“There are darknesses in life and there are lights, and you are one of the lights, the light of all lights.” ~ Bram Stoker, Dracula
Tag: Festivities
Bursting with Life
We shall go wild with fireworks…And they will plunge into the sky and shatter the darkness. We don’t have any fireworks that big. ~ Natsuki Takaya
Prosperity
Sometimes we may ask God for success, and He gives us physical and mental stamina. We might plead for prosperity, and we receive enlarged perspective and increased patience, or we petition for growth and are blessed with the gift of grace. He may bestow upon us conviction and confidence as we strive to achieve worthy…
Let There Be Light!
When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself. ~Tecumseh
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…
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…
Lord Krishna is Born
According to Hinduism, Krishna was the 8th avatar of Vishnu, and his birth marked the start of Kalyuga, the world we live in. Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm in India. Per the Hindu calendar, this religious festival is celebrated on the Ashtami of Krishna Paksh or…
Vishu Kanni
Vishu Kanni is an important part of Vishu celebrations in all Mallu households. Being part Mallu (the one that comes from my father), Kanni is a part of the lunisolar new year celebration in my house too. Kanni literally means first view and is the first thing you open your eyes to on the auspicious…
Let Us Prosper
As I was born and brought up in Maharashtra, the Marathi harvest festival/new year (according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar) known as Gudi Padva is a celebration I look forward to. Padva in general means festival or celebration and the Gudi is a “flag” of the Hindu god Brahma (Bhramadhvaj), who is believed to have created time and…
Snapshots of my World 