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Thursday 16 May 2024
Wednesday 13 March 2024
Friday 19 January 2024
World’s Largest Lamp to Shine on Ram Temple Opening
As the devoted city of Ayodhya eagerly counts down to the grand opening of the Ram Temple on January 22, a spectacular celebration is set to unfold. In a remarkable display, the world’s largest lamp, standing at an impressive 300 feet, will illuminate the city at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, adding a dazzling touch to the festivities.
Symbolism and Preparation
Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya, a key figure in the preparations, emphasized the profound symbolism behind the lighting of this colossal lamp. Comprising 1.25 quintals of cotton and 21,000 litres of oil, the lamp holds significance beyond its sheer size. The materials used, including soil and water from different regions across the country, as well as cow’s ghee, create a unique blend representing unity and sacredness.
Significance of the Diwali Connection
Drawing a connection to the festival of Diwali, Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya highlighted the historical resonance. He stated, “When Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, people celebrated the event as Diwali. We thought that we could start another Diwali at Ram Mandir as the statue of Ram Lalla would be seated in Ayodhya.”
Unprecedented Effort and Unveiling
Elaborating on the monumental task of creating this grand lamp, Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya expressed the immense effort involved. A total of 108 teams dedicated a year to its preparation, with meticulous attention to detail. Noteworthy is the fact that the lamp uses oil specifically brought from Sita Mata’s parental homeland, adding a touch of reverence to its uniqueness.
Vedic Rituals and ‘Netronmelan’
As the vedic rituals preceding the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ of Shri Ram Lalla entered the fourth day, Govind Dev Giri shared insights into the upcoming ‘Netronmelan’ ceremony. The unveiling of Ram Lalla’s statue involves applying honey to a gold bar, symbolizing anointment. The ‘Pran Pratishtha’ itself, scheduled for January 22, marks a pivotal moment in the construction of the Ram Temple.
City Transformed and Prime Minister’s Role
As the city adorned itself with vibrant petals in anticipation, Ayodhya transformed into a festive spectacle. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to perform the rituals for the ‘Pran Pratishtha,’ and a team of priests, led by Lakshmikant Dixit, will oversee the main rituals, encapsulating the spiritual and cultural significance of this historic occasion.
In essence, the lighting of the world’s largest lamp and the upcoming ‘Pran Pratishtha’ resonate as symbols of unity, spirituality, and the cultural renaissance surrounding the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The city, echoing centuries of history, prepares for a celebration that will be etched in the hearts of millions.
Thursday 21 December 2023
Life Positive Magazine All issues 2023
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Why is tomorrow going to be the shortest day of the year in India?
This year, the December Solstice, also known as Winter Solstice, falls in India on December 22, 2023. For some regions, it falls on December 21. The first day of astronomical spring in the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice can fall anytime from December 20 to 21. In rare cases, the winter solstice can fall on December 23. The last time the Winter Solstice fell on December 23 was in 1903. Winter Solstice 2023 falls at around 8:57 am IST on December 22. Solstices occur twice a year. They mark the beginning of astronomical summer and winter. Solstices take place around June 21 and December 21.
The winter solstice will be observed in India on December 22 at 8:57 AM. The shortest day of the year will occur in the Northern Hemisphere during the day, with roughly 7 hours and 14 minutes of daylight. Then, on December 22, Earth’s axis will be designated as the one that is furthest from the sun. This indicates that compared to the summer solstice, the winter solstice’s day is 8 hours, 49 minutes shorter.
The word solstice is derived from the Latin word ‘solstitium’, which means ‘the Sun stands still’.
Here’s why the winter solstice brings the shortest day:
- Earth’s tilt: Our planet isn’t straight up and down as it orbits the Sun. It’s tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees. This tilt means that different parts of Earth receive direct sunlight at different times of the year.
- December tilt: During December, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted furthest away from the Sun. This results in the sun staying below the horizon for a longer period, meaning fewer hours of daylight and making it the shortest day.
- Southern Hemisphere flip: While the Northern Hemisphere experiences winter solstice, the Southern Hemisphere enjoys the summer solstice, meaning their longest day.
What is Solstice?
The Earth receives different amount of sunlight depending on the region and the time of the year. The Earth’s tilt makes one half of the world receive sunlight while the other half stays dark. The Earth’s axis tilts at 23.5 degrees because of which, one half of the world receives more sunlight and, hence, has a longer day time while the other half has a longer night.
When the tilt of the Earth is the most extreme with respect to the sun, one hemisphere has its longest day while the other hemisphere has the longest night. This phenomenon happens twice a year and it is known as solstice.
Why does Solstice occur?
