selamat hari diwali/deepavali (17 october)

amazed

tak lama dah  nak diwali nih... member aku kat kerja....MOSTI bawak muruku pi kerja nanti....  aku mmg suka cuti diwali sbb pi rumah member2 yg beragama hindu....

makan?? BEST  mate!!!!!!


pada yg beragama hindu sumer......

aku nak ucapkan  selamat hari diwali / deepavali.... moga hidup kita aman damai dan berGUMBERA dan bersyukur

amazed

Saturday September 26, 2009Delightful DeepavaliBy KEE HUA CHEE

Just as we finish celebrating Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, another great celebration, Deepavali, is on its way. Chetna Sachdev Mangat is holding a “Dazzling Diwali” fabric fest at Citrus Hotel to usher in the Festival of Lights.


Textile and garment have always been in Chetna Sachdev Mangat’s blood, so it came as no surprise to anyone when this Thai national started her own fashion label, Khaaz — a showcase of Indian dress sense, modern and contemporary.

She is holding a fabric festival in Citrus Hotel on Oct 2-4, which will offer 500 fabrics and pre-stitched garments to announce her entry into the world of fashion and to herald the coming of Deepavali on Oct 17.

Chetna, or Kate to her pals, was born and bred in Bangkok where her Punjabi great-grandfather first settled in 1904.
“We are Thai at heart but we are also practising Sikhs,” smiles the pretty 26-year-old.

Chetna Sachdev Mangat with one of her attires
“We adhere to Punjabi culture although we are a minority in Bangkok. My grandfather started a textile business, and my father diversified into garments, ready-to-wear attire and shirting materials for export. I grew up surrounded by beautiful fabrics, and I love fashion,” she says.

Kate is the eldest in her family, and has a sister and a brother. Last year she married Malaysian MAS pilot Keshvinder Singh and settled in Shah Alam.

“We married on a most auspicious date, 08-08-08!” she recalls.

A graduate in business administration from University of Southern New Hampshire in the US, Kate remembers the positive response she received for the attires she wore, especially during her honeymoon.

“During our honeymoon cruise, many westerners commented on my Punjabi costumes and tunics, so I decided this would be my entry into the world of fashion.”

Kate chose Khaaz as her label because the word means “special” in Sanskrit. The actual spelling should be Khaas but that name was already taken in New York so she changed the last letter to “z”, which sounds cooler in any case.

“My tagline is ‘Khaaz. Because You are Special’,” she says.

The materials for Kate’s clothes are from India, selected during her many trips there. “I went to the designers and manufacturers to assemble a fabulous collection. I am focusing on Indian high fashion at an affordable price, with my pieces ranging from RM200 to RM1,500.”

Among other things, Kate is offering exquisitely beaded and hand-finished Banarsi threadworks from the holy town of Benares, Lucknaoi threadworks from Lucknow, zari golden fabrics still worn by maharanis, and richly brocaded sarees.
Not everything she is offering is traditional; Kate bubbles over the latest sensation to hit Bollywood.

“This latest style of kurti (long tunic) is now worn with skinny jeans or leggings for a modern look! Previously kurtis were loose fitting and karftan-ish but they are now body-fitting and crinkly. The sizzlingly hot Bollywood star Deepika wore such kurti in the latest blockbuster Love Aaj Kal, and we just can’t get enough of the new-look kurti!”

The traditional best-sellers will always include semi-stitched Punjabi dresses that require only a simple hemming of the sleeves and waist for a perfect fit.

“This is the best solution because ready-to-wear Punjabi suits can’t fit everyone, but this way you get a made-to-measure outfit for your body structure,” explains the effervescent Kate.

For now, motherhood doesn’t figure in the horizon for her.
“Khaaz is my baby now, and I am nurturing it till it becomes established before I plan for a real family.”




aku dah beli kurti satu......bley pakai pi rumah  ganesan nanti.... hah!!!!

amazed

Sabtu Oktober 10, 2009

Maksud tersirat di sebalik perayaan Deepavali

Susunan oleh R.K.SHYAMALA



Masyarakat Hindu yang menyalakan pelita di hadapan patung dewa Krishna. -Foto THE STAR oleh M.CHARLES



DEEPAVALI atau lebih dikenali sebagai ‘pesta cahaya’ disambut oleh masyarakat India yang beragama Hindu dan Sikh di negara kita.

