What are the facts about India which most of the Indians don't know?

Rasagola Dibasa : On the last day of famous Sri Jagannath Rath Yatra; Odisha celebrates Rasagola Dibasa (Rasgulla day).

This fest is also known as Niladri Bije; when Lord Jagannath return to Shree Mandir-abode of Goddess Lakshmi . He offers her this popular sweet along with other gifts.

Rosogolla Dibas : Interesting, on 14th November; West Bengal also celebrates Rosogolla dibas (Rasgulla Day) to commemorate getting GI (Geographical Indication) Tag .

Amusingly, both states claim that they own this traditional and very popular sweet.

Perhaps : Every loves a sweet Rasgulla !

( Jai Jagannath ji ! Shubh Jagannath Yatra )

Pic Credits : Google

When did caste system become rigid in India?

 Scholars believe that caste system became rigid during the Post Vedic times (1100BCE- 500 BCE)

Literary evidences:

Kautilya (375 BCE - 283BCE) , also known as Chanakya, was the Royal advisor to the Mauryan king Chandragupta Maurya.

Credit : Wikipedia

Kautilya in his political treatise Arthashastra, gives us details of the caste system practiced during his times.

Arthashastra: Book 3 :

Chapter 7 - Distinction Between Sons

[1]

“On the birth of a natural son, Savarna sons shall have one-third of inheritance while asavarṇa sons shall have only food and clothing”

“Sons begotten by Brāhmans or Kshatriya on women of the same caste (anantarāputra) are called savarnas ; but on women of lower castes are called asavarṇas. (Of such asavarṇa sons), the son begotten by a Brāhman on a Vaisya woman is called Ambhaṣṭha; on a Sudra woman is called Nisada or Parasava. The son begotten by a Kshatriya on a Śūdra woman is known as Ugra; the son begotten by a Vaiśya on a Śūdra woman is no other than a Śūdra.”

“Sons begotten by men of impure life of any of the four castes on women of same castes are called Vratsyas. The above kinds of sons are called anuloma, sons begotten, by men of higher on women of lower castes.”

“Sons begotten by a Śūdra on women of higher castes are Ayogava, Kṣatta, and Candala; by a Vaiśya, Magadha, and Vaidehika; and by a Kṣatriya, Suta. But men of the names, Sūta and Māgadha, celebrated in the Puranas , are quite different and of greater merit than either Brāhmans or Kṣatriyas.—The above kinds of sons are Pratiloma, sons begotten by men of lower on women of higher castes, and originate on account of kings violating all Dharma”

“The son begotten by an Ugra on a Niṣāda woman is called Kukkutaka, and the same is called Pulkasa if begotten in the inverse order. The son begotten by an Ambhaṣṭha on a Vaidehaka woman is named Vaina; the same in the reverse order is called Kusilava. An Ugra begets on a Kṣatta woman a Svapaka. These and other sons are of mixed castes (Antarālās).”

“A Vainya becomes a Rathakara, chariot-maker, by profession. Members of this caste shall marry among themselves. Both in customs and avocations they shall follow their ancestors. They may either become sudra , if they are not born as Candalas.”

“The king who guides his subjects in accordance with the above rules will attain to heaven; otherwise he will fall into the hell.”

“Offsprings of mixed castes (Antarālās) shall have equal divisions of inheritance.”

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What can be inferred from above ?

1. Mixed caste marriages happened, but the sons begotten through mixed castes were discriminated.
2. A son who was born of an union between same caste groups was called “Natural born “
3. Those who are born of mixed origins - don’t inherit the property
4. Kautilya mentions that a Vainya should marry only among their castes. First step towards segregation.

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Book 3, Chapter 6 :

With regard to sons of many wives:

[2]

• Of sons of two wives of whom only one woman has gone through all the necessary religious ceremonials, or one of whom has been married as a maiden, and the other not as a maiden, or one of whom has brought forth twins, it is by birth that primogenitureship is decided.
• In the case of sons such as Suta, Magadha, Vratya, and Rathakara, inheritance will go to the capable; and the rest will depend upon him for subsistence.In the absence of the capable, all will have equal shares.
• Of sons begotten by a Brāhman in the four castes, the son of a Brāhman woman shall take four shares; the son of a Ksatriya woman three shares; the son of a Vaisya woman two shares; and the son of a sudra woman one share.

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Note : Brahman can marry four wives - he can take Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaisya and Sudra wives, but the Brahman wife’s son gets the highest share. A Sudra can’t marry an upper caste woman.

