Samba Dashami, a festival for good health

by

Samba Dashami (pronounced as Saambo Doshomi) is a unique festival celebrated mostly in the state of Odisha, India on the 10th day of the Shukla Paksha of Pausha Masa (as per Hindu calendar) which is the 10th day of the waxing phase of the moon in the month of January.

According to legend, Samba, the son of Lord Krishna, was afflicted by leprosy. He did penance and prayed to the Sun God continuously for 12 years. The venue he chose was Konark near the sea beach at Puri, Odisha. This was a unique point where Sun’s rays are believed to have maximum healing powers. He finally got cured by the Sun God. It is believed that he built the vast Konark Sun Temple that is a technical marvel of Ancient India. What remains of the temple today are only the ruins at the entrance.

In remembrance of this event, on this day, mothers pray to Surya Devta for the health of their children.

The women in the family wakeup before sunrise. After bathing, they prepare favorite dishes that are attributed to each family member, especially children and offer it to the Sun God. Some of the unique food items prepared are a set of cake-like dishes called pitha (cake), which includes manda pitha, kakara pitha, poda pitha, arisha pitha. Other interesting food items prepared on this auspicious day in Odisha are biri laddoo, makar chaula, chhenaguda, khiri, rasagulla and chhenagaja and many more delicious dishes.

Wishing you all good health and a happy Samba Dashami.

Image source: free pic from pixabay

The Last War & Other Stories

by

The Last War & Other stories is the debut scifi book authored by Sambit Daspatnaik .
The main story ‘The Last War’ is a mythological science fiction story depicting a post Mahabharat war era featuring the descendants of the Pandavas where old secrets are unveiled during a mammoth invasion in the land of Bharata. The story deals with the concept of ancient civilizations that are spiritual and technologically advanced and communicate with one another. The mythological story is beautifully blended with science fiction.
Who are the ancient aliens. Would the ancient aliens really come to the rescue?

The rest of the stories deal with future space, interplanetary travels and future technologies.

The book is available on Amazon

Amazon.com:
https://tinyurl.com/yxr8u5cu

Amazon India link:
https://www.amazon.in/dp/B082RDDZB9/

#AncientAliens #sciencefiction #mythology #authorsambit #sambitdaspatnaik #sciencefictionbookstore #sciencefictionbooks #studiozmagic #scifidaily

#thecreativecircleofficial
#tccauthors #writersoftcc
#tcchouseofbestsellers

Tulsi Pujan Diwas

by

On December 25th, Tulsi Pujan Diwas is celebrated in India and its sub continents. On this day, Tulsi the holy basil plant, is worshipped and also planted. Tulsi plant is prayed by Hindus at the doorstep of every house on a daily basis as a ritual due to its several health benefits.

Tulsi is considered to be a blessing for good health.

Tulsi tea is consumed to treat the common cold and flu.

Regular intake of Tulsi leaves helps in preventing cough. (Many herbal cough and cold medicines have Tulsi extract as one of the components.)

Tulsi cures many diseases according to Ayurveda

Quoting Shyamkant Padoley, an eminent botanist.

“Tulsi gives out oxygen for 20 hours and ozone for four hours a day along with the formation of nascent oxygen which absorbs harmful gases like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide from the environment”.

Hence on this festival, Tulsi plant is worshiped so as to gain spiritual and health related benefits. People are encouraged to grow Tulsi plant in their home so that our environment can be benefited.

Happy Tulsi Diwas (Happy Basil plant day).

Image source: Photographed by Sambit Daspatnaik in Shanti Anand Ashram, Chilika, Puri, Odisha. All rights reserved.

The Last War & Other Stories – A Thrilling Scifi Book

by

The Last War & Other stories is the debut scifi book authored by Sambit Daspatnaik . The main story ‘The Last War’ is a science fiction story depicting a post Mahabharat war era of Ancient India featuring the descendants of the Pandavas where old secrets are unveiled during a mammoth invasion in the land of Bharata. The story deals with the concept of ancient civilizations that are spiritual and technologically advanced and communicate with one another. The mythological story is beautifully blended with science fiction. Who are the ancient aliens? Would the ancient aliens really come to the rescue? The rest of the stories deal with future space, interplanetary travels and future technologies. The book is available on Amazon Amazon.com: https://tinyurl.com/yxr8u5cu

Amazon India link: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B082RDDZB9/

The Mall – A Horror Microtale

by

Vrinda disliked the gloomy mall, while walking along with her mother amidst the silently moving crowd. She could see everyone dressed up with dreadful looking faces and scary costumes. She wasn’t too happy looking at everyone moving around like zombies as if they had resurrected fresh from the graveyard adjoining the mall. The abominable stare of those passing by, scared her even more. They seem to have taken up the Halloween theme too seriously, she thought.

She realized they were heading for the rear exit door pointing to the graveyard; and that’s when she was startled as she looked at her mother who too had turned into a zombie. There was no way she could free her hand, despite all her struggles.

The next evening, she was at peace with her broken neck and a twisted arm, thirsting for the blood of unsuspecting humans invited into the mall.

Author Sambit Daspatnaik

Copyright @ Sambit Daspatnaik. All rights reserved.

The story was narrated by self and first published in social media as part of the ‘Bhootiya Buddies’ a microtale contest arranged by the Creative Circle Official team.

Image source Pixabay.