photo courtesy
worldoftimepass.com/general-news/sach-ka-saamna-with-laxm...
she is a hijra goddess
who gave up 10 lacs
on sach ka samna
dont blame her
she is laxmi narayan tripathi
the lion tamer
she came she lost
but she conquered hearts
dont defame her
she is what she is not
a tansgender
a human component
dont shame her
in your heart of hearts
simply frame her
the most happening thing
one of the wonders of the world
they all proclaim her
Wishing a speedy recovery to her father Mr Tripathi who is recuperating after an operation..
Monday, August 31, 2009
Laxmi Narayan Tripathi The Lion Tamer
GSB Seva Mandal King Circle Ganpati 2009/Tolabar
GSB Seva Mandal King Circle Ganpati 2009/Tolabar, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.
92,436 items / 560,119 views
I have shot over 800 pictures in a few hours of the GSB Seva Mandal King Circle Lord Ganesha , to share his magic with all of you , and Lord Ganesha touches everyone who thinks of him..
Today is my 8 fast of Ramzan..and media keeps harping about Muslim Hindu amity during the Ganesha festival, but a Muslim blogger shooting Lord Ganesha in the eyes of media is an object of no consequence barring NDTV nobody has mentioned about me not that I seek any rewards , I shoot with a defective camera, I dont sell my pictures , my business, I am a professional tailor is in doldrums but nothing stops me from shooting the greatest event in Mumbai.
I walk barefeet I shoot barefeet and if I am alive till Visarjan day I shall follow Lalbagh Cha Raja to Kumbharwada and Nagpada ..where Muslims felicitate the King of Kings ..
The volunteers of Lalbagh Cha Raja help me open my fast and I am indebted to them, specially Mr Satish Khankar Mandal Head, Raju Langewal , Balasaheb Kamble Sunil Joshi and others for allowing me to shoot the pictures of the King of King that I post here at Flickr.com. to share with all of you.
Because of my diabetic condition I have not shot many pandals only those close to my house at Bandra though I have requested the GSB Wadala Seva Mandal to give me permission to shoot their Lord Ganesha too.
I dont know anyone at Wadala , here at King Circle it has been Dr BU Pai who helped me get the necessary permission to shoot and I am now considered family ..thank you Dinesh and Dilip Pai too.
So I have sent them an email and await their kind response.
I am uploading my pictures here at Flickr using two uploaders so one stream has GBS King Circle Tolabar ritual and the other the Arti of Advocate Ashish Shelars Ganpati Pandal at Bandra Reclamation .
I shot the seven day Immersion at Mahim Beach because of my poor health.
I did not have the stamina or strength to go as far as Dadar or Juhu ..I dont have wheels I use public transport.
Angels and Bloggers Never Sleep
92,201 items / 558,733 views
angels beauty skin deep
bloggers clipped wings
from one mound of sorrow
to another mound tomorrow
out leap..a path
that is craggy textual
pictorial and steep
into the unwary soul
of your cosmic
consciousness
they creep
when the rest of the
world is fast asleep
in cyberspace
angels and bloggers
dont sleep
from their wounds
pathos pedestrian poems
that seep
what was expensive yesterday
today on the streets dirt cheap
what you dont sow
how can you reap
the flesh was willing
but the spirit was weak
in its upkeep
with tears the tombstone
of emotions to sweep
to sarah
stay awake to stay in the game
simply look before you leap
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Mumbai Police and the Mumbai Blogger
Yes dont look surprised I wore my slippers this time , it was raining and I dont carry an umbrella or a raincoat nor any protection for my camera , I take my chances with nature as I take my chances with God..he loves to be photographed too and he knows all the top guns of photo journalism will be shooting the big Ganpatis at Dadar Juhu, so he beckons this Mumbai blogger to shoot the soul of grassroot divinity.
Divinity that spreads its wings through chants Siya Ram Siya Ram at every street corner ..
Ganesha is the soul and cornerstone of the Marathi Manoos.. Ganesha is Mee Mumbaikar No1.
And guarding him his devotees well wishers fans are the selfless Mumbai Police..
They are their at almost every road that leads towards the beach where Ganpatis is immersed..they are polite considerate above all they are human like you and me..and not monsters as certain section of media and the film industry portrays them to be..
There are bad eggs in every basket so why paint the entire force with a bad brush..
The Mumbai Police is one of the best task force ready at all time and in all emergency ..the government should upgrade their lot , good pay good accommodation , good schooling for their kids.. and make the force the envy of the entire world..
Political dependence has destroyed the very essence of the soul of the Police Man..'
Though they catch me assuming that I am a terrorist though I carry a Press Card , I hold nothing against their security stricture , only that a man who places a bomb would definitely not be dressed like me..
Besides its time the Mumbai Cyber Space cops told their counterparts that Photo bloggers too contribute to the good of society..
Much better than Photo journalists with borrowed cameras and borrowed egos...
Hemant Sawant and Me
Hemant Sawant owns Lalbagh Color Lab and is humble but dynamic photographer...his 3Dprints of the Raja sell like hot cakes..
Mumbai Police Pride of Maharashtra
92,133 items / 558,469 views
without the men in khaki
there would be anarchy and chaos
religious riots murders
robbery rape and loss
thanks to their selfless sacrifice
we are safe life as sweet as candy floss
my tribute to them and D. Shivanandan
their boss who on their brave shoulders
carry ours life's burden and cross
To Monsoon Lover Jai Ganga Mata
jai ganga mata
teri shrsihti
se hai
janmon ka nata
meri
koti koti
main
basi 'hai tuh mata
ham sab ka
hai tuh an data
hum sab ke
dilon main
behti
hai tuh mata
kaun nahin
jo tujh ko chahta
jai ganga mata
jai ganga mata
hindu muslim
sikh esai
sab
tere he gun
gata
jai ganga mata
ek tiranga
tujh
par lehrata
jai ganga mata
hum sab ki mata
The Unique Gauri From Dharavi
92,033 items / 558,003 views
mother parvati
mother gauri
motherhood
a godly
sanctity
mother of
ganesh ji
sitting on her
throne
blessing
man woman
children
mortality
ja dev
jai dev
jai ganesh deva
a chant of the arti
that
rends the
soul
forever free
from the shores
she watches
her son
riding
the waves
into the seas
kissing the
soul of the breeze
a moment
no camera could freeze
a chorus of angels
that sing
peace
peace
peace
Vighneshwara
Mata jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva
To Sudip Da With Abundance of Best Wishes
Firoze Bhai,
Assalam! Ramzan mubarak !
Just back from a trip to Rishikesh , Kedarnath, Chopta valley and Badrinath. All these places nature is just captivating and thats God to me.
Bhai, I love to comment in your pictures, I love to interact through them so you just cannot punish your friends and relatives for some lunatics, it takes every kind to make this world. Please open your photographs for comment by your contacts.
