Chandigarh Carnival Dec 2019

The City’s annual festival—Chandigarh Carnival.

 The three-day carnival was held at Open Ground opposite Museum & Art Gallery, Sector 10, Chandigarh and lasted till 22nd December, 2019.

The celebration provided an ample opportunity to visitors and citizens of tri-city to participate in variety of events and activities, which promoted Chandigarh as a Stylish City and as a hub of tourism and culture in this region.The Adviser to the Administrator, U.T., Chandigarh, Sh. Manoj Parida, IAS inaugurated the carnival along with Sh. Arun Kumar Gupta, IAS Principal Secretary Home-cum-Tourism, Chandigarh Administration. The Carnival Parade having Tableau/floats prepared by the different departments of the Chandigarh Administration especially Government College of Arts, Chandigarh, was the center of attraction.The high point was an impressive cultural show by Cultural Troupe which included Devotional Prayers, Traditional folk songs and folk tales of Punjab, Qawwali presentation, Humorous Skit (Bhand Mirassi), Jhoomar folk dance, Sufiana Qalaam, Acrobatic Tricks (Bazian) of Punjab, Depiction of village fair of Punjab.A remarkable turnout and the people enjoyed every bit of the carnival, be it the joy rides in the amusement park, float rides by the students of College of Arts, delicious food at the food court where in CIHM, AIHM, CITCO and various others displayed their stalls.The exciting display of live arts workshop concerned many during the event.  The residents enjoyed every bit at the various stall that were displayed by private and Government Exhibitors.This three day Chandigarh Carnival was perfect place for those who wanted to have ultimate pleasure and enjoy shopping, food, music, rides etc.

GLIMPSES OF CARNIVAL

Kapal Mochan Sarovar & GURUDWARA SHRI KAPAL MOCHAN SAHIB & Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir

Pleasure-cum-Pilgrimage tour of Senior Citizens Cheer Society

The Senior Citizens Cheer Society, Chandigarh, a society meant for providing gala space to the Senior Citizens, organized had a routine Pleasure-cum-Pilgrimage program to  ‘Kapalmochan Sarovar (Lakes) Temples and Gurudwaras in Bilaspur (Yamunanagar district) of Haryana state’ and onward to ‘Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir, Bilaspur, Yamuna Nagar district, Haryana on 14 Dec 2019 (Saturday).

On the days preceding the scheduled date of 14^th December, i.e. on 12^th & 13^th December, it was biting cold followed heavy rains with thunder storm in Chandigarh and as per the weather forecast that on 14^th December, it would be Sunny day, we stuck to our program. Some members not relying on the Weather Forecast dropped their participation. However the weather forecast was in our favour and it was excellent Sunny day. The temperature of 25⁰C and full sun, could allow some members to take holy dip in the Sarovar, which is believed to purge the sins and un-burdening the guilt of a man.

The Transport arrangements were made through our regular travel agency, Tinka Travels, having their office near Bassi Theatre, Mohali. The group of some 16 members in one vehicle, started from Chandigarh at 9.30 am on 14.12.2019 and took first halt for breakfast at Naraingarh i.e. one hour drive from Chandigarh. On the Dehradun Rd, Naraingarh ‘Gau Ganga GauriVaishnoDhaba’ was booked for Punjabi Style breakfast, Tandoori-Paranthas, Butter, Curd, Pickles and Tea. After spending an hour for the delicious breakfast, we departed from Naraingarh to Kapalmochan, where we reached at 12.30 hrs.

The Kapalmochan Sarovar Temple & GURUDWARA SHRI KAPAL MOCHAN SAHIB

The Kapalmochan Sarovar temple in Bilaspur (Yamunanagar district) of Haryana State is famous all over the world for its religious importance. At Kapalmochan Sarovar, every year a big fair/ mela is held in the month of November where lakhs of devotees come and take a dip in the holy lake.

