‘Stories & Legends of Deepavali’
09th Nov, 2023 India, the land of rich cultural heritage, has one or the other festival for every month. It is the spiritual and religious richness in India that each festival is related to some or other deity. One of such festival is the ‘festival of lights’ – Deepawali. Like every other Hindu festival, stories […]
‘Gambling during Diwali!’
8th Nov, 2023 Have you ever wondered why a vice, like card playing, is a part of Diwali celebrations? Does the idea of people going crazy over gambling their wealth on an auspicious occasion like Diwali night make you cringe? From Pujas to house cleaning to dressing up in finery, we walk that extra mile […]
‘Light the Lamp’
7th Nov, 2023 I read a beautiful couplet from Sant Kabir this morning, which reads – जब मैं था तब हरी नहीं, अब हरी है मैं नाही, सब अँधियारा मिट गया, दीपक देखा माही | Translated, it means that when I was immersed in my ego and arrogance, I could not see God (the supreme […]
‘Pura Vida’
4th Nov, 2023 In Costa Rica, ¡Pura Vida! is a phrase used by Ticos (Costa Ricans) on a daily basis. It means “pure life,” or “simple life,” and not only is it a slogan, it’s a lifestyle. “Pura Vida” (pronounced poo-rah vee-duh) represents Costa Ricans’ relaxed attitude towards life, no matter the circumstance. Most accounts […]
’Make a Difference’
3rd Nov, 2023 We often wonder, in a world full of unkindness, in a world full of poverty, in a world full of all kinds of problems, will my little act of kindness or generosity make a difference and use that as an excuse to carry on with our life & do or contribute nothing. […]
‘The Karwa Chauth Festival’
1st Nov, 2023 Karva is another word for a small earthen pot of water and chauth means ‘fourth’ in a reference to the fact that the festival falls on the fourth day of the dark-fortnight, or Krishna paksh, of the month of Kartik. Karwa Chauth is mostly celebrated in Northern India. One hypothesis is that […]
Happy Vijaydashmi!
24th Oct, 2023 Dussehra is a Sanskrit word which means removal of ten bad qualities within you. Kama vasana (Lust) Krodha (Anger) Moha (Attachment) Lobha (Greed) Mada (Pride) Matsara (Jealousy) Swartha (Selfishness) Anyaaya (Injustice) Amanavta (Cruelty) Ahankara (Ego) It’s also known as ‘Vijaydashami’ which means Vijaya over these ten bad qualities. Symbolising the Victory of […]
‘Happy Durga Ashtami’
22nd Oct, 2023 सर्वमंगलमांगल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थ साधिके। शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरी नारायणि नमोस्तु ते।। During Navratri, we celebrate the nine forms of the Goddess, the Universal mother, an embodiment of power. We bow to her and seek her blessings. In celebrating the Divine Feminine, we come to know the True Beauty and the most powerful dimension […]
Happy Navratri
15th Oct, 2023 या देवी सर्वभूतेषु, शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता, नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम: The beginning of spring and the beginning of autumn are two very important junctions of climatic and solar influence. These two periods are taken as sacred opportunities for the worship of the Divine Mother. It represents celebration of Goddess Durga, the manifestation […]
Ganpati Visarjan!
28th September, 2023 Ten days after welcoming Lord Ganesha to our homes on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, devotees bid adieu to Ganesh idols on the day of Anant Chaturdashi. Ganesh Visarjan reminds one of the cosmic cycles of creation and dissolution. The Deity made of ‘Mitti,’ earth, returns to earth by dissolving in water. […]