Warm Regards
Allah Haphez
Sudip
Monsoon Lover
A DARK DAY IN THE LIFE OF A MUMBAI BLOGGER
92,021 items / 557,952 views
bad luck pursues me
wherever i go
my good luck
on parched sorrow
refuses to grow
from one end of misery
to another end of misery
my misfortunes flow
as blogs in darkness
disillusioned with life
whatever reason
i dont know
in the darkness
i have lost my glow
an oarless boat
with my broken hands
i silently row
the angst anxiety
of a flickr pro
excreta of hate
on my face
some love
to throw
my karmic
chakra of pain
motionless slow
disowned
distempered
diarrhea
despair and woe
92000 Blogs at Flickr
Thanks to Each One and All ..
Firoze Shakir
Photographerno1
My Collections at Flickr as on 30 Aug 2009
Maryamma Feast 6 sets
Firoze Shakir Family 14 sets
Firoze Shakir Poet 5 sets
Christian Ethos 12 sets
Best Of Firoze Shakir 90 sets
Hope and Hindutva 67 sets
Sufism Dargahs Rafaees Ajmer 24 sets
Shiasm in India 83 sets
Ganesh Festival in India 29 sets
Eunuch trans gender Hijdas Gay Parade 10 sets
Kalki Ensures Matrimonial Bliss for the Children of a Lesser God
Kalki Ensures Matrimonial Bliss for the Children of a Lesser God, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.
People like Kalki Subramaniam lead from the front , they are a kinetic force of peace love and humanity...whatever they have they push this agenda of making people happy beyond caste color or creed or religiosity.
The transgender motto is Sarv Dharm Ek..All Religions are One.
I have used her picture of her Facebook profile to show your charming personality and domineering spirit..she offers hope to her community , the children of a lesser god..
I was sent the article by another person who has done the maximum for the transgender cause all over the world Stephe of Androgyne Online
She sent me the link below..
Times of India, India
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/Worlds-first-matri...
World's first matrimonial site for transsexuals
Insiya Amir, TNN 27 August 2009, 01:39am IST
Kalki Subramanian is young, liberated and looking for an Indian man
who is loving, compassionate, educated. Oh, and one more thing — he
should be OK with marrying a transsexual.
But Kalki isn’t leaving her hopes for a suitable boy to destiny. The
founder-director of the Sahodari foundation, that works for
transgenders, is setting up a matrimonial website for transsexual
women — the first of its kind in the world.
With the Internet matchmaking portal, to be launched on Thursday, she
also hopes to create a debate about the issues of matrimony and
adoption for transgenders. “There has to be legal clarity for
transsexuals to live a better life. We have been discriminated against
and exploited for very long”, she says.
Unlike, other dating services in the world, where transgenders are set
up with other transgenders,
will give transsexual
women a chance to find a man of their dreams. Thirunangai,
incidentally, means respectable woman in Tamil.
In a country where the boundaries of sexual tolerance are shifting
daily “especially after the Delhi HC has decriminalized homosexuality
— there’s a thin line between acceptability and discrimination as far
as transgenders are concerned. Hijras supposedly have a sanctioned
place in Indian society with more than 4,00 years of recorded history.
But the estimated 2,00,000 members of the community face harassment.
“Men sexually exploit us and society discriminates against us. But we
are women too and should have the right to marry and adopt children.
Many transsexual women are already living with men. Now they can do so
openly,” says Kalki. “Most transsexuals are born men but see
themselves as women. They find it difficult to find conventional jobs
and are pushed to petty crime, begging and prostitution.”
Hijras have few rights and are not recognised by Indian law. Except
for the state of Tamil Nadu that has sanctioned special toilets — and
a database to map the population of transgenders in the state and find
out detailed demands such as ration cards and voter identity cards —
they are denied the right to vote, own property, marry and the right
to claim formal identity through any official documents such as a
passport.
But over the last few months, India has seen its first transgender
fashion model, a transgender TV presenter and even in the recent
Bollywood epic ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ a hijra, instead of being cast in the
usual stereotypical comic role, was portrayed as a trusted lieutenant
of the queen.
Which is why, says Arif Jafar, executive director of the India Naz
Foundation International, which works for policy and support on male
sexualities, the matrimonial site is a welcome move. “This site may
prove to be a good platform.”
sahodari.org/thirunangai/index.html
Gauri Goddess Of Purity and Posterity
91,996 items / 557,820 views
Definition of Gauri
1. Noun. In Hinduism, goddess of purity and posterity and a benevolent aspect of Devi; the 'brilliant'.
About Gauri
nayna.in/blog/divine-grace/goddess-gaurigowri-pujapoojapu...
Ganesh Chaturthi is the only festival where mother and son are welcomed, consecrated and worshipped together. The idol of Goddess Gauri is brought home with a lot of fanfare.
Before the idol enters the home, Her footsteps are drawn with Rangoli powder (colored powder) then married women bring Her into the house. Some families bring the idol of Goddess Gauri and some like we have done in the photograph have consecrated with the Kalash (copper vessel/pot) and the face of the Goddess is made with coconut. The Kalash contains barks of 5 different trees and then consecrated with mantras, with which Goddess’s Avahaan is done and She comes and resides. Next to the Goddess is another Kalash which represents Lord Shiva. So we have the whole family together with Lord Shiva, Goddess Gauri and their son Shri Ganesh.
The ceremony of Goddess Gauri during this festival ends in one and half days. Naivedya (fruits, cooked food and sweets) are offered and Aarti is done as per Vidhi (performing rituals based on the Panchang or the right and auspicious timings).
Families come together and enjoy the presence of Divine power in their home for few days and feel at loss when it is time to say good-bye to them during Visarajan or immersion. But Lord Ganesh promises to return again the following year and every time the devotees long for Him. Ganapati Bappa Morya!!
©Nayna Chakrabarty, 2007. All Rights Reserved.
Arti Lord Ganesha
Jai ganesh jai ganesh jai ganesh deva
mata jakii parvatii, pitaa mahaadeva
eka danta dayavanta, caar bhuja dhaarii
mathe sinduura sohai, muuse kii savari
jai ganesh...
Andhana ko aankha deta
korhina ko kaayaa
banjhana ko putra deta
nirdhana ko maaya
jai ganesh...
Paana carhe, phuula carhe
aura carhe meva
ladduan ko bhoga lage
sant karen seva
jai ganesha...
Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh deva
91,891 items / 557,630 views
Its 4.30 am I get ready for my 8 fast of Ramzan.
I spoke to a few people Gauri is bought to the beach along with her son Lord Ganesh, the art takes place , but Gauri is not immersed instead water is placed on her eyes as symbol of immersion and she returns to the devotees house.
This was the majority view,but there was another set of people that immersed Gauri along with her son Lord Ganesh.
This was the most unique South Indian style Gauri.
I took several pictures.I was lucky I did not follow the Jolly Boys of Reclamation to Dadar as it rained very heavily last night.I shoot without protection , I find umbrellas raincoats coverings very cumbersome..
Mostly people came to Mahim from nearby areas of Bandra and Dharavi.
The Anirudh Disaster management cadres were doing a splendid job of controlling the crowds,removing the floral waste into huge baskets.
I have a very high regard for the Anirudh volunteers , my fisher woman from Bandra Fish Market too was a part of it, in a white dress and a yellow cap.
The Mahim Police force was led by Senior Inspector Lakhpate who was himself heading the security arrangement , this was one of the most disciplined Immersion I saw at Mahim beach..