Perayaan itu jatuh pada 17 Oktober pada tahun ini.

Masyarakat Hindu menggunakan cahaya sebagai makna simbolik untuk menyatakan kebaikan akan mengatasi kejahatan.

Dalam kepercayaan agama Hindu, ada dinyatakan bahawa Athma (roh) mengatasi jasad dan minda. Ia adalah sesuatu yang suci, tidak terbatas dan akan kekal abdi.

Sambutan perayaan Deepavali adalah sama seperti kita menyambut hari lahir. Ia adalah sambutan untuk menyambut kelahiran ‘cahaya dalaman’ yang memupuk kesedaran dari dalam. (Yang kita sebenarnya hidup dalam alam maya)

Dengan itu, segala kejahatan di dunia ini akan terhapus dan kesedaran yang tuhan sebenarnya berada di mana-mana dan keunggulannya sahaja yang berkekalan buat selama-lamanya akan disedari.

Lampu menjadi ilmu pengetahuan yang menerangi hidup dan menghindari manusia daripada berbuat jahat.


Masyarakat Hindu biasanya menyalakan pelita dihadapan rumah pada hari Deepavali.



Ada dua kisah yang menceritakan kelahiran sambutan Deepavali iaitu:

PEMBUNUHAN NARAGASURA

Perayaan Deepavali disambut pada hari yang dimana salah seorang dewa Hindu, Krishna membunuh makluk jahat Naragasura sehari sebelum perayaan Deepavali.


Masyarakat Hindu menyalakan pelita sebagai tanda simbolik yang menyatakan kebaikan akan mengatasi kejahatan.- Foto THE STAR oleh RAYMOND OOI



Untuk meraikan kejayaan kebaikan mengatasi kuasa kejahatan perayaan Deepavali diraikan.

KISAH RAMA BALIK KE AYODHYA

Sesetengah orang Hindu percaya perayaan Deepavali bermula apabila Dewa Rama pulang ke Ayodhya selepas dibuang negeri selama 14 tahun.
Rama pulang ke negaranya dengan isterinya Sita dan Lakshamana selepas membunuh Ravana, seorang yang jahat.

Sepanjang perjalanan, apabila Rama serta keluarganya balik ke Ayodhya, menuju ke arah utara India dari selatan, orang yang tinggal disitu menyalakan pelita minyak sapi yang menandakan kebaikan telah mengatasi kejahatan berikutan kematian Ravana.

Mereka menyalakan lampu pelita di sepanjang perjalanan Rama kembali ke tanah jajahannya.

SAMBUTAN DEEPAVALI OLEH KAUM SIKH

Masyarakat Sikh menyambut hari Deepavali atau dikenali sebagai Diwali di kalangan mereka di atas sebab yang berbeza.
Guru Nanak, yang juga merupakan pengasas agama Sikh pada suatu masa dahulu telah dipenjarakan oleh seorang Raja.

Raja itu memaksanya makan tetapi beliau enggan dan berpuasa.

Sejurus itu , barulah Guru Nanak sedar yang ramai orang telah berkumpul di luar penjara dengan memegang lampu sebagai tanda protes untuk membebaskan Guru Nanak.

Akhirnya, Raja itu sedar akan kesilapannya.

Oleh kerana sikap tamaknya, dia telah mengabaikan tanggungjawabnya sebagai seorang raja dan sebagai balasannya, dia membebaskan Guru Nanak.

Kaum Sikh menyambut pembebasan Guru Nanak sebagai hari Deepavali.

PERSIAPAN UNTUK HARI DEEPAVALI

Masyarakat India membuat persiapan yang lebih awal seperti membuat kuih-muih, membersihkan rumah dan membeli pakai baru untuk dipakai pada hari tersebut.

Muruku, Neiurundai dan Atherasam merupakan kuih-muih tradisional orang India.

Tetapi pada masa kini, mereka juga membuat biskut dan kek selain makanan tradisional mereka.
Ronggoli Kolam adalah lukisan diatas lantai yang diperbuat daripada beras berwarna.


