Tuesday, November 1, 2011

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If you make a large number of posts in a single day, you will be required to complete word verification. After 24 hours, the word verification will automatically be removed. Learn more   BLOGSPOT SUCKS 
Visual verification
Blogspot is the worst place for bloggers  that have to face a fucked racist tool like word verification , wait for 24 hours before crossblogging posts from Flickr.com ..there should be some difference between prolific bloggers and spammers .

Word Verification at Blogspot a Multicolored Racist Tool..

how do i remove word verification from my posts i dont want to wait 24 hours please help


i hate blogspot..as it should make it easier for people who blog a lot to be able to remove word verification, word verification is a racist tool ..

firoze shakir
photographer no1

firozeshakir.blogspot.com
shahasthussain.blogspot.com

mumbai india

My problem is not comments it is number of posts that bring in Word Verification I blog a lot I have over 200000 blogs at Flickr.com  ,  having a multi colored posterior and every time the word verification is slammed up my ass I find it an atrocious racist tool , being a poet this is my metaphor of pain , it has taken a life time for Blogspot to come out with changes , and they spend useless time on Google Wave Google Buzz instead of making existing platforms blogger friendly..half their time is spent on trying to bury Facebook 6 feet under but Marc Zuckerburgs fathers ghost wont allow them to do so.. instead of Best Answer they should have best Question..

Thank you Martins ..

Jesus Me And The Journey of Life


He followed
me since childhood
always there
stately and tall
Private European school
Methodist church near
5 No Post Office
i recall
later it was
Holy Name High School
the Cathedral
beyond the wall
than from Colaba
I came to Bandra
it was St Peter Church
all in all
he was there
waiting for me
beyond the hall
i began shooting him
while on the grounds
kids played football
at St Stanislaus
near the stone wall
at Bandra Bazar
he met me at
each corner
moments
of my sadness
as night crawled
i shot him
poetically
passionately
patriotically
as he was Indian
as i was
most of all
his Bethlehem
Jerusalem
Gethsemane
in Mumbai
near the slums
close to the chawls
the gaothan with
east indian women
reciting rosary
bent head
covered in shawls
now my 3 year old
grand daughter
Marziya Shakir
shoots him too
a camera in hand
instead of a doll


dedicated to my good friend Randy Der

The Grave of My Deleted Dreams



a passion
held within
the soil of my
feelings screams
a fatiah
i recite
bismillah
irahman ir
rahim
wet moist
with tears
flowers seem
subtle sorrow
a borrowed
tomorrow
poetic pause
supreme
deleted dreams
i try to redeem
inundated with
poison in my
bloodstream
limbless structure
holds the silhouette
of my self esteem
broken wings
flapping feathers
my fate blaspheme

Nobody Got Him Of The Cross As Yet


his pain
his sufferings
they forget
all busy
in their world
in their net
more power
more money
they want to get
as jesus
out in the cold
night after night
gets wet
humanity
always
in his debt

sleepless
on Facebook
Google+
twitter
the internet
a laptop
on the floor
in the toilet

Clits Twats and Tits

if I shot pictures of clits twats and tits
on flickr I would get the maximum number of hits
even little serpents penis -like would jump out of the pits
horny libidinous twerps and viagra assisted twits
unshaved dehumanized depraved horny armpits
fulsome fastidious fermented fragrance permits
so back to funksteenas picture of her friends tits
her name she omits...huge globular orbs
lighting the path as a cleavage that in the center splits
but fuck what if you dont have tits can you call it quits
flatless tractor driven phenomena just truant nipples
as two bits ...transgendered trauma no orbs no orbits
no pamela anderson endorsed plaudits
jut two little untalking to each other
man like nipples but no nonsense erotic circuits
but fuck I like big buxom ones unexposed that
read private property ...mind boggling off limits
castrated cacophony ..of hermits and jesuits
a loss that finally ends in silicone cellular profits
breathtaking away bosoms ..toy boys and bandits

photo courtesy funksteena buzznet .com

The Ear Cleaners of Bandra Talao

Das Rupaiye main
kan ko saf karaao
mail ko door bhagao
achi batein suno
jaldi acche ban jao
desh ko age badao
jan lokpal bill
desh main jaldi lao

