Rath Yatras are a very common sight in several Indian Hindu pilgrim spots. So, I was pleasantly surprised when I found a set up similar in Sri Lanka. Just before our visit, the locals told us that we missed the local deity’s annual ride around the city. These ornately decked up vehicles, or rathas are…
Tag: Hindu Traditions
Pyaar Hua, Ikraar Hua
Like I mentioned before, there are no guides at Avani, so everything I write is either from connecting the dots or Google. I went with a lovely friend so it was a fun day-long picnic. There are loads of ruins in Karnataka, and the sculptures are full of mystical and mythical creatures. When I saw…
Light the Lamp
There is a tradition of lighting a lamp twice a day in our temple at home. Light is considered to dispel ignorance and bring knowledge. God, who is all knowing, opens our eyes, and gives us the solutions we need. Hope and faith are essential for us to believe. In this lovely temple in Avani,…
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…
Snapshots of my World 