Kolam yang dihasilkan daripada beras berwarna. Adalah tradisi masyarakarat India yang beragama Hindu untuk membuat Kolam dihadapan rumah mereka untuk sambutan hari Deepavali. - Foto THE STAR oleh AHMAD AZMAIL AWANG



Selain mencantikkan kawasan hadapan rumah, maksud tersirat di sebalik tradisi ini adalah untuk memberi makan kepada serangga-serangga kecil seperti semut.

Ini secara tidak langsung menambah pahala si tuan rumah yang membuat Kolam tersebut.
Lampu-lampu pelita dinyalakan pada malam Deepavali.

PAGI DEEPAVALI

Pada pagi Deepavali, masyarakat India akan menggunakan minyak bijian sebelum mandi sebagai tanda simbolik untuk menyucikan diri.

Selepas itu, mereka sekeluarga akan berpakaian serba baru dan sembayang.

Sejurus itu, anak-anak muda digalakkan sujud di kaki ibu bapa atau orang tua dalam rumah mereka untuk meminta restu.
Pada hari Deepavali, mengikut ajaran agama Hindu, masakan yang dimasak mestilah “vegetarian” hanya makanan yang berasaskan sayur-sayuran (daging tidak galakkan).

Tujuannya adalah untuk mengawal nafsu makan mereka pada hari yang bermakna ini.

SEHARI SEBELUM DEEPAVALI

Sehari sebelum perayaan Deepavali, orang yang beragama Hindu akan membuat upacara sembayang untuk memanjangkan doa untuk yang telah 'pergi' buat selam-lamanya.

Makananan kegemaran yang telah meninggal dunia selalunya disediakan untuk santapan mereka.

Makanan tersebut akan dibiarkan seketika dihadapan gambar si mati yang kemudiannya akan di makan oleh anak-anak si mati atau diberi kepada haiwan.

amazed

In the spirit of Deepavali
2009/10/16

PETRINA JO FERNANDEZ


PETRINA JO FERNANDEZ speaks to a few artistes to find out what Deepavali means to them.
RICH food and lively family gatherings, oil lamps and kolams typically characterise a happy Deepavali. Southern Indians believe the festival marks Lord Krishna’s triumph over the evil ruler Narakasura, while for Northern Indians, it is the celebration of the God-king Sri Rama’s return to his kingdom Ayodhya after a 14-year exile.

The lighting of oil lamps signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, justice over injustice, and wisdom over ignorance.

The kolam is the South Indian word for the traditional art form of sandpainting or floorpainting, called rangoli in North India. It is drawn at the entrance of the house using coloured rice grains or rice flour.

Darshaini (left) and Michael.

The grains are held in the palm and slowly released onto the floor to form beautiful designs.

One of the purposes of a kolam is to signify the need to share wealth and be charitable to all living creatures — the grains would be eaten by ants and other small insects.

The kolam also beautifies the entrance of a home or hall in which a festivity is being held.

Having oil baths and falling on the feet of elders are also some of the rituals and customs that are observed by Hindus on this auspicious day. But are the younger generations holding fast to these practices?



Here some artistes shares their thoughts on what Deepavali means to them and the rituals or customs they still follow.

Actor Mahesh Kishor, 19, who starred in the movie Talentime, says that his family lights diyas or oil lamps around the house “to thank God for everything we have”.

“We also redecorate the house and buy new clothes. Most importantly, we open our homes to friends.” Mahesh, who played a mute in the Yasmin Ahmad movie can hardly wait to celebrate Deepavali tomorrow at his hometown in Penang.

“I can’t wait to catch up with old friends and spend time with my family. And there’s Penang’s famous food to look forward to — but it’s not as good as mum’s cooking, of course,” he adds.


Mahesh thanks his parents for teaching him the customs and traditions surrounding this festival. “We do the ancestral prayers and offerings and then go to the temple in the morning,” he said. “My sister and I also fall at our parents’ feet to seek their blessings”

[/table]The sports enthusiast was astonished to hear that a few long-standing Deepavali customs are no longer practised by some.

