Happy Halloween people!!

 

My first Halloween and it was fun. My first earthquake and it was scary.

 

Ok .. I experienced my first earthquake on Oct 30, 2007 at 8:04 PM.

 

I did not realize what was happening till my landlady exclaimed "Kalyan, Its an earthquake!"

 

I am happy it did not cause any serious damage. But I really don't want to be around when a big one comes knocking. It is no longer an "If", just "when".

 

I accompanied one of my friends to his colleagues home for a nice dinner and an evening of "Trick or Treat" with the kids. I was so impressed by the extent of trouble some families went through to decorate the houses and entertain the kids. I definitely will decorate extensively when I do get in to a home . It sure looks like fun!!

 

Well, this was in Castro valley. I like the place .. nice small town, just one High School. The church had a nice community event.

 

I am thankful to my friend, Shane, and his friend for inviting me to share the dinner and fun with them.

 

I hope all of you had fun too!

Wish you all a very happy new year!!!

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi

Happy Vinayaka Chavithi

Happy <whatever you call it>

 

Hindus believe that worshipping lord Ganesh, eldest son of lord Shiva, eliminates all obstacles. Ganesh Chaturthi signifies the birthday of lord Ganesha. Ganesha is also seen as the lord for wisdom. So students worship him for thier stuides.

 

Lord Ganesha is the elephant-headed God. He is worshipped first in any prayers. His Names are repeated first before any auspicious work is begun, before any kind of worship is begun.

 

The following story is narrated about His birth and how He came to have the head of an elephant:

Once upon a time, the Goddess Gauri (consort of Lord Shiva), while bathing, created Ganesha as a pure white being out of the mud of Her Body and placed Him at the entrance of the house. She told Him not to allow anyone to enter while she went inside for a bath. Lord Shiva Himself was returning home quite thirsty and was stopped by Ganesha at the gate. Shiva became angry and cut off Ganesha's head as He thought Ganesha was an outsider.

When Gauri came to know of this she was sorely grieved. To console her grief, Shiva ordered His servants to cut off and bring to Him the head of any creature that might be sleeping with its head facing north. The servants went on their mission and found only an elephant in that position. The sacrifice was thus made and the elephant's head was brought before Shiva. The Lord then joined the elephant's head onto the body of Ganesha.

Devotees bring in to their homes a clay idol of the lord and worship Him with lots of flowers, fruits and sweets.

It is believed that if one sees the moon without worshipping Ganesha and listening to the significance of this day, one will be subjected to false allegations.

Lord Krishna saw a reflection of the moon when milking his cows. He was accused of stealing a diamond.

Well, have a happy Ganesh Chaturthi.

 

Kalyan