Ram Leela is a folk play that shows parts of Lord Rama’s life. The climax of the play ends with the legendary war between Good and Evil, Dussehra where effigies of King Ravana are burnt, typically with fireworks. Ram Leela is a part of Dusshera celebrations in North India, and typlically based on the 16th…
Category: Festivities
Sharada Navratri
Sharada Navratri, the last of the four navaratis that celebrates the change in seasons in India, is associated with the nine forms of Shakti. One the 10th day (Vijayadashami), Goddess Durga is said to have killed demon Mahishasura (hence, she is named Mahishasuramardini) celebrating the victory of good over evil. Another version has lord Rama killing Ravana, angain…
Dahi Handi
At Vrindavan, Krishna was a very naughty child, and his love for makhan (white butter), curds and milk was well known. Vrindavan’s women would tie freshly-churned butter at a height out of Krishna’s reach. But Krishna and his friends would form human pyramid and steal their goodies anyway. This dahi handi ritual has come to…
Marriages Made in Heaven
I enjoy the Durga Navratri, probably my second favorite festival after Diwali (that’s when I was born :-)). For nine nights, which culminates with Vijayadashami, we worship nine forms of shakti (Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati), who brings to us wisdom, fertility and strength. I have a smallish traditional golu setting this year. The lowest step celebrates…
Rass Leela
Rass Leela a dance which is attributed to Krishna, Radha and the other Gopis. It is further believed that Kathak evolved from the ‘Rass Leela of Braj and Manipuri Classical Dance’ and is often considered as the “Dance of Divine Love”. The story goes like this. One night, the Gopis in Vrindavan, hear Krishna’s flute…
Mysuru Dasara
As the cultural center of Karnataka, the Mysuru Dasara procession is a major tourist attraction. In fact, the city becomes a cultural focal point, as the 10-day festival brings the best of the state’s performers in one city. It reminds me of the Kala Ghoda Festival from back home in Bombay. Apart from the Golu…
Peak of Glory
The doorstep to the temple of wisdom is a knowledge of our own ignorance. ~Benjamin Franklin
Kanya Pujan
Kanya Pujan is celebrated on mahasaptami, mahaashtami and mahanavami of the Durga Navratri. Young girls are worshiped as a symbol of nine forms of Durga. Young girls are innocent and considered pure souls. Before the woman in them awakens, we celebrate their existence by offering them vanity items. This year, my kanya puja offering includes…
Tirupati Balaji
The Venkateswara Temple is a vishnu temple in Tirumala, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Sri Venkateswara, an incarnation of Vishnu, who is believed to have appeared here to save mankind from trials and troubles of Kali Yuga.
Sukhkarta Dukharata
Sukhkarta Dukhharta Varta Vighnachi || Oh Lord who provides Joy, takes away Sorrows, the destroyer of obstacles Nurvi Purvi Prem Krupa Jayachi || The lord who bestows love everywhere as blessings Sarvangi Sundar Uti Shendurachi || The lord who is smeared with lovely yellow-orange fragrance paste all over his body. Kanti Jhalke Mal Mukataphalaanchi..||…
Snapshots of my World 