The beach was speckless clean.
Here I must add that the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai was on its feet , one of their best collective efforts..and it was their baby all the way.
I am lucky I shot this beach instead of the more congested Dadar or Juhu beach.
I know Big is beautiful but sometimes the significance of the smaller eco friendly Ganpatis prove a point and make a statement of dignity and grace, giving Nature the due importance and respect.
As a Muslim as a person who loves the inheritance of Hinduism as his culture the Mumbai barefeet blogger has chronicled a very important chapter of Mumbai angst and ethos.. Lord Ganesha the greatest Mee Mubaikar - connecting humanity without barriers , color caste or creed.
I think if all political parties had just a single emblem of Lord Ganesha there would be less political chaos and corruption...no hand ,. no lotus , no lantern , no bow and arrow no watch just a motivation called Shre Ashta Vinayaka.
Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh deva
Mata jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva.
Ek dant dayavant, char bhuja dhari
Mathe sindur sohai, muse ki savari, Jai
Ganesh...
Andhan ko ankh det, kodhin ko kaya
Banjhan ko putra det, nirdhan ko maya, Jai
Ganesh....
Pan chadhe, phul chadhe, aur chadhe meva
Ladduan ka bhog lage, saht kare seva, ,Jai
Ganesh....
Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh deva,
Mata jaki Parvata, Pita Mahadeva.
Gauri Visarjan 2009 Mahim Beach
91,833 items / 557,140 views
I am a hardcore ardent fan of Goddess Gauri mother of Lord Ganesha also known as Parvati , I have tried not to miss her immersion over the years along with the 7 day Ganpati Immersion..
So this is my new series at Flickr , I finished my 7 th fast and asked my son in law Assad to drop me at Mahim beach, to shoot the proceedings of the immersion.
I normally would have loved to go to Juhu beach, but my diabetic condition my sugar level , made me opt for Mahim which is close to my house.
So I keep my GSB KIng Circle Ganesha pictures on hold over 600 remaining to post here at my Flickr photostream.
Sometimes I use two uploaders ..but its a slow process I post my pictures as I shot them without resizing them , I have no time at all...
Thus I continue with my over all series called Hope and Hindutva a message of Peace.
Mother and son Gauri and Ganesh are worshiped with great enthusiasm in Mumbai.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Tolabar at GSB Seva Mandal
91,773 items / 556,646 views
He is weighed on the scales his weight equivalent to his offerings coconuts or ladoos or prasadam is given to Lord Ganesha.
This ritual is known as Tolabar.. children, men women , husband and wife pair are weighed thus..
Arti at Bandra Bazar Ganpati Pandal
91,667 items / 556,047 views
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aarti
Aarti (Hindi आरती), also spelled ãrti, arathi, aarthi, ãrati or arthi is a Hindu ritual, in which light from wicks soaked in ghee (purified butter) or camphor is offered to one or more deities. Aartis also refer to the songs sung in praise of the deity, when offering of lamps is being offered.
Aarti is said to have descended from the Vedic concept of fire rituals, or homa. The word may also refer to the traditional Hindu devotional song that is sung during the ritual. Aarti is performed and sung to develop the highest love for God. "Aa" means "towards or to", and "rati" means "right or virtue" in Sanskrit.
Aarti is generally performed one to five times daily, and usually at the end of a puja or bhajan session. It is performed during almost all Hindu ceremonies and occasions. It involves the circulating of an 'Aarti plate' around a person or deity and is generally accompanied by the singing of songs in praise of that deva or person (many versions exist). In doing so, the plate itself is supposed to acquire the power of the deity. The priest circulates the plate to all those present. They cup their down-turned hands over the flame and then raise their palms to their forehead - the purificatory blessing, passed from the deva's image to the flame, has now been passed to the devotee.
The aarti plate is generally made of metal, usually silver, bronze or copper. On it must repose a lamp made of kneaded flour, mud or metal, filled with oil or ghee. A cotton wick is put into the oil and then lighted, or camphor is burnt instead. The plate also contains flowers, incense and akshata.[1]
The purpose of performing arati is the waving of lighted wicks before the deities in a spirit of humility and gratitude, wherein faithful followers become immersed in God's divine form. It symbolises the five elements: 1) space (akash), 2) wind (vayu), 3) light (tej), 4) water (jal), and 5) earth (pruthvi). Communal Aarti is performed in the mandir; however, devotees also perform it in their homes.
Hinduism has a long tradition of aarti songs, simply referred to as 'Aarti', sung as an accompaniment to the ritual of aarti. It primarily eulogizes to the deity the ritual is being offered to, and several sects have their own version of the common aarti songs that are often sung on chorus at various temples, during evening and morning aartis. Sometimes they also contain snippets of information on the life of the gods.
The most commonly sung aarti is that is dedicated to all deities is Om Jai Jagdish Hare, known as "The Universal Aarti" and is another common aarti song. Its variation are used for other deities as well such as Om jai Shiv omkara,Om jai Lakshmi mata,Om jai Ambe gauri,Om jai Adya Shakti.
In Swaminarayan Mandirs, Jay Sadguru Swami is the aarti that is sung. In most temples in India, aarti is performed at least twice a day, after the ceremonial puja, which is the time when the largest number of devotees congregates.
In Gaudiya Vaishnavism, aarti refers to the whole puja ritual, of which offering the lamp is only one part. A conch is blown to start the aarti, then an odd number of incense sticks are offered to the deity. The lamp is offered next, and then circulated among the devotees. A conch is then filled with water, and offered; the water is then poured into a sprinkler and sprinkled over the devotees. A cloth and flowers are then offered, and the flowers are circulated to the devotees, who sniff them. The deity is then faned with a camara whisk, and a peacock fan in hot countries.
Ramadhan Mubarak to All My Muslim Friends and WellWishers
Ramadhan Mubarak to All My Muslim Friends and WellWishers, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.
A message from a Fan and well wisher
am khan said:
Asalamu Alaykum and Ramadan Mubarak!
Thanks again for all the touching and truthful photography you've done over the years. I'm a huge fan of your work and will continue to appreciate and share your artistry with my friends and loved ones.
Have a blessed Ramadan brother!
A M Khan
A PROTEST
91,555 items / 555,731
I lock up my comment box forever
and wont be commenting here at flickr
forever from this day onwards
this is a protest for enabling
of comment moderation..
take care nothing personal
Walking a Tightrope on the Internet
91,566 items / 555,737 views
I just began my 7 th fast of Ramzan.
I was deeply touched by the human aspect of spirituality at GSB Seva Mandal of the GSB Lord Ganesha - a moment in humility that touched everyone including me.
Their was genuine concern each one connecting with the other folded hands joined in peace and brotherhood.
Life is a very short journey, keeping ill will harboring evil thoughts for trivial issues is not humanity at all.
This morning I have decided to stop commenting on peoples posts, a slight misunderstood comment you have lost a friend and his friendship.
I hope Glenn angel Teresa understand this in spirit, whether your comment on my post or dont I will not be commenting at all..neither prose nor pedestrian poetry.
I lost the goodwill of a friend when she misread my comment and gave me shit as though I was her husband or something.