The Common Man Too Ashamed To Show His Face



rising prices
rising scams
corruption
he lost the race
poor beggarly
he lost the chase
going round
round round
round the maze
on the streets
fallen from grace
he will die soon
ashes to ashes
dust to dust
leave no trace
his life is not
as important
as the grand
prix race
he once had
a happy family
house business
now on the streets
he stays
even god is busy
to hear
his prayers
intelligence failure
recession
has hit god badly
is what the say

I Moved Out of Facebook Just In time

209,367 items / 1,728,493 views

took a raft
came to Google+
famished hungry
thirsty but
now i am fine
no more walls
no more pokes
no more farmville
from bored restless
swines no more add
no more ignore
for my loved one
that i left behind
i do pine
deleted doomed
she has a new
roommate
new bottle no wine
good looking
handsome rugged
no spine on the
other hand
a beggar poet
dreams of her
offline
a love a poet
still wonders
sweet saline
she left this
old man
for a goldmine
broken dreams
broken wings
soul supine
oh firoze
eyeless
in gaza
undersigned
ruthlessly
removed
blocked
hook and line
the phone
went dead
the poet
rants whines
a pain i feel
but cannot
define
painted clown
washed in
turpentine

i shot the all india hijra samellan thanks to laxmi narayan tripathi my hijra guru

another world with hijras is possible...

shooting hijras is shooting the other side of midnight

i told my wife i would get tired shooting what others shoot

my wife tells me dont you get tired shooting hijras ..

shooting the hijra was never easy at any given time

i shoot hijras as the children of a forgotten god

because i could no shoot sunsets nature landscape I decided to shoot hijras

before god gave me a camera he lent me his eye

I Dont Think I Will Have Time To Shoot Hijras Anymore

I have taken a path where all my adventures and photography will cease

Priya Hijra from Singapore She Hit The Ceiling I Hit The Floor

No we did not score
she did implore
the flesh was willing
the spirit was sore
a pilgrim perplexed
at her locked doors
she was the sea
but i was not sure
a pebble on
the sea shore

Could God Make Hijras He Tired Out After Making One Woman..

Fucked Word Verification at Blogspot

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Blogger says that this blog has been rate-limited. Please try again later.

If you make a large number of posts in a single day, you will be required to complete word verification. After 24 hours, the word verification will automatically be removed. Learn more BLOGSPOT SUCKS
Visual verification
Blogspot is the worst place for bloggers that have to face a fucked racist tool like word verification , wait for 24 hours before crossblogging posts from Flickr.com ..there should be some difference between prolific bloggers and spammers .

Word Verification at Blogspot a Multicolored Racist Tool..
how do i remove word verification from my posts i dont want to wait 24 hours please help

i hate blogspot..as it should make it easier for people who blog a lot to be able to remove word verification, word verification is a racist tool ..

firoze shakir
photographer no1

firozeshakir.blogspot.com
shahasthussain.blogspot.com

mumbai india

My problem is not comments it is number of posts that bring in Word Verification I blog a lot I have over 200000 blogs at Flickr.com , having a multi colored posterior and every time the word verification is slammed up my ass I find it an atrocious racist tool , being a poet this is my metaphor of pain , it has taken a life time for Blogspot to come out with changes , and they spend useless time on Google Wave Google Buzz instead of making existing platforms blogger friendly..half their time is spent on trying to bury Facebook 6 feet under but Marc Zuckerburgs fathers ghost wont allow them to do so.. instead of Best Answer they should have best Question..

Thank you Martins ..

Ghame Zindagi Mili Aur Ghame Hussain Na Mile

195,723 items / 1,600,962 views

Ghame Zindagi Mili Aur Ghame Hussain Na Mile
Phool Ki Badkismeti Kali Jiye Aur Na Khile


Teeron ke mussalle par, woh sajda e shukraana,
Shabeer ne sikh laaya Islam pay mar jaana!

