Tuesday, September 4, 2007

20 Tips to Improve ASP.net Application Performance

Not a .net Developer?

Are you an asp.net developer? If you aren't don't worry, we have similar posts in the works for Ruby, PHP, and other developers out there. If you are an ASP.net developer, listen up!

Get Ready for Massive Gains

There are certain things you should take into account when you are developing your applications. Over the last 12 years or so of working with asp and asp.net, I have learned to avoid and do certain things that increase your application performance by a massive amount! Below are my top 20 tips to improving ASP.net application Performance.

  1. Disable Session State
    Disable Session State if you're not going to use it. By default it's on. You can actually turn this off for specific pages, instead of for every page:
    <%@ Page language="c#" Codebehind="WebForm1.aspx.cs"
    AutoEventWireup="false" Inherits="WebApplication1.WebForm1"
    EnableSessionState="false" %>

    You can also disable it across the application in the web.config by setting the mode value to Off.
  2. Output Buffering
    Take advantage of this great feature. Basically batch all of your work on the server, and then run a Response.Flush method to output the data. This avoids chatty back and forth with the server.
    <%response.buffer=true%> 
    Then use:
    <%response.flush=true%> 
  3. Avoid Server-Side Validation
    Try to avoid server-side validation, use client-side instead. Server-Side will just consume valuable resources on your servers, and cause more chat back and forth.
  4. Repeater Control Good, DataList, DataGrid, and DataView controls Bad
    Asp.net is a great platform, unfortunately a lot of the controls that were developed are heavy in html, and create not the greatest scaleable html from a performance standpoint. ASP.net repeater control is awesome! Use it! You might write more code, but you will thank me in the long run!
  5. Take advantage of HttpResponse.IsClientConnected before performing a large operation:
    if (Response.IsClientConnected)
    {
    // If still connected, redirect
    // to another page.
    Response.Redirect("Page2CS.aspx", false);
    }
    What is wrong with Response.Redirect? Read on...
  6. Use HTTPServerUtility.Transfer instead of Response.Redirect
    Redirect's are also very chatty. They should only be used when you are transferring people to another physical web server. For any transfers within your server, use .transfer! You will save a lot of needless HTTP requests.
  7. Always check Page.IsValid when using Validator Controls
    So you've dropped on some validator controls, and you think your good to go because ASP.net does everything for you! Right? Wrong! All that happens if bad data is received is the IsValid flag is set to false. So make sure you check Page.IsValid before processing your forms!
  8. Deploy with Release Build
    Make sure you use Release Build mode and not Debug Build when you deploy your site to production. If you think this doesn't matter, think again. By running in debug mode, you are creating PDB's and cranking up the timeout. Deploy Release mode and you will see the speed improvements.
  9. Turn off Tracing
    Tracing is awesome, however have you remembered to turn it off? If not, make sure you edit your web.config and turn it off! It will add a lot of overhead to your application that is not needed in a production environment.


    "false" pageOutput="false" />
    "false" requestLimit="10" pageOutput="false" traceMode="SortByTime" localOnly="true"/>
    "false" />


  10. Page.IsPostBack is your friend
    Make sure you don't execute code needlessly. I don't know how many web developers forget about checking IsPostBack! It seems like such a basic thing to me! Needless processing!
  11. Avoid Exceptions
    Avoid throwing exceptions, and handling useless exceptions. Exceptions are probably one of the heaviest resource hogs and causes of slowdowns you will ever see in web applications, as well as windows applications. Write your code so they don't happen! Don't code by exception!
  12. Caching is Possibly the number one tip!
    Use Quick Page Caching and the ASP.net Cache API! Lots to learn, its not as simple as you might think. There is a lot of strategy involved here. When do you cache? what do you cache?
  13. Create Per-Request Cache
    Use HTTPContect.Items to add single page load to create a per-request cache.
  14. StringBuilder
    StringBuilder.Append is faster than String + String. However in order to use StringBuilder, you must
    new StringBuilder()
    Therefore it is not something you want to use if you don't have large strings. If you are concatenating less than 3 times, then stick with String + String. You can also try String.Concat
  15. Turn Off ViewState
    If you are not using form postback, turn off viewsate, by default, controls will turn on viewsate and slow your site.
    public ShowOrdersTablePage()
    {
    this.Init += new EventHandler(Page_Init);
    }

    private void Page_Init(object sender, System.EventArgs e)
    {
    this.EnableViewState = false;
    }
  16. Use Paging
    Take advantage of paging's simplicity in .net. Only show small subsets of data at a time, allowing the page to load faster. Just be careful when you mix in caching. How many times do you hit the page 2, or page 3 button? Hardly ever right! So don't cache all the data in the grid! Think of it this way: How big would the first search result page be for "music" on Google if they cached all the pages from 1 to goggle ;)
  17. Use the AppOffline.htm when updating binaries
    I hate the generic asp.net error messages! If I never had to see them again I would be so happy. Make sure your users never see them! Use the AppOffline.htm file!
  18. Use ControlState and not ViewState for Controls
    If you followed the last tip, you are probably freaking out at the though of your controls not working. Simply use Control State. Microsoft has an excellent example of using ControlState here, as I will not be able to get into all the detail in this short article.
  19. Use the Finally Method
    If you have opened any connections to the database, or files, etc, make sure that you close them at the end! The Finally block is really the best place to do so, as it is the only block of code that will surely execute.
  20. Option Strict and Option Explicit
    This is an oldy, and not so much a strictly ASP.net tip, but a .net tip in general. Make sure you turn BOTH on. you should never trust .net or any compiler to perform conversions for you. That's just shady programming, and low quality code anyway. If you have never turned both on, go turn them on right now and try and compile. Fix all your errors.

There are hundreds more where these came from, however I really feel that these are the most critical of the speed improvements you can make in ASP.net that will have a dramatic impact on the user experience of your application. As always if you have any suggestions or tips to add, please let us know! We would love to hear them!

Have web development!

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Top 10 Google apps

1. Gmail beta

Gmail is a star among the Web's top e-mail tools, especially for its inventive message-organizing methods. And Gmail plays well with other members of the Google family. Case in point: its natural-language abilities can detect when someone sends you an event invitation, then whisk you to Google Maps or Google Calendar so that you won't miss the party. Read review

2. Google Calendar beta

Dinner at 8? How about sword-swallowing classes at 8:30 instead? Google Calendar enables you to manage appointments and discover events from assorted sources that other users have made public. Read review

3. Google Talk beta

What's better than an instant-messaging tool loaded with expressive emoticons, as well as links to news stories and streaming music sites? If such bells and whistles strike the wrong note with you, then the answer is Google Talk. You can run this no-frills chatting client either within a floating window or embedded within Gmail. Add a headset and talk to buddies for free. Read editor's take

4. Writely beta

Who says you need to pay through the nose for a word processor? Ever since we started using the free Writely to compose and edit basic text files, we've been hooked on its simplicity. The drawback? If you're offline, you're out of luck. Read review

5. Google Spreadsheets

Most people find crunching numbers dull. It's extraclunky when you must open a hard drive-hogging application just to sum up some quick figures. Google Labs' Spreadsheets lets you make calculations on the fly from anywhere, as long as you're online. It may not be an Excel killer, but it's a time-saver.
Read editor's take

6. Google Maps

Cartography seemed dry until Google Maps started serving up free satellite views to the public. Since then, enthusiasts have been shaping this dynamic mapping tool to pinpoint the locations of hot dog stands, celebrity sightings, and visits from outer space. Read review

7. Google Earth 4 beta

Remember the hype that the Internet would immerse us in virtual tourism that would be more fun than actually going places in the real world? Such predictions were premature, but sit down with Google Earth, and a momentary lookup can turn into hours of flying around the globe to explore its nooks and crannies. Read editor's take

8. Google SketchUp

Build your dream house in 3D detail without a lick of CAD or architectural expertise. While you're at it, why not sketch a whole city, drop it into Google Earth, and send it to your friends to move forward with your world domination plans. Read review

9. Picasa Web Albums beta

At long last, one of the finest freebie apps for tweaking your digital pictures now lets you upload albums to the Web. We hope that the bare-bones Picasa Web Albums, now in a testing phase, will eventually add more features for editing, tagging, and sharing photos online. Read editor's take

10. Google Desktop 4 beta

This download installs a top-notch search tool to find files on your computer, and it stacks fun Gadgets on your desktop. Hey, now that you're using so many Google tools, why not just hand over your hard drive to Mountain View? Seriously, though, Desktop's search is terrific, but we nevertheless urge that you either skip it altogether or disable Advanced Features if you feel uneasy about entrusting so much personal data to one company. Read review

Monday, May 28, 2007

Top Ten Mistakes in Web Design.







Summary:
The ten most egregious offenses against users. Web design disasters and HTML horrors are legion, though many usability atrocities are less common than they used to be.

1. Bad Search

Overly literal search engines reduce usability in that they're unable to handle typos, plurals, hyphens, and other variants of the query terms. Such search engines are particularly difficult for elderly users, but they hurt everybody.

A related problem is when search engines prioritize results purely on the basis of how many query terms they contain, rather than on each document's importance. Much better if your search engine calls out "best bets" at the top of the list -- especially for important queries, such as the names of your products.

Search is the user's lifeline when navigation fails. Even though advanced search can sometimes help, simple search usually works best, and search should be presented as a simple box, since that's what users are looking for.

2. PDF Files for Online Reading

Users hate coming across a PDF file while browsing, because it breaks their flow. Even simple things like printing or saving documents are difficult because standard browser commands don't work. Layouts are often optimized for a sheet of paper, which rarely matches the size of the user's browser window. Bye-bye smooth scrolling. Hello tiny fonts.

Worst of all, PDF is an undifferentiated blob of content that's hard to navigate.

PDF is great for printing and for distributing manuals and other big documents that need to be printed. Reserve it for this purpose and convert any information that needs to be browsed or read on the screen into real web pages.

> Detailed discussion of why PDF is bad for online reading

3. Not Changing the Color of Visited Links

A good grasp of past navigation helps you understand your current location, since it's the culmination of your journey. Knowing your past and present locations in turn makes it easier to decide where to go next. Links are a key factor in this navigation process. Users can exclude links that proved fruitless in their earlier visits. Conversely, they might revisit links they found helpful in the past.

Most important, knowing which pages they've already visited frees users from unintentionally revisiting the same pages over and over again.

These benefits only accrue under one important assumption: that users can tell the difference between visited and unvisited links because the site shows them in different colors. When visited links don't change color, users exhibit more navigational disorientation in usability testing and unintentionally revisit the same pages repeatedly.

> Usability implications of changing link colors
> Guidelines for showing links Cartoon - guy being crushed under wordy 'terms and conditions' legalese

4. Non-Scannable Text

A wall of text is deadly for an interactive experience. Intimidating. Boring. Painful to read.

Write for online, not print. To draw users into the text and support scannability, use well-documented tricks:

  • subheads
  • bulleted lists
  • highlighted keywords
  • short paragraphs
  • the inverted pyramid
  • a simple writing style, and
  • de-fluffed language devoid of marketese.

> Eyetracking of reading patterns

5. Fixed Font Size

CSS style sheets unfortunately give websites the power to disable a Web browser's "change font size" button and specify a fixed font size. About 95% of the time, this fixed size is tiny, reducing readability significantly for most people over the age of 40.

Respect the user's preferences and let them resize text as needed. Also, specify font sizes in relative terms -- not as an absolute number of pixels.

6. Page Titles With Low Search Engine Visibility

Search is the most important way users discover websites. Search is also one of the most important ways users find their way around individual websites. The humble page title is your main tool to attract new visitors from search listings and to help your existing users to locate the specific pages that they need.

