Visiting Vigneshwara Ganapati Temple at Ozhar

Most devotees setting out on the Ashtavinayak Yatra visit the Vigneshwara Ganapati Temple at Ozhar as a fifth halt, though it is generally said that it should be the seventh one (see route map here). Ozhar is located on the Pune-Nashik highway & is considered to be a very charming town.

It is located about 8kms from Narayangaon, on the banks of the river Kuk­di. Buses ply to Ozhar from Narayangaon and Junnar and it is accessible by road via the bridge over the Kukdi river. The road route is: Chakan – Rajgurunagar – Manchar – Narayangoan – Junnar.

2012 Mood Indigo Livewire All India rock band competition dates

Mood Indigo is one of the best organised and most popular festivals not just in Mumbai but in the country. Hosted by IIT-Bombay, it attracts hordes of entries for its various competitive events from educational institutions all over India, not to mention hundreds of happy spectators. One such event is Livewire, the rock band competition. This year, though, this specific event will not be confined just to a Mumbai venue. Eliminations will be held in 4 cities: Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai & Bengaluru.

Visiting Janjira Fort Murud and nearby tourist attractions

One of the most famous forts in Maharashtra, the Janjira Fort (janjira comes from an Arabic work meaning island) at Murud is, incredibly, bang in the middle of a sea! Just imagine huge waves lashing repeatedly at the walls of the fort, day after day after day and, yet, standing indestructible over eons.

Another incredible fact about this fort is that, despite repeated raids by various kings & foreign invaders, it was never conquered. The 40 feet high walls had been put up as a defence against sea pirates and, over time, strong masonry was added to the original wooden structure. Even Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his son Sambhaji were unsuccessful in their attempts to capture the fort, both by tunnelling and by trying to scale the granite walls. The fort was primarily in the hands of the Siddis’ dynasty of nawabs who were allies of the Mughal Emperors.

2012 Shivaji Park Bengal Club Durga Pandal

Shivaji Park's Bengal Club celebrated its 77th annual Durga Puja this year. The pandal, designed by art director Abhishek Redkar, was centered on Rabindranath Tagore's ancestral home. Nobel laureate Tagore was born in Thakur Bari, a red brick house which today is a museum located on the campus of the Rabindra Bharati University at Jorasanko, Kolkata. See photos of the 2013 pandal, a replica of Bishnupur Temples here.

Why is Goddess Durga worshipped as Goddess Kali

Some images of Goddess Durga in Her form as Kali depict Her as having 10 heads. This symbolises Her powers as being effective in all 10 directions. 

Goddess Kali’s numerous weapons signify that the Goddess is omnipotent and the demon the Goddess killed, namely Mahishasura, represents the triumph over ignorance.

Nine avatars of Goddess Durga

During the festival of Navratri, Goddess Durga is worshipped over the period of 9 days in her 9 different avatars (an avatar means the manifestation/form which a God/Goddess takes on earth).

GSB Seva Mandal Mumbai Gold Ganesha

The Gaud Saraswat Seva Mandal (GSB) is a charitable, non-profit organisation which is well-known not just for its well organised annual Ganeshotsav celebrations but also for being selflessly involved in philanthropic activities. In addition to providing financial assistance to needy people, it provides medical assistance to the deserving & conducts funerals for those who cannot afford it. Each year the GSB mandal also arranges for outdoor visits to temples & other places for senior citizens.