Astro Vaanavil Superstar 2009 winner Michael Rao also finds it hard to believe that some no longer fall at the feet of their elders on Deepavali morning.

“Custom holds that doing so brings blessings not only to me but also to my future descendents,” says 22-year-old. “It doesn’t strike me as particularly respectful to merely shake an elder’s hand.”

Last year’s winner of the Superstar singing contest, Darshaini Easpara, disagrees.

“We don’t practise falling at our elders’ feet in my family,” she said. “I think there are a lot of families like mine who have dropped this custom. We were not brought up that way.”

Darshaini says that her family members prefer shake hands and exchange hugs instead.

“Shaking hands and hugging amongst friends and relatives are not disrespectful,” she said. “It shows that no matter how far we are, we are still connected — that we still share and care.”

However, she still practises the oil bath and the temple visit.

Her mother is the kolam designer in the family, and spends the eve working on the intricate art piece.

“Our elders also present us with cash gifts,” said Darshaini, “as an auspicious way of wishing good luck and well-being.”

The 26-year-old accountant sees Deepavali as a time of fun for her and her relatives.

“It’s also a time to celebrate the people around us, to appreciate our friends and family. And as multi-racial Malaysians, festivals such as these are a time to strengthen ties amongst the races.”

Her best memories of Deepavali date back to her childhood, when her family would gather at her grandmother’s place in Bagan Serai.

The house was located at an oil palm estate, and Darshaini and her cousins used to help push cars that got stuck in the deep mud.

“One ‘lucky’ person would even get a mudbath!” she laughed.

“My siblings and cousins would get a barbecue going, and we’d even allocate a dance corner for the younger generation to let loose with their energy. The night will end with all the generations gathering in one place and talking till dawn.”

Although her grandmother’s house was demolished a couple of years ago, Darshaini and her extended family still get together every year to celebrate.

While Deepavali is a riotous celebration for some, others take on a low-key note.

Music icon Reshmonu sees Deepavali as time-out from his hectic schedule to relax with his family.

“As an active musician, it’s rather difficult to differentiate holidays from normal days - every day feels like a workday!” exclaimed the R&B singer.

“Ideas don’t stop rolling in; you can’t stop creating just because your mind tells you it’s a holiday. But I always make the effort to keep Deepavali free for my loved ones.”

For the funky-haired artiste, Deepavali usually is a simple dinner with family, in-laws and friends.

“My kids absolutely love Deepavali, with the toys and money and the non-stop TLC (tender loving care) from the elders,” he said with a laugh.

The highlight of the evening?

“My mum-in-law serves a to-die-for lamb dish every year — it’s one of my absolute favourites,” said Reshmonu. “She also makes these terrific melt-in-your-mouth butter cakes. Such rich food goes against my health regime, but these are worth every single bite.”

It’s also home-cooked food all the way for reggae artiste Sasidheran, more popularly known to his legion of fans as Sasi the Don.

“Nothing beats my mum’s cooking,” he declared, a huge smile spreading across his face.

“I would love to invite the Prime Minister, all the ministers even, to my home for Deepavali one year and serve them good home-cooked food.”

Sasi, who is also the strategic planning manager of a creative firm, believes Deepavali is a time to reunite with old friends and celebrate their good fortune.

“Not everyone gets a chance to celebrate the way we Malaysians do,” said Sasi. “Think about those in war-torn countries, or those who live in poverty. We are so lucky, and we should remember that and be grateful for it.”

Although this homeboy loves downing the goodies with his many mates, he doesn’t forget the less fortunate.

“My friends and I make it a point to give food and money to various homes and charities, as well as volunteer some time to make them feel wanted and loved,” he said. “We want them to know that there are people out there who care.”

Sasi’s philosophy is to love all and serve all. Thanks to his Catholic mother and Hindu father, he was brought up in a tolerant household which taught him to respect all religions and customs.

“I genuinely enjoy this balance of understanding of the two religions,” he said.

“I grew up celebrating Deepavali although I don’t practise all the customs. My mum rubs coconut oil on my head and I go to the temple. We also give offerings at our altar at home. But my favourite custom is just being welcoming!”

