea.Make that one idea your life- think of it,dream of it, live on that idea - Swami Vivekananda Thanks Regards Varrun Ramani ___ To unsubscribe, email ilugc-requ...@ae.iitm.ac.in with unsubscribe password address in the subject or body of the message. http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc
Re: [Ilugc] significance of deepavali
On Sunday 18 Oct 2009 12:10:55 pm Varrun Ramani wrote: Well, i got a mail from the very same group earlier with a mailing list etiquette where it was specifically mentioned that i have to top post you got a mail saying you *have* to top post?? -- regards kg http://lawgon.livejournal.com ___ To unsubscribe, email ilugc-requ...@ae.iitm.ac.in with unsubscribe password address in the subject or body of the message. http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc
Re: [Ilugc] significance of deepavali
Oh, I am sorry, i meant the opposite. Here is what was written.Please check the archives. * *2009/10/1 Shrinivasan T tshriniva...@gmail.com Mailing List Guidelines: Monthly reminder: *4. Do not top-post: Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top-posting Example of a top-post: Because it messes up the order in which people normally read text. Why is top-posting such a bad thing? Top-posting. What is the most annoying thing in e-mail? Always use bottom-posting. * 2009/10/18 Kenneth Gonsalves law...@thenilgiris.com On Sunday 18 Oct 2009 12:10:55 pm Varrun Ramani wrote: Well, i got a mail from the very same group earlier with a mailing list etiquette where it was specifically mentioned that i have to top post you got a mail saying you *have* to top post?? -- regards kg http://lawgon.livejournal.com ___ To unsubscribe, email ilugc-requ...@ae.iitm.ac.in with unsubscribe password address in the subject or body of the message. http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc -- Take up one idea.Make that one idea your life- think of it,dream of it, live on that idea - Swami Vivekananda Thanks Regards Varrun Ramani Amrita University '10 ___ To unsubscribe, email ilugc-requ...@ae.iitm.ac.in with unsubscribe password address in the subject or body of the message. http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc
Re: [Ilugc] significance of deepavali
On Sunday 18 Oct 2009 12:31:29 pm Varrun Ramani wrote: Always use bottom-posting. this is wrong - it should read 'always use interleaved posting'. I have been pointing this out to Shakthi for the last two years, but unfortunately it has not been changed. And why are you top posting now? -- regards kg http://lawgon.livejournal.com ___ To unsubscribe, email ilugc-requ...@ae.iitm.ac.in with unsubscribe password address in the subject or body of the message. http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc
Re: [Ilugc] significance of deepavali
See, i am pretty new to the mailing list and dont know that much about the etiquette. I just followed the ones stipulated in the guidelines, to maintain uniformity. People like you who have been active in the list for long, have to point me in the right way. I am pretty open to ideas.I agree with you though, top posting is more convenient. Thanks for pointing it out to me. Hope to learn more :) PS:Following your advice, will top post from now 2009/10/18 Kenneth Gonsalves law...@thenilgiris.com On Sunday 18 Oct 2009 12:31:29 pm Varrun Ramani wrote: Always use bottom-posting. this is wrong - it should read 'always use interleaved posting'. I have been pointing this out to Shakthi for the last two years, but unfortunately it has not been changed. And why are you top posting now? -- regards kg http://lawgon.livejournal.com ___ To unsubscribe, email ilugc-requ...@ae.iitm.ac.in with unsubscribe password address in the subject or body of the message. http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc -- Take up one idea.Make that one idea your life- think of it,dream of it, live on that idea - Swami Vivekananda Thanks Regards Varrun Ramani Amrita University '10 ___ To unsubscribe, email ilugc-requ...@ae.iitm.ac.in with unsubscribe password address in the subject or body of the message. http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc
Re: [Ilugc] significance of deepavali
Hi, --- On Sun, Oct 18, 2009 at 12:35 PM, Kenneth Gonsalves law...@thenilgiris.com wrote: | this is wrong - it should read 'always use interleaved posting'. I have been | pointing this out to Shakthi for the last two years, but unfortunately it has | not been changed. \-- I only changed it in my presentation (slide #9) with 'interleaved, trimmed, bottom posting' as per yours and Kumar Appaiahs' suggestions: http://www.shakthimaan.com/downloads/glv/presentations/mailing-list-etiquette.pdf You need to have contacted Bharathi (who had access) for the changes at chennailug.org (earlier). Of course, now we have our own domains, where anyone can do the document changes. SK -- Shakthi Kannan http://www.shakthimaan.com ___ To unsubscribe, email ilugc-requ...@ae.iitm.ac.in with unsubscribe password address in the subject or body of the message. http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc
Re: [Ilugc] significance of deepavali
On Sunday 18 Oct 2009 12:48:41 pm Varrun Ramani wrote: See, i am pretty new to the mailing list and dont know that much about the etiquette. I just followed the ones stipulated in the guidelines, to maintain uniformity. People like you who have been active in the list for long, have to point me in the right way. I am pretty open to ideas.I agree with you though, top posting is more convenient. Thanks for pointing it out to me. Hope to learn more :) PS:Following your advice, will top post from now why are you persisting in top posting who advised you to do this? Please read the guidelines here: http://demo.ilugc.org.in/report/4/ -- regards kg http://lawgon.livejournal.com ___ To unsubscribe, email ilugc-requ...@ae.iitm.ac.in with unsubscribe password address in the subject or body of the message. http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc
Re: [Ilugc] significance of deepavali
On Sunday 18 Oct 2009 12:50:12 pm Shakthi Kannan wrote: | pointing this out to Shakthi for the last two years, but unfortunately it | has not been changed. \-- I only changed it in my presentation (slide #9) with 'interleaved, trimmed, bottom posting' as per yours and Kumar Appaiahs' suggestions: http://www.shakthimaan.com/downloads/glv/presentations/mailing-list-etiquet te.pdf I would suggest to leave out the term 'bottom posting' and instead use 'interleaved, trimmed, with each part of the post below the relevant quoted material, leaving one blank line between the quoted material and the post' -- regards kg http://lawgon.livejournal.com ___ To unsubscribe, email ilugc-requ...@ae.iitm.ac.in with unsubscribe password address in the subject or body of the message. http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc
Re: [Ilugc] significance of deepavali
Hi, --- On Sun, Oct 18, 2009 at 12:54 PM, Varrun Ramani darthsit...@gmail.com wrote: | Now, i am clearly confused :) . Once in for all, please tell me if | top-posting is allowed or not? \-- Ok,thanks for the tips. I am clear now :) 2009/10/18 Shakthi Kannan shakthim...@gmail.com Nobody said you should top-post. You need to only do interleaved, trimmed, bottom-posting. SK -- Shakthi Kannan http://www.shakthimaan.com Will follow interleaved,trimmed,bottom-posting from now -- Take up one idea.Make that one idea your life- think of it,dream of it, live on that idea - Swami Vivekananda Thanks Regards Varrun Ramani Amrita University '10 ___ To unsubscribe, email ilugc-requ...@ae.iitm.ac.in with unsubscribe password address in the subject or body of the message. http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc
Re: [Ilugc] significance of deepavali
On 10/18/2009 12:48 PM, Varrun Ramani wrote: See, i am pretty new to the mailing list and dont know that much about the etiquette. I just followed the ones stipulated in the guidelines, to maintain uniformity. People like you who have been active in the list for long, have to point me in the right way. I am pretty open to ideas.I agree with you though, top posting is more convenient. Thanks for pointing it out to me. Hope to learn more :) PS:Following your advice, will top post from now I think that you either suffer from a reading impairment, low attention span or a lack of understanding of the english language. By saying that bottom-posting is wrong, Kenneth /did not/ imply that top-posting is right. In fact he was very explicit in pointing out that ... this is wrong - it should read 'always use interleaved posting'. interleaved posting is what I am doing here, just in case it didn't register. Sorry for being rude, but you started being rude by: a. Sending to my mail box a post was utterly off-topic for this list b. Defending your post when it was pointed out to be so c. Refusing to read and comprehend the mails that were correcting you politely d. ...and not once believing and accepting that you did any thing wrong. Behaving in such a pompous manner will not gain you any regard in this community. Remember that for every person who takes the time to politely correct you, there are at least 10 others who feel the same way, but hold themselves back to avoid more noise on the list. Hope you can understand this mail. cheers, - steve -- random non tech spiel: http://lonetwin.blogspot.com/ tech randomness: http://lonehacks.blogspot.com/ what i'm stumbling into: http://lonetwin.stumbleupon.com/ ___ To unsubscribe, email ilugc-requ...@ae.iitm.ac.in with unsubscribe password address in the subject or body of the message. http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc
Re: [Ilugc] significance of deepavali
