Namaste. Even if you do not use it yourself, you have probably heard it said many times. The young say it to the old and the old say it to each other. Even VIPs use it to greet the masses. What does it really mean? Is it as simple...
India is a land of colorful and multitudinous festivals. Naga Panchami is one such in an endless list. Naga Panchami is an auspicious day when snakes, otherwise called Nagas in the local parlance, are customarily worshipped. This day is observed with many rituals in India, Nepal, and countries with...
A land of many cultures, several factors over the centuries have influenced the architecture of India. From the artisans who came to the country and built monuments of grandeur to the distinct seasons of its regions, inspiration from diverse sources resulted in unique and spectacular buildings that have stood...
We have compiled a guide to finding the perfect yoga school in India. Studying yoga in India can be one of the best gifts you can give yourself. While studying yoga, you would not just experience the rich culture and heritage of the country, but also get to experience...
There’s something about a new year that’s so exciting. Maybe it’s the casting away of the old and the excitement of a fresh, new beginning that gets us excited. For the orthodox Parsi community, however, there’s a lot more to it.
Pateti, as the Parsi New Year’s Eve is called,...
Holi – that wonderful festival that conjures up images of rang, bhaang, gulal, abeer, and water pichkaris. It also reminds one of the childhood days, the complete abandonment with which kids play Holi and their oblivion to any notions of health or environment, as may be the case.
In India,...
Goa BECKONS many visitors for various reasons. For me, travelling around India has been a fascination for some years, with paying my respects at various pilgrim and holy temples being the main agenda on most of my trips. In the past six years, I have travelled widely in India...
A tradition that dates back to the advent of the 7th century, Sufism is essentially the inward search for the almighty. Through the centuries that Sufism has flourished, it has consistently spread the message of oneness with the creator. The fundamental tenet of the tradition is the beautiful and...
They say you can regret your words, but never your silence. Indeed, silence sometimes speaks much louder than words, caressing softly when the starkness of words fails. Aptly named Khamoshi Sili Sili (the damp silence), this play has a similar impact on the audiences. The musical softly and gradually...
The Hindu festival of Kal Bhairava Ashtami is being celebrated in many parts of India today. It falls on the ashtami tithi of Krishna paksha of the month of Kartik (as per the South Indian Amavasyant calendar) or Margshirsha (as per the North Indian Purnimant calendar). This year it...
Guru Purnima is commemorated by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Ashad. It is a day sacred to the memory of Maharshi Ved Vyasa, the ancient saint who edited the four Vedas and wrote the 18 Puranas, the Mahabharata, and the Srimad Bhagavatam. Guru Purnima...
Among the umpteen festivals of India, Diwali is the most glorious and grandest of them all. An integral part of India’s cultural fabric, Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, which means a cluster of lamps.
The most common legend attached to Diwali is that Lord Shri Ram returned to...
Life Of the Bhavai dancers in Rajasthan and Gujarat
India is a land of diverse cultures and traditions. Many of these cultures have their own dance forms that are representative of their unique way of life. Bhavai is one such representation of the culture of the western Indian states of...
Stories of Lord Ganesha for the little ones
Lord Ganesha is the favorite God of all children. Bal Ganesh - with his unique elephant head, a long trunk, potbelly, and four arms has so many interesting stories about him in Indian mythology. So children, are you ready to tuck yourself...
This year, the Easter celebrations across the world have been muted and quiet, with people praying in the privacy of their homes and the Vatican priests praying for the lives of people who are affected in their own country and across the world. Further, the Vatican issued a decree...