What is Shiasm they scratch their bald heads
pull the strands of their long beards while
they break their fast with dates water and bread
why does the Shia bleed from his head
his back flows a gurgling river
lashing the soul of humanity
Ghame Hussain all red


Martyrdom of Imam Hussain (A):

"Then Shimr, the accursed, straddled your chest and began running his sword across your neck. He clasped your pure hair, with his (impure) hands and was slaughtering you with his sharp Indian sword. To the extent that you became motionless and stopped breathing, and your head was triumphantly raised on the lance."


Imam Hussain (A)’s martyrdom spectacle in words of Imam of Era (A)


www.jafariyanews.com/articles/2k5/22feb_hussain%28as%29in...
By: Faez Karmi

The monumental tragedy of Karbala has been illustrated in historical books vividly, and at great length. However, some historians have recorded this tragedy without adequate research on this topic. This has robbed their works of credibility.

The last imam from the progeny of holy Prophet Muhammad (S), Imam Mahdi (A), has depicted the tragedy of Karbala in 'Ziarate Nahiyah', in graphic detail, highlighting the enormity of this tragedy. This can only be expected from Imam (A), as he alone is the inheritor and successor of Imam Hussain (A), and knows best what atrocities were heaped on the latter in Karbala. We have mentioned below extracts from this heart wrenching account of the tragedy of Karbala that underlines the grief of Imam Mahdi (A), for his grandfather, Imam Hussain (A).

Imam (A) being the Imam of his time has power over everything after Allah. When he narrates this tragedy, it is as if the tragedy actually unfolds before his very eyes. He from his 'Ilme Ghaib' (knowledge of the unseen) is aware of certain facets of Karbala that even the most astute historian could never discern. That is why in many ways this is the most reliable account of Karbala. Imam (A) has a first hand account - narrative of all the brutalities that were perpetrated on Imam Hussain (A) in Karbala, the intense thirst, the scorching heat, the humiliation of the ladies, Shimr's malicious disposition and the children's pleas for help.

Imam Mahdi (A) actually witnesses the entire tragedy, and nothing about Karbala is concealed from his knowledge. Therefore, his distress and anguish is manifold.

It is hoped that this Ziarat will also leave the readers of this article aggrieved, with tears welling up in their eyes, as it leaves our Imam (A) sorrowful, with tears of blood. It is also hoped that readers will get some insight into Imam's (A) frame of mind and sense of bereavement, every time he recites this Ziarat.

Imam Hussain's (A) exalted station and unrivaled virtues:

Imam Mahdi (A) deliberates on Imam Hussain's (A) excellent traits in Ziarate Nahiyah thus:
"O master! You were most careful about your duties and responsibilities, possessed outstanding virtues, were matchless in generosity and nobility, always performed 'Namaze Shab' in the darkness of nights. The ways you adopted were firm and resolute, while you were the most exalted of Allah's creatures in virtues and magnificence, and were without parallel in genealogy. You possessed an august station, boundless merits, were a model for others to emulate, dignified, magnanimous, most knowledgeable and discerning. You possessed brilliance and radiance, recognized Allah, were a beacon of guidance, fearful (of Allah), sympathetic and compassionate towards His creatures, loved Allah and submitted to His decrees quickly, without protest.

"You, are the Prophet's (S) son, protector of Qur'an, helper and aide of Islam, most eager in obeying Allah's commands and upholder of covenants and pledges. You remained aloof from transgressors, readily endeavored in Allah's ways, with your heart and soul, so as to realize His aim, and remained engrossed in 'Ruku' and prostration for long duration.

"Master, you renounced this world, and looked at it with the indifference of one who was all set to leave it, and as one fearful of it. Your hopes and aspirations were affixed beyond the world. Your endeavors and zeal remained unaffected by the distractions of the world. You never cast even a fleeting glance, at its pomp and splendor, and, were always attached only with the Hereafter."

Servitude of Imam Hussain (A):

Imam Mahdi (A) presents himself in Imam Hussain's (A) service, and sends his salutations upon him as if he is the attendant, while the latter is his master. Imam (A) exclaims:

"O master, accept my salutations. I present my salutations to you with expectations of success and prosperity. O master, accept salutations of the one who has approached you after having recognized your honor and distinction, has acknowledged your guardianship (wilayat) with sincerity, aspires to gain proximity with Allah through your love, and dissociates himself from your enemies. Accept salutations of your distressed devotee, whose heart is wrenched due to the grief and tribulations that you were made to undergo, and who sheds tears of blood in sympathy for you.

