The Triumph Within Today is Vijayadashami! India is alive with the fragrance of devotion, and the rhythm of prayer as the nine nights of Navratri culminate in Vijayadashmi. Across the land, effigies of Ravana stand tall, only to be set aflame, symbolizing the victory of truth over falsehood, humility over arrogance, light over shadow. YetContinue reading “Vijayadashmi and Yom Kippur”
Tag Archives: religion
The Quiet Strength of Rama: Reflections on Ram Navami
Each spring, as the festival of Ram Navami arrives, temples fill with chants, homes are adorned with flowers, and the ancient story of Lord Rama is told once more. For many, it is a day of ritual celebration—of reverence for a divine birth in Ayodhya, a time to honour the prince who would become aContinue reading “The Quiet Strength of Rama: Reflections on Ram Navami”
A New Year, A New You
As we step into the new year with Chaitra’s arrival, perhaps it’s time to pause. To mute the noise around us. This transition is more than just a date on the calendar—it is a convergence of renewal and reflection. It is also the beginning of Navratri, a sacred period dedicated to Goddess Durga, the embodimentContinue reading “A New Year, A New You”
The Lingering Legacy of Mahakumbh: A Testament to the Spirit of Sanatan
The waters of the sacred confluence have receded. The chants, the bells, the echoes of millions of prayers have faded into the silence of time. The great Mahakumbh, the grandest congregation of humanity on this planet, has drawn to a close. And yet, long after the last pilgrim departs, long after the final tent isContinue reading “The Lingering Legacy of Mahakumbh: A Testament to the Spirit of Sanatan”
Kalpa Vas: The Sacred Retreat of the Kumbh Mela
If the Nagas bring spectacle and colour to the Maha Kumbh, Kalpa Vas infuses it with a deep, meditative serenity—a testament to humanity’s eternal quest for liberation. More than a religious observance, Kalpa Vas is a profound spiritual discipline, a retreat where faith meets austerity, and devotion merges with self-discovery. It is here, by theContinue reading “Kalpa Vas: The Sacred Retreat of the Kumbh Mela”
Guardians of Mysticism: The Enigmatic Naga Sadhus of India
They appear like phantoms from another age—ash-smeared figures with matted locks, naked or nearly naked, wielding tridents and swords as they chant mantras in voices that seem to echo through the centuries. When the Naga Sadhus descend upon the sacred grounds of the Kumbh Mela, it is as if time folds in on itself, mergingContinue reading “Guardians of Mysticism: The Enigmatic Naga Sadhus of India”
Pitri Paksh-Visiting An Honoured Tradition: Part II
Significance of Daan The ritual of Daan, or the act of giving, finds special significance during Pitri Paksha, as emphasized in several Hindu scriptures. This practice is not only extended to fellow humans—particularly Brahmins and the poor—but also to various living beings, including birds (notably crows), insects (such as ants), and animals (like dogs andContinue reading “Pitri Paksh-Visiting An Honoured Tradition: Part II”
Pitri Paksh-Visiting An Honoured Tradition: Part-I
Pitri Paksh,(पितृ पक्ष) sometimes referred to as the period of Shraddha, is a sacred fortnight in the Sanatan Hindu calendar dedicated to paying homage to deceased ancestors. During this time, Hindus believe that the souls of their departed relatives descend to the earthly realm to be propitiated with rituals and offerings. There are prescribed rituals thatContinue reading “Pitri Paksh-Visiting An Honoured Tradition: Part-I”
India’s National Calendar: Part II
Unravelling the Threads of Time The Calendar Reforms Committee’s task was formidable, made more difficult by the fact that around that time, there were over 30 calendars in use in different parts of the country, each calendar having its unique narrative, obsessing the minds of the people in that region and reflecting a deep power struggle of hegemonic assertions. The competingContinue reading “India’s National Calendar: Part II”
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