Solstice takes place because of the Earth’s tilt. The Earth’s tilt makes sure that we have four different seasons. The sun-facing hemisphere experiences summer — June to August in the Northern hemisphere and December to February in the Southern hemisphere. The hemisphere that is away from the sun experiences winter.
During summer solstice in the Northern hemisphere, parts of the Arctic Circle experience 24 hours of daylight while in the Antarctic region, which is in the Southern hemisphere, there is no sunlight at all. The opposite takes place during winter solstice. The Arctic Circle gets no sunlight while the Antarctic belt gets sunlight for 24 hours.
When does Solstice occur?
Solstices occur twice a year. They mark the beginning of astronomical summer and winter. Solstices take place around June 21 and December 21. They do not occur on the same day every year because the astronomical year is 365.25 days long and we consider 365 or 366 days. Because of this reason, solstices can shift.
Solstices have been known to people for many centuries. They have inspired religious traditions throughout the world and many monuments have been built to mark the event.
Important Questions Related to Exams
Q1. When is the Winter Solstice in India?
Ans. The Winter Solstice, falling on December 22, 2023, at 8:57 AM IST, marks the first day of astronomical winter in the Northern Hemisphere. For some regions, it may fall on December 21.
Q2. How Long is the Day during the Winter Solstice?
Ans. The Northern Hemisphere experiences roughly 7 hours and 14 minutes of daylight during the Winter Solstice, making it the shortest day of the year.
Q3. Why Does the Winter Solstice Bring the Shortest Day?
Ans. Earth’s tilt, at an angle of 23.5 degrees, is the key. In December, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted furthest away from the Sun, resulting in fewer daylight hours.
Q4. What Does “Solstice” Mean?
Ans. The term “solstice” is derived from the Latin word ‘solstitium,’ meaning ‘the Sun stands still.’
Q5. When Did the Winter Solstice Last Fall on December 23?
Ans. The Winter Solstice last fell on December 23 in 1903. It usually occurs around December 21 but can vary between December 20 and 21.
Tuesday 19 December 2023
JN.1 Variant of COVID-19 Virus, All You Need to Know About It
The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning on Sunday, December 17, expressing concerns over the evolving nature of the JN.1 COVID subvariant and the surge in respiratory diseases globally. The organization urged member states to prioritize sequence sharing and enhance surveillance efforts to better understand and combat the changing landscape of the virus.
The Evolution of JN.1 Subvariant
The JN.1 variant, identified as a subvariant of Omicron BA.2.86 or Pirola, was first detected in September 2023 in the United States. According to Rajeev Jayadevan, co-chairman of the National Indian Medical Association Covid Task Force, JN.1 has distinct characteristics, spreading faster and demonstrating the ability to evade immunity. This alarming combination makes it capable of infecting individuals with prior COVID infections and those who have been vaccinated.
Symptoms of JN.1
- Symptoms include fever, runny nose, sore throat, headache, cough and mild gastrointestinal issues.
- 1 is associated with mild symptoms, and there is no reported increase in hospitalizations.
- Patients typically recover within 4-5 days, with some experiencing breathing difficulties.
Response in India
In India, JN.1 was detected in Kerala on December 8, with a reported case in 79-year-old woman who experienced mild symptoms of Influenza like Illness (ILI). The country is urged to stay vigilant and implement necessary measures to contain the variant’s spread.
Preventive Measures of JN.1
Proactive preventive measures are crucial in curbing the spread of JN.1 Experts emphasize the following precautions:
- Regular hand sanitization remains a cornerstone in preventing the transmission of the virus.
- Wearing masks, especially high-quality masks, contributes significantly to reducing the spread of respiratory droplets.
- Maintaining a safe distance from others remains an effective measure in preventing the spread of the virus.
Vaccination Against JN.1 and Other Variants
Despite the challenges posed by the evolving JN.1 subvariant, Kerkhove reassured the public that COVID-19 vaccines continue to provide protection against severe disease and death, even with the circulating variants, including JN.1. She urged individuals to get vaccinated when it is their turn and to employ various tools to protect themselves from infection.
WHO’s Call for Continued Surveillance and Sequence Sharing
On Sunday, December 17, the WHO emphasized the need for member states to maintain vigilance through continuous sequence sharing and robust surveillance efforts. The organization is closely monitoring the situation and assessing the impact of the JN.1 subvariant on the global landscape of respiratory diseases.
Insights from WHO’s COVID-19 Technical Lead
Maria Van Kerkhove, the COVID-19 technical lead at WHO, shared a video on social media platform X, explaining the factors contributing to the recent surge in respiratory infections. Kerkhove highlights that the holiday season has led to increased gatherings, especially in regions entering winter months. Poor ventilation in indoor settings provides an ideal environment for the efficient spread of various pathogens, including COVID-19, influenza, rhinovirus and mycoplasma pneumonia.
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