"O master, accept salutations of the one who is distressed and restless, from your grief and suffering. Master, acknowledge salutations of the one, who, if he was present in Karbala, would have confronted swords and lances, and laid down his life so as to safeguard yours. He would have struggled in your path with intense fervor, and would have wrestled with death to help your cause. He would have displayed his courage, gallantry and grit in combat. He would have aided you in confronting the rebels, willingly, and in the process would have sacrificed his heart and soul, wealth, family and children, everything, in your way."

Imam Hussain's (A) departure from Medina:

Imam Mahdi (A) recollects how Imam Hussain (A) was forced to forsake the cherished city of Medina, his place of birth, and the burial place of his esteemed grandfather, the Prophet Muhammad (S).

Imam Mahdi (A) reflects:

"The time finally arrived when tyranny reared its ugly head and despotism casts its dark shadow. Oppression summoned its cronies, and marched forth to wage battle against you. At that time, you had taken asylum in your grandfather's shrine, remained aloof from the tyrants and despots, confined yourself to the niche of the mosque and had forsaken all inordinate desires and craving. You forcefully renounced the evils in society with all your faculties, and prohibited the people from adopting corrupt and depraved ways. Then through your discerning knowledge, you declined from paying the allegiance that was sought from you, and instead resolved to confront the forces of transgression and corruption.

"Then you set forth with your family, children, Shias, lovers and adherents and clearly distinguished the truth from falsehood with explicit arguments and proofs. You invited the people with wisdom and excellent exhortations. You exhorted the people towards obedience of Allah's commands, and restrained the people from giving into their corrupt and debase tendencies. But the people resolved to confront you with tyranny and oppression. But you continued to warn them about Allah's wrath, and exhausted all arguments, and (when everything failed) you finally decided to wage 'jihad' against them. The people abandoned the allegiance that they had paid to you, violated the covenant that they had made with you, and insisted in waging battle with you, and in the process displeased your Lord and your respected grandfather."

Imam Hussain's (A) rank and distinction:

Imam Mahdi (A) enumerates the unlimited merits of Imam Hussain (A) in Ziarate Nahiyah thus:

"Salutations upon Hussain, who sacrificed his life in Allah's way with intense sincerity
and earnestness.
Salutations upon the one, who submitted to Allah's commands secretly and openly.
Salutations upon the one, whose soil is blessed with healing powers.
Salutations upon the one, within whose shrine Allah accepts all prayers.
Salutations upon the one, within whose progeny continues the chain of Imamate.
Salutations upon the son of Allah's final Apostle (S).
Salutations upon the son of the chief of successors (A).
Salutations upon the beloved son of Fatima Zahra (A).
Salutations upon the grandson of KhadijatuI Kubra (A).
Salutations upon the inheritor of 'Sidratu! Muntaha'
Salutations upon the son of 'Jannatul Ma'wa'.
Salutations upon the son of 'Zamzam' and 'Safa'.
Salutations upon the one, who was purified by Allah, the High.
Salutations be upon the one, who was a source of immense pride for Jibraeel
Salutations upon the one, who was put to sleep in the cradle by 'Mikaeel'.
Salutations upon the fifth individual from the 'People of the Cloak'.
Salutations upon the one, who is a pride of all martyrs.
Salutations upon the one, on whom the angels have wept bitterly.
Salutations upon the one, whose progeny is pure and immaculate.
Salutations upon the chief of religion.
Salutations upon the chief of all chiefs."