Sasi spends most of Deepavali day with family and friends in Sri Segambut where he grew up. Although he moved to Klang a few years ago, he still goes back to Kepong for the festival.

“I like going back to my roots,” he quipped with a smile. “My favourite Deepavali memory goes back to 2006, when I’d first moved to Klang. I hadn’t seen my friends for months and going back was terrific. It was the best Deepavali ever.”

Sasi lives with his parents and sister, all of whom enjoy making their house welcome to all during the festival.

He feels that having an open house is a way saying you’re accessible.

“The customs and traditions don’t mean much if you don’t do them with a sincere heart and if you don’t respect others and be grateful for the blessings you have,” said Sasi. “I love making my presence felt. I love making people happy, seeing people happy when I drop by their houses.

To me that’s what Deepavali is all about.”
[table]Reshmonu (left) and Mahesh.

amazed

Friday October 16, 2009
Sweets and desserts are a must for the Festival of LightsBy GEETHA KRISHNAN
THE Festival of Lights, or Deepavali, is a religious festival celebrated with great significance among Tamils of Hindu faith in Malaysia.

Members from the smaller segments of the Indian community like the Malayalees and Telugus of Hindu faith tend to celebrate Deepavali on a more modest scale.

At her home in Kajang, Chandriga Nair, 57, recalled how her late grandmother prepared the family altar for ancestral worship on the morning of Deepavali.


Have a bite: Lovely Sweets worker Laiq Ahmed Shafiq Ahmed showing the choices of traditional Indians sweets at the shop.


“We’ll have our oil baths, seek blessings from our elders, head to the temple and return for breakfast. The rest of the day is usually spent entertaining guests,” said Chandriga, who is Malayalee.

“My ancestors back in Kerala, India, didn’t celebrate Deepavali but Malayalees here, as Malaysians, welcome the idea of open houses. Basically, Onam and Vishu are the two important Malayalee festivals,” she added.

This Deepavali will be memorable for Chandriga as her daughter Anusya, 30, recently gave birth to a baby boy. Friends and family members are expected to converge in Kajang for the joyous occasion.

Sikhs who roots are from Punjab in India view Deepavali or Diwali, as it is referred to by North Indians, as a cultural event.
On Diwali, Jagdeeshpal Kaur, 32, her husband Charanjit Singh, 33, and daughter Jesrien Kaur, four, will return to her mother’s home in Klang for a family dinner.


Have some: Anusya, offering her young neighbour Trishadeep Kaur, four, some Indian savouries prepared for Deepavali.
“My mother used to make Indian sweetmeats because the family would gather for the Diwali dinner but these days she orders savouries.

“It is a low-key affair but I look forward to the time spent with my parents, three siblings and nieces,” she added.

For Sikhs, Vaisakhi holds greater significance as it commemorates the birth of the khalsa or the Sikh brotherhood.

The Festival of Lights will also not be complete without its essential sweets.

Among the popular items are ladoo, barfi,gulap and gulab jamun and pure milk sweets.
Lovely Sweets owner Jasmel Kaur, 47, from Johor Baru said the sweets, essential for prayers on Deepavali day, were in demand despite the economic downturn.

“Among the most sought-after is the ladoo. We sell more than 8,000 pieces of it every Deepavali.

“The sweets are important because they are served to guests during the celebration and used in prayers,” she said.

Her customers were from all over Malaysia and Singapore, she added.

amazed

Simbolik Jyothi Villaku
Oleh SUBASHINI RAJANDRA








DEEPAVALI disambut setahun sekali oleh lebih daripada satu bilion umat Hindu di serata dunia. Kemeriahan sambutannya boleh disaksikan dari bumi sejauh Texas, Amerika Syarikat sehinggalah ke Trinidad, United Kingdom, Fiji, Afrika Selatan, Myanmar, Singapura, Australia, New Zealand dan sudah tentu, negara kita Malaysia.

Biasanya, perayaan yang juga dikenali sebagai Perayaan Cahaya itu jatuh pada bulan Aippasi mengikut kalendar Hindu. Namun, tahun ini, ia jatuh pada hari terakhir bulan Puratasi sebelum bermulanya Aippasi.

Masyarakat di selatan India meraikannya selama tiga hari berturut-turut berbanding lima hari di sebelah utara negara itu.

