Chitra Poornima - Brightest Full Moon of the Year

View from my corridor in Melaka, Malaysia - SOOC

Chitra Poornima - As per Hinduism, this is the day sacred to Chitra Gupta, the Keeper of Deeds. It is considered the most important full moon of the year as it provides us the opportunity to erase karmic mistakes from the eternal record book created and maintained by Lord Chitra Gupta.

Another myth specific to my home town (Madurai, India) is that Lord Indra, the King of Lords had sinned and as a penance, he was asked to go to Earth and worship Lord Shiva in Kadamba Vana (Ancient name for Madurai). There Indra finds Lord Shiva in the form of Linga and he builds a temple for Him. Also Indra builds a Shakthi (Consort of Shiva) temple next to Shiva's temple. Indra wanted to use flowers for worship and finds a Golden lotus pond near by. The day Indra did his prayers to cleanse his sins was on Chitra Poornima, the full moon that comes in the Hindu Month of Chitra!

Down the centuries, the Shiva, Shakthi temples and Golden Lotus pond (supposed to be built by Indra) was united by various Hindu rulers and now it is Meenakshi Amman temple. Here is a file shot of Golden Lotus pond on high religious day!

Golden Lotus Pond, Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, India. SSS2

Navaratri/Dussehra - Victory over Ignorance!

Navaratri literally means nine nights in Sanskrit and this festival is celebrated at nights in the Hindu temples and homes. It is a colorful festival, celebrated throughout India in different names like Navaratri, Dussehra or Durga Pooja. The basis of this festival is to celebrate the Destruction of evil power, Appreciation of Spiritual & Material Riches and Enlightenment. These three factors are represented by Goddesses Durga (Parvathi), Lakshmi and Saraswathi respectively. During Navaratri, 3 days are dedicated for each Goddess successively.

In temples, deities are adorned in various forms of the Goddesses in the evenings and special prayers are conducted at nights. On the 9th day, in most of the temples all 3 forms of the goddesses are presented!

This is from my family's trust temple. For SOOC Sunday

In the above shot, Saraswathi the goddess of education (enlightenment) is on the 1st left and she holds Veena (a classical musical instrument). Lakshmi the goddess of wealth is in the center and the next is Durga or Parvathi the goddess of power. At homes, children celebrate by arranging dolls to depict various religious and day to day life activities and it is called as Kolu. So, in this season, handicraft shops and shops beside the temples sell colorful dolls.

Kolu dolls at Pudhu Mandabam in Meenakshi Amman temple, Madurai, India

Ninth day of celebration is also called as Saraswathi Pooja. As children, we were always looking forward to this day, mainly because our school books would be kept in prayers and left overnight in front of the deity, which meant we didn't have to TOUCH the books^^.

After 9 days of celebration, 10th day is called as Vijayadasami. There is a belief that Lord Rama killed Ravana (demonic ruler of Srilanka) on that day, hence it is considered as triumph over evilness. This epic war is enacted in most of the Vaishnava temples.

Rama from (Sourashtra) South Krishnan Temple, Madurai. For Skywatch.

This shot shows Lord Rama with bow and arrow!

Spiritually, Vijayadasami means victory over ignorance and gain enlightenment. Hence, goddess Saraswathi is given importance on this day and in South India, this is the most auspicious day to start a child's education. Most of the schools take new admissions for Reception classes!

Mid Autumn or Moon Cake Festival

Like Indian festivals and related beliefs, Chinese festivals are equally colorful and filled with deep-rooted beliefs.

Purnima or Full Moon (Presenting this for SOOCS)

There is an interesting array of traditional food associated with the Mid Autumn or Moon cake festival, which falls on Full Moon day of the 8th month (Sept/Oct of Georgian calendar) of the Chinese calendar. Well, I'm not repeating the many stories associated with this festival, as you can find vivid representations online!

Moon Cakes - center filled with Lotus paste is my favorite

It is believed that in Ancient China, to dethrone a malevolent invader, message and plan for rebellion were passed through hidden slips in Moon Cakes during this festival!

A sweet with rabbit design, specially consumed during this festival

Pomelo - a type of citrus

Dragon Horn

Some of my friends call this as buffalo horn! Actually, it tastes like chestnut:)

Usually, all the family members gather to celebrate this festival and enjoy these goodies. We had one such celebration few years ago, at work...

If we celebrated with this many variety of food during tea time at work, you can imagine the actual spread at a typical family gathering!