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Punishments based on Castes :

Book 4 : Chapter 13 - Punishment for Violating Justice

[3]

“He who causes a Brahman to partake of whatever food or drink is prohibited shall be punished with the highest amercement. He who causes a Kshatriya to do the same shall be punished with the middlemost amercement; a vaisya, with the first amercement; and a Sudra, with a fine of 54 pandas.”

“A Kṣatriya who commits adultery with an unguarded Brāhman woman shall be punished with the highest amercement; a Vaiśya doing the same shall be deprived of the whole of his property; and a Śūdra shall be burnt alive wound round in mats.“

“A man who commits adultery with a woman of low caste shall be banished, with prescribed mark branded on his forehead, or shall be degraded to the same caste.”

A Śūdra or a Svapaka who commits adultery with a woman of low caste shall be put to death, while the woman shall have her ears and nose cut off.

Points to be noted :

1. If the victim is a Brahmana, the punishments are usually severe
2. If the victim is a Shudra - punishments are mild.
3. If the offender is Shudra - he gets the severe punishment. In the above case, if he commits adultery with a Brahmana woman - he will be burnt alive.
4. There seems to be no punishment for a Brahmana committing adultery with a Brahmana woman.
5. Adultery with a low caste woman - will result in loss of caste.

Fun fact :

Whoever commits adultery with the queen of the land shall be burnt alive in a vessel (kumbhīpāka).

That includes all castes.

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All the above examples show how the system of discrimination existed even during Mauryan times. The system got even worse during medieval times.

Footnotes

[1] 

Distinction Between Sons [Chapter 7]

[2] 

Special Shares in Inheritance [Chapter 6]

[3] 

Punishment for Violating Justice [Chapter 13]

What secrets do you find in temples in India?

 When Shri Tirupati Balaji asks you for a necklace of 108 gold coins!

Yes, this is a true incident of 1980.

Mr. Prasad, personal secretary to former Prime Minister Narasimha Rao, was appointed as Chief Officer at Tirupati at that time.

One day he received a call from a servant of the temple: -

"Sir! Around 20 devotees have come here and are wishing to present a necklace made of gold coins to the Lord. They want have audience with lord wearing the same necklace."

In the Tirupati temple, it has been arranged since ancient times that any devotee who is offering jewelery and if he wants to see the Lord wearing it on the same day, then he also has to pay a fixed sum equivalent to the jewelery which is called “Vartan”.

In the old times, this system was implemented to create co-ordination between the king-emperors and the zamindars.

Prasad left for the temple immediately after listening to the phone.

When he went there, he saw 20 devotees were present there. Their(Devotees) chief Nagraj Rao, without knowing anything about Shri Prasad, started telling his story:

• I am a resident of Chikkamagaluru District Karnataka and have been working as a teacher for the last 20 years.

• 16 years ago, Shri Balaji appeared to me in a dream and said that “make me a gold necklace with 108 gold coins”. When I woke up in the morning, some devotees who came from home to visit Tirumala came to my house and offered laddus. I remembered my dream but I did not pay attention.

• That same night, I saw God in my dream and the previous night's order was repeated. The next day, I first told my whole family about the dream. We were so poor that we could not even buy 1 silver coin.

• In the end, the idea was that after making a necklace of 108 copper coins and offering a gold layer on it, we will offer it to Shri Balaji.

• But on the day the idea came, the Lord came again in the night in dream and said that you should offer gold, not copper.

• When the family heard this in the morning, they decided that it should be as the Lord desired. 16 years ago I was a lonely householder. There was some land which was barren. So, all of us, gave up food for a time and prepared 2 gold coins in 6 months out of the money left over from it.

• Time passed, other family members got good jobs. The land became fertile and the economic situation began to improve.

• Now after 16 years, we were able to get a necklace of 108 gold coins, which are painted with the Gods and Goddesses.

• On the day the necklace was made, the Lord came again in my dream and said, "The necklace is made, now I am happy. Do come to Tirumala with the whole family and offer me the necklace and see me. If there is any problem then a person (Only face shown) will help you there.

Saying this, Nagraj Rao fell silent.

But suddenly looking at the prasad, he said, "Oh you! You are the one about whom the Lord had said that this person will help you in every situation!"

Prasad was silent! His tears came out in Bhavatirek. Then many questions started emerging in the mind: -

• How can I get them to see the God while the God wore the necklace, as these devotees can't not pay the Vartan which is about 2 lakhs. They only have money left to go home. Far from Abhishek service, they cannot buy tickets even for normal service!

• What answer will I give to the temple trust, if I let them go against the rules!