The page title is contained within the HTML tag and is almost always used as the clickable headline for listings on search engine result pages (SERP). Search engines typically show the first 66 characters or so of the title, so it's truly <a href="http://www.useit.com/alertbox/980906.html" title="Alertbox: Microcontent - How to Write Headlines, Page Titles, and Subject Lines" class="old">microcontent</a>. </p><p> Page titles are also used as the default entry in the Favorites when users bookmark a site. For your homepage, begin the with the company name, followed by a brief description of the site. Don't start with words like "The" or "Welcome to" unless you want to be alphabetized under "T" or "W." </p><p>For other pages than the homepage, start the title with a few of the most salient information-carrying words that describe the specifics of what users will find on that page. Since the page title is used as the window title in the browser, it's also used as the label for that window in the taskbar under Windows, meaning that advanced users will move between multiple windows under the guidance of the first one or two words of each page title. If all your page titles start with the same words, you have severely reduced usability for your multi-windowing users. </p><p> <a href="http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20010722.html" title="Alertbox: Tagline Blues: What's the Site About?">Taglines on homepages</a> are a related subject: they also need to be short and quickly communicate the purpose of the site. </p><h2 style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">7. Anything That Looks Like an Advertisement</h2> Selective attention is very powerful, and Web users have learned to stop paying attention to any ads that get in the way of their goal-driven navigation. (The main exception being <a href="http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20030428.html" title="Alertbox: Will Plain-Text Ads Continue to Rule?">text-only search-engine ads</a>.) <p> Unfortunately, users also ignore legitimate design elements that look like prevalent forms of advertising. After all, when you <em>ignore</em> something, you don't study it in detail to find out what it is. </p><p> Therefore, it is best to avoid any designs that look like advertisements. The exact implications of this guideline will vary with new forms of ads; currently follow these rules: </p><ul><li><strong>banner blindness</strong> means that users never fixate their eyes on anything that looks like a banner ad due to shape or position on the page </li><li><strong>animation avoidance</strong> makes users ignore areas with blinking or flashing text or other aggressive animations </li><li><strong>pop-up purges</strong> mean that users close pop-up windoids before they have even fully rendered; sometimes with great viciousness (a sort of getting-back-at-GeoCities triumph). </li></ul> <h2 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">8. Violating Design Conventions</h2> <strong>Consistency</strong> is one of the most powerful usability principles: when things always behave the same, users don't have to worry about what will happen. Instead, they <em>know</em> what will happen based on earlier experience. Every time you release an apple over Sir Isaac Newton, it will drop on his head. That's <em>good</em>. <p> The more users' expectations prove right, the more they will feel in control of the system and the more they will like it. And the more the system breaks users' expectations, the more they will feel insecure. Oops, maybe if I let go of this apple, it will turn into a tomato and jump a mile into the sky. </p><p> <strong>Jakob's Law of the Web User Experience</strong> states that "users spend most of their time on <em>other</em> websites." </p><p> This means that they form their expectations for your site based on what's commonly done on most other sites. If you deviate, your site will be harder to use and users will leave. </p><h2 style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">9. Opening New Browser Windows</h2> Opening up new browser windows is like a vacuum cleaner sales person who starts a visit by emptying an ash tray on the customer's carpet. Don't pollute my screen with any more windows, thanks (particularly since current operating systems have miserable window management). <p> Designers open new browser windows on the theory that it keeps users on their site. But even disregarding the <strong>user-hostile message implied in taking over the user's machine</strong>, the strategy is self-defeating since it disables the <em>Back</em> button which is the normal way users return to previous sites. Users often don't notice that a new window has opened, especially if they are using a small monitor where the windows are maximized to fill up the screen. So a user who tries to return to the origin will be confused by a grayed out <em>Back</em> button. </p><p>Links that don't behave as expected undermine users' understanding of their own system. A link should be a simple hypertext reference that replaces the current page with new content. Users hate unwarranted pop-up windows. When they want the destination to appear in a new page, they can use their browser's "open in new window" command -- assuming, of course, that the link is not a piece of code that interferes with the browser’s standard behavior. <img src="http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20021223_01_mistake.gif" style="float: right; padding-left: 2ex; padding-top: 3ex; padding-bottom: 4ex;" alt="Cartoon - woman (at car dealership): 'How much is it with automatic transmission?' - sleazy salesman: 'I'll give you a hint - it's an EVEN number...'" height="450" width="340" /> </p><h2 style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">10. Not Answering Users' Questions</h2>Users are highly goal-driven on the Web. They visit sites because there's something they want to accomplish -- maybe even buy your product. The ultimate failure of a website is to fail to provide the information users are looking for. <p>Sometimes the answer is simply not there and you lose the sale because users have to assume that your product or service doesn't meet their needs if you don't tell them the specifics. Other times the specifics are buried under a thick layer of marketese and bland slogans. Since users don't have time to read everything, such hidden info might almost as well not be there. </p><p> The worst example of not answering users' questions is to <strong>avoid listing the price</strong> of products and services. No B2C ecommerce site would make this mistake, but it's rife in <a href="http://www.useit.com/alertbox/b2b.html" title="Alertbox: Business-to-business website usability" class="old">B2B</a>, where most "enterprise solutions" are presented so that you can't tell whether they are suited for 100 people or 100,000 people. Price is the most specific piece of info customers use to understand the nature of an offering, and not providing it makes people feel lost and reduces their understanding of a product line. We have miles of videotape of users asking <em>"Where's the price?"</em> while tearing their hair out. </p><p> Even B2C sites often make the associated mistake of forgetting prices in product lists, such as <a href="http://www.nngroup.com/reports/ecommerce/categorypages.html" title="Nielsen Norman Group report: 28 Design Guidelines for Category Pages on e-commerce sites" class="old">category pages</a> or <a href="http://www.nngroup.com/reports/ecommerce/search.html" title="Nielsen Norman Group report: 29 Design Guidelines for Search" class="old">search results</a>. Knowing the price is key in both situations; it lets users differentiate among products and click through to the most relevant ones. </p><br /></body><br /></html> <div style='clear: both;'></div> </div> <div class='post-footer'> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-1'> <span class='post-author vcard'> Posted by <span class='fn' itemprop='author' itemscope='itemscope' itemtype='http://schema.org/Person'> <meta content='https://www.blogger.com/profile/16414884250244024973' itemprop='url'/> <a class='g-profile' href='https://www.blogger.com/profile/16414884250244024973' rel='author' title='author profile'> <span itemprop='name'>Unknown</span> </a> </span> </span> <span class='post-timestamp'> at <meta content='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/05/top-ten-mistakes-in-web-design.html' itemprop='url'/> <a class='timestamp-link' href='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/05/top-ten-mistakes-in-web-design.html' rel='bookmark' title='permanent link'><abbr class='published' itemprop='datePublished' title='2007-05-28T03:24:00-07:00'>3:24 AM</abbr></a> </span> <span class='post-comment-link'> <a class='comment-link' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3684869384344160927&postID=2206175567918604281' onclick=''> 10 comments: </a> </span> <span class='post-icons'> <span class='item-action'> <a href='https://www.blogger.com/email-post.g?blogID=3684869384344160927&postID=2206175567918604281' title='Email Post'> <img alt='' class='icon-action' height='13' src='https://resources.blogblog.com/img/icon18_email.gif' width='18'/> </a> </span> </span> <div class='post-share-buttons goog-inline-block'> </div> </div> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-2'> <span class='post-labels'> </span> </div> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-3'> <span class='post-location'> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="date-outer"> <h2 class='date-header'><span>Saturday, May 26, 2007</span></h2> <div class="date-posts"> <div class='post-outer'> <div class='post hentry uncustomized-post-template' itemprop='blogPost' itemscope='itemscope' itemtype='http://schema.org/BlogPosting'> <meta content='3684869384344160927' itemprop='blogId'/> <meta content='7405861678833108454' itemprop='postId'/> <a name='7405861678833108454'></a> <h3 class='post-title entry-title' itemprop='name'> <a href='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/05/proud-to-be-indian.html'>Proud to be an Indian.</a> </h3> <div class='post-header'> <div class='post-header-line-1'></div> </div> <div class='post-body entry-content' id='post-body-7405861678833108454' itemprop='articleBody'> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204); font-weight: bold;">This is the time to be proud! Just 1 INDIAN is challenging against Billgates..... Be proud . This is not only ground breaking news; it's space-breaking news indeed.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204); font-weight: bold;">Ramlal Bhagat, a XII std. student from Haryana, has developed a 32-bit operating system demonstrated to be far superior to any of the desktop operating systems in the market today .</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204); font-weight: bold;">The program has been named "O-Yes". O-Yes provides operating system services on any Pentium-based Personal computer (PC) and does not require MS- DOS as a base operating system .</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204); font-weight: bold;">The operating system's capabilities were demonstrated in a student convention at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT),New Delhi. HCL Ltd. conducted benchmarks on the system and published results, which are partly reported here: O -Yes is 34% faster than Microsoft's Windows 95 on similar hardware.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204); font-weight: bold;">It is 29% faster than IBM's OS/2. O-Yes loads 54% quicker than Windows 95 or OS/2. O-Yes has a customizable, user-friendly graphical User Interface (GUI), in which every program can be accessed with a maximum of two button clicks .</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204); font-weight: bold;">The operating system provides plug n play capability with numerous hardware devices. It has a superior memory management function. The operating system is compatible with Windows 95 & WindowsNT 4.0 .</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204); font-weight: bold;">HCL, Ltd. has offered an unknown amount to Ramlal Bhagat for purchasing the rights to the software. Ramlal Bhagat, described as "quiet and philosophical" by his peers, was not available for comment .</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204); font-weight: bold;">Suresh Reddy, spokesman for HCL Ltd.,said, "this is the operating system that the world has been waiting for". On HCL's move to purchase the rights to the software, he said,</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204); font-weight: bold;">"We are here to ensure that Mr.Ramlal gets fair recognition and compensation for his innovation. HCL Ltd. can provide him a firm launch-pad to market software globally ".</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204); font-weight: bold;">Is this the beginning of the end of the Bill Gates' monopoly? Let's see... Send this to as many of your friends and relatives as possible so that when the product hits the market every one will appreciate it</span> <div style='clear: both;'></div> </div> <div class='post-footer'> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-1'> <span class='post-author vcard'> Posted by <span class='fn' itemprop='author' itemscope='itemscope' itemtype='http://schema.org/Person'> <meta content='https://www.blogger.com/profile/16414884250244024973' itemprop='url'/> <a class='g-profile' href='https://www.blogger.com/profile/16414884250244024973' rel='author' title='author profile'> <span itemprop='name'>Unknown</span> </a> </span> </span> <span class='post-timestamp'> at <meta content='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/05/proud-to-be-indian.html' itemprop='url'/> <a class='timestamp-link' href='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/05/proud-to-be-indian.html' rel='bookmark' title='permanent link'><abbr class='published' itemprop='datePublished' title='2007-05-26T02:20:00-07:00'>2:20 AM</abbr></a> </span> <span class='post-comment-link'> <a class='comment-link' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3684869384344160927&postID=7405861678833108454' onclick=''> 1 comment: </a> </span> <span class='post-icons'> <span class='item-action'> <a href='https://www.blogger.com/email-post.g?blogID=3684869384344160927&postID=7405861678833108454' title='Email Post'> <img alt='' class='icon-action' height='13' src='https://resources.blogblog.com/img/icon18_email.gif' width='18'/> </a> </span> </span> <div class='post-share-buttons goog-inline-block'> </div> </div> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-2'> <span class='post-labels'> </span> </div> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-3'> <span class='post-location'> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="date-outer"> <h2 class='date-header'><span>Tuesday, April 10, 2007</span></h2> <div class="date-posts"> <div class='post-outer'> <div class='post hentry uncustomized-post-template' itemprop='blogPost' itemscope='itemscope' itemtype='http://schema.org/BlogPosting'> <meta content='3684869384344160927' itemprop='blogId'/> <meta content='5179696946992258609' itemprop='postId'/> <a name='5179696946992258609'></a> <h3 class='post-title entry-title' itemprop='name'> <a href='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/04/cow-fight-funny.html'>Cow Fight Funny</a> </h3> <div class='post-header'> <div class='post-header-line-1'></div> </div> <div class='post-body entry-content' id='post-body-5179696946992258609' itemprop='articleBody'> <embed style="width: 400px; height: 326px;" id="VideoPlayback" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-8071705948451371164&hl=en" flashvars=""></embed> <div style='clear: both;'></div> </div> <div class='post-footer'> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-1'> <span class='post-author vcard'> Posted by <span class='fn' itemprop='author' itemscope='itemscope' itemtype='http://schema.org/Person'> <meta content='https://www.blogger.com/profile/16414884250244024973' itemprop='url'/> <a class='g-profile' href='https://www.blogger.com/profile/16414884250244024973' rel='author' title='author profile'> <span itemprop='name'>Unknown</span> </a> </span> </span> <span class='post-timestamp'> at <meta content='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/04/cow-fight-funny.html' itemprop='url'/> <a class='timestamp-link' href='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/04/cow-fight-funny.html' rel='bookmark' title='permanent link'><abbr class='published' itemprop='datePublished' title='2007-04-10T04:18:00-07:00'>4:18 AM</abbr></a> </span> <span class='post-comment-link'> <a class='comment-link' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3684869384344160927&postID=5179696946992258609' onclick=''> No comments: </a> </span> <span class='post-icons'> <span class='item-action'> <a href='https://www.blogger.com/email-post.g?blogID=3684869384344160927&postID=5179696946992258609' title='Email Post'> <img alt='' class='icon-action' height='13' src='https://resources.blogblog.com/img/icon18_email.gif' width='18'/> </a> </span> </span> <div class='post-share-buttons goog-inline-block'> </div> </div> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-2'> <span class='post-labels'> </span> </div> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-3'> <span class='post-location'> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="date-outer"> <h2 class='date-header'><span>Thursday, April 5, 2007</span></h2> <div class="date-posts"> <div class='post-outer'> <div class='post hentry uncustomized-post-template' itemprop='blogPost' itemscope='itemscope' itemtype='http://schema.org/BlogPosting'> <meta content='3684869384344160927' itemprop='blogId'/> <meta content='10821775572707939' itemprop='postId'/> <a name='10821775572707939'></a> <h3 class='post-title entry-title' itemprop='name'> <a href='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/04/dating-vs-married.html'>Dating Vs Married</a> </h3> <div class='post-header'> <div class='post-header-line-1'></div> </div> <div class='post-body entry-content' id='post-body-10821775572707939' itemprop='articleBody'> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">When you are dating..... Farting is never an issue</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">When you are married ....You make sure there's nothing flammable near your husband...... at all times</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">When you are dating..... He takes you out to have a good time</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">When you are married ....He brings home a 6 pack, and says "What are you going to drink?