Narak Chaturdashi, or Chhoti Diwali, has a special place in the elaborate cultural and religious festivities of Goa. It is celebrated on the eve of Diwali, signifying the victory of good over evil. The important celebration is found, yet the manner of celebrating it in Goa is unique and deeply tied to local lore and […]Read More
The Saraswati River is one of the most important and sacred features in Indian mythology, history, and culture. It has always been written as a mighty river of the Vedic period. Though it’s no longer there in its physical form, ancient scriptures talk of it as a vital channel that flowed between civilizations. Saraswati has […]Read More
Imagine living a life in which your identity flows like water, constantly reshaping itself over the course of centuries of migration, echoing the whispers of far-off ancestors. Who embodies this fluid existence? For one, the Romani people, by which term I have come to refer to those often called Gypsies. We have seen their culture […]Read More
The golden nightingale of the golden age of Indian classical music, a radiant beauty draped in feisty opulence mesmerising the eyes, dropping jaws, getting the feets dance at her rhythms, tunes, songs and pioneering the epoch of recording in India and asserting the right of a performer to protect, own and exploit one’s identity, what […]Read More
In the rich tapestry of Indian history, few stories captivate as much as those of the maharajas and maharanis whose opulent lifestyles and exquisite tastes left an indelible mark on the world. Among these luminaries, Maharani Yashoda Devi of Patiala stands out not only for her grace and charm but also for her legendary collection […]Read More
Few have resonated as deeply with the ethos of devotion as Kancharla Gopanna, known to the world as Bhakta Ramadasa. His life was a testament to the power of faith and the transcendence of music as a form of worship. Born in the 17th century in Nelakondapalli village, Bhadradri Kothagudem district, Telangana, Ramadasa was a […]Read More
Matangi is the ninth goddess in the Dasa Mahavidya of Shaktism, a sect in which the divine feminine is believed to be the ultimate reality. She is often associated with goddess Saraswati, who is the goddess of learning and music. She is celebrated as the goddess of arts, music, and eloquence and blesses her devotees […]Read More
Santal, a group of indigenous people who live in parts of India, especially in places like Jharkhand and West Bengal. However, along with these two states, they are also found in other states like Odisha, Bihar, Assam and Tripura. This community is so vastly spread out that, they are found in Bangladesh and Nepal too. […]Read More
Tulsidas, born Rambola Dubey on August 11, 1511, in Soron, Delhi Sultanate (present-day Uttar Pradesh, India), was a revered Vaishnava Hindu saint and poet. Renowned for his unwavering devotion to the deity Rama, he left an indelible mark on Indian literature, spirituality, and culture. Tulsidas is best known for his magnum opus, the epic “Ramcharitmanas,” […]Read More
Burning Man is a yearly event that takes place in the Black Rock Desert, Nevada, USA. The festival has become one of the most popular events across the world, attracting thousands of participants from all over the globe. The event happens in the last week of August and early September; a temporary city rises from […]Read More