Kenneth Gonsalves wrote: On Sunday 18 Oct 2009 12:31:29 pm Varrun Ramani wrote: Always use bottom-posting. this is wrong - it should read 'always use interleaved posting'. I have been pointing this out to Shakthi for the last two years, but unfortunately it has not been changed. And why are you top posting now? If a person cannot top post to a Free and Open Source list, I really don't understand what is the kind of freedom we talk about all the time. Of course, I do appreciate the list's guidelines. -- Anthoni Shogan ___ To unsubscribe, email ilugc-requ...@ae.iitm.ac.in with unsubscribe password address in the subject or body of the message. http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc
Re: [Ilugc] significance of deepavali
Kenneth Gonsalves wrote: On Saturday 17 Oct 2009 11:18:08 am Varrun Ramani wrote: Wish you all a very happy deepavali(not :) diwali )! I just was enlightened what has this post got to do with linux? or foss? do you not know that it is a breach of list rules to send seasons greetings. Or are you incapable of reading and following rules? OP is practicing the freedom he has. Freedom. May be ILUGC (or the prominent ones in ILUGC) sould filter all he 'wanna-be' members by screening them. I joined the TurboGears list as my work involves the framework. They do not even complain when there's a spam mail to the list. (eventually it gets handled too). I'm sorry folks, I am really tired of the noise in this list. -- Anthoni Shogan ___ To unsubscribe, email ilugc-requ...@ae.iitm.ac.in with unsubscribe password address in the subject or body of the message. http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc
Re: [Ilugc] significance of deepavali
Hello, On Sun, 18 Oct 2009, Anthoni Shogan wrote: If a person cannot top post to a Free and Open Source list, I really don't understand what is the kind of freedom we talk about all the ^^ time. That much is obvious! :- Please read up on the topic and educate yourself! Kapil. -- ___ To unsubscribe, email ilugc-requ...@ae.iitm.ac.in with unsubscribe password address in the subject or body of the message. http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc
Re: [Ilugc] significance of deepavali
Kapil Hari Paranjape wrote: Hello, On Sun, 18 Oct 2009, Anthoni Shogan wrote: If a person cannot top post to a Free and Open Source list, I really don't understand what is the kind of freedom we talk about all the ^^ time. That much is obvious! :- Please read up on the topic and educate yourself! Thanks! But I'd like to know what you think of the noise rate on this list! I am a Linux noob, alright. I wasn't talking about the FSF philosophy. Is it so difficult to reply to a person privately, telling him not to top/bottom post? Does it really require such a mail to be addressed to the list, with all the talking we've done over years to keep the archives clean and helpful to others?? Thanks, -- Anthoni Shogan ___ To unsubscribe, email ilugc-requ...@ae.iitm.ac.in with unsubscribe password address in the subject or body of the message. http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc
Re: [Ilugc] significance of deepavali
Anthoni Shogan wrote: Is it so difficult to reply to a person privately, telling him not to top/bottom post? Does it really require such a mail to be addressed to the list, with all the talking we've done over years to keep the archives clean and helpful to others?? If we start advising people off the list, then where will be the opportunity for those silent, non-participating n00bs to learn what's right and what's not? And, is it so difficult to press Delete button than adding to noise? There are two simple rules for peaceful life in this list - [1] when a spam comes just ignore, [2] when a spammer is pointed out to his mistakes, or even flamed, do not add fuel to fire or more to the noise, justifying his acts in the name of freedom. -- With Regards, Parthan SR technofreak GPG Key 2FF01026 Fingerprint 5707 ECBD 8D8D 8E6E 28F8 DFA5 938B D861 2FF0 1026 Weblog http://blog.technofreak.in ___ To unsubscribe, email ilugc-requ...@ae.iitm.ac.in with unsubscribe password address in the subject or body of the message. http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc
Re: [Ilugc] significance of deepavali
Hi, --- On Sun, Oct 18, 2009 at 4:50 PM, Anthoni Shogan anthonisho...@gmail.com wrote: | Is it so difficult to reply to a person privately, telling him not to | top/bottom post? \-- The whole point of having a mailing list for discussion is that everyone knows about the discussions. --- | Does it really require such a mail to be addressed to the list, with all the | talking we've done over years to keep the archives clean and helpful to | others?? \-- Why do you worry about the archives? With people from different backgrounds, it is not uncommon to have differences of opinion. What is wrong in being honest and having open discussions? The point is new newbies always join the list, and seldom know about list guidelines. So, reiterating the same helps them and others know about it. You are welcome to ignore the repetitive reminders, and move on. If engineering curriculum include these in their first semester Technical English course, and people follow them in real life, I am more than happy. Unfortunately, there is no other place where such decorum are being taught! Yes, it is a shame that we have to teach such things to students. Sadly, F/OSS user groups are the only place where these are addressed. SK -- Shakthi Kannan http://www.shakthimaan.com ___ To unsubscribe, email ilugc-requ...@ae.iitm.ac.in with unsubscribe password address in the subject or body of the message. http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc