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">When you are dating..... He holds your hand in public</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">When you are married ....He flicks your ear in public</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">When you are dating..... A Single bed for 2 isn't THAT bad</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">When you are married ....A King size bed feels like an army cot</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">When you are dating..... You are turned on at the sight of him naked</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">When you are married ....You think to yourself...."Was he ALWAYS this hairy????"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">When you are dating..... You enjoyed foreplay</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">When you are married ....You tell him "If we have sex, will you leave me alone???"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">When you are dating..... He hugs you, when he walks by you ...for no reason</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">When you are married ....He grabs your boob any chance he gets</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">When you are dating..... You picture the two of you together, growing old together</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">When you are married ....You wonder who will die first</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">When you are dating..... Just looking at him makes you feel all "mushy"</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">When you are married ....When you look at him, you want to claw his eyes out.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">When you are dating..... He knows what the "hamper" is</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">When you are married ....The floor will suffice as a dirty clothes storage area</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">When you are dating..... He understands if you "aren't in the mood"</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">When you are married ....He says "It's your job."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">When you are dating..... He understands that you have "male" friends</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">When you are married ....He thinks they are all out to steal you away</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">When you are dating..... He likes to "discuss" things</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">When you are married ....He develops a "blank" stare</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">When you are dating..... He calls you by name</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">When you are married ....He calls you "Hey" and refers to you when speaking to others as "She."</span> <div style='clear: both;'></div> </div> <div class='post-footer'> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-1'> <span class='post-author vcard'> Posted by <span class='fn' itemprop='author' itemscope='itemscope' itemtype='http://schema.org/Person'> <meta content='https://www.blogger.com/profile/16414884250244024973' itemprop='url'/> <a class='g-profile' href='https://www.blogger.com/profile/16414884250244024973' rel='author' title='author profile'> <span itemprop='name'>Unknown</span> </a> </span> </span> <span class='post-timestamp'> at <meta content='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/04/dating-vs-married.html' itemprop='url'/> <a class='timestamp-link' href='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/04/dating-vs-married.html' rel='bookmark' title='permanent link'><abbr class='published' itemprop='datePublished' title='2007-04-05T23:52:00-07:00'>11:52 PM</abbr></a> </span> <span class='post-comment-link'> <a class='comment-link' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3684869384344160927&postID=10821775572707939' onclick=''> No comments: </a> </span> <span class='post-icons'> <span class='item-action'> <a href='https://www.blogger.com/email-post.g?blogID=3684869384344160927&postID=10821775572707939' title='Email Post'> <img alt='' class='icon-action' height='13' src='https://resources.blogblog.com/img/icon18_email.gif' width='18'/> </a> </span> </span> <div class='post-share-buttons goog-inline-block'> </div> </div> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-2'> <span class='post-labels'> </span> </div> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-3'> <span class='post-location'> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class='post-outer'> <div class='post hentry uncustomized-post-template' itemprop='blogPost' itemscope='itemscope' itemtype='http://schema.org/BlogPosting'> <meta content='3684869384344160927' itemprop='blogId'/> <meta content='4819601567373204323' itemprop='postId'/> <a name='4819601567373204323'></a> <h3 class='post-title entry-title' itemprop='name'> <a href='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/04/prayer-on-good-friday.html'>A Prayer on Good Friday</a> </h3> <div class='post-header'> <div class='post-header-line-1'></div> </div> <div class='post-body entry-content' id='post-body-4819601567373204323' itemprop='articleBody'> <div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 0);">Grant me today<br />that I may call upon you<br />with the deepest and lowest voice.<br />May I weep over the darkness<br />embedded within Mary's griving heart,<br />encountering your unavoidable departure<br />for the sake of even more souls.<br /><br />May I also prostrate myself before you<br />in deep humility<br />just as Peter bitterly wailed<br />over his betrayal.<br /><br />O Lord of love,<br />You overpowered death<br />by drinking the bitter cup of death.<br /><br />May I not boast of imprudent love<br />without imitating you.<br /><br />May I be a somber point in the darkness<br />lying within the stone tomb today<br />together with those deeply despairing souls<br />who loved you so deeply<br /><br />May I be a bright point in the darkness<br />for having fallen asleep with you,<br />I shall awaken with you<br />O Lord of light.</div> <div style='clear: both;'></div> </div> <div class='post-footer'> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-1'> <span class='post-author vcard'> Posted by <span class='fn' itemprop='author' itemscope='itemscope' itemtype='http://schema.org/Person'> <meta content='https://www.blogger.com/profile/16414884250244024973' itemprop='url'/> <a class='g-profile' href='https://www.blogger.com/profile/16414884250244024973' rel='author' title='author profile'> <span itemprop='name'>Unknown</span> </a> </span> </span> <span class='post-timestamp'> at <meta content='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/04/prayer-on-good-friday.html' itemprop='url'/> <a class='timestamp-link' href='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/04/prayer-on-good-friday.html' rel='bookmark' title='permanent link'><abbr class='published' itemprop='datePublished' title='2007-04-05T23:50:00-07:00'>11:50 PM</abbr></a> </span> <span class='post-comment-link'> <a class='comment-link' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3684869384344160927&postID=4819601567373204323' onclick=''> No comments: </a> </span> <span class='post-icons'> <span class='item-action'> <a href='https://www.blogger.com/email-post.g?blogID=3684869384344160927&postID=4819601567373204323' title='Email Post'> <img alt='' class='icon-action' height='13' src='https://resources.blogblog.com/img/icon18_email.gif' width='18'/> </a> </span> </span> <div class='post-share-buttons goog-inline-block'> </div> </div> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-2'> <span class='post-labels'> </span> </div> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-3'> <span class='post-location'> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="date-outer"> <h2 class='date-header'><span>Friday, March 30, 2007</span></h2> <div class="date-posts"> <div class='post-outer'> <div class='post hentry uncustomized-post-template' itemprop='blogPost' itemscope='itemscope' itemtype='http://schema.org/BlogPosting'> <meta content='3684869384344160927' itemprop='blogId'/> <meta content='601671518934309370' itemprop='postId'/> <a name='601671518934309370'></a> <h3 class='post-title entry-title' itemprop='name'> <a href='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/03/read-these-beautiful-lines.html'>Read these beautiful lines</a> </h3> <div class='post-header'> <div class='post-header-line-1'></div> </div> <div class='post-body entry-content' id='post-body-601671518934309370' itemprop='articleBody'> <div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">To realize<br />The value of a sister<br />Ask someone<br />Who doesn't have one.<br /><br />To realize<br />The value of ten years:<br />Ask a newly<br />Divorced couple.<br /><br />To realize<br />The value of four years:<br />Ask a graduate.<br /><br />To realize<br />The value of one year:<br />Ask a student who<br />Has failed a final exam.<br /><br />To realize<br />The value of nine months:<br />Ask a mother who gave birth to a still born.<br /><br />To realize<br />The value of one month:<br />Ask a mother<br />who has given birth to<br />A premature baby.<br /><br />To realize<br />The value of one week:<br />Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.<br /><br />To realize<br />The value of one hour:<br />Ask the lovers who are waiting to Meet.<br /><br />To realize<br />The value of one minute:<br />Ask a person<br />Who has missed the train, bus or plane.<br /><br />To realize<br />The value of one-second:<br />Ask a person<br />Who has survived an accident...<br /><br />To! realize<br />The value of one millisecond:<br />As k the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics<br /><br />Time waits for no one.<br /><br />Treasure every moment you have.<br />You will treasure it even more when<br /><br />you can share it with someone special.<br /><br />To realize the value of a friend:<br />Lose one.<br /><br />The origin of this letter is unknown,<br />But it brings good luck to everyone who passes it on.<br />Do not keep this letter<br /></div> <div style='clear: both;'></div> </div> <div class='post-footer'> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-1'> <span class='post-author vcard'> Posted by <span class='fn' itemprop='author' itemscope='itemscope' itemtype='http://schema.org/Person'> <meta content='https://www.blogger.com/profile/16414884250244024973' itemprop='url'/> <a class='g-profile' href='https://www.blogger.com/profile/16414884250244024973' rel='author' title='author profile'> <span itemprop='name'>Unknown</span> </a> </span> </span> <span class='post-timestamp'> at <meta content='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/03/read-these-beautiful-lines.html' itemprop='url'/> <a class='timestamp-link' href='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/03/read-these-beautiful-lines.html' rel='bookmark' title='permanent link'><abbr class='published' itemprop='datePublished' title='2007-03-30T23:51:00-07:00'>11:51 PM</abbr></a> </span> <span class='post-comment-link'> <a class='comment-link' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3684869384344160927&postID=601671518934309370' onclick=''> No comments: </a> </span> <span class='post-icons'> <span class='item-action'> <a href='https://www.blogger.com/email-post.g?blogID=3684869384344160927&postID=601671518934309370' title='Email Post'> <img alt='' class='icon-action' height='13' src='https://resources.blogblog.com/img/icon18_email.gif' width='18'/> </a> </span> </span> <div class='post-share-buttons goog-inline-block'> </div> </div> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-2'> <span class='post-labels'> </span> </div> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-3'> <span class='post-location'> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class='post-outer'> <div class='post hentry uncustomized-post-template' itemprop='blogPost' itemscope='itemscope' itemtype='http://schema.org/BlogPosting'> <meta content='3684869384344160927' itemprop='blogId'/> <meta content='8007113471929757229' itemprop='postId'/> <a name='8007113471929757229'></a> <h3 class='post-title entry-title' itemprop='name'> <a href='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/03/how-can-you-live-without-knowing-these.html'>How can you live without knowing These things?</a> </h3> <div class='post-header'> <div class='post-header-line-1'></div> </div> <div class='post-body entry-content' id='post-body-8007113471929757229' itemprop='articleBody'> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >1. The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV were Fred and Wilma Flintstone.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >2. Coca-Cola was originally green.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >3. Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the US Treasury.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >4. Men can read smaller print than women can; women can hear better.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >5. The state with the highest percentage of people who walk to work: Alaska</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >6. The percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28% (now get this..)</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >7. The percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38%</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >8. The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age of eleven: $6,400</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >9. The average number of people airborne over the US any given hour: 61,000 (wonder if this one is still true)</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >10. Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >11. The world's youngest parents were 8 and 9 and lived in China in 1910.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >12. The youngest pope was 11 years old.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >13. The first novel ever written on a typewriter: Tom Sawyer.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >14. Those San Francisco Cable cars are the only mobile National Monuments.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >15. Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >Spades - King David</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >Hearts - Charlemagne</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >Clubs -Alexander the Great</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >Diamonds - Julius Caesar</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >16. 111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >17. If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air the person died as a result of wounds received in battle. If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >18. Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2, but the last signature wasn't added until 5 years later.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >20. "I am." is the shortest complete sentence in the English language.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >21. Hershey's Kisses are called that because the machine that make them looks like it's kissing the conveyor belt.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >22. Until the St. Louis Rams, no NFL team which plays its home games in a domed stadium has ever won a Super bowl.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >23. The only two days of the year in which there are no professional sports games (MLB, NBA, NHL, or NFL) are the day before and the day after the Major League all-stars Game.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >Q. What occurs more often in December than any other month?</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >A. Conception.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >Q. What separates "60 Minutes," on CBS from every other TV show?</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >A. No theme song</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >Q. Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of what?