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Showing posts from October, 2024

Sporting legends : Marco Van Basten - Dutch Football superstar , Career HLs , video

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  Marco van Basten is one of football's most admired strikers, known for his grace, technique, and prolific scoring ability. Born in Utrecht, Netherlands, on October 31 1964 he rose to global stardom in the 1980s and early '90s, particularly during his time with Ajax, AC Milan, and the Netherlands national team. Known for his composure and elegance on the ball, van Basten combined athleticism with technique, marking him as one of the finest forwards in the history of football. Style of Play Van Basten was celebrated for his clinical finishing, intelligence, and agility. As a forward, he was known for: Precision and Technique: His control and touch were extraordinary, enabling him to execute complex moves and volleys with ease. Aerial Ability: He was dangerous in the air, often scoring powerful headers despite his slender frame. Ball Control and Poise: Known for his composure, he could control and deliver under pressure, displaying a cool-headed approach on the pitch.

South Africa hammer Bangladesh by an innings to with Test series 2-0

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  After a truimphant away series win over Pakistan , Bangladesh could not maintain their encouraging good show in test cricket and proceeded to lose back to back test series 2-0 whitewash to  India & South Africa ,  the latest one being at  at home .  The major reason for losing test series vs India and then vs South Africa at home was due to pathetic performance by their batting lineup that included some senior stars . There appeared to be no spine as their batting succumbed to one collapse after another with only one or two batters showing up per innings   South Africa clinched victory in the second Test in Chattogram, winning by an innings and 273 runs which will help them to advance greatly  in the WTC points table . Batting first  South Africa piled on a mammoth 575/6 declared helped by 3 centuries . After Aiden Markram departed for 33  , Toni de Zorzi & Tristan Stubbs set up the match for the tourists with a manmoth 201 run stand as they played the Bangladesh spinn

কালী পুজো: কলকাতার কিছু বিখ্যাত ঐতিহ্যবাহী কালী মন্দির

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  যেহেতু আমরা দীপাবলি ও কালী পূজার মতো অন্যতম বৃহৎ হিন্দু উৎসব উদযাপন করছি, আসুন কলকাতার কিছু ঐতিহ্যবাহী কালী মন্দির সম্পর্কে জেনে নিই এবং তাদের সংক্ষিপ্ত ইতিহাসে প্রবেশ করি। কালীঘাট কালী মন্দির কালীঘাট কালী মন্দির কলকাতার অন্যতম প্রাচীন এবং শ্রদ্ধেয় মন্দির, যা দেবী কালীকে নিবেদিত। এটি ৫১টি শক্তি পীঠের মধ্যে একটি হিসেবে বিশাল গুরুত্ব ধারণ করে, যেখানে শিবের দেবী সতীর বিভিন্ন শরীরের অংশ পড়ে যাওয়ার বিশ্বাস রয়েছে।Legend অনুসারে, দেবীর ডান পায়ের আঙুল এখানে পড়ে গেছে, যা এটি হিন্দু ভক্তদের জন্য একটি পবিত্র স্থান করে তুলেছে। ইতিহাস ও স্থাপত্য বর্তমান মন্দিরের নির্মাণ ১৮০৯ সালে কলকাতার একটি বিশিষ্ট পরিবার সবর্ণ রায় চৌধুরী দ্বারা করা হয়। তবে কালীঘাটের গুরুত্ব অনেক আগে থেকেই রয়েছে, যা ১৫শ ও ১৭শ শতাব্দীর লেখায় উল্লেখ পাওয়া যায়। মন্দিরের স্থাপত্য নিদর্শন অনন্য, যেখানে একটি একক শিখর (একরত্ন) রয়েছে, যা অঞ্চলের অন্যান্য মন্দির থেকে ভিন্ন। এটি কালী দেবীর বিশেষ মূর্তি জন্য পরিচিত, যেখানে দেবীকে দীর্ঘ জিহ্বা এবং তিনটি বড় চোখসহ প্রকাশিত করা হয়েছে, যা তার ভয়ংকর রূপ নির্দেশ করে। ধর্মীয় গুরুত