Bilaspur town named after the writer of the 'Mahabharata' - Maharishi Ved Vyas is a historical place. It is presumed that there was an ashram of Ved Vyas on the bank of a pond situated here. The statue of Uma Mahadev made in 9th-10th century, statue of Ganesha made in 11th-12th century and remains of Gupta period prove the antecedence of Kapalmochan. People from all parts of the country feel spiritually elevated by taking bath here in ponds (kunds) known as Rinmochan, Kapalmochan and Surya kund. A Hindu temple and a Gurudawara of the tenth Sikh guru are also located here.

There is a belief associated with Kapalamochan Sarovar that bathing in this lake on the night of Kartik Purnima gives freedom from sins.  In Indian history of thousands of years back In the Satyuga, Lord Shri Ram, His brother Lakshman and wife Sita came here in the Pushpak Vimana and got relief from sins (sin of hundreds of murders in the war with Ravana) by bathing in Kapalamochan lake.  In Dwaparyug, Shri Krishna and Pandavas also took bath in this lake and got rid of ancestral debt. Kapalamochan Sarovar is also called Gopal Mochan and Somrsar Mochan.

There is GURUDWARA SHRI KAPAL MOCHAN SAHIB is also situated in Kapal Mochan .SHRI GURU NANAK DEV JI reached this place from Haridwar via Saharanpur in the year 1584 Bikrami on Katakk's full moon while blessing the people.

In the year 1746, SHRI GURU GOBIND SINGH JI, after winning the battle of Bhangani, came to this place & took rest for 52 days. After meeting the Guru, the people who used to show disrespect to the Sarovar Temple and Guru Sahib, got their turbans taken off, tore them & offered robe of honor (Siropas) to the Singhs. At this place, SHRI GURU GOBIND SINGH JI gave a Hukamnama to the Pandits. The Hukamnama written in his own hand is placed with the Pandits till date.

As mentioned in Vedas, this pilgrimage was setup by the trimurti deities- Brahma, Vishnu and Mahadev, in order to ward off sins accumulated by Brāhmanahatya- killing of a Brahmin.

Brāhmanahatya (killing of the innocent and intellectual) in Hinduism is considered as a major sin, to which only the Trimurti deities can offer rescue. Anyone who baths in the holy water of the KapalMochan, his/her sins of Brāhmanahatya are washed off. It is said even Lord Shiva had come to ward off his sins of Brāhmanahatya, after chopping of one of the heads of Lord Brahma. Over the time, the place was visited by Lord Rama (after killing Ravana- Mahabrahmin), Pandavas (after Kurukshetra war), Guru Nanak Devji, Guru Gobind Singh ji, Mughal emperor Akbar (after killing Hindu soldiers during war with Rajputana.)

Kapal Mochan is considered as one of the holy ’68 teerthasthals’ in the world. Also, when Lord Ganesha’s head was cut off, it was later replaced by the elephant head, which was slaughtered near Kapal Mochan.

Annually, at Kapal Mochan, a mela is organized which sees millions of devotees arriving in for the holy dip. People of all religions, Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims and even Isaai come here for the holy bath.

After the visit of Kapal Mochan Sarovers, Holy Dip, after offering prayers in the Temples, the goup had a light chat session in the Nangli Shab Ashram where we had tea with rusks/ snacks. We spent about an hour there and then moved to Gurdwaras to pay obeisance and after having Langar at the Gurudwara, the Group moved to the ‘‘Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir”, Bilaspur about 11 Km from the Kapal Mochan.

The ‘‘Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir” is about 150 years old, which is spread over about five acres of land. There used to be a forest of Dhaka here, Dhaka is a type of tree. While wandering here came a fakir named Jankidas, who later came to be called Mahant. He saw Panchmukhi Hanuman ji while doing penance here. He installed the statue of Panchmukhi Hanuman here. After the formation of Pakistan, after the upheaval, the idols of Shiva idol, mother Vaishno, Ram parivar, Radhakrishnaji were installed in the temple with the help of villagers and a Gaushala was constructed here. In the temple complex there is park, Bhandara planet & beautiful Janki Sarovar constructed under the supervision of the Management Committee.

