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”
Tag Archives: spirituality
Akhadas at Kumbh: Guardians of Sanatan Dharma
The Mahakumbh at Prayagraj, a cosmic spectacle of faith, began last week, with a surge of millions of devotees taking a sacred dip at Triveni, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. Amidst this ocean of spirituality, the Akhadas emerge in their full grandeur, embodying the rich heritage and enduring spirit ofContinue reading “Akhadas at Kumbh: Guardians of Sanatan Dharma”
The Maha Kumbh: Grand Synthesis of Science, Faith, and Culture
The Kumbh Mela, often hailed as the “greatest show on earth,” is a phenomenon unparalleled in human civilization. This grand confluence of religion, spirituality, culture, and science represents a synthesis that transcends time and geography. No other event encapsulates such a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, faith and empirical knowledge, or spiritual devotion andContinue reading “The Maha Kumbh: Grand Synthesis of Science, Faith, and Culture”
How Would I Like to Go?
Death is a morbid subject. Few amongst us welcome it, and for most, it remains an uneasy thought, especially in youth. In our younger days, the prospect of dying is effortlessly dismissed, buried beneath the boundless vibrancy of life. Yet, as Yudhishthira’s profound response to Yaksha in the Mahabharata reminds us, death is the ultimate paradox: दिनेContinue reading “How Would I Like to Go?”
Pitri Paksh-Visiting An Honoured Tradition: Part III
Evolution of the Practice The practice of Pitri Paksh seems to have evolved over time. While early Vedic rituals were cantered on fire offerings (Yajna), Shraddha incorporated the use of offerings such as Pindas, which became central to the tradition of Pitri Paksh. This evolution from fire rituals to food offerings reflects a shift towardsContinue reading “Pitri Paksh-Visiting An Honoured Tradition: Part III”
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”
Varanasi-Rhythm in Chaos
(A visit to Varanasi can be both woefully frustrating and immensely rewarding. If ever a place defined chaos in its purest form, it is Varanasi—a chaos that has persisted through millennia, uninterrupted and unmitigated. It is a city where the temporal and the eternal converge in a symphony of chaos and divinity, a place whereContinue reading “Varanasi-Rhythm in Chaos”
Indian Ber Part I
(Ziziphus mauritiana) Nature seldom creates without purpose. And some she creates with endless generosity. Among such creations are some exceptionally rich and gifted trees, whose every part is of use to humanity. ‘Neem’ readily comes to our mind if we look around for such a tree. It is a tree par excellence. Its leaves, fruits,Continue reading “Indian Ber Part I”
Refulgence of Red: Part II
Ixora or The West Indian Jasmine By all accounts, the refulgence of red that Ixora radiates epitomises nature’s ever-evolving symphony, weaving together tradition, myth, and the timeless emotions of love and passion. Within this floral marvel intertwine beauty, grace, divinity, and resilience, leaving an indelible footprint on the sands of culture and tradition. A CelebratedContinue reading “Refulgence of Red: Part II”
scribo ad LX 