</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >A. Their birthplace.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >Q. Most boat owners name their boats. What is the most popular boat name requested?</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >A. Obsession</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >Q. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter "A"?</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >A. One thousand</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and laser printers all have in common?</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >A. All invented by women.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >Q. What is the only food that doesn't spoil?</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >A. Honey</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >Q. There are more collect calls on this day than any other day of the year?</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >A. Father's Day</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >Q. What trivia fact about Mel Blanc (voice of Bugs Bunny) is the most ironic?</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >A. He is allergic to carrots.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >Q. What is an activity performed by 40% of all people at a party?</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >A. Snoop in your medicine cabinet.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >1. In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase "goodnight, sleep tight".</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >2. It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month or what we know today as the honeymoon.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >3. In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts. So in old England, when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them mind their own pints and quarts and settle down. It's where we get the phrase "mind your P's and Q's"</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >4. Many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim or handle of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. "Wet your whistle" is the phrase inspired by this practice.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >5. In ancient England a person could not have sex unless you had consent of the King (unless you were in the Royal Family). When anyone wanted to have a baby, they got consent of the King, the King gave them a placard that they hung on their door while they were having sex. The placard had F.*.*.*. (Fornication Under Consent of the King) on it. Now you know where that came from.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >~~~~~~~~~~~AND FINALLY~~~~~~~~~~~~</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" >6. In Scotland, a new game was invented. It was entitled Gentlemen Only Ladies Forbidden.... and thus the word GOLF entered the vocabulary.</span> <div style='clear: both;'></div> </div> <div class='post-footer'> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-1'> <span class='post-author vcard'> Posted by <span class='fn' itemprop='author' itemscope='itemscope' itemtype='http://schema.org/Person'> <meta content='https://www.blogger.com/profile/16414884250244024973' itemprop='url'/> <a class='g-profile' href='https://www.blogger.com/profile/16414884250244024973' rel='author' title='author profile'> <span itemprop='name'>Unknown</span> </a> </span> </span> <span class='post-timestamp'> at <meta content='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/03/how-can-you-live-without-knowing-these.html' itemprop='url'/> <a class='timestamp-link' href='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/03/how-can-you-live-without-knowing-these.html' rel='bookmark' title='permanent link'><abbr class='published' itemprop='datePublished' title='2007-03-30T23:00:00-07:00'>11:00 PM</abbr></a> </span> <span class='post-comment-link'> <a class='comment-link' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3684869384344160927&postID=8007113471929757229' onclick=''> No comments: </a> </span> <span class='post-icons'> <span class='item-action'> <a href='https://www.blogger.com/email-post.g?blogID=3684869384344160927&postID=8007113471929757229' title='Email Post'> <img alt='' class='icon-action' height='13' src='https://resources.blogblog.com/img/icon18_email.gif' width='18'/> </a> </span> </span> <div class='post-share-buttons goog-inline-block'> </div> </div> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-2'> <span class='post-labels'> </span> </div> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-3'> <span class='post-location'> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="date-outer"> <h2 class='date-header'><span>Thursday, March 15, 2007</span></h2> <div class="date-posts"> <div class='post-outer'> <div class='post hentry uncustomized-post-template' itemprop='blogPost' itemscope='itemscope' itemtype='http://schema.org/BlogPosting'> <meta content='3684869384344160927' itemprop='blogId'/> <meta content='8564385152664774124' itemprop='postId'/> <a name='8564385152664774124'></a> <h3 class='post-title entry-title' itemprop='name'> <a href='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/03/my-wishes-for-you.html'>My Wishes For You......</a> </h3> <div class='post-header'> <div class='post-header-line-1'></div> </div> <div class='post-body entry-content' id='post-body-8564385152664774124' itemprop='articleBody'> <div align="center"><span style="color:#660000;">May you find serenity and tranquilityin a world you may not always understand. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#660000;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#660000;">May the pain you have knownand the conflict you have experiencedgive you the strength to walk through lifefacing each new situation with courage and optimism. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#660000;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#660000;">Always know that there are thosewhose love and understanding will always be there,even when you feel most alone. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#660000;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#660000;">May a kind word,a reassuring touch,and a warm smilebe yours every day of your life,and may you give these giftsas well as receive them.</span></div><div align="center"><br /><span style="color:#660000;">May the teachings of those you admirebecome part of you,so that you may call upon them. Remember, those whose lives you have touchedand who have touched yours are always a part of you,even if the encounters were less than you would have wished.</span></div><div align="center"><br /><span style="color:#660000;">It is the content of the enounterThat is more important than its form.May you not become too concerned with material matters, but instead place immeasurable valueon the goodness in your heart.</span></div><div align="center"><br /><span style="color:#660000;">Find time in each day to see beauty and lovein the world around you. Realize that what you feel you lack in one regardyou may be more than compensated for in another.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#660000;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#660000;">What you feel you lack in the presentmay become one of your strengths in the future.May you see your future as one filled with promise and possibility.</span></div><div align="center"><br /><span style="color:#660000;">Learn to view everything as a worthwhile experience.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#660000;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#660000;">May you find enough inner strengthto determine your own worth by yourself,and not be dependent on another's judgment of your accomplishments. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#660000;"></span> </div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#009900;">May you always feel loved. These Are My Wishes For You</span></strong></div> <div style='clear: both;'></div> </div> <div class='post-footer'> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-1'> <span class='post-author vcard'> Posted by <span class='fn' itemprop='author' itemscope='itemscope' itemtype='http://schema.org/Person'> <meta content='https://www.blogger.com/profile/16414884250244024973' itemprop='url'/> <a class='g-profile' href='https://www.blogger.com/profile/16414884250244024973' rel='author' title='author profile'> <span itemprop='name'>Unknown</span> </a> </span> </span> <span class='post-timestamp'> at <meta content='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/03/my-wishes-for-you.html' itemprop='url'/> <a class='timestamp-link' href='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/03/my-wishes-for-you.html' rel='bookmark' title='permanent link'><abbr class='published' itemprop='datePublished' title='2007-03-15T06:41:00-07:00'>6:41 AM</abbr></a> </span> <span class='post-comment-link'> <a class='comment-link' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3684869384344160927&postID=8564385152664774124' onclick=''> No comments: </a> </span> <span class='post-icons'> <span class='item-action'> <a href='https://www.blogger.com/email-post.g?blogID=3684869384344160927&postID=8564385152664774124' title='Email Post'> <img alt='' class='icon-action' height='13' src='https://resources.blogblog.com/img/icon18_email.gif' width='18'/> </a> </span> </span> <div class='post-share-buttons goog-inline-block'> </div> </div> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-2'> <span class='post-labels'> </span> </div> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-3'> <span class='post-location'> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class='post-outer'> <div class='post hentry uncustomized-post-template' itemprop='blogPost' itemscope='itemscope' itemtype='http://schema.org/BlogPosting'> <meta content='3684869384344160927' itemprop='blogId'/> <meta content='573579635943393688' itemprop='postId'/> <a name='573579635943393688'></a> <h3 class='post-title entry-title' itemprop='name'> <a href='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/03/i-m-here-if-u-need-me.html'>I m Here if U need Me</a> </h3> <div class='post-header'> <div class='post-header-line-1'></div> </div> <div class='post-body entry-content' id='post-body-573579635943393688' itemprop='articleBody'> <p align="center"><span style="color:#6666cc;"><strong>Life's events don't always happen,Just as they are planned.</strong></span></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#6666cc;"><strong>For you this is a trying time,I fully understand. Moments like the present,</strong></span></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#6666cc;"><strong>Tend to upset and confuse,I'll try to give you my support,In any path you choose. </strong></span></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#6666cc;"><strong>I'll listen always with my heart,I'll do what I can do,I'll hope for brighter things to come.</strong></span></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#6666cc;"><strong>My thoughts remain with you. You know your situation.You're alert to life's demands;</strong></span></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#6666cc;"><strong>But don't forget I am here.I'm one who understands! </strong></span></p><p align="center"><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">I am Here</span></strong></p> <div style='clear: both;'></div> </div> <div class='post-footer'> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-1'> <span class='post-author vcard'> Posted by <span class='fn' itemprop='author' itemscope='itemscope' itemtype='http://schema.org/Person'> <meta content='https://www.blogger.com/profile/16414884250244024973' itemprop='url'/> <a class='g-profile' href='https://www.blogger.com/profile/16414884250244024973' rel='author' title='author profile'> <span itemprop='name'>Unknown</span> </a> </span> </span> <span class='post-timestamp'> at <meta content='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/03/i-m-here-if-u-need-me.html' itemprop='url'/> <a class='timestamp-link' href='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/03/i-m-here-if-u-need-me.html' rel='bookmark' title='permanent link'><abbr class='published' itemprop='datePublished' title='2007-03-15T06:37:00-07:00'>6:37 AM</abbr></a> </span> <span class='post-comment-link'> <a class='comment-link' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3684869384344160927&postID=573579635943393688' onclick=''> No comments: </a> </span> <span class='post-icons'> <span class='item-action'> <a href='https://www.blogger.com/email-post.g?blogID=3684869384344160927&postID=573579635943393688' title='Email Post'> <img alt='' class='icon-action' height='13' src='https://resources.blogblog.com/img/icon18_email.gif' width='18'/> </a> </span> </span> <div class='post-share-buttons goog-inline-block'> </div> </div> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-2'> <span class='post-labels'> </span> </div> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-3'> <span class='post-location'> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="date-outer"> <h2 class='date-header'><span>Monday, March 5, 2007</span></h2> <div class="date-posts"> <div class='post-outer'> <div class='post hentry uncustomized-post-template' itemprop='blogPost' itemscope='itemscope' itemtype='http://schema.org/BlogPosting'> <meta content='3684869384344160927' itemprop='blogId'/> <meta content='4684125399242193001' itemprop='postId'/> <a name='4684125399242193001'></a> <h3 class='post-title entry-title' itemprop='name'> <a href='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/03/guinness-world-records-attractions.html'>Guinness World Records Attractions</a> </h3> <div class='post-header'> <div class='post-header-line-1'></div> </div> <div class='post-body entry-content' id='post-body-4684125399242193001' itemprop='articleBody'> <div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#ff9900;">MOST POISONOUS ANIMAL :</span></strong> Poison Arrow Frogs are also called poison dart frogs. The Blue poison frog is one of the most striking of the poison arrow frogs. It is a mid-sized frog in the Dendrobates family with its length ranging from 3.0 - 4.5 cm. They usually weigh approximately 3 grams. Poison arrow frogs vary in length from 1.5 cm - 7 cm. This frog lives in the tropical rainforest.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#009900;">MOST PROLIFIC TV PRODUCER :</span> </strong>Aaron Spelling has produced a total of 3,842 hours of television since 1956, comprising 3,578 hours of TV series and 264 hours of TV movies. His output has included Charlie's Angels, Dynasty, 7th Heaven, Melrose Place and Beverly Hills 90210, which features his daughter Tori.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">MOST HOME RUNS--SEASON :</span></strong> Barry Bonds, of the San Francisco Giants capped his incredible 2001 season by hitting 73 home runs. Bonds also set records for the highest slugging percentage in a season at .863 and most home runs per at-bats by going deep every 6.52 at bats.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#993300;">FASTEST LAND ANIMAL :</span></strong> The fastest of all land animals over a short distance is the Cheetah of the open plains of east Africa, Iran, Turkmenia and Afghanistan with speeds of up to 63 miles per hour over level ground.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">LARGEST STRAWBERRY :</span></strong> A strawberry weighing 8.17 ounces (231 g) was grown by G. Anderson, Folkestone, Kent, England, 1983.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#cc66cc;">MOST ADVANCED ORDERS AND LARGEST FIRST-RUN PRINT :</span></strong> JK Rowlings' Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the fourth book in the acclaimed series, received world record advanced orders of 5.3 million copies from around the world. The book also holds the record for the largest first-run print with 4.8 million copies, of which 3.8 million were printed in the USA (40 times as many as an average best seller) and 1 million in the UK.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">WORLD'S MOST EXPENSIVE SLIPPERS :</span></strong> The ruby slippers Judy Garland wore when she played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (1939)sold for a record $165,000!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#660000;">WORLD'S LARGEST SNEAKERS :</span></strong> If cases of elephantitis are excluded, the biggest feet currently known are those of Matthew McGrory (born May 17, 1973) of Pennsylvania, USA, who wears US size 29.5 sneakers!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#000066;">WHEELIE JOURNEY :</span></strong> Kurt Osburn rode a Wheelie on his bicycle from Hollywood, CA (USA) to the Guinness World Records Experience in Orlando, FL. from April 13th to June 25th, 1999. He rode 2,839.6 miles on one wheel setting a new Guinness World Record and becoming the first person in history to ride a bicycle wheelie coast to coast!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#ffcccc;">Interesting Facts:</span></strong> averaged 50 miles a day with winds in excess of 40 miles per hour, traveled on the 110 Highway, was chased by dogs almost everyday, had 4 flat tires (on the rear tire of course), over 1.8 million pedal revolutions from start to finish.