The five faces of Hanuman are Garuda - facing the west, Varaha - facing the north, Hayagriva - facing the sky, Narasimha - facing the south and the fifth the original hanuman, facing the east. The Panchamukhi Hanuman has 10 arms holding ten different deadly weapons, including his own renowned weapon, the gada.

Many rooms are now being built in the temple to facilitate the stay of the passengers. People take holy bath in the Janaki Sarovar in the temple complex. Special Bhandare is organized on every Tuesday, the day of Hanuman ji. 

On way back to Chandigarh, the group had ordered in advance for mixed Pakoras and Tea at around 7 Pm at the Hassan Restaurant on the way. We reached home on the same day at 8.30 pm after having all that fun.

Swachhata Abhiyan Workshop

Swachhata Abhiyan Workshop

Swachhata abhiyan work shop was organized on 17 Nov 2019  by 

Cheer Society Chandigarh & RWA (Residence Welfare 

Association) sec 23 A, Chandigarh  in coordination with the 

Mandal-4 team of the Ward (4) Councilor and the Workers of the 

Municipal Corporation organized its 4th Swachhata  Workshop on 

17.11.2019 morning in the RWA area of Sector 23 A under the 

aegis of the Councilor, Smt Sunita Dhawan. Residents of the area, 

along with members of Mandal-4 and the members of the Sr 

Citizens Cheer Society, participated for the lifting of non-

biodegradable waste, with focus on collection of litters such as 

polyethylene bags, metalized polyethylene wrappers, cans, bottles 

etc. left lying in an open or public place. Sunita ji also listen the 

problems of public in area. The collected waste in the compostable 

black bags was taken away on the spot by the workers of the 

Municipal Corporation as per the instructions from the Councilor 

and the identified area made free from the plastic litters within one 

hour. The Councilor and the Sanitary Inspector Sh Vijay Kumar 

conveyed to the people to help the administration for segregation 

of Dry & Wet Waste. Residents raised the question that Municipal 

Corporation is still not ready for segregation at Secondary Level. It 

was conveyed to people by the President of the Cheer Society, Sh 

HR Satija to adopt the practice and start their part of duty for 

segregation, so that the practices by different agencies can be 

synched.   The Workshops are held locally by the Cheer Society 

and it is highly commendable for the Councilor, Smt Sunita 

Dhawan to make residents and the Safai Karamcharis work in 

tandem to achieve the true objectives of the Swachhata Abhiyan.

Travel for Pleasure to Kaleshwar Mahadev Math Mandir & Gurudwara Paonta Sahib

Cheer Society Chandigarh

Senior Citizens Cheer Society Sector 23 Chandigarh organized Pleasure-cum-Pilgrimage tour program to  ‘Kaleshwar Mahadev Math Mandir, Kalesar’ in Yamunanagar Distt., Haryana and onward to ‘Gurudwara Sh Paonta Sahib’, Distt. Sirmour Himachal Pradesh India on 23 Oct 2019. We were a group of 16 (Sixteen) and we had hired a Seventeen-Seater Travel Trekker.

The Cheer Society among its other activities also looks after welfare of the senior citizens and helps them to revive their youth days and more-over helps them free expression through Jokes, Songs, Gazals and to come out with their hidden desires to enjoy natural environment. The main office bearers are:

Patron:	Sh KR Malhotra
Chairman:	Sh RN Kher
President:	Sh. H.R. Satija
General Secretary:	Sh. B.K.Garg
Jt Secretary (fin) :	Sh. Anil Sehgal
Jt Secretary (gen) Organising Secretary	Sh.Nand Kumar Sh Ashish Vig

 We started to depart from Chandigarh at 8.20 am on 23.10.2019 and took our first halt for breakfast at Naraingarh, which is one hour drive from Chandigarh. We had booked ‘Gau Ganga Gauri Vaishno Dhaba’ on Dehradun Rd, Naraingarh for Tandoori-Paranthas, Butter, Curd, Pickles and Tea. After spending half an hour for the delicious breakfast, we departed from Naraingarh to Kaleshwar Mahadev Math Mandir, where we reached at 12.30 hrs. 