The Oppressions on Imam Hussain (A):

Imam Mahdi (A) reflects upon the astonishing tribulations that Imam Hussain (A) was subjected to, thus:

"Salutations upon the one, who was smeared with blood and dust.
Salutations upon the one, whose government was looted.
Salutations upon the torn shirts.
Salutations upon the parched lips.
Salutations upon the ones, who were victims of untold grief and anguish.
Salutations upon those souls, whose bodies were put to the sword through deception.
Salutations upon the unshrouded and unattended corpses.
Salutations upon the corpses whose colours were transformed by the scorching heat.
Salutations upon the pools of blood that were absorbed by the earth of Karbala.
Salutations upon the scattered, dismembered limbs.
Salutations upon the (severed) heads that were raised on lances.
Salutations upon the pure ladies, that were paraded without their veils.
Salutations upon the one, whose bloodthirsty enemies violated their covenants regarding his honor and the honor of his family.
Salutations upon the one, with the shedding of his blood, the sanctity of Islam was desecrated.
Salutations upon the one, who was inflicted with fatal wounds all over his body.
Salutations upon the one, whose acute thirst was quenched with the stabbing of sharp spears and lances.
Salutations upon the one, who was targeted for oppression and tyranny, and whose tents and clothes were plundered.
Salutations upon the one, who was, abandoned alone in the universe.
Salutations upon the one, who was left unclothed the likeness of which is not found.
Salutations upon the one, whose jugular vein was severed.
Salutations upon the supporter of religion, who waged a holy war without any assistance and support.
Salutations upon the holy beard that was dyed in blood.
Salutations upon the cheeks that was smeared with dust.
Salutations upon the plundered corpse.
Salutations upon the blessed teeth, that were jabbed at disrespectfully, with a cane.
Salutations upon the pure head, that was hoisted on a lance.
Salutations upon the purebred corpses, whose limbs were scattered across the desert.

"Alas! If only I had been with you."

Imam Mahdi (A) rues the fact that he was not present in Karbala, thus:

"O my master, I was born after the incident of Karbala, and by the decree of Allah was deprived of the honor of assisting you. I could not participate along with the others in the battle, and could not repel your enemies. That is why I shall always feel agitated and disturbed at your tribulations and sufferings, and out of my distress and anguish, I shall lament ceaselessly for you, morning and evening, and in place of tears, I shall shed blood for you."

Imam Mahdi (A) in his restlessness and anxiety narrates further:

"Then finally you plunged into the battlefield. You wielded your (sword) 'Zulfiqar', and trampled upon the army of transgressors with lightening speed. You hurtled into the clouds of dust (raised by the horses), and displayed valor, that reminded the onlookers about the valor of your father, Ali (A). Your enemies when they witnessed your resolve, stead fastness and gallantry, were demoralized, and resorted to trickery and deceit, and laid traps to overcome you. With this objective, 'Umar b. Sa'd, the accursed, ordered that your camp should be deprived of water, and all means of access to the river were blocked.

"Then the enemies commenced the battle, and assaulted you with lances and spears from all directions. As a result of this ceaseless assault of swords and arrows, you were fatally wounded. Seeing your helplessness, you were then made the target of loot and plunder.

"You were foremost in the battlefield, and embraced the difficulties and afflictions with amazing courage, which perplexed even the angels of the celestial world.

"Then the raiders surrounded you from all sides. They continued to inflict wounds upon your already wounded body, not giving you time even to breathe. And very soon you were all alone, without any aide and ally. You in your solitude witnessed everything, with steadfastness and fortitude. You remained preoccupied in shielding your women and children from the attacks of the raiders. Till the time, the enemies brought you down from your mount, onto the earth.

"You fell upon the earth while your body was disfigured with wounds. Then the enemies charged you from all sides, and trampled you with the hooves of their horses.

"Then the perspiration of death appeared on your forehead, and your hands and feet folded and unfolded to the right and left. You glanced helplessly for the last time at your tents, children and women. And your loyal mount galloped towards your camp, weeping and lamenting.

"When the ladies of your house saw your horse, without its rider, with its saddle hanging, they became restless and came out of the tents. Their hair was tousled, while they slapped their faces, and wailed and lamented. They were calling out the names of their ancestors out of sheer helplessness, and rushed to the spot of (Imam Hussain's (A)) martyrdom."

Martyrdom of Imam Hussain (A):

"Then Shimr, the accursed, straddled your chest and began running his sword across your neck. He clasped your pure hair, with his (impure) hands and was slaughtering you with his sharp Indian sword. To the extent that you became motionless and stopped breathing, and your head was triumphantly raised on the lance."

