About the Sunrises & Sunsets :

Sunrise occurs the moment the disc of the sun peeks above the East horizon due to the rotation of the Earth !Sunset is just the opposite !It occurs the moment the disc of the sun completely disappears below the western horizon! The Blue hour is the period of around 20-30 minutes before the sunrise & after the sunset !Its the time of the daay when sun has just has set or is about to rise when sky overhead takes on a deep blue colour with landscape suffused with bluish light!Its the ideal time to take photographs of the landscape as well as of the moon as the moon’s glare is not so bright in contrast to the sky !Twilight is the period after sunset or sunrise when all or part of sky is illuminated by reflected sunlight though the sun is not visible above the horizon! Dawn is synonymous with start of morning twilight! Technically dusk is the period of twilight between complete darkness & sunrise(or sunset).In common usage ‘Dawn” refers to morning while dusk refers to only evening twilight!Sunrise to Sunset period is called the Sideral Day!The Golden hour is the period when the Sun is close to the Horizon on a sunny day ,its light appears warmer & softer!Its also known also known as magical hour popular with photographers & filmmakers !Sideral day is the time it takes for the Earth to rotate about its axis so that the distant stars appear at the same position in the sky!A Sideral day measures the rotation of the Earth relative to the stars rather than the Sun! It helps astraunomers keep time and know where to point their telescopes without worrying about where Earth is in its Orbit !

During my trip to/stay at Netherlands I got a bit curious about the timings of Sunrise & sunsets(especially Sunset timing as the summer evenings were quite full of sunlight even upto 9:30-10 pm).Therefore I started some reading & collated the following information for my lovely readers:-

SUNRISE & SUNSETS IN THE NETHERLANDS : The times of sunrise & sunsets in Netherlands are significantly influenced by the countries’ very northern position in the Hemisphere! Relatively high on the North the days in summer are long & short in winters !With upto 16:50 hrs the longest days are happening in June & on the other hand the longest & darkest nights are in winter(in the Southern atmosphere its the other way round) !In Dec.in Amsterdam nights lasts almost 17 hours!Sunrise in AMS starts at 5:29 in morning & sunset is currently(as on 11/7/22) late at 22:02hrs!In Eindhoven it was 5:32 & 2155 hrs resp.on 11/7/22 !The sunrise & sunsets in most countries of NLs are in the order of their Geographical position from east to west, so an approx. direction of the sun course!Since the orbit of the sun is elliptical sunrise or the sunset happens on the whole longitude at the same time !

Duration of the sunset: The distance from the Equator & path of the sun determines not only the time of the sunrise or sunset, the the farther a country is from the equator the more oblique the sun’s path is the horrizon !And this causes a different duration that a sunset takes! AMS lies on the 52nd degree of Northern lattitude & is therefore very far away from the equator while a sunset near the equator only lasts about 20 min !In Netherlands this period averages 46 min.!In June its about 50 min in AMS while in Dec. its 41 min.

All the time Zones with D.S.Ts (Daytime saving times) also called summer time were introduced in early 20th century.To use the longest daylight in the evenings ,a clock change one hour ahead to summertime is the simplest solution!Like this it is possible to save energy & promote outdoor activities!Nowadays most changes between winter & summer time happen at the same time even across national borders!Not all countries require to change their Zones at the same time ,these desisions are taken by the respective Governments !

DATES FOR TIME CHANGE :The change from daylight saving time to winter time (standard time) is done in eachcountry according to indivisually defined rules!In European union it is always changed on the last Sunday of March & October!Summer time in Europe starts 1-2 weeks later & ends one week earlier!Since European union changes the clock at same time> 2.00AM CET in March & 3.00Am CEST in October! Winter time is summer time in Southern hemisphere ! Due to movement of the sun Northern & Southern tropic,the Annual times also shift depending on the position on the Globe! In the south hemisphere the sun is closer in December than the northern hemisphere !At the European winter months there is summer!As a result in the Southern Hemisphere you change to summer time while the northern countries switch to winter time!

What is the longest sunset ? Near the Arctic Circle (65 degrees north latitude), the duration of a solstice sunset lasts about 15 minutes. At the equator (0 degrees latitude), the solstice sun takes a little over 2-1/4 minutes to set. Regardless of the latitude, duration of sunset is always longest at or near the solstices.

Longest sunsets in June and December:

Here’s a natural phenomenon we might not have imagined. That is, the longest sunsets happen around the time of the solstices(a Solstice is the time or date ,twice each year, at which the sun reaches its maximum or minimun declination marked by the longest or shortest days-about 21st june and 22nd December). We’re talking about how many seconds it takes for the body of the sun to sink below your western horizon. Sunsets take a longer time around solstices, and a shorter time around the equinoxes(a Equinox means the time or date,twice each year,at which the sun crosses the celestioal equator when day & night are of approximarely equal length-about September & March). It’s true whether you live in Earth’s Northern or Southern Hemisphere.As viewed from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, the sun rises and sets farthest north at the June solstice and farthest south at the December solstice.

Now consider that the farther the sun sets from due west along the horizon, the shallower the angle of the setting sun. That means a longer duration for sunset at the solstices.Meanwhile, at an equinox, the sun rises due east and sets due west. That means – on the day of an equinox – the setting sun hits the horizon at its steepest possible angle.

How much longer is the sunset?

The sunset duration varies by latitude. But let’s just consider one latitude – 40 degrees north – the latitude of Denver or Philadelphia in the United States, Sardinia in the Mediterranean, or Beijing in China.At that latitude, on the day of a solstice, the sun sets in about 3-1/4 minutes.That’s half a minute longer than the sunset at the same latitude on the day of an equinox. The equinox sun at 40 degrees north latitude sets in roughly 2 3/4 minutes.