Our Trip to ‘Kaleshwar Mahadev Math Mandir, Kalesar’ in Yamunanagar Distt. Haryana.

The distance from Chandigarh to Kaleshwar Mahadev Math Mandir is appx 126 km. The Kaleshwar Mahadev Math Mandir located on Jagadhri-Paonta National Highway remains the center of unwavering devotion and faith of the devotees. The Math is identified as secular, where the people of different religions, bow with great reverence. It is also important for the ‘Shiva-Amrit’ prepared from different herbs, which is an effective medicine in many un-curable diseases.
We had our Madhu-shala program under the trees, a round-concrete-seating area with canopy probably designed for our purpose. There, everyone came out of the personal inhibitions to tell some joke or sing songs.  The monkeys playing around without teasing the visitors. The School children had come with their teachers from the nearby city of Yamunanagar. They made us friends and we had photographs with them. Those are unforgettable moments indeed.

The Shivalaya of Lord Shiva situated on the banks of river Yamuna in the foothills of the Shivalik hills, known as ‘Sri Kaleshwar Math’ is a center of reverence for the devotees. The temple has a very ancient Shiva-Fire, where devotees fulfil their wishes through worship. Shiva devotees appease Shiva Bhole by anointing holy water from Yamuna River with ‘Bel-patra’ (the Bel Tree Leaf). Ancient sculptures found during the excavation also testify to the very ancient Kaleshwar Math.

The age-old Vat tree standing in the middle of the Math gives celestial feeling and sitting for a little while under its shade gives peace of mind.

Our trip to Gurudwara Paonta Sahib Distt. Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh

From the Kaleshwar Mahadev Math Mandir to Gurudwara Paonta Sahib Distt. Sirmour Himachal Pradesh, is a 19 km Drive. We reached there at 2 pm.

Paonta Sahib is an important place of worship for Sikhs, hosting a large Gurdwara named Gurudwara Paonta Sahib, on the banks of the river Yamuna. The river is the boundary between the states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

The town was founded by the tenth Sikh Guru Guru Gobind Singh. Its original name was Paontika. Paon in Hindi means "feet" and tika in Hindi means "became stable". It is believed that Guru Gobind Singh and his horse stopped at this place and he decided to stay here. He lived here for four and a half years. He wrote many Sikh religious books here and then went to Anandpur Sahib to establish the Khalsa Panth. The Gurudwara also houses a museum which contains a lot of antiques and weapons used by Guru Gobind Singh during his stay.

The Guru had been invited by Raja Medini Prakash the ruler of Sirmour. The Raja, as many other stories relate, was very hopeful of establishing a strong relationship with the powerful Sikh Guru. The Raja had taken over a number of surrounding villages from the Mughals and there was great fear of roving bands of Mughal soldiers. The relationship with powerful Sikh Guru was a great help to the Raja.

In these beautiful surroundings, the Guru engaged himself not only in hunting and training his warrior Sikhs in the martial arts, but he also spent a great deal of his time in literary activities, composing many works of religious, as well as heroic poetry including Jap Sahib, Sawayyas Patshahi Dasvin the and Chandi-di-Var. Before he left to return to the city now known as Anandpur Sahib, he appointed Bhai Bishan Singh to look after the fortress-like complex and the Gurdwara within it.

The best time of the year to visit these two places are the months of October and November, when the day-time temperature ranges from 21⁰ C to 26⁰ C with a cool breeze from the river Yamuna. In the Gurudwara we were served with holy langar (Common Kitchen) where people of all cast and creed sit together on the ground and take meals together.

On our return journey we had booked popular ‘Sharma Dhaba’ at the place ‘Kalaamb’ on the roadside, where we reached at about 5.30 pm and enjoyed  Gobhi Pakoras (Kauliflower) and Mixed Pakoras (Onion, Potato & fenugreek leaves)in abundance and tea with full sugar to taste without any restriction from family members. The trip with our Sr Citizens group has been highly enjoying and unforgettable.