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#003333;">MOST PORTRAYED CHARACTER :</span></strong> In horror movies, the character most often portrayed is Count Dracula, created by the Irish writer Bram Stoker (18471912). Representations of the Count outnumber those of his closest rival, Frankenstein, by 161 to 117!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#999900;">WORLD'S LARGEST WAIST :</span></strong> Walter Hudson (USA) had a 9 ft. 11 in. waist (size 119 inches) in 1987. His typical daily snack was 12 doughnuts, 10 bags of potato chips, 2 giant pizzas, and half a cake!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#660000;">THE WORLD'S TALLEST MAN :</span></strong> Robert Wadlow, born in Alton, Illinois, USA, February 1918, Robert Pershing Wadlow grew to the height of 8 ft 11.1 ins by the time of his death aged 22!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong>MOST EXPENSIVE WINE :</strong> The highest price paid for any bottle has been 105,000 British Pounds ($157,000 US) for a 1787 Chateau Lafite claret sold to Christopher Forbes (USA) at Christie's London on December 5, 1985. The price was affected insofar as the bottle was initialed by Thomas Jefferson (1743 1826), 3rd President of the United States!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#333300;">FIREWALKING DISTANCE :</span></strong> Gary Shawkey, of Orlando, Florida, USA, walked 50.29 m (165 feet) over burned embers of cedar wood, with an average temperature of 1,800 degrees F (982.22 C) at the Central Florida Fair in Orlando, Florida, USA, on March 4, 2000!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#330033;">LARGEST ICE CREAM SUNDAE :</span></strong> A sundae made by Palm Dairies LTD at Alberta, Canada on July 24 1988, had 20.27 tons (44,689 lbs, 8 oz.) of ice cream, 4.39 tons (9,688 lbs, 2 oz.) of syrup and 2.37 kg (537 lbs, 3 oz.) of topping!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">MONSIEUR MANGETOUT :</span></strong> Michael Lotito (b. 1950) of Grenoble, France has eaten metal and glass since 1958. Experts x-rayed his stomach and note his ability to consume 2 lbs (900 g) of metal per day. Since 1966, he has consumed 18 bicycles, 15 shopping carriages, seven television sets, six chandeliers, two beds, a pair of skis, a computer, and a Cessna light aircraft!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#999900;">MOST EXPENSIVE TRIP TO SPACE :</span></strong> U.S. space tourist and Californian millionaire Dennis Tito waves as he tries on his space suit, April 17, 2001 at Baikonur cosmodrome. Tito, together with two Russian Cosmonauts Yuri Baturin and Talgat Musabayev, are scheduled for launch to the orbital International Space Station on April 28. Tito paid the Russians nearly $20 million for his flight and the Russians are prepared to launch him over the objections of NASA and other partners.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">WORLD'S LARGEST INVERTEBRATE :</span></strong> The Atlantic giant squid (Architeuthis dux) is the largest known invertebrate. The largest ever discovered was a 2.2 ton specimen that washed ashore in Thimble Tickle Bay, Newfoundland, Canada on November 2, 1878 - it had a body length of 20 feet! </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#9999ff;">HAMBURGERS :</span></strong> Peter Dowdeswell ate 21 burgers (with buns) each weighing 3 oz. (100 g) in 9 minutes 42 seconds on June 30, 1984 at Birmingham, England!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#ffcc00;">FASTEST DRUMMER :</span></strong> Johnny Rabb was formally recognized as the fastest drummer in the world when he drummed 1,071 strokes in 1 minute on May 27, 2000 at the Guinness World Records Experience in Orlando, FL! </div> <div style='clear: both;'></div> </div> <div class='post-footer'> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-1'> <span class='post-author vcard'> Posted by <span class='fn' itemprop='author' itemscope='itemscope' itemtype='http://schema.org/Person'> <meta content='https://www.blogger.com/profile/16414884250244024973' itemprop='url'/> <a class='g-profile' href='https://www.blogger.com/profile/16414884250244024973' rel='author' title='author profile'> <span itemprop='name'>Unknown</span> </a> </span> </span> <span class='post-timestamp'> at <meta content='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/03/guinness-world-records-attractions.html' itemprop='url'/> <a class='timestamp-link' href='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/03/guinness-world-records-attractions.html' rel='bookmark' title='permanent link'><abbr class='published' itemprop='datePublished' title='2007-03-05T03:49:00-08:00'>3:49 AM</abbr></a> </span> <span class='post-comment-link'> <a class='comment-link' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3684869384344160927&postID=4684125399242193001' onclick=''> 1 comment: </a> </span> <span class='post-icons'> <span class='item-action'> <a href='https://www.blogger.com/email-post.g?blogID=3684869384344160927&postID=4684125399242193001' title='Email Post'> <img alt='' class='icon-action' height='13' src='https://resources.blogblog.com/img/icon18_email.gif' width='18'/> </a> </span> </span> <div class='post-share-buttons goog-inline-block'> </div> </div> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-2'> <span class='post-labels'> </span> </div> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-3'> <span class='post-location'> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="date-outer"> <h2 class='date-header'><span>Thursday, March 1, 2007</span></h2> <div class="date-posts"> <div class='post-outer'> <div class='post hentry uncustomized-post-template' itemprop='blogPost' itemscope='itemscope' itemtype='http://schema.org/BlogPosting'> <meta content='3684869384344160927' itemprop='blogId'/> <meta content='6599071262229945205' itemprop='postId'/> <a name='6599071262229945205'></a> <h3 class='post-title entry-title' itemprop='name'> <a href='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/03/be-careful-when-you-sms.html'>Be careful when you SMS...</a> </h3> <div class='post-header'> <div class='post-header-line-1'></div> </div> <div class='post-body entry-content' id='post-body-6599071262229945205' itemprop='articleBody'> <strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">A True Story:</span></strong><br /><br /><div align="justify">This lady has changed her habit on the hand phone after her handbag was stolen. Her handbag which contained her mobile, credit card, purse etc. was stolen.Twenty minutes later when she called her hubby, telling him what had happened, her hubby says 'I've just received your SMS asking about our Pin number and I've replied a little while ago.' </div><br /><div align="justify">When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff told them all the money was already withdrawn. The pickpocket had actually used the stolen hand phone to sms 'hubby' in the contact list and got hold of the pin number. Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all the money from the bank account.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#009900;">Moral of the lesson:</span></strong></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Do not disclose the relationship between you and the person in your contact list. Avoid using names like Home, Honey, Hubby, Sweetheart, Dad, Mum etc...... and very importantly, when sensitive info is being asked thru SMS, CONFIRM by calling back. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#000099;">PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO YOUR LOVED ONES AND FRIENDS.</span></strong></div> <div style='clear: both;'></div> </div> <div class='post-footer'> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-1'> <span class='post-author vcard'> Posted by <span class='fn' itemprop='author' itemscope='itemscope' itemtype='http://schema.org/Person'> <meta content='https://www.blogger.com/profile/16414884250244024973' itemprop='url'/> <a class='g-profile' href='https://www.blogger.com/profile/16414884250244024973' rel='author' title='author profile'> <span itemprop='name'>Unknown</span> </a> </span> </span> <span class='post-timestamp'> at <meta content='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/03/be-careful-when-you-sms.html' itemprop='url'/> <a class='timestamp-link' href='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/03/be-careful-when-you-sms.html' rel='bookmark' title='permanent link'><abbr class='published' itemprop='datePublished' title='2007-03-01T04:49:00-08:00'>4:49 AM</abbr></a> </span> <span class='post-comment-link'> <a class='comment-link' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3684869384344160927&postID=6599071262229945205' onclick=''> 1 comment: </a> </span> <span class='post-icons'> <span class='item-action'> <a href='https://www.blogger.com/email-post.g?blogID=3684869384344160927&postID=6599071262229945205' title='Email Post'> <img alt='' class='icon-action' height='13' src='https://resources.blogblog.com/img/icon18_email.gif' width='18'/> </a> </span> </span> <div class='post-share-buttons goog-inline-block'> </div> </div> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-2'> <span class='post-labels'> </span> </div> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-3'> <span class='post-location'> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="date-outer"> <h2 class='date-header'><span>Wednesday, February 28, 2007</span></h2> <div class="date-posts"> <div class='post-outer'> <div class='post hentry uncustomized-post-template' itemprop='blogPost' itemscope='itemscope' itemtype='http://schema.org/BlogPosting'> <meta content='3684869384344160927' itemprop='blogId'/> <meta content='5336996764630966952' itemprop='postId'/> <a name='5336996764630966952'></a> <h3 class='post-title entry-title' itemprop='name'> <a href='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/02/festivals-of-indiapart-ii.html'>Festivals of India...Part - II</a> </h3> <div class='post-header'> <div class='post-header-line-1'></div> </div> <div class='post-body entry-content' id='post-body-5336996764630966952' itemprop='articleBody'> <div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#ffcc66;">About Fathers Day :</span></strong> The idea for creating a day for children to honor their fathers began in Spokane, Washington. A woman by the name of Sonora Smart Dodd thought of the idea for Father's Day while listening to a Mother's Day sermon in 1909. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Having been raised by her father, William Jackson Smart, after her mother died, Sonora wanted her father to know how special he was to her. It was her father that made all the parental sacrifices and was, in the eyes of his daughter, a courageous, selfless, and loving man. Sonora's father was born in June, so she chose to hold the first Father's Day celebration in Spokane, Washington on the 19th of June, 1910. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">In 1926, a National Father's Day Committee was formed in New York City. Father's Day was recognized by a Joint Resolution of Congress in 1956. In 1972, President Richard Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father's Day to be held on the third Sunday of June. So Father's Day was born in memory and gratitude by a daughter who thought that her father and all good fathers should be honored with a special day just like we honor our mothers on Mother's Day. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">The excert below is from the Silver Anniversary Book on Father's day published in 1935. I would like to thank William Jackson Smart's great granddaughter, Bonnie, for sharing this with me. "This year, 1935, the Silver Anniversary of Fathers' Day is being observed. Thirty-seven years ago, in the Big Bend hills of Washington, the day had its nativity in a lonely farm dwelling. There Sorrow ministered amid the moaning of the March winds. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">A father sat with bowed head in his aloneness. About him clung his weeping children. The winds outside threw great scarfs of powdered snow against the window panes, when suddenly the last born tore himself from the group and rushed out into the storm calling for his mother. Yet even his baby voice could not penetrate the great silence that held this mother. Hurriedly, the father gathered him back to his protection and for more than two decades, William Jackson Smart, alone, kept paternal vigilance over his motherless children. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">This poignant experience in the life of Mrs. John Bruce Dodd of Spokane, Washington, who was then Sonora Louise Smart, was the inspiration for Fathers' Day which materialized through the devotion of this father and the father of her own son, John Bruce Jr., born in 1909. Through the observance of the love and the sacrifice of fathers about her everywhere, her idea of Fathers' Day crystallized in 1910, through a formal Fathers' Day petition asking recognition of fatherhood."</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#006600;">About Guru Purnima :</span></strong> Devotional worship of the Guru - the preceptor - is one of the most touching and elevating features of the Hindu cultural tradition. The auspicious moment of Vyaasa Poornima, chosen for observing this annual festival, is no less significant. It was the great sage Vyasa, son of a fisherwoman, who classified the accumulated spiritual knowledge of the Vedas under four heads - Rig, Yajur, Saama and Atharva. To him goes the credit of composing the authentic treatise of Brahma-sootras to explain the background of Vedas. He also wrote the eighteen Puranas, the stories of our great heroes and saints, to carry the spiritual and moral precepts contained therein to the common masses. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">The greatest of epics of all times and of all climes - Mahaabhaarata - embodying the immortal song of God, the Bhagavad Geeta, also in it, is also the priceless gift of Vyasa. The Bhaagavata, the thrilling and devotional story of Sri Krishna, was also his contribution. It is in the fitness of things that Vyasa should be looked upon as the supreme preceptor of mankind. Offering of worship to him signifies the worship of all the preceptors of all times. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">The Guru in the Hindu tradition is looked upon as an embodiment of God himself. For, it is through his grace and guidance that one reaches the highest state of wisdom and bliss. "My salutations to the Guru who is Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara. The Guru is Parabrahma incarnate" Gururbrahmaa gururvishnuh gururdevo Maheswarah Guruh-saakshaat parabrahma tasmai shrigurave namah Various have been the great sages and saints who have been the spiritual and religious preceptors to countless individuals down the centuries. But is there any one who can be looked upon as the preceptor for the entire Hindu people - for all their past, present and future generations? Obviously, no individual can play that role. A human being is after all mortal and, however great, has his own limitations. He cannot be a permanent guide for the entire nation for all time to come. The preceptor for a whole society should be able to act as a perennial source of inspiration to the people, embodying the highest and the noblest national values and ethos. To the Hindu people, such a Guru can be no other than the sacred Bhagava Dhwaj. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">No one knows when and how this flag came into being. It is an ancient as the Hindu people themselves. It has flown over the hermitages of the seers and sanyaasins and also over the celestial palaces of emperors. It ha flown triumphantly over the battlefields of freedom struggle and has symbolized the immortal spirit of freedom in the Hindu mind. It is the one supreme symbol held in universal reverence by all sects and castes, and all creeds and faiths of the Hindu people. It is in fact the greatest unifying symbol of the entire Hindu world. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">The color of the Bhagava Dhwaj - the saffron, depicting renunciation and service, epitomizes the culture of Bharat. The flames rising from the yajna are saffron in color and indeed reflect this spirit. The concept of yajna is extraordinarily unique to Hindu culture and tradition. Yajna is not merely a physical ritual. That is only symbolic. The Bhagavad Geeta describes the concept of yajna as the sacrificial offering of one's self to the good of all beings. "Not mine, but thine" is the true message of yajna. Whatever one achieves in this life in terms of physical prosperity and knowledge, one has to offer them back to the society. The Ishaavaasya Upanishad declares: Ishaa Vaasyamidam sarvam, yatkincha jagatyaam jagat Tena tyaktena bhunjeethaah maa gridhah kasyaswiddhanam "God is the lord of all creation. After offering to Him, enjoy only that which is left over by Him. Do not rob what belongs to others." </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Acquiring of wealth is no sin but utilizing all of it for one's own self and one's own family is very much so. In the Bhagavad Geeta Sri Krishna warns: "He who eats all by himself without first offering to others eats only sin". However much one may earn, only the minimum things necessary for one's physical sustenance have to be utilized and the rest offered in service to the society. This is the Hindu way of tackling the challenge of harmonizing economic progress with social justice. This attitude, even while giving full scope to individual initiative, effectively neutralizes the evils of individual capitalism. Also, while it ensures social justice for the lowliest in society, the tragedy of state capitalism of the communist type is obviated and the sanctity of individual freedom upheld. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">The superiority of the concept of individual freedom implied in this trusteeship principle lies in its freedom to sacrifice for the social good with a high spiritual motivation, along with the commonly understood freedom to earn and acquire wealth. How is this transformation in individual's attitude to be effected? Says Sri Golwalkar Guruji: "Herein comes the genius of the Hindu viewpoint which prepares the individual's mind for this adjustment. He is educated and enlightened with regard to the true nature of happiness. The goal that is kept before him is not merely one of physical enjoyment; that is not going to give him lasting happiness. For that, he has to rise beyond his dependence on the physical objects and plunge into the depths of his own being and discover the eternal and boundless ocean of joy and bliss within. He will then realize that the people around him are also manifestations of the same spirit and the enjoyment of the fruits of his labor by them is equivalent to his own enjoyment. It is against the background of this life-attitude that a balance could be achieved." </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">The pride of place given to men of sacrifice in the Hindu tradition was reflected in every stratum and aspect of life. The sages and saints, who had kept themselves away from the portals of pelf and power and had solely and wholly dedicated themselves to the temporal as well as spiritual enlightenment of the people, were looked upon as the leaders of par excellence of the society. They were in fact the lawgivers and the king was only the executive head to carry out those laws. This was how the political authority was held in check, and the moral and spiritual held sway in the affairs of the life of people.The Upanishads declared - Na karmanaa, na prajyaa dhanena tyaagenaike amritatwamaanashuh. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">It is not through actions, progeny or wealth but through renunciation alone that immortality is attained. Needless to say, it is not the physical abandonment of these aspects of human life that is advocated here. It is mental detachment and a spirit of considering his family life, his wealth and all his actions as so many means of worshipping God in the form of society that is set forth as the ideal. It is this unique philosophical trait of renunciation and service which can form the basis for the highest evolution of the individual combined with the happiness, harmony and progress of the society as a whole. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">The Bhagawa Dhwaj is the most resplendent emblem of this sublime philosophy. And, worship of this holy flag on this Guru Poornima Day is intended to instil in us this positive Hindu attitude towards life. The ceremonial worship of the flag through flowers accompanied by monetary offering is just an external expression of this attitude of surrender to the ideal. Real worship, for a Hindu, lies in becoming an image of the idea himself. Shivo bhootwa shivam yajet - one has to become Shiva Himself if one has to worship Shiva. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">The annual function of Sri Guru Pooja presents a moment of introspection for us to check up how far we have progressed in this path over the last one year, and take lessons from it and resolve to march faster in the current year.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#6633ff;">India Before and After the Independence. :</span></strong> With the decision by Britain to withdraw from the Indian subcontinent, the Congress Party and Muslim League agreed in June 1947 to a partition of India along religious lines. Under the provisions of the Indian Independence Act, India and Pakistan were established as independent dominions with predominantly Hindu areas allocated to India and predominantly Muslim areas to Pakistan.After India's independence on August 15, 1947, India received most of the subcontinent's 562 widely scattered polities, or princely states, as well as the majority of the British provinces, and parts of three of the remaining provinces. Muslim Pakistan received the remainder. Pakistan consisted of a western wing, with the approximate boundaries of modern Pakistan, and an eastern wing, with the boundaries of present-day Bangladesh. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">The division of the subcontinent caused tremendous dislocation of populations; inter-communal violence cost more than 1,000,000 lives. Some 3.5 million Hindus and Sikhs moved from Pakistan into India, andabout 5 million Muslims migrated from India to Pakistan. In Punjab, where the Sikh community was cut in half, a period of terrible bloodshed followed. Overall, the demographic shift caused an initial bitterness between the two countries that was further intensified by each country's accession of a portion of the princely states. Adding to the tensions, the issue of the polities Kashmir, Hyderabad, and the small and fragmented state of Junagadh (in present-day Gujarat), remained unsettled at independence. Later, the Muslim ruler of Hindu-majority Junagadh agreed to join to Pakistan, but a movement by his people, followed by Indian military action and a plebiscite (people's vote of self-determination), brought the state into India. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">The nizam of Hyderabad, also a Muslim ruler of a Hindu-majority populace, tried to maneuver to gain independence for his very large and populous state, which was, however, surrounded by India. After more than a year of fruitless negotiations, India sent its army in a police action in September 1948, and Hyderabad became part of India. The Hindu ruler of Kashmir, whose subjects were 85 percent Muslim, decided to join India. Pakistan, however, questioned his right to do so, and a war broke out between India and Pakistan. A cease-fire was arranged in 1949, with the cease-fire line creating a de facto partition of the region. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">The central and eastern areas of the state came under Indian administration as Jammu and Kashmir state, while the northwestern quarter came under Pakistani control as Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas. Although a UN peacekeeping force was sent in to enforce the cease-fire, the dispute was not resolved.This deadlock has intensified suspicion and antagonism between the two countries. In 1971, Pakistan was itself subdivided when its eastern section broke away and formed Bangladesh. Border disputes continue to embitter Pakistani-Indian relations, as Pakistan has produced a series of autocratic military rulers, while India maintained a parliamentary democracy.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#003300;">About Ganesh Chaturthi :</span></strong> Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on the birthday of Lord Ganesh (Ganesha), the god of wisdom and prosperity on the fourth day of the moons bright fortnight, or period from new moon in the lunar month of Bhadrapada. The celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi continue for five, seven, or ten days. Some even stretch it to twenty one days, but ten the most popularly celebrated. In the tradition of the right hand path the first day is the most important. In the left hand path tradition the final day is most important. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Ganesha is the god of wisdom and prosperity and is invoked before the beginning of any auspicious work by the Hindus. It is believed that for the fulfillment of one's desires, his blessing is absolutely necessary. According to the mythology, he is the son of Shiva and Parvati, brother of Kartikeya - the general of the gods, Lakshmi - the goddess of wealth and Saraswati-the goddess of learning. There are numerous stories in Hindu mythology, associated with the birth of this elephant-headed god, whose vehicle is the Mooshak or rat and who loves Modaks (droplet shaped Indian sweet). Legend has it that Parvati created Ganesha out of the sandalwood dough that she used for her bath and breathed life into him. Letting him stand guard at the door she went to have her bath. When her husband, Shiva returned, the child who had never seen him stopped him. Shiva severed the head of the child and entered his house. Parvati, learning that her son was dead, was distraught and asked Shiva to revive him. Shiva cut off the head of an elephant and fixed it on the body of Ganesha. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Another tale tells of how one day the Gods decided to choose their leader and a race was to be held between the brothers- Kartikeya and Ganesh. Whoever took three rounds of the earth first would be made the Ganaadhipati or the leader. Kartikeya seated on a peacock as his vehicle, started off for the test. Ganesh was given a rat, which moved swiftly. Ganesh realised that the test was not easy, but he would not disobey his father. He reverently paid obeisance to his parents and went around them three times and thus completed the test before Kartikeya. He said, " my parents pervade the whole universe and going around them, is more than going round the earth." Everybody was pleasantly surprised to hear Ganesha's logic and intelligence and hence he came to be known as the Ganaadhipati or leader, now referred to as Ganpati. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">There is also a story behind the symbolic snake, rat and the singular tusk. During one of his birthdays, His mother, Parvati, cooked for him twenty-one types of delicious food and a lot of sweet porridge. Ganesha ate so much that even his big belly could not contain it. Mounting his little mouse, he embarked on his nightly rounds. His mouse suddenly stumbled upon seeing a huge snake. To adjust His belly, Ganesha put the snake on as a belt around his stomach. All of a sudden, he heard laughter emanating form the sky. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">He looked up and saw the moon mocking him. Ganesha infuriated, broke off one of his tusks and hurled it at the moon. Parvati, seeing this, immediately cursed the moon that whoever looks at it on Ganesh Chaturthi will be accused of a wrong doing. The symbology behind the mouse and snake and Ganesha's big belly and its relationship to the moon on his birthday is highly philosophic. The whole cosmos is known to be the belly of Ganesha. Parvati is the primordial energy. The seven realms above, seven realms below and seven oceans, are inside the cosmic belly of Ganesha, held together by the cosmic energy (kundalini ) symbolized as a huge snake which Ganesha ties around Him. The mouse is nothing but our ego. Ganesha, using the mouse as a vehicle, exemplifies the need to control our ego. One who has controlled the ego has Ganesha consciousness or God-consciousness. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated the states of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and many other parts of India. Started by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja, the great Maratha ruler, to promote culture and nationalism, the festival was revived by Lokmanya Tilak (a freedom fighter) to spread the message of freedom struggle and to defy the British who had banned public assemblies. The festival gave the Indians a feeling of unity and revived their patriotic spirit and faith. This public festival formed the background for political leaders who delivered speeches to inspire people against the Western rule. The festival is so popular that the preparations begin months in advance. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Ganesha statues installed in street corners and in homes, and elaborate arrangements are made for lighting, decoration, mirrors and the most common of flowers. Poojas (prayer services) are performed daily. The artists who make the idols of Ganesh compete with each other to make bigger and more magnificent and elegant idols. The relevantly larger ones are anything from 10 meters to 30 meters in height. These statues are then carried on decorated floats to be immersed in the sea after one, three, five, seven and ten days. Thousands of processions converge on the beaches to immerse the holy idols in the sea. This procession and immersion is accompanied by drum- beats, devotional songs and dancing. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">It is still forbidden to look at the moon on that day as the moon had laughed at Ganesha when he fell from his vehicle, the rat. With the immersion of the idol amidst the chanting of "Ganesh Maharaj Ki Jai!" (Hail Lord Ganesh). The festival ends with pleas to Ganesha to return the next year with chants of "Ganpati bappa morya, pudcha varshi laukar ya" (Hail Lord Ganesh, return again soon next year.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#cc6600;">About Navratri: </span></strong>Navratri is a festival of Hindus celebrated with great devotion, enthusiasm and fervor all over India. In this festival God is adored as a Mother. Navratri specifically means "Nine nights" (Nav = Nine, Ratri = Nights) devoted to the Goddess Maa Durga who exists in many forms and is the symbol of the absolute energy that prevails in the universe. During this nine day celebration it is the time to put all routine chores aside and prepare for the gala nine day of festivity, popularly known as Navratri. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Navratri is celebrated twice a year. First in the month of Chaitra (March-April) and the second in the month of Ashwani (September-October). The nine days are devoted to the Mother Goddess worshipped in a female form known as Maa Durga or Mata Sherawali. During these nine days of Navratri is the time of worship, dance, singing prayers (Bhajans) and offering your sincere prayers to the Goddess Durga. The first three days of Navratri are devoted to the Goddess Durga (Goddess of Power) ; the next three days to the Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Prosperity) and the last three days to the Goddess Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge) . On the first day of the Navratri, a small bed of mud is prepared in the puja room and barley seeds are sown in it. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">The rituals of this festival are that the nine days and nine nights of Navratri are totally dedicated to the Mother Goddess and includes observing a fast, japa (chanting of holy mantras in the honor of the Goddess), chanting religious hymes (Bhajans), prayers, meditating and reciting the sacred texts relevant to Maa Durga. During this period most of the Hindus visit different Mata temples and offer their sincere prayers to the Mother Goddess. The main ritual of this festival is placing images of the Goddess in homes and temples and worshipping them. There is a very grand event of offering flowers to the Goddess and singing religious hymes (bhajans) in the honor of the Goddess to please Maa Durga. For eight days the idols of Mata Sherawali are worshipped and then on the ninth day they are immersed in the sea with great fanfare. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">On the eighth and ninth day, Yagna (offerings to the holy fire) is performed to honor the divine Mother Goddess Durga and bid her farewell and request her to bless us always. Navratri is thus, a festival of pure happiness and one of the most auspicious occasions for all Hindus.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#993399;"><strong>About Diwali :</strong></span> The 14th Day of the dark half of Aashwayuja to the 2nd day of bright half of Kaartik.If there is one occasion which is all joy and all jubilation for one and all - the young and the old, men and women - for the entire Hindu world, it is Deepaavali - the Festival of Lights. Even the humblest of huts will be lighted by a row of earthern lamps. Crackers resound and light up the earth and the sky. The faces of boys and girls flow with a rare charm in their dazzling hues and colors. Illumination - Deepotsavas - in temples and all sacred places of worship and one the banks of rivers symbolize the scattering of spiritual radiance all round from these holy centres. The radiant sight of everybody adorned with new and bright clothes, especially ladies decorated with the best of ornaments, captures the social mood at its happiest.And all this illumination and fireworks, joy and festivity, is to signify the victory of divine forces over those of wickedness. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Narakaasura was a demon king ruling over Praagjyotishapura (the present-day Assam). By virtue of his powers and boons secured from God, he became all-conquering. Power made him swollen-headed and he became a menace to the good and the holy men and even the Gods. The Gods headed by Devendra implored Sri Krishna who was at Dwaaraka (in the present-day Gujarat) to come to their rescue. Sri Krishna responded. He marched from the western end of the country to its eastern end, Praagjyotishapura, destroyed the huge army which opposed him finally beheaded Narakaasura himself. