I am starting to get the impression that there is a holiday (and therefore a celebration) in India every week. Rene called me today (Sunday) and told me it was a holiday. That is about all he knew until he went into the Fitness Center at his hotel/apartment complex. All of the workout machines had been cleaned and were decorated with flowers. Hmmmm...I had to look this up.
Today is: Dussehra
Dussehra is a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil.
One local event is: The blessing of household and work-related tools, such as books, computers, cooking pans and vehicles. (and apparently exercise equipment)
I'm not sure I understand WHY they are worshiping these items and what that has to do with good & evil. I hope I am able to gain more understanding of these celebrations and why they worship so many items (cows too!).
I just looked at a holiday calendar for India and there are 40 dates listed!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Tonsure
Tonsure. Have you ever heard of it? Me neither.
Anu & Pulva (from Gymnastics) came to our apartment for a play date this week. Anu told me that they shaved Pulva's head when she was one year old. Of course, I said "why?" She said it is a Hindu custom to shave the baby's head when they are one year old. This is done as a celebration. Pulva's ears were also pierced at this time. She said they also did this to their son (who is now 3?) and pierced his ears too - which she said the holes have closed up now.
Interesting: sounds like a good blog entry =) Time for some internet research. Here is what I have found:
Tonsure is defined as a haircut or head shaving. This term does not necessarily mean it is for religious purposes, but that is often the case. In the Hindu religion, it can be called Chudakarana, which means arrangement of the hair tuft, b/c sometimes a tuft of hair at the crown of the head is not shaved. It can also be called Mundana, which translates to tonsure.
This customs, in which a child receives his/her first haircut, is the 8th of 16 Hindu sacraments. This should take place at the end of the first year or before the end of the 3rd year. The hair from birth is associated with undesirable traits from past lives. Thus at the time of the mundan, the child is freshly shaven to signify freedom from the past and moving into the future. The rite is performed as a special ceremony in most homes, for young girls and boys. There appear to be some variations to the tradition based on location and things that have changed over time, but the general description here seems to be somewhat uniform across India.
I am still trying to find some reliable websites for information. I have found various different reason on why they keep the tuft of hair and even one site that says they don't keep the tuft on the crown anymore. I also haven't been able to locate information on the ear piercing - I'll keep you posted if I do.
A future 'hair' blog entry: The Wig Industry in India
Anu & Pulva (from Gymnastics) came to our apartment for a play date this week. Anu told me that they shaved Pulva's head when she was one year old. Of course, I said "why?" She said it is a Hindu custom to shave the baby's head when they are one year old. This is done as a celebration. Pulva's ears were also pierced at this time. She said they also did this to their son (who is now 3?) and pierced his ears too - which she said the holes have closed up now.
Interesting: sounds like a good blog entry =) Time for some internet research. Here is what I have found:
Tonsure is defined as a haircut or head shaving. This term does not necessarily mean it is for religious purposes, but that is often the case. In the Hindu religion, it can be called Chudakarana, which means arrangement of the hair tuft, b/c sometimes a tuft of hair at the crown of the head is not shaved. It can also be called Mundana, which translates to tonsure.
This customs, in which a child receives his/her first haircut, is the 8th of 16 Hindu sacraments. This should take place at the end of the first year or before the end of the 3rd year. The hair from birth is associated with undesirable traits from past lives. Thus at the time of the mundan, the child is freshly shaven to signify freedom from the past and moving into the future. The rite is performed as a special ceremony in most homes, for young girls and boys. There appear to be some variations to the tradition based on location and things that have changed over time, but the general description here seems to be somewhat uniform across India.
I am still trying to find some reliable websites for information. I have found various different reason on why they keep the tuft of hair and even one site that says they don't keep the tuft on the crown anymore. I also haven't been able to locate information on the ear piercing - I'll keep you posted if I do.
A future 'hair' blog entry: The Wig Industry in India
Funny how life just falls in place somehow
Back when Whitney Houston was sober and respectable, she sang a song titled 'Nobody Loves Me Like You Do.' There are a few lines in the chorus of the song that pop in my head occasionally in life.
What if I never met you
Where would I be right now
Funny how life just falls in place somehow
The last line somehow defines my life. I would have never guessed that I would meet a wonderful German man, move to Germany, have a child in Germany, and about to be living part time in India.
Here is what made me think of the song this week. Just a couple of months ago, the topic of India came into our lives. We discussed the topic thoroughly, but even after agreeing that we could do this...I still didn't know much about India. Since that time, it's funny the people that have come into my life.
1. Hairdresser - I mentioned it in an earlier post, that I learned that my German hairdresser's ex-husband is Indian. She traveled there several times with him and is able to give me a westerners perspective on the country and how to adapt to it.
2. Yogi - My friend Cheryl in Florida works for a company that has an office in Pune (our Indian city). She works via email/phone with a colleague there. He is Indian and has lived in Pune his whole life. Cheryl connected us via email. He is such a friendly guy and has offered to answer questions and even meet up with us once we get there. It is nice to have a local contact in the city we are moving to.
3. Anu & Pulva - Benjamin and I are currently enrolled in a Parent/Child Gymnastics course. Guess what? Benjamin and I have befriended an Indian lady and her daughter that is one month younger than Benjamin. Anu moved here 8 years ago from southern India and is happy to answer any questions I have and tell me about some of the customs.