ML Noise and Community (Was Re: [Ilugc] significance of deepavali)
Hello, A long response to Anthoni Shogun's query about why we don't just ignore bad postings in this list. FOSS is largely a _community_ activity. If people behave badly with the community then even great ideas, coding or philosophy cannot excuse them. If you don't believe me then see the criticism of people like Stallman, Schilling and Shuttleworth over the last few years. According to me, the freedom in FOSS is more in the sense of the fundamental rights granted by the constitution --- these come along with some fundamental duties. In summary, if you will not work with the community then the community will not work for you. Thus, a big part of working with FOSS is learning to use your ego to drive you to be more creative rather than use it to fight other creators. This involves learning to use mail, irc, comments, commit messages and the like to _communicate_ on those things which other people want to hear _in context_. A long comparision on the BSD licence vs. GPL license will not be welcome within a comment section of a source file even though it may be completely relevant in an online forum. There are two ways in which most community members react to stuff that violates community guidelines. One is to ignore the poster. This is the method used on high-volume lists. Some other lists like ILUG-C have many more newcomers and are low-volume enough that attempting-to-educate is a legitimate alternative. The latter may sound like noise to those used to the former kind of list. However, note that elimination of such noise from one's mail reader is just a matter of learning to kill-thread in incoming mailing list mail. Regards, Kapil. -- ___ To unsubscribe, email ilugc-requ...@ae.iitm.ac.in with unsubscribe password address in the subject or body of the message. http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc
Re: [Ilugc] significance of deepavali
On Sat, Oct 17, 2009 at 11:18 AM, Varrun Ramani darthsit...@gmail.com wrote: Wish you all a very happy deepavali(not :) diwali )! I just was enlightened by my professor with some info i had no idea about. I think every Indian ought to know this! *Significance of Diwali* India is a land of festivals where you will see at least one major festival each month.* Deepavali* (or Diwali) which literally means rows of lamps is one of the four main festivals of India. Throughout the world all Hindus celebrate Deepavali or Diwali with great pomp and enthusiasm. The celebration of Diwali lasts six days, beginning on the 12th day of the month of Kartik (as per the North Indian lunar calendar). The day before Diwali, in order to evoke the grace of God, women fast. It is not that God wants you to go hungry or takes pleasure in your suffering - the principle is that you gain only by giving up. That evening, devotees worship Gomata (the cow) and her calf and feed them special food. Women pray for the welfare of the entire family. This holy day is called *Vasubaras*. The first official day of Diwali falls on the 13th of Kartik. People set about cleaning houses and shops, and decorating doorsteps and courtyards with rangoli or multi-coloured designs. They purchase gold ornaments, new vessels, clothes, and other such items. Devotees arise early in the morning before sunrise and take oil baths. If possible, they wear new clothes. In the evening, people worship coins representing wealth. Families decorate houses and courtyards with lanterns giving a warm glow to the night. This day of celebration is called* Dhantrayodashi* or* Dhanteras.* The second day is called* Naraka Chaturdashi*. People take an oil bath in the early morning and then in the night they light lamps and burn firecrackers. People visit their relatives and friends, exchanging love and sweets. On the third day, people worship Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. People decorate their houses with lit lamps and lanterns to welcome Lakshmi to their home and hearts. On this day businessmen close old accounts and open new accounts. The earth is lit up by lamps and the skies are coloured by the multi-hued lights of fireworks. In North India, the *Govardhana Puja* occurs on the fourth day of Diwali. Devotees in the North build large mounds made of cow dung, symbolising Govardhana - the mountain that Krishna lifted up with his finger to save the villagers of Vrindavan from rain - and decorate and worship