I must admit, Holi isn’t my favorite festivals in the world. It’s messy and uncomfortable, to say the least. But for some strange reason, I miss being home this year for the slush fest. I miss being with crazy buddies, especially when it’s time to celebrate. Where I now live, celebrations are a very private…
Tag: Indian Traditions
Lit Up
“There are darknesses in life and there are lights, and you are one of the lights, the light of all lights.” ~ Bram Stoker, Dracula
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…
Diwali Palaharam
Across the country, and because of brain drain, the world in general, Indians are busy celebrating Diwali. I personally love Diwali-the festival of lights, because it also marks my own birth in the world. Imagine what a lovely time to be born, when e world lit up to drown the darkness! Anyway, we celebrate…
Bappa Moriya!
Lalbagcha Raja (The King of Lalbaug) is one of the most famous Sarvajanik Ganapatis from Lalbaug, Mumbai, which is set up during Ganesh Chaturthi. Known as a Navsacha Ganpati (the one who has the ability to fulfill all wishes”), the idol is open to visitors for 10 days; and it is then immersed in water…
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…
Snapshots of my World 