So this is my new resolution once and for all.
I like Facebook, because you add like , without commenting keeps both parties happy.
I post a lot, I dont beseech you to read my stuff so hide me from your feeds..why unnecessarily crib about it..
I have hidden almost all who post heavily like me.
Those without profile or into semi porn here at Flickr should not even think of adding me , and if you add me without my consent I shall block you , nothing personal..
I have also understood relationships on the internet are ephemeral, I am never going to visit you either in America Australia or Europe.. so why make an issue about it..
If you guys come my side of town I shall extend the hospitality that India is famous for..beyond that nothing matters or exists.
Using me as a punching bag because of what you read of my comment - well do some soul searching and find some body else to spar with ...closer home.. somebody who will take you , your tantrums and all.
If you have a problem or a issue with me the Flickr block tool is the finest remedy... it works both ways.
You can block me at Facebook too.
I brag each time I reach a milestone , I self promote my pedestrian poetic ego is of concern to no one but me..
I never ever asked you to like me so forget me ever licking your pompous pedantic posterior..I have no time or the inclination..to sweet kiss your egoistic ass.
I dont want you to scratch my back or break my head with your frivolous anger , I do both better with scourging blades and a sword that cuts my head on Moharam.
Merci..A Bientot .
Walking a Tightrope on the Internet
91,566 items / 555,737 views
I just began my 7 th fast of Ramzan.
I was deeply touched by the human aspect of spirituality at GSB Seva Mandal of the GSB Lord Ganesha - a moment in humility that touched everyone including me.
Their was genuine concern each one connecting with the other folded hands joined in peace and brotherhood.
Life is a very short journey, keeping ill will harboring evil thoughts for trivial issues is not humanity at all.
This morning I have decided to stop commenting on peoples posts, a slight misunderstood comment you have lost a friend and his friendship.
I hope Glenn angel Teresa understand this in spirit, whether your comment on my post or dont I will not be commenting at all..neither prose nor pedestrian poetry.
I lost the goodwill of a friend when she misread my comment and gave me shit as though I was her husband or something.
So this is my new resolution once and for all.
I like Facebook, because you add like , without commenting keeps both parties happy.
I post a lot, I dont beseech you to read my stuff so hide me from your feeds..why unnecessarily crib about it..
I have hidden almost all who post heavily like me.
Those without profile or into semi porn here at Flickr should not even think of adding me , and if you add me without my consent I shall block you , nothing personal..
I have also understood relationships on the internet are ephemeral, I am never going to visit you either in America Australia or Europe.. so why make an issue about it..
If you guys come my side of town I shall extend the hospitality that India is famous for..beyond that nothing matters or exists.
Using me as a punching bag because of what you read of my comment - well do some soul searching and find some body else to spar with ...closer home.. somebody who will take you , your tantrums and all.
If you have a problem or a issue with me the Flickr block tool is the finest remedy... it works both ways.
You can block me at Facebook too.
I brag each time I reach a milestone , I self promote my pedestrian poetic ego is of concern to no one but me..
I never ever asked you to like me so forget me ever licking your pompous pedantic posterior..I have no time or the inclination..to sweet kiss your egoistic ass.
I dont want you to scratch my back or break my head with your frivolous anger , I do both better with scourging blades and a sword that cuts my head on Moharam.
Merci..A Bientot .
Photo Blogging The Soul of Humanity
91,451 items / 555,354 views
I had a request for contact add on here at Flickr , but as the profile was incomplete I wrote to the person that I dont add people without valid profile here or at Facebook..
So he wrote back I have withheld his name to respect his privacy.
Oh well. First of Thanks a lot for clicking such wonderful pictures around India especially Bombay. I can stay in touch with my Bombay roots via these pics sitting here in USA.
I am big fan of the Bombay Ganesh Utsavs. And you provide me with the best view of them every year. Specially the King Circle GSB Ganpati. My last name is K and i belong to the GSB community. And thats the ganpati i used to visit when i was young. Thanks again for clicking such wonderful pictures of the Lord. I have been forwarding your site to many GSBs here in USA. Hope you don't mind.
My reason to contact you was to see if you had a chance of clicking some pics during the visarjan of the GSB Ganpati like last year.
Also i am sure you are aware there is a similar ganpati in Wadala which is part of our sis concern group. Smaller idol but more beautiful by majority consensus. Its near the Wadala Bus Depot and that's a 10 days festival unlike 5 days at King circle. Any plan of capturing that Ganpati.
Another one that's close to me is the Tilak Nagar Chembur Ganpati. Famously know as the Chota Rajan ganpati. Any plans to visit that. Sorry i am kinda giving my wish list to you since i cant go there personally.
SO, Again thanks a lot for everything. My wife being Christian enjoys your Mahim church pics. Please keep up the good work.
Sincerely
K
My reply to him
Firstly I must apologize about asking about you your background , as I have had problems with people who are here on Flickr for reasons you are well aware of as there is porn as well as godliness on Flickr.
GSB King circle is put up by people from South Kanara Mangalore and Wadala one is put up up by North Kanara Karwar etc
I dont know anyone and with my attire and Muslim background it is kind of tough if you dont know anyone at those mandaps , specially the Wadala one which I would love to shoot once in my life time.
I dont think I will be visiting those that you mentioned I am from Bandra so I shoot close to home and if God permits I will shoot the visargan at Chowpatty last time I was with Lal Bah Cha Raja almost till the end so missed the other Ganpatis
Take care
I add you as my friend..and shall place your comment without your name at the feet of GSB Lord Ganesha
Take Care
Photo Blogging The Soul of Humanity
91,451 items / 555,354 views
I had a request for contact add on here at Flickr , but as the profile was incomplete I wrote to the person that I dont add people without valid profile here or at Facebook..
So he wrote back I have withheld his name to respect his privacy.
Oh well. First of Thanks a lot for clicking such wonderful pictures around India especially Bombay. I can stay in touch with my Bombay roots via these pics sitting here in USA.
I am big fan of the Bombay Ganesh Utsavs. And you provide me with the best view of them every year. Specially the King Circle GSB Ganpati. My last name is K and i belong to the GSB community. And thats the ganpati i used to visit when i was young. Thanks again for clicking such wonderful pictures of the Lord. I have been forwarding your site to many GSBs here in USA. Hope you don't mind.
My reason to contact you was to see if you had a chance of clicking some pics during the visarjan of the GSB Ganpati like last year.
Also i am sure you are aware there is a similar ganpati in Wadala which is part of our sis concern group. Smaller idol but more beautiful by majority consensus. Its near the Wadala Bus Depot and that's a 10 days festival unlike 5 days at King circle. Any plan of capturing that Ganpati.
Another one that's close to me is the Tilak Nagar Chembur Ganpati. Famously know as the Chota Rajan ganpati. Any plans to visit that. Sorry i am kinda giving my wish list to you since i cant go there personally.
SO, Again thanks a lot for everything. My wife being Christian enjoys your Mahim church pics. Please keep up the good work.
Sincerely
K
My reply to him
Firstly I must apologize about asking about you your background , as I have had problems with people who are here on Flickr for reasons you are well aware of as there is porn as well as godliness on Flickr.