At more Northerly temperate latitudes, the sunset duration is greater; and at latitudes closer to the equator, the sunset duration is less. Near the Arctic Circle (65 degrees north latitude), the duration of a solstice sunset lasts about 15 minutes. At the  equator  (0 degrees latitude) , the solstice sun takes a little over 2-1/4 minutes to set. In June 2022,the Northern hemisphere summer solstice & Sothern hemisphere winter solstice falls on June 21,2022 at 09:14 UTC (that is 4:14 am in Central North America ,translate UTC to your time !The Earth has about 24 time Zones,but when Scientists mention a time,its almost always Coordinated Universal time ,UTC !We have to translate UTC to our local time Zone !

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is the primary time standard by which the world regulates the Clocks & time !Its about within 1 second of mean solar time at 0* longitude Prime meridian such as UT1 and is not adjusted for Daylight Saving time (DST)!Its affectively a successor to GMT !GMT is same as the UTC !Time Zone offset of GMT is UTC !GMT is used in cities such as London Edinburg ,Dublin ,Lisbon …!CET is a standard time which is 1 Hour ahead of UTC!Time offset for UTC may be written as:CET=UTC + 01.OO Its used in most parts of Europe & few North African countries ! Amsterdam is 2 hours ahead of UTC (AMS time =UTC +2 Hrs ) India is 3.5 hours ahead of Amsterdam ! Time Zone in India (New Delhi) IST =UTC/GMT +5.30 Hrs

My readers may kindly point out any misinformation in the writeup on this site which will be duly corrected! I am very grateful to the site Earthsky.org created by Deborah Byrd & the Wikipedia for some information which my valued readers may find useful !HAVE A NICE DAY FRIENDS 💕 HAPPY READING !

At Eindhoven,we reached son’s newly purchased 2-bedroom villa which is very beautiful & quite spacious with lovely lawns/gardens maintained in the front as well as the backside of the house!The Drg room,kitchen & bedrooms are so very well furnished & decorated quite pleasing to the eyes ensuring that our 2 months stay here is cozy & comfortable! I am sharing some photos of the same with my valued & supportive readers.As our impending tours of Portugal /Spain /Italy /Germany are booked in the first fortnight of September so my readers may be able to read blogs on them only after that time! Meanwhile I will be posting some informative posts on the city of Eindhoven which is a very vibrant & innovative place in Netherlands!Happy Reading !Wish you all my readers a healthy & wonderful life ahead ❤❤❤

I & my wife Anupama are proceeding on a 75 days tour of Netherlands on 4/7/22 to reunite with our son & daughter in law who are working there!This is going to be our second foreign tour since 2019 when we visited Netherlands, France ,Belgium & Switzerland (I have already posted some blogs on these places on my site) !

We are grateful to the Netherlands Embassy for issuing us the Visas in time as per our travelling plans! Apart from spending some Quality time with our children we have planned to visit Germany, Spain, Portugal ,Italy and Austria ! After conclusion of our tour, I will be posting my travel stories for my very loving & passionate co-bloggers/readers! Wish you all a very enjoyable life ahead, all the best dear friends💖

DELHI , located in the northern part of India, is officially the National Capital Territory (NCT)of Delhi, a city & Union territory of India containing New Delhi(South Delhi) which is the Capital of British India since 1947 & Republic of India since 26 Jan 1950.In old Delhi(North Delhi),dating back to the 1600s, stand the Mughal-era Red Fort(a symbol of India), Jama masjid, Rajghat,Fatehpur ,Digambar Jain Lal temple, Nicolson Cemmetery, Gurudwara Sisganj Sahib ,Roshanara bagh ,India war memorial museum,Urdu park & the Chandani chowk-a vibrant bazaar filled with food carts,sweets &spice stalls!In New Delhi,we have heritage sites such as Akshardham temple ,India gate ,Hauj khaas ,Lotus temple ,National rail museum ,Rashtrapati bhawan !Delhi is of great historical importance as an important commercial transport & cultural hub as well as political centre of India !As per legend, it was named afer Raja Dhilu ,a king who ruled in the 1st century BCE !Total area of Delhi is 1484 sq km.

About Delhi :

Delhi is located alongside river Yamuna & bordered by Haryana & UP .Delhi has completed 100 yrs as capital after it was shifted from Bengal.Delhi has been a seat of many powerful empires in the past & can be traced back in its very carefully preserved monuments ,ancient forts & tombs.All this combine with the best features of a modern city such as metro system ,Roadways & flyovers having improved connectivity (Signature bridge under construction near Wazirabad),bustling markets & fabulous eating places !In the time of Mahabharata, the place was called Indraprasta where Pandavas used to live.The location of Indraprasta is quite uncertain but Purana Qila in the present day New Delhi is is frequently cited as Indraprasta!Over the centuries 8 more cities came into existence near the Indraprasta -Lal kot, Siri Dinapanah, Qila Rai Pithora ,Firozabad, Janapanah,Tuglakabad & Shahjanabad .The most prominent dynasties which made Delhi their capital were the Tuglaqs ,khiljis & the Moghuls !

Demography of Delhi :In 1947, thousands of Hindus & Sikhs from predominantly Muslim Pakistan entered the city in the wake of Independence !After that there have been some imigrants mostly arriving from other states or from other countries diversifying the population.Religious component of Delhis population is also varriedHindus as majority ,Islam contribute the largest minority followed by Sikhs ,Jains, Christians & Buddhists.