Di Malaysia, perayaan Deepavali disambut sehari tetapi terpulang kepada individu untuk mengadakan rumah terbuka sebanyak mana hari yang mereka mahu. Namun begitu, masyarakat India yang tinggal di kawasan ladang dan estet menyambut perayaan itu lebih lama dalam suasana kampung.

Selain mandi minyak seawal pukul 3 pagi, penganut Hindu akan mengenakan pakaian tradisional seperti sari, salwar dan jeepa untuk meraikan Deepavali. Mereka juga bersembahyang di kuil sebelum pulang semula ke rumah untuk menyambut tetamu dengan sajian istimewa.

Dalam pada itu, terdapat beberapa versi yang menjelaskan kebesaran sambutan itu. Dalam kalangan masyarakat Hindu, legenda sambutannya berkait rapat dengan kejayaan Dewa Krishna menewaskan makhluk jahat iaitu Narakasura, pemerintah Pradyoshapuram. Ada juga kisah lain yang menceritakan tentang kepulangan Dewa Rama ke Ayodhya selepas dibuang negeri selama 14 tahun dan berjaya menumpaskan kuasa jahat, Ravana.

Apapun signifikan yang disampaikan, kemeriahannya lebih menyerlah seandainya barisan pelita yang diperbuat daripada tanah liat disusun rapi menghiasi kawasan persekitaran rumah. Perbuatan menyusun pelita itu amat penting kerana ia secara langsung menterjemahkan maksud kegelapan hidup yang dilalui selama ini akan diterangi cahaya yang membawa kebahagiaan dan kesejahteraan.

Malangnya dalam zaman sekarang, sebahagian besar penganut Hindu tidak tahu tentang upacara memasang pelita yang dinamakan Jyothi Villaku. Upacara itu sebenarnya bersangkut paut dengan penghayatan terhadap kuasa cahaya atau dikenali sebagai jyothi dalam bahasa Tamil. Untuk pengetahuan umum, perkataan Deepa daripada perkataan Deepavali mengungkapkan makna jyothi.

Pasangan suami isteri, Santhiran Chinnathamby, 48, dan Jayasree Raman, 40, mengakui mereka adalah antara individu yang tidak peka tentang keunikan upacara Jyothi Villaku.



SARAWATHY (kanan) memegang pelita utama memasuki perkarangan
rumah Jayasree sambil diiringi sekumpulan kanak-kanak.

"Saya mendapat tahu tentang upacara ini daripada seorang kawan. Setelah berbincang dengan suami, kami bersetuju mengadakannya di rumah menjelang Deepavali," jelas Jayasree, ibu kepada empat cahaya mata semasa ditemui Kosmo! di rumahnya di Puchong Perdana, Selangor.

Ketika bertanya kepada orang ramai tentang upacara itu, Jayasree secara kebetulan diperkenalkan kepada kumpulan Thirunavukkarasu Kullivinar. Kumpulan itu merupakan antara pengasas yang giat mempelopori upacara Jyothi Villaku sejak tiga tahun lalu. Selain ahli dewasa, turut menyertai kumpulan itu adalah 32 kanak-kanak dan remaja yang berusia di antara empat hingga 17 tahun.

Lazimnya, kumpulan itu memenuhi jemputan ke rumah pada hujung minggu memandangkan ramai ahli hanya mempunyai kelapangan pada waktu itu, selain tidak mahu menganggu perjalanan persekolahan anak-anak. Lagipun, upacara kerohanian itu berlangsung selama sebulan sebelum tibanya Deepavali.

Pada tahun pertama pelancaran kumpulan itu, hanya 17 buah rumah berminat menjemput kumpulan itu untuk mengadakan aktiviti nyanyian keagamaan di rumah mereka. Namun, pada tahun lalu, bilangan rumah bertambah kepada 40 buah.

"Sambutan pada tahun ini lebih memberangsangkan kerana 60 buah rumah di sekitar Puchong dan Klang menyatakan keinginan untuk mengadakan upacara ini," jelas koordinatornya, Saraswathy Kannan, 60, yang dibantu oleh Bharathi Balakrishnan, 42, Navaletchumy Munisamy, 34, Sundari Moniandy, 39 dan Vasuge Perumal, 39.