• He has unwavering faith in God and God has appointed me to do his work. How can I break their trust!

These questions were resolved and Prasad immediately ordered his people "This is a special puja in Tirupati.

The next day, on Friday morning, all 20 devotees were offered abhishek and after that the same 108 gold coins necklace was given to Prabhu.

Premashru in the eyes of the family and on their lips were singing "Govinda! Govinda!"

After 16 years of penance, such visions were received!

After some time when the trust met them and this incident was told, all of them were Bhagavad Bhaktas, at first they were very happy and arranged that the Vartan tradition could be abandoned for special reasons and seeing the devotion of the devotee.

When you are disappointed with your heart, when you have lost from all sides, just close your eyes and say "Govinda!" Remember the name.

God definitely comes to help by taking the form of anyone.

What are the native fruits of India?

 Only three fruits qualify as completely native to India.

1.Jack fruit.. It was found commonly in the south western forests of the western ghats. The Jack fruit has been cultivated from nearly 3000 to 6000 years back as per the archaeological evidence. It grew in the forests of Karnataka, Kerala and Nilgiris. The word jack fruit comes from the original Malayalam word ‘chakka pazham’ where pazham means fruit.

2. Mango.. It is native to South Asia and has been cultivated since 4000 years ago. It has reference in Sanskrit and Thamizh literature. It was found all over the northern plains of India.

3.Banana.. Many wild species of banana were found in India, S. E. Asia.and the Pacific Islands around 8000 B. C. They are the world's first fruit. The original wild bananas had big black seeds, more fibre and less sugar content. The modern bananas, domesticated, have very tiny seeds and are high in sugar content

Jack

mangoes

Ancient wild bananas of Indian forests

We have reference to ‘mukkani’ meaning the mixture of three fruits namely mango, Jack and bananas in ancient Thamizh literature. It was mixed with a good amount of honey and had.

Two more fruits are native to India though they trace their nativity to other places also especially south east Asia

Palmyra tree and the palm fruits.. Found commonly in South India. A cooling fruit

Jamun, (Jhumbal, Indian black Berry, java plum).. Found in India, Srilanka and S. E Asia. A fruit with medicinal properties especially for diabetic people.

Palm fruit (ice apple)

Indian black berry

Only place in India where Lord Ram is king since decades

 Sanskriti welcomes you all in 2nd episode of Bundeli Vaibhav today's attraction is Orchha : the only place in India where lord Ram is worshipped as a king 🙏. I have my exams in sept so there will be no long posts in August so I am just completing this episode today

[ Raja Ram ]

📍LOCATION : Orchha is a town , near Niwari city in the District Niwari of Madhya Pradesh ( MP ) just some km away from Jhansi and Gwalior

[ Historical incident how Lord Ram become king ! ]

Orchha Nagri was founded in 1531 ( 16th century AD ) by Bundela Chief , Rudra Pratap Singh [ first king of Orchha ] and also built the fort of Orchha .

This all incident revolves around Madhukar Shah Ju who was king of Orchha ( 1554 - 1591) and his wife Queen Ganesh kuwari , so Our king was ardent devotee of Shri Krishna whereas our queen was ardent devotee of Lord Rama ,

( Queen = Rani , King = Raja ) in Hindi

So once Rani came to Raja ju and said - “ we always go to me Braj Mathura can't we go this time to Ayodhya I want to meet Ram ji !! And the Raja denied and said - “ Rani you are coming in between me and my Shri Krishna if you love Rama this much so bring Rama to Orchha “ ——————— Raja wanted to go Braj - Mathura and Rani wanted to go Ayodhya but Rani decided to bring Lord Rama to Orchha as a proof of her bhakti !

Rani went to Ayodhya she wandered everywhere but couldn't find lord Rama at last tired queen started praying near Sarayu River she continued it it some years , months and decided to give her life by drowning in River Sarayu she tried two times but Maa sarayu denied as Rani was a pure devotee of lord Ram ,,,,,, 3rd time when Rani jumped into river she found One Lord Ram’s idol inside the river but Rani said - Prabhu I want you to come and talk to mee rather i want to die only !

[ Rani Ganeshan Kuwari and lord Rama in child form near Sarayu River ]

Then Lord Ram came in Baal swaroop ( in the form of a child ) and Rani asked Lord to take him to Orchha ,,, Lord agreed and said but there are my 3 conditions:-

1) To travel Orchha only in Puksha Nakshatra

2) wherever he will go he will be the only king there

3) the first place where she will seat him , will become his final place to stay !