GSB King circle is put up by people from South Kanara Mangalore and Wadala one is put up up by North Kanara Karwar etc
I dont know anyone and with my attire and Muslim background it is kind of tough if you dont know anyone at those mandaps , specially the Wadala one which I would love to shoot once in my life time.
I dont think I will be visiting those that you mentioned I am from Bandra so I shoot close to home and if God permits I will shoot the visargan at Chowpatty last time I was with Lal Bah Cha Raja almost till the end so missed the other Ganpatis
Take care
I add you as my friend..and shall place your comment without your name at the feet of GSB Lord Ganesha
Take Care
St Michael Church Mahim
91,440 items / 555,300 views
in the land of ram
ronnie and rahim
inder ian and ibrahim
different rays of light
mutually coexisting
within a single beam
a hope called India
every man's dream
91440 pictures
flowing from a single
photo stream
a mother India
a mother supreme
like goddess kali
trampling terrorism
outsourced
by an evil regime
cross border incursions
their demonic scheme
a hand shake
a mere pipe dream
kuldip ken and kareem
a single nationality
bound to a single stram
vande matram
not lyrical words
but the spirit of
bharat vishw vidhata
in every indian
blood stream
Man Woman Two Eyes Of God
like two peas in a pod
a dominion
where he is their Lord
dichotomy delusions
discord
born in guilt
through prayer
perseverance
the human soul is cured
a right of passage
from birth to death
endured
a room in heaven
forever secured
not gold silver diamond
but good deeds you hoard
Obeisance
god give me
another chance
on the tight rope of life
balancing my soul
to your tune I dance
I am a speck
protected
by your glance
holding on to you
like a flame
on a candle
in trance
an ocean of sorrow
man and divinity
in eternal romance
hope and hindutva
a message of peace
kissing the shores
in advance
the humility of my soul
at your feet
in obeisance
to rajiv ranjan bhatnagar
Friday, August 28, 2009
GSB Ganesha King Circle 2009
I have shot over 700 pictures of this series but had to keep them on hold as I had to post the back log , and so today I have decided to upload all the pictures.
The GSB Ganesha was immersed last evening and once again I thanked Dr BU Pai for his kind invitation allowing me shoot the Lord and share his bounty with all of you.
Ganesha Mantra Stuti
वक्रतुंड महाकाय कोटिसूर्यसमप्रभ ।
निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा ॥
“Oh! Lord (Ganesha), of huge body and curved elephant trunk, whose brilliance is equal to billions of suns, always remove all obstacles from my endeavors.”
गजाननं भूतगणादिसेवितं कपित्थजंबूफलचारुभक्षणम् ।
उमासुतं शोकविनाशकारकं नमामि विघ्नेश्वरपादपङ्कजम् ॥
“Salutations to Lord Ganesha who has an elephant head, who is attended by the band of his followers, who eats his favorite wood-apple and rose-apple fruits, who is the son of Goddess Uma, who is the cause of destruction of all sorrow. And I salute to his feet which are like lotus.”
सुमुखश्चैकदंतश्च कपिलो गजकर्णकः ।
लम्बोदरश्च विकटो विघ्ननाशो गणाधिपः ।
धूम्रकेतुर्गणाध्यक्षो भालचन्द्रो गजाननः ।
द्वादशैतानि नामानि यः पठेच्छृणुयादपि ।
विद्यारंभे विवाहे च प्रवेशे निर्गमे तथा ।
संग्रामे संकटे चैव विघ्नस्तस्य न जायते ॥
Sumukha, Ekadanta, Kapila, Gajakarnaka, Lambodara, Vikata, Vighnanaasha, Ganaadhipa, Dhuumraketu, Ganaadhyaksha, Bhaalachandra, Gajaanana -
No obstacles will come in the way of one who reads or listens to these 12 names of Lord Ganesha at the beginning of education, at the time of marriage, while entering or exiting anything, during a battle or calamity.
शुक्लाम्बरधरं देवं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजम् ।
प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेत् सर्वविघ्नोपशान्तये ॥
“In order to remove all obstacles, one should meditate on (the Lord Ganesha) as wearing a white garment, as having the complexion like the moon, and having four arms and a pleasant countenance.”
मूषिकवाहन् मोदकहस्त चामरकर्ण विलम्बित सूत्र ।
वामनरूप महेश्वरपुत्र विघ्नविनायक पाद नमस्ते ॥
“Oh God who has the mouse as his vehicle, and the sweet modhaka (rice ball) in your hand, whose ears are wide like fans, wearing the sacred thread. Oh son of Lord Shiva who is of short stature and who removes all obstacles, Lord Vinayaka, I bow at your feet.”
kind courtesy
www.riiti.com/2008-08-shri_ganesh_-_mantra_stuti_prarthan...
Appu and Me
There was nobody around that looked the type who would shoot me and Appu, this was shot by a coconut vendor, I told him to take two frames just in case..
He has never held a camera in his hand but he is as fond of Appu as you and me..I did tell him you were coming to Mumbai in Dec or Jan.. that pleased him a lot..
So Glenn finding Appu at Mahim was a great moment of joy.. and these pictures are all dedicated to you..they ae all shot rapidly without composing or without coming close, Appu has a handler who felt that I was being a nuisance - rightly so, this is business hours for Appu The handler was not rude but pragmatic as a large crowd makes traffic snarls and then the cops come in and he might lose this space , begging space tooo comes at a premium at St Michael Church Mahim, they have to pay hafta or protection money to the local goon as well as the system.
Its the first time Appu told me he was an Assamese .. dont broach him with questions I dont ask him personal details but somebody should do a documentary on him..and pay him too..
Money is important to Appu..he has sisters and a family a mother too.
So Appu is a Muslim trying to touch the Soul of Jesus Christ at St Micheal Church, he does touch the good people that come here for Novena on Wednesday.
And Appu was fasting to like a good Muslim..
Ganpati Bappa Morya Purcha Varshi Laokar Ya
This was shot at Bandra Reclamation as Lord Ganesha moved back to his home in the seas..this was the 5 day Immersion heading towards Mahim Beach/
Very fondly they bid him farewell, he was the heart ans soul of their existence, he was a guest of honor, and there is sadness too in the household as they see him go..but than there is a solace too in the oft repeated words ..Ganpati Bappa Morya Purcha Varshi Laokar Ya..Come Soon Next Year Lord Ganesha
91,180 items / 553,113 views
Appu My Friend is Back !!!!!!!!!!!
I was going to town with my wife , but something told me that I would meet Appu , I asked my wife to keep an eye on the road close to St Michaels Church Mahim where Appu sits on Wednesdays - the day of the Novena .
I have a poor eyesight because of my diabetes wife spotted him , as this place is jam packed on Wednesdays no parking etc I told my wife to wait for me ahead as I got off the cab to meet Appu after several months..
He was excited seeing me , and a huge crowd collects within seconds of my arrival..and this is how I saw him before he saw me..
I have till date never asked him personal question , he told me he was Gauwahati in Assam.
He had lost my visiting card , I gave him another including whatever few notes I had in my wallet - for me and Dr Glenn Losack MD ,Appu ,is not a beggar , but we are bigger beggars than him , begging for happiness that eludes us..