them. North Indians observe this day as *Annakoot*, or the mountain of food. The fifth day of the festival called *Bhaiyya Dooj* celebrates unique and fun customs. Every man dines in his sister's house, and, in return, presents her with gifts. North India calls it Yama Dwitiya. Thousands of brothers and sisters join hands and have a sacred bath in the river Yamuna. The Legends *Dhanteras * The scriptures mention the divinity called Dhanvantari emerging from the churning of the ocean holding a kalash (pot) filled with Amrit (ambrosia). Due to the fact that Dhanvantari, who revealed the science of Ayurveda to the world, first manifested on this day, all over India, doctors following the Ayurvedic system of medicine organise joyful celebrations during the annual Dhanvantari festival. *Naraka Chaturdashi* There is a legend about a king of Prag-Jyotishpur, named Narakasura. He was a powerful king who misused power to harass his subjects. Sri Krishna destroyed this oppressive asura king on this day. Unjustly imprisoned people celebrated their freedom with friends and family. The citizens celebrated their deliverance from Narkasura's reign by lighting lamps. *Sri Rama* Deepavali falls on a no-moon day - in fact the darkest day of the year. The illuminations and fireworks, joy and festivities, are to signify the victory of divine forces over the powers of darkness. On Deepavali day, triumphant Sri Rama is said to have returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, the asura king of Lanka. *Goddess Lakshmi Devi* The Puranas say that it was on this day that Goddess Lakshmi, who emerged from the churning of the ocean of milk (Ksheera Sagara), married Lord Vishnu, the repository of all divine qualities. *Govardhana Puja* In order to shelter the gopis and gopas and their cows from the torrential rains sent by Indra, Krishna lifted a hill near Mathura called Govardhana with his finger and sheltered all the people for a period of seven days under it. By then Indra saw Krishna's greatness and asked him for forgiveness. *Bhaiyya Dooj *The river Yamuna and Yama, the God of Death, were brother and sister. As they grew up they went their different ways. On this day Yama supposedly visited his sister Yamuna, who in her joy at seeing her brother after such a long interlude set up a feast for him. Pleased, Yama granted her a boon. He declared that every man that receives a tilak or vermilion mark on the
Re: [Ilugc] significance of deepavali
Hello, On Sat, 17 Oct 2009, Varrun Ramani wrote: Wish you all a very happy deepavali(not :) diwali )! I just was enlightened by my professor with some info i had no idea about. I think every Indian ought to know this! *Significance of Diwali* I see ... and this is relevant to ILUG Chennai because? 1. The I stands for India so everything about it is relevant? 2. Because if you circulate this message then it will instantly cause your knowledge about GNU/Linux to grow many fold!? 3. The row of lights represents the successive versions of Linux and other GNU software which will defeat the evil (but smart) Ravana of proprietary software!? I'm unconvinced. :-) Having access to someone's mail address (or being subscribed to a mailing list) does not mean that _everything_ of interest to you must be circulated to all these addresses! Kapil. -- ___ To unsubscribe, email ilugc-requ...@ae.iitm.ac.in with unsubscribe password address in the subject or body of the message. http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc
Re: [Ilugc] significance of deepavali
2009/10/17 Kapil Hari Paranjape ka...@imsc.res.in I see ... and this is relevant to ILUG Chennai because? 1. The I stands for India so everything about it is relevant? 2. Because if you circulate this message then it will instantly cause your knowledge about GNU/Linux to grow many fold!? 3. The row of lights represents the successive versions of Linux and other GNU software which will defeat the evil (but smart) Ravana of proprietary software!? I'm unconvinced. :-) Having access to someone's mail address (or being subscribed to a mailing list) does not mean that _everything_ of interest to you must be circulated to all these addresses! Kapil. -- I get the fact that you are a cynic. But also take some time off to appreciate when a festival like diwali comes along emphasizing the spirit of giving and spreading joy. I was just doing my part in that. Everything in this world does not revolve around GNU/Linux! Take some time off to enjoy things around you! PS: I mentioned the word GNU/Linux, so i hope this not classify as spam? -- Take up one idea.Make that one idea your life- think of it,dream of it, live on that idea - Swami Vivekananda Thanks Regards Varrun Ramani ___ To unsubscribe, email ilugc-requ...@ae.iitm.ac.in with unsubscribe password address in the subject or body of the message. http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc
[Ilugc] significance of deepavali
