All Is Well!

PHOTO PROMPT – Copyright – Kelly Sands

The dangerous storm raged powerfully in my sensitive head.

There were a lot of pressing & serious things left unsaid...

Suna Besha

In my previous posts- Rath Yatra Puri & Rath Yatra, I have shared some info & images about the unique festival- Rath Yatra that is celebrated in the Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha, India.
It is also celebrated in many parts of the world.

Rath Yatra at Puri, Odisha, India

Yesterday, on Bahuda Yatra, the deities returned to the Temple after the completion of their annual holiday to their birthplace.

Today is celebrated as "Suna Besha" i.e. Golden Attire/Look.

As per the Shree Jagannath Temple history, Suna Besha was introduced during the reign of King Kapilendra Dev in 1460 AD.

From L to R- Suna Besha of Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, Lord Jagannath

  The deities are dressed in Gold ornaments.

Rath Yatra

Last week, I posted about Ratha Jatra Puri.



 
 Today is "Bahuda Jatra" i.e. Return Journey.

On Pic in Odia Language- "Today the Gods will return"

On Bahuda Yatra, the three Gods return to their abode- the Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri after a nine day long outing.

At Home

The four friends hugged together. 

“We’ll succeed in our mission for our home, won’t we?”

 “There's a place in Heaven for us, isn’t it?”

 

Zenith

Don't go by my looks,
Open your eyes & mind wide. 

What you can see today,

Is the vagary of time & tide…

The Travel-Wizard

I was as usual doing my chore,
There was a surprise in store!

Smoky room, ceiling & floor!
Locked were all windows & door!

A Wizard appeared, no folklore!
I rubbed my eyes, there was no eye-sore! 

He said, "I'm the Travel-Wizard- Skyscanner."
"I know you love trips as you are @anitaexplorer!"

 

My Grandfather, Bapa

"Are you studying well? Have you stood 1st in Class?"

My paternal grandfather, Bapa, asked me these questions.

This is one of my earliest memories of my role model.

Bapa asked me these questions every time we met.

I always felt guilty about having to give a negative answer to the second question.

That's because I stood 2nd or 3rd in Class most of the times.

While my father always advised us to 'Study for knowledge; not for marks', I knew one person- his father i.e. Bapa- would be very happy if I stood 1st in Class!

Years passed and I regularly occupied one of the first three positions in Class, but never the 1st position...

Bapa had promised me a watch if I stood 1st.

More than the watch, I wanted to stand 1st so that I could reply 'YES' to both of Bapa's questions when we met the next time...

My turn came when I finally stood 1st.

Bapa was overjoyed and promptly fulfilled his promise.

Apart from his happiness & blessings, I proudly earned my first wrist-watch!

Thanks Bapa!

My grandfather, Bapa, is my role-model for many reasons.

Strength, Fortitude, Facing Challenge, Courage

Bapa shares his name with the young and brave warrior-prince, Abhimanyu of the Mahabharata. 

Just like the character Abhimanyu, Bapa has had to face the Chakravyuh. But, unlike his Mahabharata namesake, this Abhimanyu has had to face many Chakravyuhs in his life so far...

Each time he has emerged stronger and been a pillar of support for all.

Bapa has had to see many deaths in his family - that of his elders, son, son-in-law, two brothers, wife, daughter-in-law...

Bapa has accepted bouquets and brickbats with equal elan.

He is a leading businessman of Southern Odisha, who despite facing many challenges in business, has set up a strong empire and earned crores. 

He has ably handled the family business for eight decades now, right from the tender age of ten.

Simplicity, Humility, Frugal, Contented

Bapa believes in 'Simple Living, High Thinking'.

Bapa is a great fan of Gandhiji & his principles. Bapa had even contributed for the Freedom Struggle.

Bapa has always had just two sets of lungis. One day, when I was very young, I even spotted him wearing a vest that had a hole. When I complained about this to my grandmother, she said that Bapa had asked her to get it mended and he would continue to wear it. Also, he is happy with his two sets of lungis. He is grateful as God has been so kind to him while many people have no clothes...

Bapa believes in savings. When he learnt that I had 'earned' money as my stories and contributions were published in magazines, he advised me to open a bank-account-

"Save Money- 'A rupee saved is a rupee earned'"

People who have met him are spell-bound by his down-to-earth, unassuming nature with no hint of pride.

Bapa says, 'Pride comes before a fall' & always advises us to be humble. 

Bapa often warns us not to hanker too much after 'profits' or to be greedy as he feels-

'Labha ru Lobha; Lobha ru ati Lobha; ati Lobha ru Mrityu' - 

'From profits, there's greed; From greed, there's excessive greed; From excessive greed, there's death.'

Dedication, Discipline, Time-Conscious, Good Habits

Bapa has led a highly disciplined life, with complete dedication for his work. 

Bapa is a stickler for punctuality. He values his time a lot and never wastes it. 

He is a man-of-few-words. He keeps his conversations brief and to-the-point.

Bapa maintains strict timings and religiously sticks to them- work, food, tea-time, TV-viewing etc. all have their own fixed times.

Bapa has maintained his good-habits for long now viz. eating a Banana after every meal. Recently, I read a research-study in the newspaper that states that eating a Banana after every meal is great for health & longevity.

Visionary, Prophetic, Holistic View

Bapa identifies a good deal when he sees one. 

Amazing that his words and predictions are prophetic!

Bapa identifies the winners easily. He once bet successfully on the winning horse in a horse-race!

"Inspiration, Role-Model for this generation"

The above were the words of the TV-journalist, who interviewed Bapa.

On his 89th birthday, the local news channel came over and interviewed him so that he could share his message and inspire the youth.

My Grandfather's Interview on OTV News Channel

In that interview, Bapa had said-

- We have been gifted lives so that we can work. 

- Work with full passion & determination as 'Work Is Worship'.

- Do not expect any rewards. You'll get your share.

- Do what you like to do & give it your best.

- Nothing is impossible.

- Don't brood about the past. Be positive. 

- Be grateful, loyal & trust-worthy.

- Be productive. Keep your brain active.  

Unfortunately this great man, who has worked so hard in his entire life, suffered a fall that has dealt his backbone a severe fracture... Though Bapa has to be compulsorily bed-ridden now, his brain is totally active as he tries his best to utilize his time as per his strict schedule.

When I went with my daughter to meet him, Bapa asked her, "Are you studying well? Have you stood 1st in Class?" 

Dear Bapa, I am so proud to be your grand-daughter! I feel privileged to have your genes. I loved to share this post about you! May you get all what you like as you deserve the best!

This was for the #MyRoleModel Blogging Contest.

My Mermaid

There was a sparkle in his eyes.

I sensed my creation’s cries.

Rath Yatra Puri

Today is Asadha Shukla Dwitiya, the second day of the bright lunar fortnight of the month of Asadha.

It is celebrated as Rath Yatra or #RathaJatra.

A painting of the Rath Yatra

This year, Rath Yatra is on 29th June.

The Rath Yatra festival began in the Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha, India.

Rath Yatra of Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha ; Image Source

Rath means Chariot/Car while Yatra  means Travel.

Rath Yatra is a centuries-old cultural festival.

The Star

When she was a kid, her grandmother had taught her the first ballet steps the day her parents were killed in an accident.

Before her grandmother passed away, the old lady promised her that she would be her guardian angel and watch over her & guide her like a bright star.