Kali Puja : Some Traditional Kali Temples of Kolkata

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  As we celebrate one of the biggest Hindu festival of Diwali & Kali Puja , let us have a look at some of the Heritage Kali Temples of Kolkata and get into their brief history  Kalighat Kali Temple  The Kalighat Kali Temple is one of Kolkata’s oldest and most revered temples, dedicated to Goddess Kali. It holds immense significance as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, where various body parts of Sati, the divine consort of Lord Shiva, are believed to have fallen. According to legend, her right toe fell here, making it a sacred site for Hindu devotees. History and Architecture The current temple structure was built in 1809 by Sabarna Roy Chowdhury, a prominent family of Kolkata. However, Kalighat's significance dates back much further, with references to it found in 15th- and 17th-century texts. The temple is architecturally unique, featuring a single spire (ekratna), unlike other temples in the region, and is noted for its distinctive idol of Kali. The deity is represented with a l

কালী পূজা: শক্তি, ভক্তি ও মুক্তির উৎসব"

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  কালী পূজা, যা শ্যামা পূজা নামেও পরিচিত, পূর্ব ভারতের একটি গুরুত্বপূর্ণ উৎসব, বিশেষত পশ্চিমবঙ্গ, ওড়িশা এবং আসামে। এটি কার্তিক মাসে দীপাবলির সাথে পালিত হয় এবং দেবী দুর্গার ভয়ংকর রূপ দেবী কালীর পূজার জন্য নিবেদিত। এখানে এর গুরুত্ব এবং কীভাবে এটি উদযাপিত হয় তার বিস্তারিত বিবরণ রয়েছে: মা কালী, হিন্দুধর্মের এক শক্তিশালী দেবী, তাঁর গল্প প্রতীকমূলক এবং গভীর আধ্যাত্মিক অর্থে পূর্ণ। তাঁকে প্রায়ই গাঢ় ত্বক, খুলি দিয়ে গঠিত মালা, এবং অস্ত্র ধারণকারী ভয়ংকর রূপে চিত্রিত করা হয়। তবে, তাঁর এই ভয়ংকর রূপের সত্ত্বেও, তাঁকে এক স্নেহশীল মা হিসেবে দেখা হয়, যিনি অশুভ শক্তির বিনাশ করেন এবং তাঁর ভক্তদের মুক্তি দেন। মা কালীর সাথে সম্পর্কিত একটি পরিচিত কাহিনি হলো : মা কালী ও রক্তবীজ দানবের কাহিনি হিন্দু পুরাণ অনুসারে, দেবতা এবং দানবদের মধ্যে একটি ভয়ংকর যুদ্ধে দানব রক্তবীজ এক অনন্য চ্যালেঞ্জ তৈরি করেছিল। রক্তবীজের এক বিশেষ বর ছিল: তার রক্তের প্রতিটি ফোঁটা মাটিতে পড়লে তার মতোই শক্তিশালী একটি নতুন দানব সৃষ্টি হতো। ফলে, দেবতা বা দেবীরা তাঁকে আঘাত করলে তাঁর রক্ত থেকে অসংখ্য নতুন দানব জন্মাতো, যা তাঁকে প্

Kali Puja - The Festival of east India , its significance & how celebrated

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  Kali Puja, also known as Shyama Puja, is a significant festival in Eastern India, particularly in West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam. It coincides with Diwali in the Hindu month of Kartik and is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Kali, the fierce form of the Goddess Durga. Here's a closer look at its significance and how it is celebrated: The story of Maa Kali, a powerful Hindu goddess, is one filled with symbolism and profound spiritual meaning. She is often depicted as fierce, with dark skin, a garland of skulls, and holding weapons. Despite her fearsome appearance, she is also seen as the compassionate mother who destroys evil and liberates her devotees. Here is one of the most well-known stories associated with Maa Kali: The Story of Maa Kali and the Demon Raktabija In Hindu mythology, during a fierce battle between the gods and demons, the demon Raktabija posed a unique challenge. Raktabija had a special boon: every time a drop of his blood touched the ground, it would c