Appu is happy contented , he is positive always smiling , and we get along like water on ice, we chat , the people around more astounded at our conversation.
You must forgive me I am uploading 3 sets on Flickr simultaneously, I dont know what to post what to hold back, I have over 700 pictures of GSB Ganesha to post, and a lot of stuff pertaining to Ganesh Pandals and the streets.
I am not in a good frame of mind ..so Appu was a beacon of light in my dark hours and grim moodiness.
I left him to catch up with my wife we had urgent work in town , on my way back at 6 pm I again got of the cab for good, telling my wife I would reach home in time for breaking my fast.
I shot more pictures of Appu , yes he was feeling nostalgic of meeting the furious physician in Dec or Jan.
This post is dedicated to my dearest brother Glenn Losack..MD
Mind Doctor
When I sent a message to Glenn this morning that I had a surprise for him , he wrote back you found Appu ..
Yes Appu is back at Flickr..
From here I walked home to Bandra shooting the golden dust of the road.. that they call street photography..
Devotion
91,089 items / 552,728 views
in this world
of money running
after money
too much chaos
commotion
the only solace
godly devotion
a godly emotion
saving the human soul
from early erosion
as we flow
with our tears
into an omnipresent ocean
leaving our
wealth our ego
our attitude
our arrogance
on earth
as we move
into motion
dedicated to my elder brother
jagan chawla
Thursday, August 27, 2009
I Complete 91000 Photo Blogs at Flickr
91,006 items / 552,071 views
I complete 91000 Photo Blogs at Flickr today..
Thank you from Marziya and Me
Shree Sai Baba of Shirdi at Lalbagh
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sai_Baba_of_Shirdi
Sai Baba of Shirdi (1838 – October 15, 1918), also known as Shirdi Sai Baba, was an Indian guru and yogi, regarded by his followers as an incarnation of God. Some of his Hindu devotees believe that he was an incarnation of Shiva or Dattatreya. Many devotees believe that he was a Sadguru. There are many stories and eyewitness accounts of miracles he performed. He is a well-known figure in many parts of the world, but especially in India, where he is much revered.
The name 'Sai Baba' is a combination of Persian and Indian origin; Sāī (Sa'ih) is the Persian term for "holy one" or "saint", usually attributed to Islamic ascetics, whereas Baba (honorific) is a word meaning "father; grandfather; old man; sir" used in Indo-Aryan languages. The appellative thus refers to Sai Baba as being a "holy father" or "saintly father".[1] His parentage, birth details, and life before the age of sixteen are obscure, which has led to a variety of speculations and theories attempting to explain Sai Baba's origins. In his life and teachings he tried to reconcile Hinduism and Islam: Sai Baba lived in a mosque which he called Dwarakamayi, practised Hindu and Muslim rituals, taught using words and figures that drew from both traditions and was buried in a Hindu temple in Shirdi. One of his well known epigrams says of God: "Sabka Malik Ek" ("One God governs all") which traces its root to Islam in general and sufism in particular. He always uttered "Allah Malik" - Lord is the sole protector. He had no love for perishable things, and was always engrossed in self-realization, which was his sole concern.
Sai Baba taught a moral code of love, forgiveness, helping others, charity, contentment, inner peace, devotion to God and guru. His teachings combined elements of Hinduism and Islam and tried to achieve communal harmony between these religions.
Sai Baba remains a very popular saint[2] and is worshiped by people around the world. Debate over his Hindu or Muslim origins continues to take place.[3] He is also revered by several notable Hindu and Sufi religious leaders.[who?] Some of his disciples received fame as spiritual figures and saints such as Upasni Maharaj and Meher Baba.
Sai Baba's origin is completely unknown to this day. He did not disclose to anyone where he was born nor where he grew up. Because of his unknown past, various communities have claimed that he belongs to them. Nothing has been substantiated, however. It is known that he spent considerable period with fakirs. His attire resembled that of a Muslim fakir. There is mosque at Shirdi which he visited regularly.
Baba reportedly arrived at the village of Shirdi in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, India, when he was about 16 years old. Although there is no agreement among biographers on the date of this event, it is generally accepted that Baba stayed in Shirdi for three years, disappeared for a year and returned permanently around 1858, which posits a possible birth year of 1838.[4] Some claim Baba was born on 28 September, 1835, with no apparent reason on how the date was arrived at. In any case, the only agreement amongst historians and his devotees is that there is no conclusive evidence of his birthday and place. He led an ascetic life, sitting motionless under a neem tree and meditating while sitting in an asana. The Sai Satcharita recounts the reaction of the villagers
The people of the village were wonder-struck to see such a young lad practicing hard penance, not minding heat or cold. By day he associated with no one, by night he was afraid of nobody.[5]
His presence attracted the curiosity of the villagers and the religiously-inclined such as Mhalsapati, Appa Jogle and Kashinatha regularly visited him, while others such as the village children considered him mad and threw stones at him.[6] After some time he left the village, and it is unknown where he stayed at that time or what happened to him. However, there are some indications that he met with many saints and fakirs, and worked as a weaver; he claimed to have fought with the army of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.[7]
[edit] Shirdi and teaching
In 1858 Sai Baba returned to Shirdi with Chand Patil's wedding procession. After alighting near the Khandoba temple he was greeted with the words "Ya Sai" (welcome saint) by the temple priest Mhalsapati. The name Sai stuck to him and some time later he started being known as Sai Baba.[8] It was around this time that Baba adopted his famous style of dress, consisting of a knee-length one-piece robe (kafni) and a cloth cap. Ramgir Bua, a devotee, testified that Baba was dressed like an athlete and sported 'long hair flowing down to his buttocks' when he arrived in Shirdi, and that he never had his head shaved. It was only after Baba forfeited a wrestling match with one Mohdin Tamboli that he took up the kafni and cloth cap, articles of typically Sufi clothing.[9] This attire contributed to Baba's identification as a Muslim fakir, and was a reason for initial indifference and hostility against him in a predominantly Hindu village.[10] According to B.V. Narasimhaswami, a posthumous follower who was widely praised as Sai Baba's "apostle", this attitude was prevalent even among some of his devotees in Shirdi, even up to 1954.[11]
For four to five years Baba lived under a neem tree, and often wandered for long periods in the jungle in and around Shirdi. His manner was said to be withdrawn and uncommunicative as he undertook long periods of meditation.[12] He was eventually persuaded to take up residence in an old and dilapidated mosque and lived a solitary life there, surviving by begging for alms and receiving itinerant Hindu or Muslim visitors. In the mosque he maintained a sacred fire which is referred to as a dhuni, from which he had the custom of giving sacred ash ('Udhi') to his guests before they left and which was believed to have healing powers and protection from dangerous situations. At first he performed the function of a local hakim and treated the sick by application of Udhi. Baba also delivered spiritual teachings to his visitors, recommending the reading of sacred Hindu texts along with the Qur'an, especially insisting on the indispensability of the unbroken remembrance of God's name (dhikr, japa). He often expressed himself in a cryptic manner with the use of parables, symbols and allegories.[13] He participated in religious festivals and was also in the habit of preparing food for his visitors, which he distributed to them as prasad. Sai Baba's entertainment was dancing and singing religious songs (he enjoyed the songs of Kabir most). His behaviour was sometimes uncouth and violent.[14][15]
After 1910 Sai Baba's fame began to spread in Mumbai. Numerous people started visiting him, because they regarded him as a saint (or even an avatar) with the power of performing miracles.[16] and they built his first ever temple at Bhivpuri, Karjat as desired by Sai Baba.[17][18]
[edit] Mahasamadhi
Sai Baba took Mahasamadhi on October 15, 1918 at 2.30pm. He took samadhi on the lap of one of his devotees with hardly any belongings, and was buried in the "Buty Wada" according to his wish. Later a mandir was built there known as the "Samadhi Mandir".[19]
This day was a very holy day for Hindus as well as for Muslims as Hindu's festival 'dassera' and Muslim's festival 'muharram' had come on the same day. Sai Baba is a symbol of unity of religions, especially Hindu and islam and he left his body on this very holy day when 'dassera' and 'muharram' came simultaneously. This is also a great sign of his greatness as people believe that great soul leaves the earth on some holy day.
