As we saw celebrations of dusshera hit a crescendo, we in India woke up to the terrifying news of quite a lot of people being mowed down by a train. The burning of Ravaan is quite a sight, and in the northern states of the country is a symbol of the victory of good over…
Tag: PostADay2018
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…
Ram Leela
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…
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
Snapshots of my World 