Wish you all a very happy deepavali(not :) diwali )! I just was enlightened by my professor with some info i had no idea about. I think every Indian ought to know this! *Significance of Diwali* India is a land of festivals where you will see at least one major festival each month.* Deepavali* (or Diwali) which literally means rows of lamps is one of the four main festivals of India. Throughout the world all Hindus celebrate Deepavali or Diwali with great pomp and enthusiasm. The celebration of Diwali lasts six days, beginning on the 12th day of the month of Kartik (as per the North Indian lunar calendar). The day before Diwali, in order to evoke the grace of God, women fast. It is not that God wants you to go hungry or takes pleasure in your suffering - the principle is that you gain only by giving up. That evening, devotees worship Gomata (the cow) and her calf and feed them special food. Women pray for the welfare of the entire family. This holy day is called *Vasubaras*. The first official day of Diwali falls on the 13th of Kartik. People set about cleaning houses and shops, and decorating doorsteps and courtyards with rangoli or multi-coloured designs. They purchase gold ornaments, new vessels, clothes, and other such items. Devotees arise early in the morning before sunrise and take oil baths. If possible, they wear new clothes. In the evening, people worship coins representing wealth. Families decorate houses and courtyards with lanterns giving a warm glow to the night. This day of celebration is called* Dhantrayodashi* or* Dhanteras.* The second day is called* Naraka Chaturdashi*. People take an oil bath in the early morning and then in the night they light lamps and burn firecrackers. People visit their relatives and friends, exchanging love and sweets. On the third day, people worship Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. People decorate their houses with lit lamps and lanterns to welcome Lakshmi to their home and hearts. On this day businessmen close old accounts and open new accounts. The earth is lit up by lamps and the skies are coloured by the multi-hued lights of fireworks. In North India, the *Govardhana Puja* occurs on the fourth day of Diwali. Devotees in the North build large mounds made of cow dung, symbolising Govardhana - the mountain that Krishna lifted up with his finger to save the villagers of Vrindavan from rain - and decorate and worship them. North Indians observe this day as *Annakoot*, or the mountain of food. The fifth day of the festival called *Bhaiyya Dooj* celebrates unique and fun customs. Every man dines in his sister's house, and, in return, presents her with gifts. North India calls it Yama Dwitiya. Thousands of brothers and sisters join hands and have a sacred bath in the river Yamuna. The Legends *Dhanteras * The scriptures mention the divinity called Dhanvantari emerging from the churning of the ocean holding a kalash (pot) filled with Amrit (ambrosia). Due to the fact that Dhanvantari, who revealed the science of Ayurveda to the world, first manifested on this day, all over India, doctors following the Ayurvedic system of medicine organise joyful celebrations during the annual Dhanvantari festival. *Naraka Chaturdashi* There is a legend about a king of Prag-Jyotishpur, named Narakasura. He was a powerful king who misused power to harass his subjects. Sri Krishna destroyed this oppressive asura king on this day. Unjustly imprisoned people celebrated their freedom with friends and family. The citizens celebrated their deliverance from Narkasura's reign by lighting lamps. *Sri Rama* Deepavali falls on a no-moon day - in fact the darkest day of the year. The illuminations and fireworks, joy and festivities, are to signify the victory of divine forces over the powers of darkness. On Deepavali day, triumphant Sri Rama is said to have returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, the asura king of Lanka. *Goddess Lakshmi Devi* The Puranas say that it was on this day that Goddess Lakshmi, who emerged from the churning of the ocean of milk (Ksheera Sagara), married Lord Vishnu, the repository of all divine qualities. *Govardhana Puja* In order to shelter the gopis and gopas and their cows from the torrential rains sent by Indra, Krishna lifted a hill near Mathura called Govardhana with his finger and sheltered all the people for a period of seven days under it. By then Indra saw Krishna's greatness and asked him for forgiveness. *Bhaiyya Dooj *The river Yamuna and Yama, the God of Death, were brother and sister. As they grew up they went their different ways. On this day Yama supposedly visited his sister Yamuna, who in her joy at seeing her brother after such a long interlude set up a feast for him. Pleased, Yama granted her a boon. He declared that every man that receives a tilak or vermilion mark on the forehead from his sister and presents her with lovely gifts on this day would attain higher worlds. *The message of Deepavali *The traditional name of India