Economy : 1)Most important component is service sector. 2)Agriculture was significant previously but now its negligible!3)Manufacturing is significant after a surge in 1980. Administration :Delhi consists of both the urban agglomeration & more than 200 villages across Delhi & Mehrauli tehsils!At the macro level,Delhi is part of NCR which also comprises the bordering tehsils of Haryana & UP.At the micro level NCT consists of 3 adminitrative bodiescalled as MCD ,NDMC & Cantonement board.MCD performs muncipal & discretionary welfare functions!NDMC is responsible for New delhi & adjoing areas ! Cantt board bears the principal responsibilities of water & public utilites management ,public health & sanitation ,birth & death regiistration &elementary education!Delhi was a British province headed by a Chief Comissioner until 1947 when India attained Independence!It became a centrally administered state in 1952 but in 1956 its status was changed to that of UT!In 1958 ,a unified corporation for urban & rural areas was established!In 1991 Lt. General appointed by President of India is the chief admin of the NCT assisted by the CM who is also appointed! Muncipal Services :Delhi Jal board distributes drinking water!Electricity is supplied by local Thermal power stations built in NCT in early 21st century .A portion of energy is tapped for Delhi from outside NCT! Juridiction of fire services extends over both urban & rural areas of NCT!Delhi police force is headed by a commissioner who oversees the operation of several districts each of which is administered by a SP ! Health :Hospitals(larger facilities) in Delhi are administered by the national Govt.or by NCT providing healthcare through large no. of allopathic & homeopathic clinics as well as dispensaries! Education :1)Jamia Millia Islamia 1920,2)Univ. of Delhi 1922,3)JNU-1969 ,4)AIIMS-1956,5)National school of drama -1959,6)IIT-1959, 7) I.I.Mass Communication 1965 ,8)One of the largest distance learning Univ. of India IGNOU (1985) is located here !Also there are some vocational schools ! Cultural Life :It exhibits a unique blend of traditional & cosmopolitan styles.City is dotted with numerous museums ,historic forts & monuments ,auditoriums botanical gardens & places of worship,contemporary art galleries,cinema multiplexes ,sports avenues & restaurants serving indian & international cuisines !Reflecting on Delhi cultural & stylish diversity there are no. of fairs & festivals including annual film festival, trade & book fairs! Architecture :There is rich architectural heritage in Delhi !The oldest building belongs to the early muslim period where also the influence of Rajput craftsman is visible in naturalistic motiffs ,tendrils, ,curves of alphabets of Quranic inscriptions .Some artists ,poets & architects brought with them the Turkish tradition of architecture ,lotus -bud fringe on the arches ,ornamental reliefs & typical brickwork!By the time of Khiljis (1290-1320)a specic method called Pastun style had been had been established in Islamic architecture featuring redstone with white marble inlays,arches, windows with perforated screens,intricate decoration with inspirational texts .Examples of pastun architecture include the Quwat-ul-islaam mosque,the Qutab minar -a UNESCO World heritage site ,tomb of Iltutmish, tombs of Sayyad & Lodi kings .An important piece of Moghal architecture was the Humayuns tomb ,Red fort.Jama masjid is the true example of Moghal mosque !Both Humauns tomb & Red fort complex are UNESCO World heritage sites!Stepwells or baolies also showcase Delhis architectural heritage .Although each stepwell varies stylishtically all of them incoorporated flights of stairs leading from the surface to the water!Many also functioned as the inverted temples ,featuring column supported shade pavillions &elaborate stone carvings.Examples of stepwells in Delhi are Agrasen ki baoli & Gandhak ki Baoli !In British period some style architectures are seen in Rashpati bhawan, Parliament & Secretariate,Banglows & Institutional building, Vigyan bhawan ,National Institute of Immunology ,LIC Headquarters & Embassy of Belgium!

Other places of historical importance :1)National museum of India, 2)National Gallery of modern art , 3)IGNC for Arts , 4)Crafts museum , 5)Sirifort auditorium is important centre for cultural events !Pragati maidan is a world class trade & cultural centre where events & exhibitions of International level are held throughout the year! Dilli haat is another place with diverse handicrafts & cuisines ! Delhi is a city of gardens & fountains : 1)Roshan Ara is meticulously planned Moghul garden , 2)Lodhi gardens ,3)Firoshah Kotla grounds around Ashoka Pillar, 4)Rajghat honouring Mahatma Gandhi ,5)Shantivan honouring JL Nehru , 6)Vijay ghat honouring Lal Bahadur Shastri , Sports & Recreation :Sporting facilities include stadium & sports complex Media & Publishing :1) Important centre for publishing, the press and other mass communication ,2)Doordarshan is national network ,3)All India Radio, 4)Major daily news papers are The Hindustan Times & The Times of India.