In his personal practice, Sai Baba observed worship procedures belonging to Hinduism and Islam; he shunned any kind of regular rituals but allowed the practice of namaz, chanting of Al-Fatiha, and Qur'an readings at Muslim festival times.[20] Occasionally reciting the Al-Fatiha himself, Baba also enjoyed listening to moulu and qawwali accompanied with the tabla and sarangi twice daily.[21] He also wore clothing reminiscent of a Sufi fakir. Sai Baba also opposed all sorts of persecutions on religious or caste background.
Sai Baba of Shirdi was also an opponent of religious orthodoxy - both Hindu and Muslim.[22] Although Sai Baba himself led the life of an ascetic, he advised his followers to lead an ordinary family life.
Sai Baba encouraged his devotees to pray, chant God's name and read holy scriptures - he told Muslims to study the Qur'an, and Hindus, texts like the Ramayana, Vishnu Sahasranam, Bhagavad Gita (and commentaries to it), Yoga Vasistha.[23] He was impressed by the philosophy of Bhagvad Gita and want people should follow the facts of life written in Bhagvad Gita in their life to make life more meaningful and beautiful.He advised his devotees and followers to lead a moral life, help others,love every living being without any discrimination, treat them with love and develop two important features of character: faith (Shraddha) and patience (Saburi). He also criticized atheism.[24] In his teachings Sai Baba emphasised the importance of performing one's duties without attachment to earthly matters and being ever content regardless of the situation.
Sai Baba also interpreted the religious texts of both faiths. According to what the people who stayed with him said and wrote he had a profound knowledge of them. He explained the meaning of the Hindu scriptures in the spirit of Advaita Vedanta. This was the character of his philosophy. It also had numerous elements of bhakti. The three main Hindu spiritual paths - Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga and Karma Yoga - were visible in the teachings of Sai Baba.[25] Another example of the way he combined both faiths is the Hindu name he gave to his mosque, Dwarakamai.[26]
Sai Baba said that God penetrates everything and lives in every being, and as well that God is the essence of each of them. He emphasised the complete oneness of God which was very close to the Islamic tawhid and the Hindu doctrine, e.g. of the Upanishads. Sai Baba said that the world and all that the human may give is transient and only God and his gifts are eternal. Sai Baba also emphasised the importance of devotion to God - bhakti - and surrender to his will. He also talked about the need of faith and devotion to one's spiritual preceptor (guru). He said that everyone was the soul and not the body. He advised his disciples and followers to overcome the negative features of character and develop the good ones. He taught them that all fate was determined by karma.
Sai Baba left no written works. His teachings were oral, typically short, pithy sayings rather than elaborate discourses. Sai would ask his followers for money (dakshina), which he would give away to the poor and other devotees the same day and spend the rest on buying wood to maintain Dhuni. According to his followers he did it in order to rid them of greed and material attachment.
Sai encouraged charity and the importance of sharing with others. He said: "Unless there is some relationship or connection, nobody goes anywhere. If any men or creatures come to you, do not discourteously drive them away, but receive them well and treat them with due respect. Shri Hari (God) will be certainly pleased if you give water to the thirsty, bread to the hungry, clothes to the naked and your verandah to strangers for sitting and resting. If anybody wants any money from you and you are not inclined to give, do not give, but do not bark at him like a dog."[27] Other favourite sayings of his were: "Why do you fear when I am here",[28] "He has no beginning... He has no end."[28] Sai Baba made eleven assurances to his devotees:
Sai Baba of Shirdi (took samadhi in 1918)
1. Whosoever puts their feet on Shirdi soil, their sufferings will come to an end.
2. The wretched and miserable will rise to joy and happiness as soon as they climb the steps of My Samadhi.
3. I shall be ever active and vigorous even after leaving this earthly body.
4. My tomb shall bless and speak to the needs of my devotees.
5. I shall be active and vigorous even from my tomb.
6. My mortal remains will speak from My tomb.
7. I am ever living to help and guide all who come to Me, who surrender to Me and who seek refuge in Me.
8. If you look at Me, I look at you.
9. If you cast your burden on Me, I shall surely bear it.
10. If you seek My advice and help, it shall be given to you at once.
11. There shall be no want in the house of My devotee.
[edit] Worship and devotees
Main article: Shirdi Sai Baba movement
The Shirdi Sai Baba movement began in the 19th century, during his life, while he was staying in Shirdi. A local Khandoba priest - Mhalsapathy - is believed to have been his first devotee. However, in the 19th century Sai Baba's followers were only a small group of Shirdi inhabitants and a few people from other parts of India. It started developing in the 20th century and even faster in 1910 with the Sankirtans of Das Ganu (one of Sai's devotees) who spread Sai Baba's fame to the whole of India. Since 1910 numerous Hindus and Muslims from all parts of India started coming to Shirdi. During his life Hindus worshipped him with Hindu rituals and Muslims revered him greatly, considering him to be a saint. Later (in the last years of Sai Baba's life) Christians and Zoroastrians started joining the Shirdi Sai movement.[2]
The Sai Baba mandir in Shirdi is active and every day worship of Sai is conducted in it. Pilgrims visit Shirdi every day. Shirdi Baba is especially revered and worshipped in the state of Maharashtra and in Gujarat. A religious organisation of Sai Baba's devotees called the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust is based there. The first ever Sai Baba temple is situated at Bhivpuri,Karjat.
The devotees of Shirdi Sai Baba have spread all over India.[2] According to the Gale Encyclopedia of Religion there is at least one Sai Baba mandir in nearly every Indian city.[2] His image is quite popular in India.[2] Some ordinary non-religious publishing houses (such as Sterling Publishers) publish books about Shirdi Sai written by his devotees.[29] Shirdi is among the major Hindu places of pilgrimage.[30] The Shirdi Sai Baba movement is partially organised. Only a part of his followers and devotees belong to the Shri Saibaba Sansthan or to other religious organisations that worship him.