I just find it interesting that these people have shown up in my life at a time that our life path has added India as a destination. These new friends have made me feel more and more comfortable and excited about our first visit.
Coincidence? Fate?
Funny how life just falls in place somehow
What if I never met you
Where would I be right now
Funny how life just falls in place somehow
The last line somehow defines my life. I would have never guessed that I would meet a wonderful German man, move to Germany, have a child in Germany, and about to be living part time in India.
Here is what made me think of the song this week. Just a couple of months ago, the topic of India came into our lives. We discussed the topic thoroughly, but even after agreeing that we could do this...I still didn't know much about India. Since that time, it's funny the people that have come into my life.
1. Hairdresser - I mentioned it in an earlier post, that I learned that my German hairdresser's ex-husband is Indian. She traveled there several times with him and is able to give me a westerners perspective on the country and how to adapt to it.
2. Yogi - My friend Cheryl in Florida works for a company that has an office in Pune (our Indian city). She works via email/phone with a colleague there. He is Indian and has lived in Pune his whole life. Cheryl connected us via email. He is such a friendly guy and has offered to answer questions and even meet up with us once we get there. It is nice to have a local contact in the city we are moving to.
3. Anu & Pulva - Benjamin and I are currently enrolled in a Parent/Child Gymnastics course. Guess what? Benjamin and I have befriended an Indian lady and her daughter that is one month younger than Benjamin. Anu moved here 8 years ago from southern India and is happy to answer any questions I have and tell me about some of the customs.
I just find it interesting that these people have shown up in my life at a time that our life path has added India as a destination. These new friends have made me feel more and more comfortable and excited about our first visit.
Coincidence? Fate?
Funny how life just falls in place somehow
Monday, October 4, 2010
LUCKY US!!!
Today is the one week anniversary of Rene's departure to India. When he left, we were not sure when we were going to see him next. Well......the answer is......FRIDAY!!! That's right! He has a meeting in southern Germany on Friday and will arrive home late Friday night. It will be a quick visit, as he has to be back on a plane early Sunday morning. But, we certainly are believers that a short visit is better than no visit.
The news of this visit certainly made things easier. It seems that Benjamin's favorite word right now is 'Papa.' For the first few days, every time I heard 'Papa' in his sweet little voice, it made me a bit sad.
The news of this visit certainly made things easier. It seems that Benjamin's favorite word right now is 'Papa.' For the first few days, every time I heard 'Papa' in his sweet little voice, it made me a bit sad.
We can't wait to see you Papa!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Geography & Weather Q&A
Question: Where is Pune?
Answer: It is on the leeward side of the Western Ghats Mountains.
Q: What are the Western Ghats Mountains?
A: A mountain range that runs along the western coast of India.
Q: Since I don't remember everything I learned in high school ...what does the leeward side of a mountain mean?
A: The leeward side of the mountain is the one that is not exposed to wind & weather. It is the dry side.
ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS!!! - THAT IS NOT TRUE!!
Pune is not dry. They are just now approaching the end of Monsoon Season! Now...
Q: What is a monsoon?
A: A monsoon is a seasonal, prevailing, and large-scale wind system caused by differences in the temperature between the land and the oceans.
One of the reasons Benjamin and I decided not to become full-time residents of India is because of the summer time when it is wet. WET = Uncomfortable, Not fun, & Grumpy!
Check out the average monthly precipitation on the graph below.
June - Sept = No thank you!
Most of our time in India will be between November & March, which are supposed to be the most enjoyable months in India - and Guess What?!?!...those are the least enjoyable months in Germany...WE WIN!!!
Answer: It is on the leeward side of the Western Ghats Mountains.
Q: What are the Western Ghats Mountains?
A: A mountain range that runs along the western coast of India.
Q: Since I don't remember everything I learned in high school ...what does the leeward side of a mountain mean?
A: The leeward side of the mountain is the one that is not exposed to wind & weather. It is the dry side.
ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS!!! - THAT IS NOT TRUE!!
Pune is not dry. They are just now approaching the end of Monsoon Season! Now...
Q: What is a monsoon?
A: A monsoon is a seasonal, prevailing, and large-scale wind system caused by differences in the temperature between the land and the oceans.
One of the reasons Benjamin and I decided not to become full-time residents of India is because of the summer time when it is wet. WET = Uncomfortable, Not fun, & Grumpy!
Check out the average monthly precipitation on the graph below.
June - Sept = No thank you!
Most of our time in India will be between November & March, which are supposed to be the most enjoyable months in India - and Guess What?!?!...those are the least enjoyable months in Germany...WE WIN!!!
Pune Monthly Climate Statistics:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Avg. Max. | 29°C | 32°C | 35°C | 37°C | 37°C | 32°C | 28°C | 27°C | 29°C | 31°C | 30°C | 29°C |
| Avg. Min. | 11°C | 12°C | 16°C | 19°C | 22°C | 23°C | 22°C | 21°C | 21°C | 18°C | 14°C | 11°C |
| Avg. Precip. | 0 mm | 3 mm | 3 mm | 10 mm | 41 mm | 137 mm | 163 mm | 130 mm | 155 mm | 69 mm | 28 mm | 5 mm |
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