07 December - Subrahmanya Sashti - Hindu festival

 

Subrahmanya Sashti, also known as Skanda Sashti or Kartikeya Sashti, is a Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Subrahmanya (also called Lord Murugan or Skanda), the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is observed on the sixth day (Sashti) of the waxing phase of the moon in the Hindu lunar month of Margashirsha (November–December in the Gregorian calendar).

This auspicious day commemorates Lord Murugan's victory over the demon Surapadman, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Murugan was created to destroy evil forces and protect righteousness. The festival is particularly significant in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, where Lord Murugan is widely worshipped.

Observances and Rituals:

1. Fasting: Devotees observe a fast, often abstaining from solid food and consuming only fruits and liquids. Some follow strict austerities and avoid tamasic foods like garlic and onions.

2. Temple Worship: Special pujas and abhishekams (ritual bathing of the deity) are performed in temples dedicated to Lord Murugan. Devotees chant the Skanda Shasti Kavacham, a hymn invoking Lord Murugan’s blessings.

3. Processions and Celebrations: Many temples organize grand processions of Murugan's idols. The festival is celebrated with devotion and fervor in prominent temples like Tiruchendur Murugan Temple in Tamil Nadu.

4. Symbolic Dramas: The enactment of the battle between Lord Murugan and Surapadman is a highlight in many places. This drama, known as Soorasamharam, signifies the victory of divine energy over negative forces.

Subrahmanya Sashti is not just a religious occasion but also a spiritual celebration of courage, discipline, and devotion. It reminds devotees of the importance of overcoming inner and outer evils through faith and righteousness.

07 December - NASA's Galileo Space Craft reached Jupiter 1995

 

NASA's Galileo spacecraft did indeed reach Jupiter. Here are some key details about the Galileo mission:

• Launch: Galileo was launched on October 18, 1989, aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-34).
• Jupiter Arrival: The spacecraft arrived at Jupiter on December 7, 1995.
• Mission Duration: The Galileo mission lasted until September 21, 2003, when it was intentionally directed to enter Jupiter's atmosphere and burn up to avoid any possible contamination of Jupiter's moon Europa, which scientists considered a target of interest in the search for extraterrestrial life.

During its mission, Galileo provided valuable data about Jupiter and its moons, conducting detailed studies of the planet's atmosphere, magnetosphere, and the Galilean moons (Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto). It made numerous flybys of these moons, revealing their diverse geology and surface features. The Galileo spacecraft significantly contributed to our understanding of the Jupiter system and planetary science in general.

 

07 December - Chuck Yeager death anniversary

 

Charles Elwood "Chuck" Yeager was an American test pilot and aeronautical engineer who became the first person to break the sound barrier. Here are some key details about Chuck Yeager:

• Birth: 13 February 1923
• Death: 07 December 2020

Chuck Yeager's most notable achievement occurred on October 14, 1947, when he piloted the Bell X-1 rocket plane and became the first human to fly faster than the speed of sound. This historic event took place at an altitude of 45,000 feet over the Mojave Desert in California.

Yeager continued to have a distinguished career in the United States Air Force, eventually reaching the rank of brigadier general. He flew a variety of aircraft and contributed significantly to the development of aviation technology.

In addition to his groundbreaking achievements in aviation, Chuck Yeager was widely respected and celebrated for his contributions to the field. His legacy continues to influence the world of aviation and space exploration.

07 December - Jatindranath Mukherjee (Bagha Jatin) birth anniversary

 

Bagha Jatin, whose real name was Jatindranath Mukherjee, was a Bengali revolutionary nationalist leader in India. He was born on 07 December  1879, in Kushtia (now in Bangladesh), and he passed away on 10 September , 1915. Bagha Jatin played a significant role in the Indian independence movement and is remembered for his contributions to the cause. He was a prominent leader in the Jugantar party, which was involved in various revolutionary activities against British rule in India.

07 December - National Letter Writing Day USA

  National Letter Writing Day on December 7! Letter writing has been in decline because of smartphones, the Internet and before that, the telephone, but for hundreds of years, it was the only way for people separated by distance to get in touch with one another. Today is a great day to get back to basics and hand-write a letter.