Beyond India the Shirdi Sai movement has spread to other countries such as the U.S. or the Caribbean. Sai Baba mandirs and organisations of his devotees have been built in countries including Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and the USA. The Shirdi Sai Baba movement is one of the main Hindu religious movements in English-speaking countries.[31]
According to estimates the Sai mandir in Shirdi is visited by around twenty thousand pilgrims a day and during religious festivals this number amounts to a hundred thousand.[32]
Sai Baba had many notable disciples:
1. Nana Chandorkar: Deputy Collector – legend has it that Baba saved his daughter from labor complications).
2. Mhasalapathi: Priest of Khandoba Temple in Shirdi. He is the first one to have addressed Baba as Sai Baba.
3. Ganapathi Rao: Popularly known as Das Ganu, police Constable, later resigned to become an ascetic.
4. Tatya Patil: Ganapathi Rao's son had immense faith in Sai Baba and served him until Sai Baba died.
5. Madhava Rao Deshpande later known as Shama, one of the staunch devotees of Sai Baba
6. Hemadpant: Baba allowed him to keep memos and write Sai Sat Charitra
Sai Baba's millions of disciples, followers and devotees believe that he had performed many miracles. Some of them were: bilocation, exorcisms, curing the incurably sick, helping his devotees in need in a miraculous way, reading the minds of others. Numerous inhabitants of Shirdi talked about these miracles. Some of them even wrote about them in books. They talked and wrote about how they (and others) were the witnesses of his unusual Yogic powers: levitation, entering a state of Samādhi at wish, even removing his limbs and sticking them back to his body (Khanda Yoga) or doing the same with his intestines.
According to his followers he appeared to them after his death, in dreams, visions and even in bodily form, whence he often gave them advice. His devotees have many stories and experiences to tell.[33] Many books have been written on these events.
[edit] Historical sources
Biographers of Sai Baba of Shirdi (e.g. Govindrao Raghunath Dabholkar, Acharya Ekkirala Bharadwaja, Smriti Srinivas, Antonio Rigopolous) when writing about him base it on what people who knew Sai Baba said and wrote. Another source they use is the Shirdi Diary written by Ganesh Shrikrishna Khaparde, which describes every day of the author's stay at Shirdi. When speculating about the unknown episodes of Sai Baba's life, they mainly base their conclusions on his own words.
The most important source about Sai's life is the Shri Sai Satcharita written in Marathi, in 1916 by Govindrao Raghunath Dabholkar (translated into English by Nagesh Vasudevanand Gunaji with English title: Shri Sai Satcharitra) whom Sai Baba nicknamed Hemadpant, which is an account of his life, teachings and miracles. Other important sources about Sai Baba are books by B. V. Narasimhaswamiji such as Sri Sai Baba's Charters and Sayings or Devotee's Experiences of Sai Baba. Sri Sai Baba and His Teachings by Acharya Ekkirala Bharadwaja is an indepth study of Sai's life's routine and activities.
[edit] In various religions
Sai Baba depicted on a tapestry
[edit] Hinduism
During Sai Baba's life, the Hindu saint Anandanath of Yewala declared Sai Baba a spiritual "diamond".[34] Another saint, Gangagir, called him a "jewel".[34] Sri Beedkar Maharaj greatly revered Sai Baba, and in 1873, when he met him he bestowed the title Jagadguru upon him.[35][36] Sai Baba was also greatly respected by Vasudevananda Saraswati (known as Tembye Swami).[37] Sai of Shirdi was also revered by a group of Shaivic yogis, to which he belonged, known as the Nath-Panchayat.[38] Swami Kaleshwar publicly worships Sai Baba, and treats him as a great saint and his own guru.[39]
[edit] Other religions
Sai Baba is considered a Pir by some Sufi groups. Meher Baba declared Baba to be a Qutub-e-Irshad - the highest of the five Qutubs.[40] Baba is also worshipped by prominent Zoroastrians such as Nanabhoy Palkhivala and Homi Bhabha, and has been cited as the most popular non-Zoroastrian religious figure attracting the attention of Zoroastrians.[41]
Most of the roadside temples are dedicated to him, we have several in my area at Bandra.
One person who is a staunch devotee of Sai Baba is actor Mohan Babu ,and my dear friend and patron Ram Manghnani of East West Travels..
Bal Yuvak Utsav Mandal Lalbagh 2009
Next to Tejukaya was a another pandal I shot, after that I walked midway to Dadar. I was barefeet , this was the day of my first fast of Ramzan and also the first day of Ganesha festival.
I had shot Lalbagh Cha Raja, Ganesh Gully , Tejukaya and this one..Bal Yuvaak mandal...there is more ahead.
I took a cab for Bandra but got off at Plaza when I spotted the Tamils taking the Dharavi Cha Raja home I had to run to catch up with them...
It was one hell of a day..was I tired not really..my barefeet hurt thats about it..
I must mention before I started my journey I met beggar hijras and when I was walking towards Dadar I met hijras again.
Ganesh Devotee Tejukaya Ganpati Pandal Lalbagh 2009
Ganesh Devotee Tejukaya Ganpati Pandal Lalbagh 2009, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.
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Just today visitors to my site exceed over 14000. here at Flickr
GSB Ganesha King Circle 2009 , Lalbagh Cha Raja and Laxmi Narayan Tripathi,gain the maximum hits..
90,810 Photo Blogs 550,593 views at Flickr
90,810 items / 550,591 views
I joined Flickr in June 2007 .
I cross over 550,593 views in just about 2 years here ar Flickr.
Ganesh Gully Pandal Lalbagh 2009
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After shooting the Lalbagh Cha Raja I walked towards the Ganesh Gully Pandal, I also shoot my surroundings that you call street photography, street photography is the core and essence of my belief in mankind and God.
I cannot shoot flowers , insects landscapes I need pictures populated with people..I need emotions, feelings I need to reveal layers beneath layers..on a mans face.
I dont begrudge people what they shoot , I dont go to their photo stream to tell them what to shoot ..I am fed up of answering comments that are based on bigotry, a recent comment on my Moharam pictures criticized the shedding of blood part of my Shia faith saying it was against Islam..yet the pompous spiritual pedant keeps quiet when Muslims as Jehadis kill , maim rape sodomize society in the name of Islam..
I cant be such a Muslim , my parents late Mohomed and Shamim Shakir taught me that humanity was more important than flawed religiosity.
I shoot all religion Hinduism is my cultural inheritance and I shoot it with them the passion as a Hindu would have shot it
All these pictures are part of my storyboard called Hope and Hindutva a message of Peace..
I shoot Hijras and at this moment I am watching my Hijra Guru Laxmi Narayan Tripathi taking part in Sach Ka Samna ..
I thank Ankur of NDTV for taking my interview while shooting GSB Lord Ganesha King Circle King of Kings..As a blogger I am deeply touched by this gesture of the main stream electronic media.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
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Shah-e-Mardan Sher-e-Yazdan Quwat-e-Parwardigar Lafata Ila Ali La Saif Ila Zulfiqar , originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1 ....
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Dargah of Hazrat Syed Ali Mira Datar Unava Gujrat , a photo by firoze shakir photographerno1 on Flickr. HAZRAT SYED ALI MIRA DATAR'S G...
