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Many
historical and religious locations
in Pakistan are getting lost and merging
with the ordinary due to lack of knowledge
about Hindu mythology and interest
in history pertaining to Hindu gods
and goddesses after Partition. Pakistani
Hindus are mainly concentrated in
the Sindh province and in big cities.
They have maintained the existing
Hindu temples in the areas they live,
but with the pre-Partition generation
getting extinct, stories associated
with other locations which were earlier
passed on for generations by word
of mouth are being lost. One such
place located on the outskirts of
the town of Nankana Sahib is still
referred to some by the name of "Sita
Rani da khu" or 'Sita wala' (the well
of Sita, wife of Lord Rama). Located
at Dhaular (royal palace) outside
Nankana Sahib towards the south and
close to the grave of Rai Bular Bhatti,
a contemporary of Guru Nanak, the
well is no more than a depression
with raised mud boundary giving the
shape of a bowl. Not many villagers
are aware of the history associated
with it, but village elders say in
their childhood they used to hear
stories that Sita and Rama had stayed
there during their exile. "It is said
that Sita even stayed next to a well
that existed there at that time.Thus,
the name, 'Sita Rani da khu'. But
the place located on a mound that
is higher than the rest of the village
today is said to have been destroyed
some centuries ago and more than this
story nothing much is known. We have
heard this from elders in the village,
but we know nothing more than this",
says Afzal, a resident. According
to a story,the area had seven wells,
all connected underground. An equally
old well to the east of the mound
is entered as Balawala well in the
revenue records of the place and is
said to have derived its name from
Bhai Bala, a contemporary of Guru
Nanak.Lord Rama and Sita travelled
to this area as their sons, Luv and
Kush, were born at Ram Tirath on the
outskirts of Amritsar (on the Lopoke
road), a little over 100 km from here.
Lahore and Kasur are named after Luv
and Kush, lending credence to Sita's
association with this place. This
place is said to have two trees in
the vicinity, symbolising Ram and
Sita. This correspondent could not
locate two trees with independent
trunks, but did find a tree with two
trunks emerging out of one root. Dhaular
village (about 80 km from Lahore),
now flattened except for a small mound,
was once said to have existed at a
height from where one could see Shahkot
town, located 30 km away. Today the
area only has some graves, but no
temple or place of worship.
Courtesy:
www.tribuneindia.com, March 31, 2007
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The
Omkara Mantra, if used regularly by
children, will increase their concentration
and ensure peace of mind, said Yogacharya
Raghavendra Guruji of Anatha Sevacharama
branch of Davanagere. Speaking at
a special yoga camp at PSSEMR School
on Thursday, Raghavendra said the
daily practice of reciting Omkara
will help one attain mental peace
and tolerance. The mantra recital
will get children interested in extra
curricular activities as yoga practice
will bring strength, memory power
and concentration, Raghavendra pointed
out. Noted child specialist Dr Sambojirao
explaind how yoga can help the overall
development and growth of children
in schools. This had been proved through
experiments, he added. Yoga teacher
Lalithkumar Jain conducted a yoga
workshop with Raghavendra Guruji.
Courtesy:
www.newindpress.com, March 2, 2007
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