Worth Visiting historical destinations of Delhi : 1) Red Fort :1600-Imperial Residence & museum ! 2)Qutab Minar : Landmark brick minaret amid monuments ! 3)Humayuns Tomb :Tomb ,mausoleum ,monument, architecture & garden! 4)Jama Masjid :vast,17th century Moghul style mosque ! 5)India gate :1920s ,triumphal arch & war memorial ! 6)Akshardham :Modern temple celebrating Indian arts ! 7)Rashtrapati bhawan :Presidents office ,residence & museum ! 8)Jantar mantar :18th century astronomy complex ! 9)National museum :Museum spanning Indias history ! 10)Lotus temple :Temple with a flower like design ! 11)Purana kila :Riverside fortress with Mughal era gates! 12)Lodhi Garden: 80 acre city park innaugurated in 1936 13)Agrasen ki Baoli :historic stepwell with stone arches 14)Gurudwara shri Bangla sahib:sikh religious site, pond with healing waters 15)Dilli Haat INA :Handicrafts & architecture 16)Shri Laxmi narain temple 17)Rajghat 18)Safdarjung Tomb 19)The Garden of 5 senses 20)National gallery of modern Art 21)National Zoological park 22)Parliament of India 23)Tuglakabad fort 24)Hazarat Nizamuddin Aulia Durgah 25)Gandhi smriti museum 26)Khan market 27)National craft museum & hastakala Folk art & textiles 28)Feroz shah kotla fort 29)Sri kalkaji temple 30)Shanti stupa 31)Nehru planetorium 32)Digambar Jain Lal mandir 33)ISKCON Temple 34)Mehrauli Archeological park 35)National War memorial 36)Moghul garden 37)Air force museum 38)Sikandar Lodhi tomb 39)Waste to wonder theme park 40)Arun Jaitli stadium 41)Sacred Heart Cathedral Catholic Church 42)Badkhal lake 43)Buddha Jayanti park 44)Khooni darwaja 45)Hauz khaas complex 46)Kila Rai Pithora fort 47)Indraprasta park 48)Amar Jawan Jyoti 49)Metro museum 50)National Philatelic museum of Indian stamps 51)Museum of Illusions 52)Saanskitik Kendra /Art /craft/textile museum 53)Triveni Kala sangam 54)Jahaz Mahal 55)Aravali Biodiversity Park 56)Guru Teg Bahadur Memorial

My readers may kindly point out any misinformation in the writeup on this site which will be duly corrected! I am very very grateful to the Wikipedia for some information & photos !HAVE A NICE DAY💕 ! HAPPY READING !

Ramnavami is an important Hindu festival celebrated on the ninth day of Chaitra month with great joy & enthusiasm in our country especially in North India where people observe the day as the Birthday of Lord Shri Ram!In South India,people observe this day as the Wedding Anniversary of Lord Rama & Goddess Sita!They celebrate the devine bond of the celestial couple!This festival gives us the message of the destruction of evil & negativity !

MAA SIDDHIDATRI KI JAI :

SHRI RAM BALYA KAAL ,AHILYA UDDHAAR & KEVAT PRASANG :

RAM DARBAR : On return of Ramchandraji from exile !

The painting was made in Jaipur & is at present kept in the museum of Thakur Sangram Singhji of Nawalgarh ,Rajasthan !

Mandir Shri Ramchandraji :

It was constructed in 1855 by Maharaja Jagat Singhji in the Badi Chaupad in Jaipur !Its the only Ram temple in India which is named after Ramchandraji but pooja of Shri Krishna is performed here as an idol of Shrikrishna was placed here!

Happy Reading: All Relatives and my dear Friends❤❤❤

HINDU NEW YEAR : SAMVAT-2079

Hindu New Year Vikram Samvat 2079 starts from April 2,2022 .According to the Panchang, every year the new year starts on the Pratipada date of Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month. It is also called Nav Samvatsar. It was started by Maharaj Vikramaditya.

विक्रम संवत :
विक्रम संवत् या विक्रमी भारतीय उपमहाद्वीप में प्रचलित हिन्दू पंचांग है। भारत में यह अनेकों राज्यों में प्रचलित पारम्परिक पञ्चाङ्ग है। नेपाल के सरकारी संवत् के रुप मे विक्रम संवत् ही चला आ रहा है। इसमें चान्द्र मास एवं सौर नाक्षत्र वर्ष (solar sidereal years) का उपयोग किया जाता है। प्रायः माना जाता है कि विक्रमी संवत् का आरम्भ 57 ई.पू. में हुआ था। (विक्रमी संवत् = ईस्वी सन् + 57) ।

इस संवत् का आरम्भ गुजरात में कार्तिक शुक्ल प्रतिपदा से और उत्तरी भारत में चैत्र शुक्ल प्रतिपदा से माना जाता है। बारह महीने का एक वर्ष और सात दिन का एक सप्ताह रखने का प्रचलन विक्रम संवत् से ही शुरू हुआ। महीने का हिसाब सूर्य व चन्द्रमा की गति पर रखा जाता है। यह बारह राशियाँ बारह सौर मास हैं। पूर्णिमा के दिन, चन्द्रमा जिस नक्षत्र में होता है, उसी आधार पर महीनों का नामकरण हुआ है। चंद्र वर्ष, सौर वर्ष से 11 दिन 3 घटी 48 पल छोटा है, इसीलिए प्रत्येक 3 वर्ष में इसमें 1 महीना जोड़ दिया जाता है (अधिमास, देखें)।

जिस दिन नव संवत् का आरम्भ होता है, उस दिन के वार के अनुसार वर्ष के राजा का निर्धारण होता है।
महीनों के नाम पूर्णिमा के दिन नक्षत्र जिसमें चन्द्रमा होता है
चैत्र- चित्रा, स्वाति
बैशाख- विशाखा, अनुराधा
जेष्ठ – जेष्ठा, मूल
आषाढ़- पूर्वाषाढ़ा, उत्तराषाढ़ा, सतभिषा
श्रावण- श्रावण, धनिष्ठा
भाद्रपद- पूर्वाभाद्रपद, उत्तरभाद्रपद
आश्विन- अश्विन, रेवती, भरणी
कार्तिक- कृत्तिका बदी, रोहणी
मार्गशीर्ष- मृगशिरा, उत्तरा
पौष – पुनर्वसु, पुष्य
माघ- मघा, अश्लेशा
फाल्गुन – पूर्वाफाल्गुनी, उत्तराफाल्गुनी, हस्त
प्रत्येक माह में दो पक्ष होते हैं, जिसे कृष्ण पक्ष व शुक्ल पक्ष कहते हैं।

अन्य संवत्
प्राचीन सप्तर्षि ६६७६ ईपू
कलियुग संवत् ३१०२ ईपू
सप्तर्षि संवत ३०७६ ईपू
वीर निर्वाण संवत
शक संवत ७८ ई
कल्चुरी संवत248ई.

