Moon – 2

Chandrayaan will be kept in space soon,

A satellite from India will then land on moon…

The most sought after scientific event will be fulfilled in a few days from now and people from India will rejoice.

Today is the anniversary when Man first stepped on the moon.

“Thats one small step of man but a giant leap for mankind.”

The above said words keep on ringing in our minds today. Except Neil Armstrong, the other astronaut Buzz Aldrin who walked on the moon is still alive to share their experiences with us. What a mesmerising experience it must have been! A human walks in a place other than Mother Earth. Am sure they must have been overwhelmed with the excitement of the moment too.

Man has been attracted towards studying the environment around him from many a years. He is more interested in knowing the unknown. Discovering the unknown. Exploring the unknown. He derives a sense of adventourism from it.

Moon is one such heavenly object which has fascinated man always. From writing poems and songs to actually walking on it, man has traversed a long journey. To the extent that we have a lunar calendar in existence even today. The waxing and waning of the moon has helped us count time. The “Poornima” (full moon day) and the “Amavasya” (new moon day) have their own importance signifying the mid date of the month and the culmination of the month respectively. Even the science of forecasting, Astrology, considers moon position equally important as the other planets and Sun.

Even the phases of the moon have their own importance.

Duj ka chand (The moon on the 2nd day from full moon or new moon) – Crescent moon. It signifies the strengthening of the bonds between siblings. Celebrated as Bhaiyya Duj in India, as the last day of Diwali, in the month of October / November. Sisters invite their brothers to their in-laws place for a get together followed by lunch / dinner. It is believed the girls who do not have any brothers consider the Moon as their brother and celebrate the day with Him.

Vat Savitri Poornima – Celebrated for long life of the husband on the full moon day. It falls in the months of May- June.

Matru din/ Pola – Celebrated on the Amavasya of the Shravan month. A day dedicated to expressing gratefulness to all those who feed us and take care of us. From Mother Earth to the Cattle and our Own Mother.

Chaturthi – Celebrated with pomp and fanfare as the day when Ganeshji was born.

These are just a few from the many which can cited here and we know.

A story explaining the waxing and waning of moon also can be found in the Ganesh Purana but I leave it upto some next time to talk about it.

The only thing i want to convey through all this is that the moon has always played an important part in our lives, in upliftment of Human civilisation.

Today we plan to land on it. We plan to build colonies on it. We wish to set our foot on it. And we all know that with the advent of science, we will be able to achieve that.

The only request I wanna make through this blog, is that

Let’s not forget the emotional connect we have with Chandamama.

From my childhood days, the moon has been our Mama (Maternal Uncle) and let us learn to live with this thought. Going to the moon is like visiting Mama’s place. Will end with a beautiful Marathi rhyme regarding going to Mama’ house.
झुक झुक झुक झुक अगीनगाडी, धुरांच्या रेघा हवेत काढी

पळती झाडे पाहूया, मामाच्या गावाला जाऊया

मामाचा गाव मोठा, सोन्याचांदीच्या पेठा
शोभा पाहून येऊया, मामाच्या गावाला जाऊया

मामाची बायको घोरटी, म्हणेल कुठली पोरटी
भाच्यांची नावे सांगूया, मामाच्या गावाला जाऊया

मामाची बायको सुगरणं, रोज रोज पोळी शिकरणं
गुलाबजामुन खाऊया, मामाच्या गावाला जाऊया

मामा मोठा तालेवार, रेशीम घेईल हजार वार
कोट विजारी घेऊया, मामाच्या गावाला जाऊया

A nursery rhyme we all have learnt in Maharashtra explaining the meaning of going to Mama’s house.

Let we be blessed with such a train which will take us all to the moon. Every verse can be explained with what can be done and how to spend time on Moon.

Till then ciao.

Hope to meet you all on the Moon!

PS : The link to my blog which I wrote last year on the same day. You all will love to read it.

https://ameetkothari.wordpress.com/2018/07/20/moon/