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 | Kolkata (Calcutta) Local Customs | Tips 1 - 10 of 17 |  |
 Richard at South City Mall by lynnehamman
We ,despite having travelled extensivly in India, came upon a 'first' in Kolkata.
We were in a huge shopping mall (South City Mall), and wanted some lunch. The method of payment is a very sensible, and certainly very hygenic.
NO MONEY changes hands in the food court. At the entrance-one has to buy a "purchase card" - we gave over R500, and a swipe-card was loaded with that amount. Then, at each food counter , one hands over the card for payment, and the amount is swiped, and deducted from the card.
( I suppose it works on the similar system to a mini-credit card)
After eating, we handed back the card on exiting, and we got the refund of R40 back.
This probably is a system used in other malls- but for us it was a first,and we thought it was a brilliant idea.Handling money passes germs, especially where food is involved!
I have not even seen it here in Australia- but stand corrected if I am mistaken. Leave a Comment
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 Goddess Saraswati, the goddess
of learning. by goutammitra, 4 more photos
During saraswati puja, the students dress in colourful attaire ( girls wear Sari & Boys Kurta Pajama than their popular dress like Jeans and T shirt) and throng at their school, observe fast, worship the Goddess with Vedic Mantras, worship their books and the toddlers also are Christened to the Devi,for going to the School for the first time.
They also organise Common feast at their school. Recently it has also emerged as Valentine's Day of Bengal. Leave a Comment
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Page on Kolkata defenitely requires an introduction to our customs and practices. While Bengali marriage no different than the other Hindu marriages of India, but all the rituals and customs are observed in a different style. May be this is called Bengali style. Where all rituals are based on Vedic style and ritual, as also in other parts of India, it is slighltly different in nature all parts of India. Each adding different flavour to their own style and local customs. But the main rituals remain as per Vedic principles.
We experienced this Bengali marriage recently. The Bride is Vidisha and the Groom is my colleague Rajiv Banerjee. Leave a Comment
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Well recently again I visited the Sabarna's at their Behala house again. Now I am in constant touch with their heir Mr.Devarshi Roy Choudhary and we do interact often. Mr. Roy Choudhury is a teacher by profession. For who do not know, in the yesteryear when the British seized power from the Mughals by tricking lot of greedy Indians assisted them, without knowing the consequences for the next 300 years. The British rewarded them by making landlords, Princes, even kings without proper bloodline. With wealth and with the backing of the British they started soponsoring various religious activities such as Durga Puja. While lot of pomp was there in their pujas, the people with genuine royal Bloodline never really went into oblivion. As the founder members of Roy Choudhary family were of Saintly character, despite being Zamindars, they too organised several festivals in their fold. This Durga Puja of their family is about 400 -years old, started in 1610 and being continued till date. Leave a Comment
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 Bustling Calcutta ! by Kumarjit
Speak to people softly and woth a smile and see the kingly treatment you get! This definitely makes a difference! Other Contact: It is a general tip.
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They have been performing Kumari Puja since 1610, from the day they started Durga Puja.
Goddess Durga arrives to her earthly abode with her four children, Laskhmi, Saraswati, Kartik and Ganesh. We worship her as the Goddess of Shakti who overpowered the evil to establish peace and prosperity on earth. She is also the daughter making her yearly visits at her parents place along with her children for four days. The Goddess is worshipped in various forms during her stay here. One of those forms is the "Kumari", the
Virgin form. This mould is the most powerful form of Mahashakti. A girl aged between one to sixteen, symbolising the Kumari form of Devi is worshipped in front of the idol of Goddess Durga. The Kumari form of the Goddess was emphasised as the most dynamic form by the devotees since yester years as Kumari Shakti is the basis of all creations. Our scriptures have emphasised Kumari Puja particularly to evolve the purity and divinity of the women of the society. Diminishing the larger than life stature of the Goddess to someone much nearer and closer is the real reason for this form of worship. Sri RamKrishna had said that Kumari is another form of Devi Durga and he himself worshipped Sarada Ma as Kumari. To imagine the Goddess in the mould of a Kumari is an age old concept. In Mahabharata Arjuna had performed Kumari Puja. The Puranas mention the Kumari form of Chandika.