शक संवत (Saka Samvat)
किसी देश का राष्ट्रीय कैलेंडर उसकी सांस्कृतिक प्रभाव के संदर्भ में निर्दिष्ट किया जाता है जिसे कैलेंडर या उसकी प्रणाली दर्शाती है. यह लगभग हमेशा देश के इतिहास के साथ जुड़ा हुआ है और इसमें एक स्वर्ण काल ​​की याद दिलाता है. भारत का राष्ट्रीय कैलेंडर शक कैलेंडर पर आधारित है जिसे ग्रेगोरियन कैलेंडर के अलावा आधिकारिक नागरिक कैलेंडर के रूप में अपनाया गया है.
शक संवत किसने शुरू किया? (Who started Saka Samvat) कनिष्क
कब शुरू हुआ ( Saka Samvat Start)– 78 ई
वंश- कुषाण वंशी
मान्यता: भारत का राष्ट्रीय कैलेंडर
शक संवत (Saka Samvat)
माना जाता है कि शक युग की स्थापना शतवाहन वंश के राजा शालिवाहन ने की थी. तथ्य यह है कि शक युग राजा शालिवाहन की प्रमुख सैन्य जीत के स्मरणोत्सव के रूप में बनवाया गया था, लेकिन शायद ही कोई ऐतिहासिक तथ्य है. ऐतिहासिक सर्वसम्मति यह है कि यह सामान्य काल के 78 वें वर्ष से शुरू हुआ. शालिवाहन और शक युग के बीच संबंध के शुरुआती प्रमाणों की पुष्टि 1222 ईस्वी में सोमराजा द्वारा किए गए कन्नड़ काव्य उद्भटकाव्य से हुई थी. इससे मुहूर्त-मार्तण्ड जैसी रचनाओं से पता चलता है कि शक युग की शुरुआत शालिवाहन के जन्म से की गई है, जबकि 1300 ईस्वी में लिखा गया कल्प प्रदीप बताता है कि यह विक्रमादित्य पर शालिवाहन की विजय का प्रतीक है.
विक्रम संवत और शक संवत में अंतर :
इसी कारण इन संवतों के शुरू होने वाली तारीखों में भी अंतर आ जाता है। शक संवत में चैत्र के शुक्ल पक्ष की प्रतिपदा, उस महीने की पहली तारीख है जबकि विक्रम संवत में यह सोलहवीं तारीख है। विक्रम संवत व शक संवत में आपस में अंतर 57 + 78 = 135 वर्ष का अंतर है!

चैत्र नवरात्रि -२०२२(Chaitra Navratri 2022):
चैत्र नवरात्रि का प्रारंभ कल 02 अप्रैल दिन शनिवार से हो रहा है. इस बार चैत्र नवरात्रि शनिवार से शुरु हो रही है और 11 अप्रैल को दिन सोमवार को इसका समापन होगा. नवरात्रि के नौ दिनों में मां दुर्गा के नौ स्वरुपों मां शैलपुत्री, मां ब्रह्मचारिणी, मां चंद्रघंटा, मां कूष्मांडा, मां स्कंदमाता, मां कात्यायनी, मां कालरात्रि, मां महागौरी और मां सिद्धिदात्री की पूजा की जाती है. नवरात्रि के पहले दिन
घटस्थापना करते हैं और मां दुर्गा का आह्वान करते हैं. नवरात्रि के नौ दिनों का व्रत रखा जाता है. पारण के साथ इसका समापन करते हैं. हालांकि जो लोग पूरे 9 दिन व्रत नहीं रहते हैं, वे प्रथम दिन और दुर्गाष्टमी के दिन व्रत रखते हैं. आइए जानते हैं इस साल के घटस्थापना मुहूर्त (Ghatasthapana Muhurat) एवं चैत्र नवरात्रि से जुड़ी 7 महत्वपूर्ण बातें (Chaitra Navratri 2022 Important Facts).

चैत्र नवरात्रि के प्रथम दिन करते हैं मां शैलपुत्री की पूजा

चैत्र नवरात्रि कलश स्थापना मुहूर्त 2022
02 अप्रैल को प्रात: 06:10 बजे से प्रात: 08:31 बजे तक,
फिर दोपहर में 12:00 बजे से 12:50 बजे तक.
चैत्र नवरात्रि 2022 की महत्वपूर्ण बातें

1. इस बार की चैत्र नवरात्रि पूरे 09 दिनों की है. 09 दिनों की चैत्र नवरात्रि को शुभ माना जाता है.

2. इस साल चैत्र नवरात्रि का प्रारंभ शनिवार से हो रहा है, इसलिए माता रानी का आगमन घोड़े की सवारी पर होगा. यह सत्ता पक्ष को सावधान रहने का संकेत देता है.चैत्र नवरात्रि पर मुहूर्त में करें घटस्थापना

3. चैत्र नवरात्रि का समापन सोमवार को होगा, इसलिए मां दुर्गा भैंसे की सवारी पर पृथ्वी लोक से विदा होंगी. यह सवारी लोगों को अपने स्वास्थ्य के प्रति सचेत रहने का संकेत देता है.
4. चैत्र माह के शुक्ल पक्ष की प्रतिपदा तिथि या नवरात्रि के पहले दिन सर्वार्थ सिद्धि योग और अमृत सिद्धि योग बने हुए हैं. ये सुबह 06:10 बजे तक रहेंगे.
5. चैत्र नवरात्रि के पहले दिन का शुभ समय दोपहर 12:00 से 12:50 बजे तक है. यह उस दिन का अभिजीत मुहूर्त है.
6. चैत्र नवरात्रि के प्रथम दिन से ही हिंदू नववर्ष या कहें नए विक्रम संवत का प्रारंभ होता है. इस बार विक्रम संवत 2079 का प्रारंभ होगा.
7. 30 साल बाद ऐसा मौका आया है कि शनिवार को चैत्र नवरात्रि का प्रारंभ हो रहा है और हिंदू नववर्ष शुरु हो रहा है !

