In India, fasting on special days each month and annual festivals is a ritual with many traditional families. Fasting days are made special with a sprinkling of a special cuisine, also known as fasting food, which one can savour during the fast.
Mahashivratri, a festival that honours Lord Shiva, literally...
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...
Onam, Kerala’s harvest festival to commemorate the revered King Maveli, is a much-looked-forward-to festival not just for Malayalees but even for Palakkad Brahmins. Chingam is the first Malayalam month and Onam falls in this month.
The myth behind Onam
It is believed that Mahabali, also known as Maveli, the benevolent Asura king...
Khadi: the word and its meaning
'Khadi' (pronounced Khādī) or Khaddar means 'cotton' in Sanskrit. It refers to any kind of cloth that is spun or woven by hand. This natural fibre is found abundantly in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
History
Mahatma Gandhi, the father of our nation, started the Khadi movement...
I love the hustle-bustle and energy of a railway platform - passengers alighting and boarding, the nudge, the jostle and the push. Every railway platform has its own unique charm and character.
As a resident of Mumbai, I have traveled between stations aplenty and eavesdropped on several conversations (not out...
Khajuraho temples: art, worship, or erotica?
Khajuraho – a word that conjures up images of scenes from the lives of men and women and gods and goddesses, immortalized in stone and sculpture for posterity. There is a mystery shrouding these ancient temples in the state of Madhya Pradesh which many...
During our recent visit to Welcome Heritage’s Bal Samand Lake Palace in Jodhpur, I had the good opportunity to dine at their hugely popular open-air restaurant Kebab Korner. The lawn area where chipmunks, peacocks and other creatures frequent during daytime gets converted into a cosy, romantic candle-lit restaurant by...
Located in the western state of Rajasthan, Alwar is a small city that is rich in culture and is often visited by domestic and international tourists. Home to a fascinating museum and a gorgeous fort, Alwar shares close proximity to the Sariska Tiger Reserve, making this city all the...
Mumbai: After a glorious run of 51 days across 17 Indian cities, the historic event – the 8th Theatre Olympics - drew to a colorful close here last night.
Many luminaries descended to grace the momentous occasion in the life of Indian theatre and cultural groups. The chief minister of...
It is the month of Shravan and the atmosphere is resplendent with devotees thronging temples, offering obeisance to their favourite Lord Shiva, also known to be quick to grant wishes or bholenath. Men and women offer water, milk, honey, bhasm, fruits, dhatura, flowers and garlands to the shiva lingam...
Significance of Buddha Purnima or Vesak
Buddhists from all over the world are getting ready to celebrate Buddha Purnima or Vaishakh Purnima or Vesak, which falls on 30 April this year. It is a festival held worldwide to commemorate the birth and enlightenment (prakash) of Lord Buddha; every year it...
Colorful dances, multicultural extravaganza, classical music, spiritual teachings, mouthwatering street food of aamchi Mumbai and dilwalon ki Dilli, puppet shows depicting stories from the Ramayana, Bollywood music, and loads of enthusiastic people enjoying the revelry – that’s what Diwali in London at Trafalgar Square (also known as DOTS for...
Every state in India has its own unrivalled cuisine. Gujarat, the state on the country’s western fringe, has its unique flavour. Folks of all convictions have pooled in to form various aspects of the Gujarati cuisine. The dishes of Parsis, Bohra Muslims, and Khojas (from Arabia) have all acquired...