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">The populace was freed from the oppressive tyranny and all heaved a sigh of relief. The 16,000 women kept in captivity by the demon king were freed. With a view to removing any stigma on them and according social dignity, Sri Krishna gave all of them the status of his wives. After the slaying of Narakaasura Sri Krishna bathed himself smearing his body with oil in the early morning of Chaturdashi. Hence the invigorating vogue of taking an early morning `oil-bath' on that day. Mother Earth, whose son Narakaasura was, requested Sri Krishna that the day be celebrated as one of jubilation. Sri Krishna granted the request and since then the tradition has continued. Mother Earth reconciled herself to the loss of her son and knowing as she did that the Lord had punished her son for the sake of the welfare of the world, she set a glowing example of how one has to brush aside one's personal joys and sorrows in the interest of society. It is this deliverance of the people from the clutches of the asuras that fill the people with joy. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Then follows Amaavaasya, the new moon day, auspicious for offering prayers and gratitude to the bygone ancestors of the family and invoking their memories and blessings for treading the path of right conduct. This is also the sacred occasion for the worship of Mahaa Lakshmi, the goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. The business community open their New Year's account with Her worship. This reminds us of the famous saying of the sage Vyaasa, 'dharmaadarthashcha kaamashcha...' - it is through right conduct that wealth and fulfilment of desires also accrue. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">In northern parts of Bharat, Deepaavali is associated with the return of Sri Rama to Ayodhya after vanquishing Raavana. The people of Ayodhya, overwhelmed with joy, welcomed Rama through jubilation and illumination of the entire capital. Well has it been said that while Sri Rama unified the north and south of our country, Sri Krishna unified the west and the east. Sri Rama and Sri Krishna together therefore symbolize the grand unity of our motherland. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">The third day, i.e., the first day of Kaartik, is named Balipratipada, after the demon king Bali, the ruler of Paataala (the netherworld), who had extended his kingdom over the earth also. On the day, Sri Vishnnu, taking the form of a dwarfish Brahmin by name Vaamana, approached Bali, for a boon of space equal to his three steps. Bali, known for his charity, gladly granted the boon. Vaamana now grew into a gigantic form; with one step he covered the entire earth, with the second he covered the outer sky, and asked Bali where he should keep his third step. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Bali, left with no other choice, showed his own head. Sri Vishnu placed his foot on Bali's head and pushed him down to the netherworld, the rightful territory of Bali's reign. However, Bali prayed to the Lord that he might be permitted to visit the earth once a year. Now it was the turn of Vishnu to grant the boon. And the people too offer their and respect to him on this day. The annual visit of Bali is celebrated in Kerala as Onam. It is the most popular festival for Kerala where every Hindu home receives him with floral decorations and lights and festoons adorn all public places. Onam, however, falls on the 16th day of Aavani (Sowramaana) in september. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">The fourth and final day is Yama Dwiteeya, also called Bahu beej. It is a most touching moment for the family members when even distant brothers reach their sisters to strengthen that holy tie. The sister applies tilak and waves aarati to her brother, and the brother offers loving presents to the sister. To the Jains, Deepaavali has an added significance to the great event of Mahaaveera attaining the Eternal Bliss of Nirvaana. The passing into Eternity on the same Amaavaasya of Swami Dayananda Saraswati, that leonine sanyasin who was one of the first to light the torch of Hindu Renaissance during the last century, and of Swami Ramatirtha who carried the fragrance of the spiritual message of Hindu Dharma to the western world, have brought the national-cum-spiritual tradition of Deepaavali right up to modern times.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#993300;">About Christmas :</span></strong> Christmas is that time when Jesus was born as a baby to Mary and Joseph. This was no ordinary birth! An angel had told Mary she would bear a special baby the son of god who would be born through the intercession of the holy spirit. Joseph her husband-to-be, did not believe her at first.Then an angel told him in a dream that it was true!.Just before the birth of Jesus they had to travel from their home in Nazareth to Bethlehem (near Jerusalem), to register their names with the ruling Roman government. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">In Bethlehem there was no room for them to stay at the hotel. The only space available to them was a stable - the animal house for travellers' donkeys and horses. Jesus was born that night in the stable, and as they had no bed for him, they used an animal feeding box filled with the dry grass as his crib. The shepherds are frightened "That night there were some men looking after sheep in the fields nearby.Suddenly they saw a great light. It was an angel, who said, 'Don't be afraid. I have good news for you, and for all people. Someone great has been born today. He is Christ, the great King you have been waiting for. He will save you from all that is wrong and evil. You will find him dressed in baby clothes, lying on a bed of dry grass.'" </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">The story of the wise men After Jesus was born, wise men came to look for Him, from an area which is now in either Iran or Saudi Arabia. Although they are often called the "Three Kings", the Bible does not say how many there were, or that they were kings. Three is only a guess because they brought with them three gifts. They were certainly men of learning - probably today we would call them philosophers or scientists. They had seen an unusual new star in the sky, and knew that it told of the birth of a special king. (The star they saw was probably a exploding "supernova" and is known from astronomical records.) They followed the direction of the star- East - and eventually found the place where Mary, Joseph and Jesus were staying. To bring honour to the child, they brought rich gifts: gold, frankincense (a resin which burns with a beautiful smell), and myrrh (plant oil with a very strong sweet smell). </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">The gifts tell us three key things about Jesus: Gold: a gift fit for a King Frankincense: burnt in worship of God Myrrh: a sign of mortality - it was used to bury the dead Jesus was not a white European, and Christianity is not a Western religion. Christmas cards from different countries often show Mary, Joseph and Jesus in the landscape of that country, and with the racial appearance of that nationality, be it black African, Indian, or Japanese. This is good and right - Jesus came to identify with every racial group. He is "Everyman" for us all.</div> <div style='clear: both;'></div> </div> <div class='post-footer'> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-1'> <span class='post-author vcard'> Posted by <span class='fn' itemprop='author' itemscope='itemscope' itemtype='http://schema.org/Person'> <meta content='https://www.blogger.com/profile/16414884250244024973' itemprop='url'/> <a class='g-profile' href='https://www.blogger.com/profile/16414884250244024973' rel='author' title='author profile'> <span itemprop='name'>Unknown</span> </a> </span> </span> <span class='post-timestamp'> at <meta content='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/02/festivals-of-indiapart-ii.html' itemprop='url'/> <a class='timestamp-link' href='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/02/festivals-of-indiapart-ii.html' rel='bookmark' title='permanent link'><abbr class='published' itemprop='datePublished' title='2007-02-28T04:27:00-08:00'>4:27 AM</abbr></a> </span> <span class='post-comment-link'> <a class='comment-link' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3684869384344160927&postID=5336996764630966952' onclick=''> No comments: </a> </span> <span class='post-icons'> <span class='item-action'> <a href='https://www.blogger.com/email-post.g?blogID=3684869384344160927&postID=5336996764630966952' title='Email Post'> <img alt='' class='icon-action' height='13' src='https://resources.blogblog.com/img/icon18_email.gif' width='18'/> </a> </span> </span> <div class='post-share-buttons goog-inline-block'> </div> </div> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-2'> <span class='post-labels'> </span> </div> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-3'> <span class='post-location'> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="date-outer"> <h2 class='date-header'><span>Tuesday, February 27, 2007</span></h2> <div class="date-posts"> <div class='post-outer'> <div class='post hentry uncustomized-post-template' itemprop='blogPost' itemscope='itemscope' itemtype='http://schema.org/BlogPosting'> <meta content='3684869384344160927' itemprop='blogId'/> <meta content='6441761226413949867' itemprop='postId'/> <a name='6441761226413949867'></a> <h3 class='post-title entry-title' itemprop='name'> <a href='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/02/festivals-of-india.html'>Festivals of India...Part - I</a> </h3> <div class='post-header'> <div class='post-header-line-1'></div> </div> <div class='post-body entry-content' id='post-body-6441761226413949867' itemprop='articleBody'> <div align="justify">In India, the celebrations of fairs and festivals form a wondrous and joyful series of events, marking the rites of passage between birth, death and renewal. There are said to be more festivals in India than there are days of the year; not unlikely in a country where small, local village rituals of worship and propitiation are celebrated with as much as fervor as are high holy days across the nation, occasions that can draw floods of people numbering half a million or more. Fairs and festivals are moments of remembrance and commemoration of the birthdays and great deeds of gods, goddesses, hero's, heroine's, gurus, prophet's and saints. They are times when people gather together, linked by ties of shared social and religious beliefs. Each of India's many religious groups - Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and others - has its own such days.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">The ancient tradition of celebrating festivals goes back to the Vedic times of the Aryans. The Vedic scriptures and literature give many references to festivals when celebrations where carried on to honor gods, rivers, trees, mountains, the coming of monsoons, the end of winter or the first flush of spring. The celebrations included not only fasting and prayers, but also equally events of social and cultural significance. Performances of music, dance and drama took place side by side with more rugged physical activities: displays of valor and virility through chariot and boat races or wrestling matches and animal fights in which rams, wild bulls, elephants, oxen, horses and even rhinoceroses took part. Then, as always, there was much feasting and merriment to be enjoyed. There were YAJNAS (sacrificial fires), where milk, clarified butter and ghee were offered to gods before being shared between worshippers. Special foods were cooked and served, prepared from freshly harvested crops. Elaborate garlands and ropes of flowers were woven as an offering to the gods and also to be worn over festive robes and jewelry. Such an assembly provided opportunity to trade, buy and sell all manner if goods, from live stock to silks, spices and handcrafted objects of ritual or daily use.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Ancient Indians used to express these occasions through the words 'SAMAJA' (a gathering of people), 'UTSAVA' (a festival) and 'YATRA' (a pilgrimage or temple chariot procession). And though today we might use the word 'MELA' (meaning a fair) rather than a SAMAJA, it is astonishing how steadily and faithfully these traditions have endured over the centuries. Even today, festivals are symbolic of a link between the home, the villages and a larger outside world. Within the home, celebrations are expressed by the love and care given to its decoration by the women of the house; the freshly washed courtyards are embellished with designs made in flower petals, colored powder or rice flour; walls are painted with scenes from the epics is made brilliant with bits of mirrored glass; doorways are hung with auspicious mango leaves or marigold flowers. Each festival in each religion has its own particular foods and sweets appropriate to the season and crops, and days are spent in their careful preparation.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#ff9900;">Republic Day</span></strong></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong>About Republic Day :</strong> 26th January 1950 is one of the most important days in Indian history as it was on this day the constitution of India came into force and India became a truly sovereign state. In this day India became a totally republican unit. The country finally realized the dream of Mahatma Gandhi and the numerous freedom fighters who, fought for and sacrificed their lives for the Independence of their country. So, the 26th of January was decreed a national holiday and has been recognized and celebrated as the Republic Day of India, ever since. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Today, the Republic Day is celebrated with much enthusiasm all over the country and especially in the capital, New Delhi where the celebrations start with the Presidential to the nation. The beginning of the occasion is always a solemn reminder of the sacrifice of the martyrs who died for the country in the freedom movement and the succeeding wars for the defense of sovereignty of their country. Then, the President comes forward to award the medals of bravery to the people from the armed forces for their exceptional courage in the field and also the civilians, who have distinguished themselves by their different acts of valour in different situations. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">To mark the importance of this occasion, every year a grand parade is held in the capital, from the Rajghat, along the Vijaypath. The different regiments of the army, the Navy and the Air force march past in all their finery and official decorations even the horses of the cavalry are attractively caparisoned to suit the occasion. The crème of N.C.C cadets, selected from all over the country consider it an honour to participate in this event, as do the school children from various schools in the capital. They spend many days preparing for the event and no expense is spared to see that every detail is taken care of, from their practice for the drills, the essential props and their uniforms.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">The parade is followed by a pageant of spectacular displays from the different states of the country. These moving exhibits depict scenes of activities of people in those states and the music and songs of that particular state accompany each display. Each display brings out the diversity and richness of the culture of India and the whole show lends a festive air to the occasion. The parade and the ensuing pageantry is telecast by the National Television and is watched by millions of viewers in every corner of the country. The patriotic fervor of the people on this day brings the whole country together even in her essential diversity. Every part of the country is represented in occasion, which makes the Republic Day the most popular of all the national holidays of India.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Maha Shivaratri</span></strong></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong>About Maha Shivaratri :</strong> Maha Shivaratri is celebrated throughout the country; it is particularly popular in Uttar Pradesh. Maha Shivratri falls on the 14th day of the dark half of 'Margasirsa' (February-March). The name means "the night of Shiva". The ceremonies take place chiefly at night. This is a festival observed in honour of Lord Shiva and it is believed that on this day Lord Shiva was married to Parvati. On this festival people worship 'Shiva - the Destroyer'. This night marks the night when Lord Shiva danced the 'Tandav'. In Andhra Pradesh, pilgrims throng the Sri Kalahasteshwara Temple at Kalahasti and the Bharamarambha Malikarjunaswamy Temple at Srisailam. About The Lord Shiva - the word meaning auspicious - is one of the Hindu Trinity, comprising of Lord Brahma, the creator, Lord Vishnu, the preserver and Lord Shiva or Mahesh, the Destroyer and Re-Producer of life. Shiva is known by many names like "Shankar", "Mahesh", "Bholenath", "Neelakanth", "Shambhu Kailasheshwar", "Umanath", "Nataraj" and others.