Who likes to be stuck?
No one wants to be stuck in traffic-jam, lift, crowd etc…
Getting “stuck on the runway” is not what any of us would prefer.
Yet, this is what has happened yesterday as many flights got grounded and many got cancelled.
Reason?
Due to a computer outage.
This image published in today’s (January 12, 2023) edition of the BusinessLine states how many flights were delayed and cancelled due to the computer outage at the Federal Aviation Administration.
It had been an excruciating
month.
After a lot of hard work, their
contract was sealed.
He decided to surprise his
mother.
She stayed 3 hours away; but,
he had not met her for weeks.
Feeling uneasy, his mother was praying.
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| Picture Prompt- Fleur Lind |
He had self-driven half way when
he dozed off...
A bus was coming from the
opposite direction.
There was a head-on collision.
Nothing happened to the bus.
Today is Samba Dashami.
It is a unique festival of Odisha, India.
Samba Dashami is celebrated on the 10th day of the Shukla Paksha of Pausha Masa i.e. during the waxing phase of moon in the Odia calendar Pausha month (December – January) tithi.
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| Konark Stone Carving- Sun God Source: Wikipedia |
The date varies as per the tithi.
Last year, in 2022, Samba Dashami was on January 12th.
This year, in 2023, the tithi is today- January 1st.
Prayers are offered to Sun God.
It may be noted that “Kumar Purnima” is another unique festival of Odisha where Moon God is worshipped.
On Samba Dashami, women pray to the Sun God for the health and good life of their children.
Tasty Odia food with traditional dishes are prepared.
Why Sun God?
Science treats Sun as a star.
In our culture, Sun is much more.
Sun is a God- Sun God.
Sun is called- Surya in Hindi & Surjya in Odia.
God- Deba or Debata.
Surjya Debata showers His grace on all.
One of the factors on why life on Planet Earth has been possible is- because we receive the right power of the Sun, and thus we are powered by the Sun and are truly empowered.
Had our planet been closer or farther, we would perhaps not enjoy the status we do now.
The story behind the Samba Dasami celebration:
Samba, the son of Shree Krishna and Jambavati, was afflicted by leprosy owing to a curse by Sage Durvasa.
After the latter's advice, Samba did penance for Sun God at Chandrabhaga, Konark, for 12 years.
Surjya Debata showed mercy and cured Samba completely.
Even today, many Odias and others visit Chandrabhaga, Konark, and offer prayers.
Childhood Memories
I have many memories of Samba Dashami celebration.
When I was small, I remember all members of our joint family- cousins, aunts, uncles etc used to congregate on the terrace in my grandparents’ place at Brahmapur, and used to offer prayers and soak in the solar energy. My grandmother and mother insisted us to roll over on the “gantha”- handmade mats spread on the terrace.
We enjoyed the prayers, rituals and “sun-bathing”.
Vitamin From Sun
Science states that we get Vitamin-D from the Sun.
Exposure to Sun is essential.
During Covid and as a fallout of the pandemic, we had to stay indoors and spend maximum time staying at home. Thus, Vitamin-D deficiency was diagnosed for many owing to lesser outing and minimal contact with the Sun.
Nutrition and Tradition
In our culture, worship of Sun and exposure to Sun is part of our tradition.
Food forms a smart association.
My mother used to diligently pray and observe Samba Dashami.
She used to prepare dishes such as Khechudi, Budha Chakuli, Ghudughudia tarkari etc and offer them to Surjya Debata.
Some celebrate it only in the morning.
While offerings are served three times by some families -
1. At Dawn 5:30 AM 🕠
2. Madhyanna - 12:30 PM 🕧
3. Sandhya - 5:30 PM 🕠
A specific variety of food item is offered to Sun God in the name of and on behalf of each member of the family, especially kids.
Thinking of this, I feel this special offering and connection is a safety blessing for sure with a mother’s love and trust and Sun God’s invocation and power. 🙏
Mothers always want a great, healthy and long life for their children and take great pains to ensure this.
What are festivals without food?
Each festival has its own specialties & rituals.
Pithas like Manda, Kakara, Muduka, Podapitha, Bara, etc and Mitha and other desserts and treats like Rasagola, Khiri, Muan, Gaintha etc are also prepared and offered.
All dishes in the pics have been prepared by my sister-in-law, Sradhasree.
A variety of fruits like Banana, Apple, Orange, Guava etc are also offered.
All the offerings are of course enjoyed by all family-members - both young and old.
Fine celebration to get all the necessary nutrition:
Children learn what they see and are taught.
Did we buy and cut cake 🎂 and celebrate “January 1st - Happy New Year” today?
OR
Did we observe Samba Dashami festival, prayed to Surjya Debata, and celebrated with our traditional Odia food and Pitha and Mitha?
The choice and responsibility is always ours.
Extra images and information in this blog post about our celebration last year in 2022-
Samba Dashami- Festival of Odisha
Did you know about Samba Dashami?
Please share in the comments below.
Wishing possibilities unlimited in every sphere!
365 days with hours, minutes, seconds are here-
It is the start of a new English Calendar year!
May you be prepared & ready to safely steer!
May this new year usher happiness & cheer!
May your plan & destination path be clear.
May you spot opportunities as they appear!
May dreams come true & success be near!
"My sister Rani is missing,"
Lini shared with the police-officer.
"Since when? When did
you see her last?"
"Yesterday, Rani had
spoken to me and said that she was at the Tram-station. She was coming
home."
"What time had she
called?"
"2:20 PM."
"We can check the CCTV
coverage."
 |
| Photo Prompt- Rochelle Wisoff-Fields |
𝘼 𝙧𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙍𝙖𝙢𝐚𝙠𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙣𝙖 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙖 (Teacher) & 𝙎𝙬𝙖𝙢𝙞 𝙑𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙠𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖 (Student) -
It had been a terrible year for Mary.
She had lost her entire family some months ago.
Mary had not quite recovered from the shock.
Her neighbours tried to pay her visits.
They could see she was a far shadow of her former bubbly self...
Christmas cheer was all around.
But, the whole street knew that Mary was not going to celebrate Christmas that year.
 |
| Photo Prompt- Dale Rogerson |
There was a severe thunder-storm.
The day seemed like night.
There was no electricity.
She could barely see anything.
Photo Prompt- Dale Rogerson
The tree in the backyard
crashed on her cottage.
There was dust everywhere.
Strong winds were on her face.
She fainted...
---------------------------------------------------
"Now, slowly open your
eyes..."
Everyone in their neighbourhood
owned a car.
Little Eva too owned one- a
small old toy-car.
Eva always dreamt of cars.
But, they were so poor…
Even if they did get a car,
paying for the fuel would be a challenge.
Eva’s dream car just used air
as fuel!
While others built
"castles in the air", Eva built cars in the air!
Photo Prompt- Brenda Cox
“You want to become an actress! Have you seen your face in the mirror?”
She
remembered the production-house’s casting-agent’s jeering words.
How he
mocked her!
“I am
beautiful the way I'm”, she assured herself.
She read
the first draft of the book she had written.
It was
titled- “I Am Beautiful”.
It was a self-help book.
In fact, it
was actually a “note to self” book she had penned for herself.