Arrest of the Ahlul Bayt (A):

Regarding the detention of the Ahlul Bayt (A) Imam Mahdi (A) relates:

"And your women were apprehended like slaves, chained in heavy, iron fetters, and were made to mount camels without saddles. The sultry heat of the desert had transformed the color of their faces, while they were taken around in the desert and jungles. Their hands were bound to their necks, and in this condition, they were paraded through markets and streets."

Damnation upon the killers of Imam Hussain (A):

"Woe be upon the disobedient transgressors, who in fact killed Islam by killing you."

Ali Ali Ali Ali One And Only Superstar

dam madar beda par..
haq ali moulah ali
lab par rahe bar bar
ali ke dushmanon
par lanat beshumar
chapal jute satar
hazar unke gale
ka har
ek rozedar
par kari thi war
zehrili talwar
ali ka nam
mita na sake
manli unhone
har hamko
ali aur ali ke
chhanewalon
se mohabat
aur pyar
zara zara
rom rom
kehta hai
ali ali
dam dam
ali ki
jayjay kar
eid e ghadeer
ali maulah
ka tyohar
pad ke nade ali
dushnman se
muqabla
karne ke liye
hum tayar
ali ali
ali ali
one and only
superstar


dam madar malang barefeet blogger of mumbai from ajmer char yar

Bihari Babu Shatrughan Sinha And Super Mom No 1

Chhath Puja
By: S. Singh


Chhath the festival of Bihar is not about celebrations but a ritual carried down since time immemorial. Although its unique to Bihar it as been observed in some parts of West Bengal, Orissa, Assam, Mauritius, mainly among the Bhojpuri and Maithili peaking people. Chhath is also important for Nepalese worshippers of the Sun god as well as in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Chhath is a way to be grateful to the Sun for giving the bounties of life on earth and for the fulfillment of wishes of believers. It is a festival of reverence to the solar deity, the only festival in the world where devotees offer salutations to the setting sun. Unlike Holi or Diwali, Chhath is a festival of prayer and appeasement observed with somberness, a festival that should not be missed. It is held in high esteem and regard.

Chhath is the festival of truth, non-violence, forgiveness and compassion. It is a festival celebrated by the Biharis on the sixth day of the lunar month after Diwali every year usually a 4 day long celebration accompanied by rituals or “Suryashashthi'. The rituals usually consist of fasting, folklores, hymns, together with the somber hues on the banks of the celestial Ganga or any fresh watery body. For example “Chhat Maiya” is celebrated on the banks of the river Ganga in Patna and on Yamuna in Delhi. A million lit lamps with thousands hands offering ‘Arghya’ to the sun makes it a delightful sight. The enormous faith in Chhat Puja has made it one of the most popular festivals this region.

Chhath is the only time when the setting sun as apposed to its rising is celebrated for its glory as the cycle of birth starts with death. After sunset, the devotees return home where celebration takes place by singing hymns while devotees maintaining a strict fast without even water for 3 days. Such is the faith in the “Chhat Maiya” as popularly called.

On the morning of the final day, the journey towards the Ganges starts before sunrise and the sun welcomed with folded hands. Offerings include sandalwood, vermilion, rice, fruits, covered usually covered with saffron colored cotton cloth. They offer ‘Arghya’ and chant mantras and hymns from the Rig Veda and commence the puja. The devotees break the fast. Prasad is distributed. According to belief if you beg for the Prasad all wishes will come true.


More on religion in Bihar

bihar.ws/info/Religion-in-Bihar/Chhat-Puja.html/

Chhath Puja Juhu Beach

from wikipedia

Chhath or Dala Chhath is a Hindu festival, unique to Bihar state, India and Terai, Nepal. This festival is also celebrated in the northeast region of India, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and some parts of Chhattisgarh.
The word chhath denotes the number 6 in Hindi and the festival begins on the sixth day of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik, which corresponds to months of October-November in the Gregorian calendar. The festival of Chhath begins a week after Diwali. Chhath is the holiest Hindu festival of Bihar and extends to four days. This festival has particular significance in Bihar, but it is also celebrated in Uttar Pradesh and nearby areas. Even in Mumbai, the migrants from the north celebrate Chhath beside the sea beach.

