I woke up this morning and lit the lamp, and had my conversation with the divine as usual. As I sat with my tumbler of coffee, warming my hands and waiting for my son’s call, my mind rolled back to decades ago when Diwali was a big deal at home. Ours was a joint family and we went all the…
We celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi. (Visit the link for the story of Ganesha). As usual, the deity who says no entry for obstacles has brought with him a deluge of rains, which is no surprise as we are also in the middle of monsoons. During my childhood, Ganesh Chaturthi was awaited with joy by the whole family. It was the harbinger…
Ugadi is one of the year’s most awaited Festivals. Ugadi or “New Year”, ushered in by spring, is the season for everything fresh and new and of course, a time to prosper and grow. It is that time of year when the earth is blessed with vibrant new lift and celebrated with great joy in South India, especially in Karnataka,…
It is that time of year again when we get ready to celebrate Makara Sankranti or Thai Pongal, the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu. One of the most important festivals in South India, this four-day festival is something we look forward to with gusto, mainly because it means one of the family’s favorite dishes will be cooked, and a lot of decluttering…
Diwali, the Festival of Lights brings a number of traditions, the most significant of which is the lighting of lamps. Why? Light is seen as “good” To spread light, illuminating the darkness to ward off evil To find knowledge, where there is ignorance To spread the warmth of love, where there is hatred And of course, lamps look beautiful Diwali…