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">For few people, Shiva is "Paramatman", "Brahman", the Absolute, but many more prefer to see Shiva as a personal God given to compassion for his worshippers, and the dispenser of both spiritual and material blessings. Related to the Absolute concept is Shiva as "Yoganath" meaning the Lord of Yoga, wherein he becomes teacher, path and goal. As such he is the "Adi Guru" or the Highest Guru of 'Sannyasins' who have renounced the world to attain the Absolute. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">He is the most sought-after deity amongst the Hindus and they pray to him as the god of immense large-heartedness who they believe grants all their wishes. Around him are weaved many interesting stories that reveal His magnanimous heart. Not only this, but these stories and legends also enrich the Indian culture and art. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Time is invisible and formless. Therefore Mahakal Shiva, as per the Vedas, manifested himself as "LINGUM" to make mankind aware of the presence of Eternal Time. That day when Shiva manifested himself in the form of "Lingum" was the fourth day of the dark night in the month of 'Magha' i.e. February-March. Maha Shivratri continues to be celebrated forever and ever. The Story Of King Chitrabhanu In the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata, Bhishma, whilst resting on the bed of arrows and discoursing on Dharma, refers to the observance of Maha Shivaratri by King Chitrabhanu. The story goes as follows - Once upon a time King Chitrabhanu of the Ikshvaku dynasty, who ruled over the whole of Jambudvipa, was observing a fast with his wife, it being the day of Maha Shivaratri. The sage Ashtavakra came on a visit to the court of the king.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">The sag asked the king the purpose of his observing the past. King Chitrabhanu explained that he had the gift of remembering the incidents of his previous birth. The king said to the sage that in his previous he was a hunter in Varanasi and his name was Suswara. His only livelihood was to kill and sell birds and animals. One day while roaming through forests in search of animals he was overtaken by the darkness of night. Unable to return home, he climbed a tree for shelter. It happened to be a Bael tree. He had shot a deer that day but had no time to take it home. So he bundled it up and tied it to a branch on the tree. As hunger and thirst tormented him, he was kept awake throughout the night. He shed profuse tears when he thought of his poor wife and children who were starving and anxiously waiting for his return. To pass away the time that night he engaged himself in plucking the Bael leaves and dropping them down onto the ground.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">The next day he returned home and sold the deer and then bought some food for himself and his family. The moment he was about to break his fast a stranger came to him, begging for food. He served the food first to stranger and then had his own. At the time of his death, he saw two messengers of Lord Shiva. They were sent down to conduct his soul to the abode of Lord Shiva. He learnt then for the first time of the great merit he had earned by the unconscious worship of Lord Shiva during the night of Shivaratri. The messengers told him that there was a Lingam at the bottom of the tree. The leaves I dropped fell on the Lingam. His tears, which had shed out of pure sorrow for his family, fell onto the Lingam and washed it and he had fasted all day and all night. Thus, he unconsciously worshiped the Lord.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">As the conclusion of the tale the King said that he lived in the abode of the Lord and enjoyed divine bliss for long ages and now he has reborn as Chitrabhanu. The Festivity People observe a strict fast on this day. Some devotees do not even take a drop of water and they keep vigil all night. The Shiva Lingam is worshipped throughout the night by washing it every three hours with milk, curd, honey, rose water, etc., whilst the chanting of the Mantra "Om Namah Shivaya" continues. Offerings of Bael leaves are made to the Lingam as Bael leaves are considered very sacred and it is said that Goddess Lakshmi resides in them.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Hymns in praise of Lord Shiva, such as the "Shiva Mahimna Stotra" of Pushpadanta or Ravana's "Shiva Tandava Stotra" are sung with great fervour and devotion. People repeat the 'Panchakshara' Mantra, "Om Namah Shivaya". He, who utters the names of Shiva during Shivratri, with perfect devotion and concentration, is freed from all sins. He reaches the abode of Shiva and lives there happily. He is liberated from the wheel of births and deaths. Many pilgrims dock to the places where there are Shiva temples.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Holi</span></strong></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong>About Holi :</strong> Holi or Holika, also called holikotsava, is an extremely popular festival observed throughout the country (India). It is especially marked by unmixed gaiety and frolics and is common to all sections of the people. This festival is very ancient. Known originally as 'Holika' it has been mentioned in very early religious works such as Jaimini's Purvamimamsa-sutras and Kathaka-grhya-sutras. It must have therefore existed several centuries before Christ. It was at first actually a special rite performed by married women for the happiness and well-being of their families and the full moon (Raka) was the deity worshipped by them.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">There are two ways of reckoning a lunar month: Purnimanta and Amanta. In the former, the first day starts after the full moon; and in the latter, after the new moon. Though the latter reckoning is more common now, the former was very much in vogue in the earlier days. According to this purnimanta reckoning, Phalguna purnima was the last day of the year and the new year heralding the Vasanta-rtu (with spring starting from next day). Thus the full moon festival of Holika gradually became a festival of merrymaking, announcing the commencement of the spring season. This perhaps explains the other names of this festival: Vasanta-Mahotsava and Kama-Mahotsava.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">According to the stories in the Puranas and various local legends, this day is important for three reasons.• It was on this day that Lord Siva opened his third eye and reduced Kamadeva (the god of love, Cupid or Eros) to ashes.• It was on this day that Holika, the sister of the demon king Hiranyakasyapu, who tried to kill the child devotee Prahlad by taking him on her lap and sitting on a pyre of wood which was set ablaze. Holika was burnt to ashes while Prahlad remained unscathed!• It was again on this day that an ogress called Dhundhi, who was troubling the children in the kingdom of Prthu (or Raghu) was made to run away for life, by the shouts and pranks of the mischievous boys. Though she had secured several boons that made her almost invincible, this - noise, shouts, abuses and pranks of boys - was a chink in her armour due to a curse of Lord Siva. The day itself came to be called 'Adada' or 'Holika' since then.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">There are practically no religious observances for this day like fasting or worship. Generally a log of wood will be kept in a prominent public place on the Vasantapanchami day (Magha Sukla Panchami), almost 40 days before the Holi Festival. An image of Holika with child Prahlada in her lap is also kept on the log. Holika's image is made of combustible materials whereas Prahlada's image is made of non-combustible ones. People go on throwing twigs of trees and any combustible material they can spare, on to that log which gradually grows into a sizable heap. On the night of Phalguna Purnima, it is set alight in a simple ceremony with the Raksoghna Mantras of the Rgveda (4.4.1-15; 10.87.1-25 and so on) being sometimes chanted to ward off all evil spirits. (Coconuts and coins are thrown into this bonfire).The next morning the ashes from the bonfire are collected as prasad (consecrated material) and smeared on the limbs of the body. Singed coconuts, if any are also collected and eaten. In some houses the image of Kamadeva is kept in the yard and a simple worship is offered. A mixture of mango blossoms and sandalwood paste is partaken as the prasad.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">The day- Phalgun krsna pratipad - is observed as a day of revelry especially by throwing on one another gulal or coloured water or perfumed coloured powder. Throwing of mud or earth dust was prevalent in the earlier days also, but among the low culture groups. Instead of the gay and frenzied celebrations that are witnessed elsewhere in the country, Bengal observes this festival in a quiet and dignified manner as Dolapurnima or Dolayatra (the festival of the swing). The festival, said to have been initiated by the king Indradyumna in Vrndavana, is spread over 3 or 5 days, starting from the sukla Chaturdasi of Phalguna. A celebration in honour of Agni and worship of Govinda (Krsna) in image on a swing are the important features. The fire kindled on the first day is to be preserved till the last day. The swing is to be rocked 21 times at the end of the festival. The day is also celebrated as the birthday of Sri Krsna Chaitanya (A.D. 1486-1533), mostly in Bengal, as also in Puri (Orissa), Mathura and Vrndavan (in Uttar Pradesh).</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#ff9900;">Hanuman Jayanti</span></strong></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong>About Hanuman : </strong>JayantiYatra yatra raghunatha kirtanam; Tatra tatra kritha masthakanjalim; Bhaspavaari paripurna lochanam; Maarutim namata raakshasanthakam Meaning : "We bow to Maruti, Sri Hanuman, who stands with his palms folded above his forehead, with a torrent of tears flowing down his eyes wherever the Names of Lord Rama are sung". Sri Hanuman is worshipped all over India-either alone or together with Sri Rama. Every temple of Sri Rama has the murti or idol of Sri Hanuman. Hanuman is the Avatara of Lord Shiva. He was born of the Wind-God and Anjani Devi. His other names are Pavanasuta, Marutsuta, Pavankumar, Bajrangabali and Mahavira.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">He is the living embodiment of Ram-Nam. He was an ideal selfless worker, a true Karma Yogi who worked desirelessly and dynamically. He was a great devotee and an exceptional Brahmachari or celibate. He served Sri Rama with pure love and devotion, without expecting any fruit in return. He lived to serve Sri Rama. He was humble, brave and wise. He possessed all the divine virtues. He did what others could not do-crossing the ocean simply by uttering Ram-Nam, burning the city of Lanka, and bringing the sanjeevini herb and restoring Lakshmana to life again. He brought Sri Rama and Lakshmana from the nether world after killing Ahiravana.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">He had devotion, knowledge, spirit of selfless service, power of celibacy, and desirelessness. He never boasted of his bravery and intelligence. He said to Ravana, "I am a humble messenger of Sri Rama. I have come here to serve Rama, to do His work. By the command of Lord Rama, I have come here. I am fearless by the Grace of Lord Rama. I am not afraid of death. I welcome it if it comes while serving Lord Rama." Mark here how humble Hanuman was! How very devoted he was to Lord Rama! He never said, "I am the brave Hanuman. I can do anything and everything." Lord Rama Himself said to Sri Hanuman, "I am greatly indebted to you, O mighty hero! You did marvellous, superhuman deeds. You do not want anything in return. Sugriva has his kingdom restored to him. Angada has been made the crown prince. Vibhishana has become king of Lanka. But you have not asked for anything at any time. You threw away the precious garland of pearls given to you by Sita. How can I repay My debt of gratitude to you? I will always remain deeply indebted to you. I give you the boon of everlasting life. All will honour and worship you like Myself. Your murti will be placed at the door of My temple and you will be worshipped and honoured first. Whenever My stories are recited or glories sung, your glory will be sung before Mine. You will be able to do anything, even that which I will not be able to!" </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Thus did Lord Rama praise Hanuman when the latter returned to Him after finding Sita in Lanka. Hanuman was not a bit elated. He fell in prostration at the holy feet of Lord Rama. Lord Rama asked him, "O mighty hero, how did you cross the ocean?" Hanuman humbly replied, "By the power and glory of Thy Name, my Lord." Again the Lord asked, "How did you burn Lanka? How did you save yourself?" And Hanuman replied, "By Thy Grace, my Lord." What humility Sri Hanuman embodied! His birthday falls on Chaitra Shukla Purnima (the March-April full moon day). On this holy day worship Sri Hanuman. Fast on this day. Read the Hanuman Chalisa. Spend the whole day in the Japa of Ram-Nam. Sri Hanuman will be highly pleased and will bless you with success in all your undertakings.Glory to Hanuman! Glory to his Lord, Sri Rama!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">Mother’s Day</span></strong></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong>About Mothers Day :</strong> Contrary to popular belief, Mother's Day was not conceived and fine-tuned in the boardroom of Hallmark. The earliest tributes to mothers date back to the annual spring festival the Greeks dedicated to Rhea, the mother of many deities, and to the offerings ancient Romans made to their Great Mother of Gods, Cybele. Christians celebrated this festival on the fourth Sunday in Lent in honor of Mary, mother of Christ. In England this holiday was expanded to include all mothers and was called Mothering Sunday.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">In the United States, Mother's Day started nearly 150 years ago, when Anna Jarvis, an Appalachian homemaker, organized a day to raise awareness of poor health conditions in her community, a cause she believed would be best advocated by mothers. She called it "Mother's Work Day." Fifteen years later, Julia Ward Howe, a Boston poet, pacifist, suffragist, and author of the lyrics to the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," organized a day encouraging mothers to rally for peace, since she believed they bore the loss of human life more harshly than anyone else. In 1905 when Anna Jarvis died, her daughter, also named Anna, began a campaign to memorialize the life work of her mother. Legend has it that young Anna remembered a Sunday school lesson that her mother gave in which she said, "I hope and pray that someone, sometime, will found a memorial mother's day. There are many days for men, but none for mothers."</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Anna began to lobby prominent businessmen like John Wannamaker, and politicians including Presidents Taft and Roosevelt to support her campaign to create a special day to honor mothers. At one of the first services organized to celebrate Anna's mother in 1908, at her church in West Virginia, Anna handed out her mother's favorite flower, the white carnation. Five years later, the House of Representatives adopted a resolution calling for officials of the federal government to wear white carnations on Mother's Day. In 1914 Anna's hard work paid off when Woodrow Wilson signed a bill recognizing Mother's Day as a national holiday. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">At first, people observed Mother's Day by attending church, writing letters to their mothers, and eventually, by sending cards, presents, and flowers. With the increasing gift-giving activity associated with Mother's Day, Anna Jarvis became enraged. She believed that the day's sentiment was being sacrificed at the expense of greed and profit. In 1923 she filed a lawsuit to stop a Mother's Day festival, and was even arrested for disturbing the peace at a convention selling carnations for a war mother's group. Before her death in 1948, Jarvis is said to have confessed that she regretted ever starting the mother's day tradition. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Despite Jarvis's misgivings, Mother's Day has flourished in the United States. In fact, the second Sunday of May has become the most popular day of the year to dine out, and telephone lines record their highest traffic, as sons and daughters everywhere take advantage of this day to honor and to express appreciation of their mothers.</div> <div style='clear: both;'></div> </div> <div class='post-footer'> <div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-1'> <span class='post-author vcard'> Posted by <span class='fn' itemprop='author' itemscope='itemscope' itemtype='http://schema.org/Person'> <meta content='https://www.blogger.com/profile/16414884250244024973' itemprop='url'/> <a class='g-profile' href='https://www.blogger.com/profile/16414884250244024973' rel='author' title='author profile'> <span itemprop='name'>Unknown</span> </a> </span> </span> <span class='post-timestamp'> at <meta content='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/02/festivals-of-india.html' itemprop='url'/> <a class='timestamp-link' href='http://jigarj.blogspot.com/2007/02/festivals-of-india.html' 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