CHAITRA NAVRATRI- 2022 :

Every year, as the spring paves way for summer, Hindus across the country start preparing for one of the biggest religious festival – Navratri. While a total of four Navratris fall in a span of one year, two of them – Chaitra Navratri and Sharad Navratri are predominantly celebrated in the country. According to the Gregorian calendar, Chaitra Navratri falls in the first month, called Chaitra, of the Hindu lunar-solar calendar. It is a nine-day festival, and this year, it will commence of 2nd April 2022 and will go on till 11th April 2022, with Ashtami being celebrated on the last day after. 9th day is celebrated as Navami, which marks the birth day of Lord Rama.

Puja Timings: 

Mahurat Time (Kalash Sthapna): 2nd April 2022 (Saturday) – 6.22 a.m. to 8.29 a.m. 

Total Duration: 2 hours and 18 minutes 

Abhijeet Mahurat of Ghatasthapana:  2ndApril, 2022 – 12.08 p.m. to 12.57 p.m. 

Significance Of Chaitra Navratri: 

The nine days of Chaitra Navratri are devoted to worshipping the nine incarnations of Goddess Durga. Many people also observe fast on the first and last day, or all nine days. Sattvik diet is to be followed, which prohibits the consumption of onion, garlic, eggs, meats and alcohol. Many devotees also observe phallar fasting, which makes them abstain from consuming grains, cereals and legumes too.

मेरे सभी साथियों को हिन्दू नववर्ष एवं चैत्र नवरात्रि के पावन अवसर पर हार्दिक शुभकामनायें ❤आप सब का जीवन मंगलमय हो 😊

Note please: I am indebted to Wikkipedia for the information on the historical significance of Samvatsar & Chaitra Navratri !Happy reading my dear friends💕

GOLA GOKARANNATH or GOLA is the largest city/town ,muncipal board,thana & tehsil in Lakhimpur Khiri distt in the Indian state of Uttar pradesh. Its famous for the Shiva temple & the BHSL Sugar mill!It is also popularly known as the ‘Chhoti Kashi’ of India.

Historical significance of the place :
During the great war of Ramayana in Treta Yuga Ravana pleased Lord Shiva with his ‘tapasya’ so that he could win the war against Lord Rama. Lord Shiva took the shape of a Shiv-ling and directed him to install that Shiva-ling in Lanka. But Lord Shiva proposed the condition that Shiv-Ling should not be put on the Earth on its way to Lanka. But on the way back, Ravana had to give the Shiva-ling to a shepherd to attend nature’s call. Shiva increased the weight of the Shiva-ling, so the shepherd had to give up and put the Ling on the ground. This made Ravana very angry as he understood the trickery of Lord Shiva. Ravana realised that Lord Shiva did not want the Ling to be carried to Lanka and let Ravana win the war. Enraged Ravana pressed the Ling with his thumb resulting in an impression which looked like a cow’s ear (गौ-कर्ण). It is on this basis that the place was named Gola Gokaran Nath!

Main Attractions:
Bajaj Hindustan Sugar Factory, Gola
Gola Gokarnnath Shiva mandir: Many people come here from distant places to visit the temple and get a sight of the holy place. It is difficult to find space in the temple during the Hindu holy month of Shravan.Also in the month of Chaitra(April), a great fair is organised for one month known as Cheti mela. Other areas of religious significance are Lakshmi-Narayan temple and Bhoot Nath temple near Degree College. There are many colleges and schools. There are many markets like Tirth colony, Lakshmi Nagar Colony, Tiwari Market at Mill Road, Punjabi colony, Purvi Dixitana, Paschimi Dixitana, Sarvoday Nagar, Kumharan Tola, Arjun Nagar Colony, Bharat Bhushan Colony, Virendra Nagar Colony, Munnuganj, Oonchi Bhood, and Neechi Bhood. Tirth Bazaar is primarily a ladies’ shopping domain consisting of shops for bangles, makeup/cosmetics items and Holy books etc.
Geography
Gola Gokaran Nath is situated on the banks of Sarayan river. It is surrounded by dense tropical forest. It is the second biggest town of Lakhimpur Kheri district.
Industry
Gola is home to one of the most prominent sugar mills in Asia. Bajaj Hindusthan Limited is situated in the northern part.
The site selected for the first plant was at Gola Gokaran Nath in the district Lakhimpur Kheri in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh (UP), an area rich in sugar cane.The original capacity of the factory was 400 tons of cane crushed per day (TCD). Subsequently, this capacity was increased in stages and is currently 13,000 TCD. The distillery unit at this plant commenced production during the end of World War II in 1944. In the initial few years, the major output was in the form of power alcohol as an additive to petrol, which was then in short supply. Unit was the first to supply alcohol-mixed petrol to the army.
Another sugar plant with a cane crushing capacity of 1400 TCD was set up in 1972 at Palia Kalan, a giant sugarcane supplying centre at a distance of about 70 kilometres from Gola Gokaran Nath.
Temples
Gola Gokaran Nath is famous because of the historical temple of Lord Shiva. There is a Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir situated in Bajaj Hindustan Limited campus, Shree Sai Mandir in Tirth near Railway Station Gola, Ram Mandir near SVM Lakhimpur road, Ram Janki Mandir, Kanja Dev Sthan, Mangala Devi Mandir Khutaar Road, Panch Mukhi Hanuman Ji mandir Punjabi colony, Phool Baba Ashram, Khutar Road, and Jind Baba-Majaar near Bhavani Ganj, Hanuman Mandir-Lakhimpur Road, Durga Mandir-Railway Phatak Aliganj Road,Dhopeshwarnath Siddhpeeth(Bareilly)