Selection of Kumar:The scriptures mention the great care with which the Kumari is selected to be worshipped as the earthly representative of Devi Durga. The qualities required in the girl has to match the dynamism, purity and serenity of the Goddess. A calm, serene and an unmarried girl with a bright disposition
between one to sixteen years, who has not yet reached her puberty and is bereft of desire, worldly pleasures and anger is the right requisite for the Kumari Puja. Depending on the age of the girls they are worshipped in the various forms of the Goddess. Leave a Comment
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A few days prior to the wedding the "Haldi (applying of Turmaric/Sandal paste) dastoor" ceremony starts. It consists of the application of turmeric and sandalwood paste to the bride and the groom who cannot leave the house once the Haldi is applied.. This ceremony continues until the day of the wedding. "Mehfils" are an integral part of every Rajasthani wedding. 'Ladies' mehfils as well as 'gents' mehfils are organised.
One very important ritual among Marwari community is Mehandi( Henna) Ceremony. Mehndi forms an integral part of each and every Marwari ceremony. It is said the longer the colour of the Mehnadi lasts the Bride will get more deep love, respect from Husband & her family.
The traditional dance-'ghoomar' is performed in the ladies mehfil, while men have their own parties. The "Janeu" (sacred thread ceremony) is performed a day before the wedding. The custom of Palla Dastoor is typical to the Marwaris. On the day of the wedding or a day prior to it, the groom's family brings the Palla Dastoor to the bride's house. It consists of clothes, jewellery and gifts from the groom, which the bride has to wear during the wedding ceremony. A Marwari "barat", consisting male& female members, which proceeds to the wedding grounds. Dance is an integral part of a Marwari Barat.
As soon as the "Barat" reaches the bride's house the groom is taken to the ladies section where the bride's mother receives the groom with the traditional "aarti" and he is then taken to the "mandap". The Bride is brought to the mandap by the maternal uncle dressed in traditional marwari costum, which is sent to her by the groom's parents. The "kanyadan " ceremony is then performed by parents wherein the bride is given to the groom for life. "Saat Phreras" are taken round the scared fire while the pundit chants mantras. Leave a Comment
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 The Bride Riddhi & Groom
Vijendra at reception. by goutammitra, 4 more photos
Marriage in Rajasthani community is just as elaborate as any big affair. Traditions and customs form an important part of all Marwari weddings. The most important factor is that match is fixed and marriages are held only within the community, after veryfying the Gotras( both have to be from different gotras as Hindus consider boys & girls from same Gotras as brother & sister)
The engagement ceremony or the "Sagai" takes place at the house of the groom. This is strictly all male affairs. On this day, the bride's brother puts "tilak" on the groom's forehead. A sword, clothes, sweets etc. are given to the groom. "Ganapati Sthapna" and "Grih Shanti" is the second-most important ceremony performed a few days prior to the wedding. An idol of Lord Ganapati is installed and a "havan" is performed. This sthapana is important as all ceremonies commence only after this. Leave a Comment
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On the festival of Durga Puja 2003 (1st oct - 5th oct) :
http://www.mukerjees.com/pujo_2003.htm
Check out the following site on 25th sep '03 for "Mahalaya"
http://www.calonline.com/puja2000/mahalaya.html
On Tourism :
http://www.westbengaltourism.com
On Festivals :
http://www.logincalcutta.comr />
Others :
http://www.netguruindia.com
http://www.catchcal.com
www.a1future.com Leave a Comment
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 by edachsund
And the picture shown is at 'Om beach' they called it Om because the beach feature just happend to be one of their religion symbol. the look of 'w'. Leave a Comment
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