Hartalika Teej "Signature of Devotion & Dedication"

"Women all over India celebrate Teej with great enthusiasm, dressing in their best saris and honouring the other women of the family and their husband's."

Teej is an occasion of utmost devotion and love for the newly wed brides. Celebration of First Teej festival is of great importance for the newlywed couple. It is a moment for wives to express deep love and affection for their husband. Craze and excitement of the First Teej is quite apparent on their face as preparations for Teej begin well in advance.

A small story lies behind the celebration of Hartalika Teej vrat. Legends explain that Lord Shiva started ignoring the entire world, including Goddess Parvati without noticing her devoted love. In order to get her husband’s attention, Parvati underwent severe penance for several years surviving only on grass and fruits. Eventually, Lord Shiva got pleased by the love and affection of Parvati and finally accepted her. Hence, this festival is commemorated by all women, whether married or single.

Hartalika Teej is the biggest of the various variation of Teej. Hartalika Teej falls on the third day of the first fortnight of the month of 'Bhadra'. It is a three-day festival which is celebrated by women in honor of Parvati Maa. On this day, womenfolk keep fast for long and conjugal life of their husband. Hartalika Teej fast proceeds without even drinking a drop of water. By rigorous fasting and praying to Goddess Parvati on Hartalika Teej, married women are blessed with healthy life of their husband while the unmarried girls are said to be blessed by a husband like Lord Shiva.

This is my first Teej and I have lots of planning to celebrate it but I am missing my family very much. I have one question for all women. Can your husband fast like this for you with such a devotion and dedication? I think you have answer for this question because in my point of view we know our husband very well. I wish all women to enjoy this great Teej and always being happy for the life with your devoted husband. 

Millions brace as Irene churns toward U.S.

SUSTAINED WINDS: 100mph 

LATITUDE: 31.2N

PRESSURE: 951.00mb

WIND GUSTS: 125mph

LONGITUDE: 77.5W

MOVING: N at 14mph

Hurricane Irene began lashing the East Coast with rain Friday ahead of a weekend of violent weather that was almost certain to heap punishment on a vast stretch of shoreline from the Carolinas to Massachusetts.

For hundreds of miles, people in the storm's path headed inland, made last-minute preparations and monitored the hurricane's every subtle movement. Irene had the potential to cause billions of dollars in damage all along a densely populated arc that included Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Boston and beyond. At least 65 million people could be affected.

President Obama said all indications point to the storm being a historic hurricane.

"I cannot stress this highly enough," Mr. Obama said from Blue Heron Farm on Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts, where he is on vacation with his family. "If you are in the projected path of this hurricane, you have to take precautions now. Don't wait. Don't delay. We all hope for the best, but we have to be prepared for the worst."

As Irene trudged northwest from the Bahamas, rain from its outer bands began falling along the North and South Carolina coast. Swells and 6- to 9-foot waves were reported along the Outer Banks. Winds were expected to pick up later. Thousands had already lost power as the fringes of the storm began raking the shore.

Hurricane warnings remained in effect from North Carolina to New Jersey. Hurricane watches were in effect even farther north and included Long Island, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, Mass.

Here  some usefull tips to save our life for in critical critical.....

• Make sure you have plenty of batteries and candles.
• If you have regular phone service (non-cable), you will want a corded phone, since cordless will not work, and cell service could be difficult.
• Have small bills ($1’s and $5’s) for purchases, because credit/debit card transactions and ATM’s may not be working.
•  If you have a generator, have at least 10 gallons of gas, and get it ahead of time, since gas pumps may not be working.
•  Fill your car gas tank.
•  If you have an asphalt shingle roof greater than 10/15 years old, you may want to get a tarp, since these become almost impossible to find after a storm. If your roof is damaged, and you don’t cover it, any subsequent water damage will not be covered by insurance.
• If you have an ice chest, make ice and fill it
• If you have well water (no power, no water), bottle up some water and fill you bath tub. You can use this water for cleaning and flushing.