Education:
There are many schools and colleges in Gola Gokaran Nath.Sardar Baba Singh Public School, Public Inter College, Krishak Samaj Inter College, Cane Growers Nehru PG College,Jeewanlal kamla devi Kanya Mahavidyalaya, Guru Harikishan Degree College & Arya Samaj Mandir are the oldest colleges of the city.There are some private schools and colleges also. College of Agriculture, Lakhimpur Kheri, Bajaj Hindustan English School, Shishu Niketana, Maharishi Arvind Vidyapeeth, Navodaya Inter-College, Saraswati Vidhya Mandir Inter College, VKS Saraswati Vidya Niketan Inter College, Children’s Academy Junior & Senior, Shri Rajendra Giri Memorial Academy, Shri Durga Vidya Mandir, Gandhi H.S. School, Gola Public Inter College, St. John’s Sr. Secondary School And Uma Devi Children’s Academy, provide quality education to the students. There is a reputed higher education centre in this town named CGNPG College formed by cane growers of this area.
Transport:
Rail:This City lies on Broad Gauge (Lucknow Division of North-Eastern railway) connecting Lucknow, Sitapur, Lakhimpur, Pilibhit, Bareilly, Kasganj by Lucknow-Sitapur-Lakhimpur-Pilibhit-Bareilly, Kasganj Line. The Line was converted from Meter Gauge to Broad Gauge in February 2020. There are direct trains to Lucknow, Barabanki, Gonda, Sitapur, Lakhimpur and Gorakhpur.
Road:The city lies on the nh 730. Gola is connected through State & National Highways & can be reached directly from Lucknow(170) ,Bareilly(165), Pillibhit (65)& Shahjahanpur (65). AC buses from Delhi are plying round the clock as means of good connectivity with Gola.
Air:Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, Luchnow operates flights to Mumbai ,Delhi , Bangalore, Jaipur & Pune

Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar Ltd. through the years:
Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar Limited (BHSL) was incorporated on 23rd November, 1931 under the name – The Hindusthan Sugar Mills Limited – on the initiative of Jamnalal Bajaj – a businessman, confidante, disciple and adopted son of Mahatma Gandhi. He sought Gandhiji’s blessings in this new venture, which, apart from being a sound commercial proposition would also meet a national need. Till then, there were barely thirty sugar factories in the country.

The site selected for the first plant was at Golagokarannath, district Lakhimpur Kheri in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh (UP), an area rich in sugar cane. The original capacity of the factory was 400 tons of cane crushed per day (TCD). Subsequently, this capacity was increased in stages & is currently 13,000 TCD. The distillery Unit at this plant commenced production during the end of World War II in 1944. In the initial few years, the major output was in the form of power alcohol as an additive to petrol, which was then in short supply. The unit was the first to supply alcohol-mixed petrol to the army.
In 1967, a new Company – Sharda Sugar & Industries Limited – was established as a subsidiary of Hindusthan Sugar Mills Limited. Under this new subsidiary, a sugar plant with a cane crushing capacity of 1400 TCD was set up in 1972 at Palia Kalan, a large cane supplying centre at a distance of about 70 kilometres from Golagokarannath. Objective of this new Unit was primarily to help the cane growers of the area supply their produce to the new location closer to their fields, thereby cutting down on transportation costs. The capacity was subsequently increased in stages to reach the present 11,000 TCD.

In the year 1988, The Hindusthan Sugar Mills Limited was renamed as Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar Limited and shortly thereafter in 1990, Sharda Sugar & Industries Limited was amalgamated with Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar Limited.
The Company embarked on an aggressive Greenfield expansion drive in 2003-2007, starting with a plant at Kinauni, near Meerut (UP), which was completed in a record time of just seven months as against the industry norm of 18-24 months. This facility commenced commercial production in November 2004.
At the end of the expansion project in 2007, BHSL had ten sugar manufacturing locations across UP with a cane crushing capacity of 96,000 TCD and was also the country’s largest ethanol producer with an output of 480 KL/ day.
In an acquisition move, the Company took over the Pratappur Sugar and Industries Limited (PSIL), district Deoria, Eastern UP in December 2005. This Plant, in operation since 1903, had a crushing capacity of 3,200 TCD, which was increased to 6,000 TCD in the subsequent sugar season 2006-07.
PSIL was subsequently renamed Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar and Industries Limited (BHSIL) and became a subsidiary of BHSL. This acquisition provided BHSL a strategic foothold in the sugar-deficient region of Eastern UP and reaffirmed the consolidation that took place in the sugar industry.

BHSIL embarked upon significant new expansions. While the capacity of its existing sugar plant at Pratappur was enhanced, three new sugar units were also set up in virgin, cane-rich areas of East UP at Rudauli (district Basti), Kundarkhi (district Gonda) and in Utraula (district Balrampur). BHSIL then, had a crushing capacity of 40,000 TCD and a distillery with the capacity to manufacture 160 kilo-liter per day of ethanol. The total industrial alcohol/ ethanol capacity of the Company, including its subsidiary, was 800 KL/ day.
With the commissioning of three bagasse-based power co-generation plants at Kundarkhi, Rudauli and Utraula, BHSIL had an aggregate power generation capacity of 95.8 MW. Combined with the power generation capacity of 325 MW from BHSL, the Company’s total generation capacity is 420.8 MW. After meeting its own energy needs, the Company has a surplus of 90 MW. It supplies a significant part of this surplus power to the UP state grid.

