Ugadi



Photo from spicyrasam.wordpress.com

In Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh (two states in South India), Ugadi is a Hindu festival celebrated to mark the first day of the new year according to the Hindu calendar. Bangaloreans celebrate this festival with great vigor. According to legend, this is the day that the Hindu creator, Brahma, began his work of making the earth and all that is in it.

Like other Hindu festivals, preparation for Ugadi begins a few days prior to the actual festival. On Ugadi, Bangaloreans will participate in ritual bathing and prayers for good health and prosperity in the coming year. A unique dish is served with six different flavors symbolizing the different experiences in life's journey.

On March 23rd this year, please pray for Hindu Bangaloreans as they celebrate Ugadi. Ask God to reveal Himself as the Creator and the only One worthy of worship and service. As individuals and families pray for prosperity in the coming year, ask that they would come to know that every good and perfect gift comes from God.

Holi (March 8, 2012)



Photo from totallycoolpix.com

If you venture outside in Bangalore on Holi, you might come home looking like a brightly decorated Easter egg. Thousands of Hindus and others will join in the revelry of Holi by throwing colored powder and water on one another. Originally this holiday was a celebration of Spring, but for many it honors Hindu legends.

One such story is about a king who required everyone to worship him. Out of loyalty to Vishnu, the king's son refused to do this. The king tried unsuccessfully to kill the son many times. Finally the king’s evil sister, Holika, who was immune to fire carried the son into the flames and held him there. Due to his devotion to Vishnu, he escaped without injury and Holika was destroyed. During Holi many bonfires are lit to commemorate this event.



Nowadays Holi is associated with a loosening of moral and social codes between castes and genders. A once frivolous holiday has become increasingly dangerous as some add chemicals or harmful things to colored powder.



Today, please stop and pray for Hindus in Bangalore. Pray that no one would be hurt during the festival this year. Pray that like the legendary son who was willing to die before bowing down to any other god, Hindus would turn to Christ and forsake all other gods. Pray that they would have the faith and integrity of men in the Bible who endured a fiery furnace for their faith.



Russell Market

Russell Market, located in Shivaji Nagar, is one of Bangalore's oldest markets - built almost 85 years ago. This is part of Bangalore's old military cantonment area. It is predominately Muslim now, but there are many Christian and Hindu influences as well.


Photo from rickcjensen.blogspot.in


The market is a large Islamic looking building with many stalls inside. There is a huge assortment of flowers, vegetables, meats and other food items. Scattered throughout are clothing and household products as well.

About a week ago, an electrical fire destroyed about a third of the shops inside. On Friday Russell Market reopened. To commemorate the occasion, a special Hindu prayer was offered, the Qur'an was read and a Catholic priest offered a blessing. In a market with so much diversity, they probably wanted to make sure all the bases were covered.

Please pray for the vendors who were affected by the fire. Pray that they would be able to get their businesses up and running again. Praise God for his protection - no one was hurt in the fire. Pray that this market would become a place where God is worshipped, and it would spread from there throughout the city.