Chhath is a festival dedicated to the Sun God, considered to be a means to thank the sun for bestowing the bounties of life in earth and fulfilling particular wishes. Worship of the sun has been practiced in different parts of India, and the world from time immemorial. Worship of sun has been described in the Rig Veda, the oldest Hindu scriptures, and hymns praying to the sun in the Vedas are found.

In the ancient epic Mahabharata, references to worshipping of the sun by Draupadi, wife of the Pandavas, are found. It was believed that worshipping of the sun would help cure a variety of diseases, including leprosy, and also ensure longevity and prosperity of the family members, friends, and elders. It is also believed that Chhath was started by Karna, Kunti's illegitimate son, sired by the Sun God, who became a great warrior and fought against the Pandavas in the Mahabharata war.

Also called Dala Chhath - it is an ancient and major festival. It is celebrated twice a year: once in the summers (May-July), called the Chaiti Chhath, and once in the winters (September-November)around a week after Deepawali, called the Kartik Chhath. The latter is more popular because winters are the usual festive season in North India, and Chhath being an ardous observance, requiring the worshippers to fast without water for more than 24 hours, is easier to undertake in the Indian winters.

Chhath being mainly a Bihari festival, wherever people from Bihar have migrated, they have taken with them the tradition of Chhath. This is a ritual bathing festival that follows a period of abstinence and ritual segregation of the worshiper from the main household for four days. During this period, the worshiper observes ritual purity, and sleeps on the floor on a single blanket. The main worshipers, called Parvaitin (from Sanskrit parv, meaning 'occasion' or 'festival'), are usually women. However, a large number of men also are the main worshiper. The parvaitin pray for the well-being of their family, for prosperity and offspring. They usually can perform Chhath only if it is passed on to them from their older generation. However, once they decide to do it, it becomes their duty to perform it every year, the festival being skipped only if there happens to be a death in the family that year.

On the eve of Chhath, houses are scrupulously cleaned and so are the surroundings. One the first day of the festival, the worshiper cooks a traditional vegetarian meal and offers it to the Sun God. This day is called Naha-Kha (literally, 'Bathe and eat'!). The worshiper allows herself/himself only one meal on this day from the preparation.

On the second day, a special ritual, called Kharna, is performed in the evening after Sun down. On this day also, the worshiper eats his/her only meal from the offerings(Prashad)made to the Sun God in this ritual. Friends and family are invited to the household on this day to share the prashad of the ritual. From this day onwards, for the next 36 hours, the worshiper goes on a fast without water.

The evening of the next day, the entire household accompanies the worshiper to a ritual bathing and worship of the Sun God, usually on the bank of a river or a common large water body. The occasion is almost a carnival. Besides the main worshiper, there are friends and family, and numerous participants and onlookers, all willing to help and receive the blessings of the worshipper. Ritual rendition of regional folk songs, carried on through oral transmission from mothers and mothers-in-law to daughters and daughters-in-law, are sung on this occasion. The same bathing ritual is repeated on the following day at the crack of dawn. This is when the worshipper breaks his/her fast and finishes the ritual.Chhath being celebrated at the crack of the dawn on a river bank is a beautiful, elating spiritual experience connecting the modern Indian to his ancient cultural roots.

The folk songs sung on the eve of Chhath mirror the culture, social structure, mythology and history of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Nowadays, modern Chhath songs, largely Bollywood filmy remixes have caught on, but the old tradition still goes strong with a great degree of sanctity. The three main linguistic regions of Bihar: the Maithili, the Magadhi, and the Bhojpuri, and all the various dialects associated with these, have different folk songs; but all dedicated to Chhath, they have an underlying unity. The minor nuances of the Chhath rituals, such as in the Kharna ritual, vary from region to region, and also across families, but still there is a fundamental similarity.

In absence of proper administrative arrangements, however, this carnival leads to some serious problems of traffic congestion, water body pollution, and vandalism in several Bihari towns.

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