Diwali - Festival of lights , significance of this Hindu festival & how it is celebrated

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  Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India and among Indian communities worldwide. It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. Here’s a look at its significance and the ways it is celebrated: Significance of Diwali 1. Spiritual Significance: Diwali has roots in various mythological and religious stories. The most well-known is the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. Other stories include the celebration of the Goddess Lakshmi, who represents prosperity and wealth, and the defeat of the demon Narakasura by Lord Krishna. 2. Symbol of New Beginnings: Diwali also marks the Hindu New Year in some regions of India, symbolizing a time of new beginnings, purification, and celebration. 3. Festival of Lights: Lights and diyas (oil lamps) are significant in Diwali, as they represent knowledge

Sporting icons : Courtney Walsh: The Towering Pace legend of West Indies , Career HLs & video

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  Courtney Andrew Walsh, born on October 30, 1962, in Kingston, Jamaica, is regarded as one of the most successful and consistent fast bowlers in cricket history. Standing at 6'6", Walsh was known for his pace, accuracy, and relentless stamina. His outstanding ability to swing and seam the ball, combined with a calm demeanor, made him one of the most respected and feared fast bowlers of his time. Style of Play Walsh's bowling style was defined by accuracy, patience, and control. Unlike some of his contemporaries who focused heavily on sheer speed, Walsh relied on consistent line and length, making him difficult for batsmen to negotiate. Known for his lethal partnership with Curtly Ambrose, Walsh was an intelligent bowler who could read the batsman’s weaknesses, often dismantling batting line-ups with subtle seam and swing. Career Highlights Test Career Debut: Walsh made his Test debut for the West Indies against Australia in Perth in 1984. Over a 17-year career, he played

Cuisine : Tsebhi Derho: Steps to prepare this popular African dish

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  Tsebhi Derho: An Introduction Tsebhi Derho is a traditional Eritrean and Ethiopian chicken stew renowned for its rich, spicy flavor and deep red color. It’s a staple dish often enjoyed on special occasions, gatherings, and family meals. Like many dishes from the Horn of Africa, Tsebhi Derho is seasoned with a blend of spices that give it a robust taste. The primary ingredient in this dish is berbere, a spiced chili paste or powder integral to Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine, which infuses the stew with heat and complex flavors. Tsebhi Derho is typically served with injera, a soft and tangy flatbread, which helps balance the heat of the stew and complements its flavors. How Tsebhi Derho is Made Making Tsebhi Derho is a multi-step process that involves marinating the chicken, creating a flavorful base, and cooking it to tender perfection. Here’s a detailed guide to making this classic dish: Ingredients: 1. For the Marinade: 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces (skin on or off, depending on

Smriti 100 in 3rd ODI powers India to 2-1 ODI series win over New Zealand

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  A fine bowling performance by India followed by a superb 100 by vice captain  Smriti Mandhana  helped India to win the 3 match ODI series vs their nemesis New Zealand by 2-1 .  In  the third One-Day International match, Harmanpreet Kaur and her team defeated the New Zealand women’s team by six wickets. Smriti Mandhana scored a century, leading India to an easy victory with a 117-run partnership between her and Harmanpreet. Batting first, New Zealand set a target of 232 runs in 49.5 overs, while India chased it down with 236 runs in 44.2 overs for the loss of four wickets. New Zealand's captain, Sophie Devine, opted to bat after winning the toss. However, the recently crowned T20 world champions struggled on the Ahmedabad pitch. New Zealand was under pressure, losing five wickets for 88 runs. Opener Suzie Bates (4), third batter Lauren Down (1), and Devine (9) were dismissed early, leaving the team at 36 for 3. Opener Georgia Plimmer and Brooke Halliday then steadied the in