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For Kayaking, Being a Bit of a Hoser is a Good Thing

Kayaks are a ton of fun, so maintaining your boat is an important part of a paddler's life! Always keep in mind that an ounce of prevention is worth its weight in gold. Keeping your kayak clean and well maintained will ensure the longevity of your craft. Cleaning it on a regular basis and keeping it free from clutter is a good first step. Here are a few tips that will help to ensure your craft remains like new for a long time to come. To begin with, it is important to use a hose to rinse the inside and outside of your boat after each use. This keeps the moving parts free of salt and debris. This is especially applicable if you do a lot of saltwater kayaking, as salt will those metal parts on the inside. Inflatable kayaks may not need as much maintenance, but still need caring for.

Always remember to check your craft for leaks or cracks before you store it. If you find any holes, patch them immediately or you could forget. One great way to find these cracks or holes is to shine a flashlight inside your kayak in a dark room. When it comes to storing kayaks, one of the best places is a cool garage. If you store it in a shed, it is inclined to get dried out. Keeping your boat outdoors all the time is not a good idea as it can fade the paint and even cause it to peel when exposed to the elements all time.

Inflatable rafts, dinghy rafts or rigid inflatable rafts, all need some form of routine maintenance. A good nylon brush used with a mild type of detergent and the garden hose will keep your inflatable nice and clean. If you have to store your kayak outdoors, purchase a cockpit cover. This type of cover is like a spray skirt without the hole. Covering it will keep creepy crawlies out and prevent water from collecting on the inside. If you don't have a cockpit cover, make sure that it is covered with some other type of cover. With a bit of routine maintenance, kayaks can look new for years!

posted by xtrx @ 8:42 PM 0 comments

Funerals - Hindu Funerals

Hindus believe that life and death are an eternal circle. After life comes death, then reincarnation and so on, until, in some circumstances the soul can be set free from that eternal circle. One such circumstance, is the person dying in or near the holy city of Varanasi in North East India, where the funeral ghats are beside the sacred River Ganges.

Hindus also believe that cremation allows the spirit to move on to its next incarnation and therefore nearer to heaven. Thus, although death is a sad event to Hindus, the emphasis is more on the soul's onward journey and that is celebrated. The flames of the funeral pyre are said to represent Brahama, the Hindu God of Creation.

After a death, the family of the deceased will meet as soon as possible to pray by the body. The body will not be touched if possible, as a corpse is considered to be unclean.

The deceased will be normally be dressed in white (a wife pre-deceasing her husband is dressed in her red bridal outfit) and will be placed on a bier and decorated with flowers and sandalwood.

The funeral service will be conducted by a priest and lead by the eldest son or nearest male relative of the deceased, who will light the fire and will circle the pyre praying for the soul of the dead person. The exact order of service may vary depending on location and family traditions. The ashes are often sprinkled on water and some families go to the River Ganges to do this to ensure the most auspicious passage to the next life.

The house of the deceased will be cleansed and purified by a priest using spices and incense and the 13 days of mourning will begin. During this time, there will often be a picture of the deceased on display, garlanded with flowers and friends will come to the house to offer their condolences. Mourners will wear white. On the 13th day, the ceremony of Kria is performed, which involves the offering of rice balls and milk in thanksgiving for the life of the deceased, after which, life for the family returns to normal.

One year after the death and sometimes every year thereafter, Shraddah takes place, where the family offer food to the poor and needy in memory of the deceased.

posted by xtrx @ 5:29 PM 0 comments