KANAK-KANAK daripada kumpulan Thirunavukkarasu Kullivinar
sedang asyik menyanyikan lagu keagamaan.

Tambahnya lagi, penganut Hindu hanya perlu menyediakan barangan sembahyang yang paling asas seperti kemenyan, bunga melor, buah-buahan dan sedikit juadah makanan.

Menurut Saraswathy, upacara Jyothi Villaku dimulakan tepat pukul 7.30 malam di mana pelita utama dinyalakan di rumahnya sebelum pelita-pelita kecil dibawa oleh kanak-kanak ke rumah mereka yang menjemput kumpulan itu.

Sewaktu memenuhi jemputan ke rumah Jayasree, Saraswathy mendahului perarakan diikuti kanak-kanak yang berzikir. Dari perkarangan luar rumah, mereka perlahan-lahan berjalan masuk ke dalam rumah dan menyusun pelita di hadapan tempat sembahyang.

Kumpulan itu kemudiannya mengambil tempat duduk di atas lantai sebelum melengkapkan tiga pusingan persiapan menyanyikan lagu keagamaan.

Pertama, Mounam (bertafakur) disusuli Thyanam (duduk dalam posisi bersila dengan tangan di atas paha) dan akhirnya Pranavam (menyebut perkataan 'Aum' sebanyak tiga kali). Apabila selesai, barulah kanak-kanak itu akan melagukan enam buah lagu selama 30 minit. Sambil memanjatkan kepujian dan kesyukuran kepada Tuhan, pelita yang dibawa dipastikan tidak terpadam dengan menuang minyak yang cukup.

"Kami berasa kagum dengan dedikasi dan akauntabiliti yang ditunjukkan," ujar Jayasree dengan bersungguh-sungguh.

"Saya dan keluarga kini dapat mengamati dan menghargai kemuncak sambutan Deepavali. Kami sedar, ia lebih daripada sekadar berpakaian baru," katanya lagi yang gembira kerana kumpulan Thirunavukkarasu Kullivinar sudi menyempurnakan upacara Jyothi Villaku di rumahnya dengan baik.



PELITA yang dibawa disusun kemas di hadapan tempat sembahyang.

Penghayatan itu turut dipersetujui oleh seorang kawannya, Selvi Selvathurasamy, 49, dan suaminya, Manokaran Puttappan, 52. Baru pertama kali menyaksikan kesederhanaan dalam meraikan Deepavali, mereka bagaikan terpanggil untuk menganjurkan upacara itu di rumah sendiri pada tahun akan datang.

"Dalam sehari, kami berkunjung ke tiga buah rumah dan berpatah balik untuk memadamkan pelita di rumah asal," sambung Saraswathy yang mengharapkan lebih banyak sokongan dan dorongan diterima agar dapat diperluaskan ke seluruh Malaysia.

Sebelum berangkat pulang, kanak-kanak itu disajikan dengan hidangan tradisional seperti vadai dan minuman jus. Turut aktif menjayakan upacara itu ialah anak-anak Bharathi, Navaletchumy, Sundari dan Vasuge.

"Upacara ini sememangnya membangkitkan kesedaran dalam diri supaya sentiasa taat kepada Tuhan dan mendoakan yang terbaik buat seisi keluarga," ujar Navaletchumy.

Daripada aspek pembentukan kendiri kanak-kanak, Sundari dan Vasuge yakin bahawa upacara itu membantu memupuk dan memelihara peribadi baik seseorang sejak usia muda.

jeygi

manekem...
akU tadak kwn india la..
tingin nk mkn marUkU ngn bUah keras baling kt dinding..

Sephiroth

manekem...
akU tadak kwn india la..
tingin nk mkn marUkU ngn bUah keras baling kt dinding..
jeygi Post at 26-10-2011 15:25

Pergi beli di kedai. Ada jual.

Selamat Hari Deepavalli kpd semua orang2 India di seluruh negara dan Dunia.

funkyy_yan

Happy deepavali ~a bit late but happy too =)

tuakang

heppy deepavali ..