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The chakras are subtle energy centers located on the body from the base of the spine to the top of the head. There are seven major chakras positioned vertically along theSushumna nadi or the axial channel. Each chakra with its mantra governs a specific element, plane of existence and bodily or mental function. All chakras should be healthy and balanced in order to lead a fulfilling life.

Chakras are dynamic energy pockets, 4-6 inches in diameter that control and energize the vital organs of our body both physical as well as mental. To empower and enervate our lives, these chakras need to be cleansed, nurtured, and enhanced through gemstones or crystal therapy, exercises and mudras or finger postures.

The chakras are:

Sahasrara Chakra: The Crown Chakra

This chakra is situated at the crown or top of the head and is the state of pureconsciousness. In Sanskrit, 'sahasrara' means thousand. This is the chakra with thousand petals; 964 outer violet and 12 inner golden petals. This chakra is a source of divine or cosmic energy and enhanced crown chakra diverts one’s focus from the materialistic to spiritual.

Ajna Chakra: The Third-eye Chakra

This chakra is located between the brows. It’s a larger chakra with two petals. Its color is white though it changes with the physiological state of the person to yellow, deep blue, violet or indigo. The mantra is Omand its element is mind. The presiding deity is Ardhanarishvara, who is a half male, half female Shiva / Shakti or Hakini. It is responsible for intellectual development, wisdom, vision, concentration and meditation. It is linked to the pineal gland and eyes. Its plane of existence is Tapa.

Visuddha Chakra: The Throat Chakra

This chakra is located at the throat. It is depicted as a silver crescent within a white circle, has sixteen turquoise petals. Its mantra is "Ham" and its element is ether, the medium of sound. The presiding deity is Sadashiva or Panchavaktra Shiva, with 5 heads and 4 arms, and Shakini is the Shakti goddess. The color is blue or smoke grey. It is responsible for speaking and communications and growth through expression.It is linked to thyroid and parathyroid glands. Its plane of existence is Jana.

Anahata Chakra: The Heart Chakra

This chakra is situated at the heart. It is a circular flower with 12 green petals. Its mantrais "Yam" and its element is air. The presiding deity is Ishana Rudra Shiva, and Goddess Shakti is Kakini. The colors are red, green, golden, pink. It controls the heart and higher emotions like compassion. It is linked to the thymus gland, lungs, heart and hands. Its plane of existence is 'Maha.'

Manipuraka Chakra: The Navel Chakra

This chakra is situated at the navel / solar plexus, located at the hollow area between the ribs. The chakra is symbolized by a downward pointing triangle and has ten petals. Itsmantra is "Ram" and its element is fire. The presiding deity is Braddha Rudra with goddess Lakini as Shakti. Its color is yellow-green and blue. It is responsible for digestion and lower emotions. It is linked to the adrenal, pancreas and digestive organs. Its plane of existence is 'Svarga.'

Swadhisthana Chakra: The Sex Chakra

This chakra is situated below the navel, pubic center or groin. The sacral chakra is symbolized by a white lotus within which lies a crescent moon, with six vermilion petals. Itsmantra is "Vam" and its element is water. The color is vermillion. It controls sexual functions, reproduction and sensual joy in general. It is also linked to the kidneys and bladder. Its plane of existence is 'Bhuvar.'

Muladhara Chakra: The Root or Base Chakra

This chakra is located at the base of the spine. The presiding deity is Ganesha and MaShakti Dakini. It is symbolized by a lotus with four petals. Its mantrais 'Lam.' The element is prithvi or earth. The colors are red and orange. This controls instinct essential for survival, basic bodily functions, and basic human potentiality for a grounded existence. Its plane of existence is 'Bhu.'

Goddess Durga is the mother of the universe and believed to be the power behind the work of creation, preservation, and destruction of the world. Since time immemorial she has been worshipped as the supreme power of the Supreme.

The word "Durga" in Sanskrit means a fort, or a place which is difficult to overrun. Another meaning of "Durga" is "Durgatinashini," which literally translates into "the one who eliminates sufferings." Thus, Hindus believe that goddess Durga protects her devotees from the evils of the world and at the same time removes their miseries.

The Many Forms of Durga

There are many incarnations of Durga: Kali, Bhagvati, Bhavani, Ambika, Lalita, Gauri, Kandalini, Java, Rajeswari, et al. Durga incarnated as the united power of all divine beings, who offered her the required physical attributes and weapons to kill the demon "Mahishasur". Her nine appellations are Skondamata, Kusumanda, Shailaputri, Kaalratri, Brahmacharini, Maha Gauri, Katyayani, Chandraghanta and Siddhidatri.

Durga's Many Arms

Durga is depicted as having eight or ten hands. These represent eight quadrants or ten directions in Hinduism. This suggests that she protects the devotees from all directions.

Durga's Three Eyes

Like Shiva , Mother Durga is also referred to as "Triyambake" meaning the three eyed Goddess. The left eye represents desire (the moon), the right eye represents action (the sun), and the central eye knowledge (fire).

Razia Sultan, a brave sultan belonged to slave dynasty and was the first mulim women to rule India and only women to occupy the throne of Delhi. She succeeded her father Shams-ud-din Iltutmish to the Sultanate of Delhi in 1236. She was talented, wise, brave, excellent administrator, and a great warrior that attracted her father which resulted that she became the next sultan of Slave dynasty. Though her reign was just for three years, her bravery, her struggle and her undaunted spirit has been preserved in the treasures of history. Razia Sultan’s Tomb in Delhi is one of those places, which relives the unthwarted spirit of the brave woman who ruled Delhi once and for all.

Being an efficient ruler Razia Sultana set up proper and complete law and order in her in his empire. She tried to improve the infrastructure of the country by encouraging trade, building roads, digging wells. And also she established schools, academies, centers for research, and public libraries that included the works of ancient philosophers along with the Quran and the traditions of Muhammad. Hindu works in the sciences, philosophy, astronomy, and literature were reportedly studied in schools and colleges. She contributed even in the field of art and culture and encouraged poets, painters and musicians.

When she was trying to curb a rebellion against her by the Turkish Governor of Batinda, the Turkish nobles who were against such female throne, took advantage of her absence at Delhi and dethroned her. Her brother Bahram was crowned.
To save her own head, Raziya sensibly decided to marry Altunia, the governor of Batinda and marched towards Delhi with her husband. On October 13, 1240, she was defeated by Bahram and the unfortunate couple was put to death the very next day.

The original name for this town was Sohra, which was pronounced "Churra" by the British. This name eventually evolved into the current name, Cherrapunji. The name "cherrapunji" which means 'land of oranges' was first used by tourists from other parts of India. Despite perennial rainfall, Cherrapunji faces an acute water shortage and the inhabitants often have to trek for miles to obtain potable water.[2] Irrigation is also hampered due to excessive rain washing away the topsoil as a result of human encroachment into the forests. The Meghalaya state government has renamed Cherrapunjee back to its original name, "Sohra". There is a monument to David Scott (British Administrator in NE India, 1802–31) in the Cherrapunji cemetery. The history of the Khasis – the inhabitants of Cherrapunji – may be traced from the early part of the 16th century. Between the 16th and 18th centuries these people were ruled by the 'Syiems (rajas or chiefs) of Khyriem' in the Khasi hills. The Khasi hills came under British authority in 1883 with the submission of the last of the important syiems, Tirot Singh.

The main pivot on which the entire superstructure of Khasi society rests is the matrilineal system