These were 3 conditions Rani took 6 months to travel back to Orchha , Raja Madhukar was happy and he started constructing new temple for Lord Ram - Chatrabhuj Temple चत्रभुज मंदिर

• When Rani Ganesh kuwari reached Orchha Chatrabhuj temple wasn't ready yet so she respectfully seated lord Ram in Rasoi ghar of her Mahal ( kitchen of her palace ) for a women purest place is her kitchen , But at the time of inauguration as per condition everybody was unable to replace Lord Ram ‘s idol and thus palace ( Mahal became temple only )

[ Chatrabhuj Temple ( UNESCO site ) specially made for Lord Ram it took 20 years to be made but still Lord Ram can't be inaugurated here ! ]

[ Chatrabhuj Temple was made in a way that from every window , every door so that Raja Rani every day in morning first take darshan ( glimplse of Lord Rama ) and still you can see Chatrabhuj temple from even a small hole in fort ) ]

Now as per conditions Raja Madhukar Shah give his seat , whole administration and everything to Lord Ram and shifted to Tikamgarh because now New king of Orchha is Raja Ram 🙏 and he promised that his upcoming generation will be servant of Raja Ram and Palace is temple now !

[ Palace which is a temple now known as - Raja Ram temple 🚩 ]

[ Ayodhya ‘s Ram Lalla ‘s Idol and reincarnation of Maa Kaushalya]

There is an another saying that Before Babur Destroyed Ayodhya Ram temple priest get to know from somewhere that temple will be destroyed soon so he immersed Ram Lalla’s idol in Sarayu River which Rani found and brought to Orchha ! The whole story was already planned by Lord Rama and even this that Raja and Rani were reincarnation of Maa Kaushalya and Raja Dashrath it is said lord just wanted to get love of his parents once again ! I believe in this a lot ,,,,,, all orchhaiya believe in this idk about what Ayodhya vaasi think about this !

Now many of you will ask how can god be the king ???

So what is a king ,,,, ? A king is someone who is in hearts of his people ( his praja ) and king is someone whom his praja respects a lot and happy to have him as a king !!!!! So are people of Orchha happy to get lord Ram as a king ??? You all see this by yourself!!☺️

[ It is said that every paperwork in orchha is done by name of Raja Ram ]

Orchha is so cultural and have accepted raja Ram as their king with their all love

[ Raja Ram gets police guard of honour daily 2 times ]

[ People celebrate every festival with Raja Ram with whole enthusiasm this is night view of Raja Ram temple ! ]

It is said that every District Magistrate have to come and first bow down to Raja Ram !

• Every house in Orchha is coloured with the same as Raja Ram Temple , , People of Orchha have accepted Raja Ram as their king DM , CM , PM , police head no one is superior to Raja Ram for People of Orchha ,, ❤️

[ It is strictly prohibited to take pictures inside temple there is police 24/7 as he is king but i managed for u all RAJA RAM DARBAR : Raja Ram , Siya ju , Lord Lakshman and Lord Hanuman 🙏🚩]

~ Mughals can never capture Orchha because of its difficult geographical features present that time and this still is so cultural and i cant even tell 😭 it have my whole heart ❤️ i sometimes think that if Mughals and Britishers never came to India Raja Ram will be Maharaja adhiraja of Whole Bharatvarsh🛐

[ Average shop in Orchha : Orchha is so cultural]

VIVAH PANCHAMI : biggest festival of Orchha is marriage of Raja Ram and Siya ju ( in braj basha dialect ji = ju so people of Orchha also call ji as ju ) every wedding ritual is done , wedding cards are printed for their marriage, haldi ceremony is there whole Orchha took part in that , baraat is there ,,,, a whole 4–5 day festival ❤️ celebrated in oct - nov time whole orchha town took part in that

I have gone to Orchha like for many times but still i can't capture every beauty of Orchha in my eyes and heart and you all are literally thinking it will be possible to capture it in one post impossible 😭next episodes will be about vivah panchami , betwa river of Orchha , chhatri , forts , Laxmi Narayan temple and others maybe vivah panchami episode will come today only !!!

[ River betwa in Orchha ]

• People of Orchha have accepted Raja Ram as their everything, he was king of Orchha , he is king of Orchha and he will always be king of Orchha ❤️ please go to this Place once in your lifetime and remember here King is Raja Ram and he is checking on everyone ❤️

And in honour of Raja Ram people of Orchha always say - Raja Ram Sarkar ki jai ( Raja = king , Sarkar = government) stating that Raja Ram is king , Raja Ram is government, Raja Ram is god 🙏