TRYING TO UNDERSTAND SUGAR PRODUCTION PROCESS DURING THE VISIT

In December 2010, BHSIL was amalgamated with BHSL.
The Company’s growth initiative has been led by a strategic focus of attaining global scales of manufacturing and cost competitiveness. Such benchmarking provides BHSL advantages of cost and higher domestic market share where demand is expected to outstrip supply for the next few years.
BHSL is in a unique position. While its planning and processes are benchmarked against global practices, its activities are directed at contributing to the Indian rural economy at a local, grassroots level, primarily in the uplifting of the farmers. The Company embarked on an expansion, the scales of which are unprecedented worldwide, providing tremendous opportunities of employment, infrastructure and community development and contributing to the growth of the rural economy of UP

Muzaffar Ali’s Farm House at Kotwara, Gola:

Kotwara is a village in Gola Gokarnnath tehsil under Kumbhi -Gola community development block. 5 km away from Kheri!Muzaffar Ali is the Raja of Kotwara which is the oldest living civilization of Lakhimpur Kheri,the largest district in Awadh.He was born in Oct. 1944 & is a reciepient of PadmaShri Award 2005 & Filmfare Award for the best Director for Umrao Jaan in 1981!He was associated with the Films: Jaanissaar, Anjum, Aagman, Umrao Jaan, Gaman & Zooni.

House of Kotwara:
An international fashion house founded in 1990 by filmmaker, painter, Muzaffar Ali – the Raja of Kotwara, and his architect wife Meera Ali with the mission to revive the traditional craft of the region of Awadh, India and provide rural employment through our foundation, Dwar Pe Rozi Society (Employment at Doorstep).
Sama Ali is presently the Creative Director of the brand and a London College of Fashion Alumna. Sama officially joined House of Kotwara in 2014. Sama’s fantastical artistry is an amalgamation of her life experiences, heritage, and affection for beauty.
House of Kotwara is known for taking the ancient embroidery techniques of Chikankari, Aari and Zardozi and applying them in both traditional and contemporary silhouettes. Zardozi and Chikankari have been the forte of Kotwara, which has employed some of the finest craftspeople in the region for generations at Anhalwara Palace, Kotwara in Lakhimpur Kheri and Kotwara House, Qaiserbagh Palace Complex in Lucknow…

Bhootnath Mandir ,Gola:

Tourist Places worth visiting in Lakhimpur Kheri:
1)Palia Kalan, 2)Mailani ,3)Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary ,4)Frog Temple, 5)Dudhwa national park &Tiger Reserve jeep safari, 6)Iid Gah, 7)Sharda barrage ,8)Lakhimpur

Note:I am very indebted to Wikkipedia for the above information on Gola Gokarannath

1)INSPIRING SUNRISES:-

2)MESMERIZING SUNSETS:-

3)Salt museum, Sambhar Resorts & Circuit House at Sambhar lake.

4)Tourist Train station & Heritage huts at Jhapok on Shakambhari temple road.

4)Sambhar Salt Works:–

5)Trolley ride on the Salt Lake:-

6)Shakambhari mata temple:

7)Devayani Teerth:

7)BIRD WATCHING IN THE SALT LAKE:-

8)SAMBHAR TOWN OLD BUIDINGS & PLACES:

9)SOLEMN TRIBUTE :

I dedicate this post on ‘Sambhar Lake’ to the loving memory of Doctor Randhir Singhji who passed away on 14/12/21 in Sambhar lake after selflessly serving the poor & the needy for 62 years of his life providing them with medical treatment at a very nominal fee or even free of any charges!He led a very punctual & a disciplined life!He was a great soul always motivating us to lead a worthy life! May God rest his soul in peace! Shat shat naman !

NOTE :-

My readers may please note that this is my second blog on ‘SAMBHAR LAKE’ on this site!The first one was historical & descriptive one while this is a panoramic tour of the place! Happy reading !

My blog ‘Travel and Share’ has touched 300 valued Followers in a small span of 26 months since beginning of my WordPress journey !As ever YOU all have showered (& will continue to do so)so much love & support for my blog that I am short of words to express my genuine gratitude although I always strive my best to reciprocate in the same vein !

I wish all my lovely readers best of health, happiness & every success in the literary endeavours that you all may venture to undertake in the future !My best wishes to U all !

WELCOME -2022

Stepping into the New Year is an opportunity for a fresh start-a new page in life to be embraced on a positive note!Lets be happy, the world needs you !Keeping everything behind us, lets wish everyone peace, joy, happiness as everyone needs to grow & thrive! Lets settle all disputes & fights & focus on mending broken links!

TIME FOR THE NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS :-

Let go of the useless baggage ,embrace life, new adventures ,good fortunes,renewed hopes, new opportunities !Take a leap of faith & begin the wonderful New year-2022. By believing, Celebrate endings for they provide new beginings !Break a bad habit ,learn a new skill & take calculated risks in life! Stay committed to your decision but stay flexible in your approach !Be happy as you deserve nothing but the best & your time is coming! Past is leaving from mistakes !The present is for embracing & future is for setting new hopes !Live in this transformative phase of self discovery !

LETS ALL WELCOME NEW YEAR -2022 WITH RENEWED ENTHUSIASM