Significance and History The Hindu festival, Ganesh Chaturthi commemorates the birth of Lord Ganesha, who is thought to be the child of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Hindu mythology holds that Lord Shiva gave Ganesha existence after Parvati fashioned him from the dirt on her body. People from different communities and backgrounds come together for the […]
Significance and History Onam is a harvest festival celebrated in Kerala. Home decorations, preparation of traditional dishes, and classical dance are some of the common practices followed on this day. Also known as Thiruvonam, it is Kerala's official state festival which is celebrated irrespective of caste, community, or religion across the state. The festival is also celebrated by non-Hindu […]
Significance and History Mythology says that Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara created Goddess Durga to defeat demon king Mahishasura. The demon king had gotten a boon that he cannot be exterminated by anyone, including gods and goddesses. The creators of Goddess Durga had given her several weapons to fight against the demon king. Basically, Mahalaya connotes […]
Significance and History This culture is deeply rooted in an understanding of the human system's connection to the Earth, the Moon, the Sun, and various aspects of the Divine. This connection is also reflected in the timing and manner of our festival celebrations. Navratri, meaning 'nine nights', begins the day after the new moon (Amavasya). […]
Significance and History In October or November, during the Hindu lunar month of Kartika, Hindu women in Northern and Western India observe the festival of Karaka Chaturthi. The event falls on the fourth day of the dark-fortnight, or Krishna paksha, of the month of Kartika. Karva is another term for "pot," a little earthen pot […]
Significance and History During the festival of Diwali, people light up their homes and commercial outlets. Lord Ganesh is worshipped for prosperity and welfare whereas Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped for wisdom and wealth. The festival usually falls in the months of November or October and is celebrated to mark the return of Lord Rama from […]
Significance and History The festival of Bhai Dooj is celebrated across the country in a traditional way. On the occasion, sisters make a seat for their brothers using rice flour. Once the brother sits on the seat, a paste of vermillion, dahi and rice is applied on the forehead of the brothers as a religious […]
Significance and History The rituals surrounding Chhath Puja are supposedly harsher when compared to other Hindu festivals. They involve strict fasting (without water), taking a dip in rivers/water bodies, standing in water and offering prayers, facing the sun for a prolonged period, and offering 'prasad' to the Sun during sunrise and sunset. Any food prepared during […]
Significance and History Also known as 'Tripuri Purnima' or 'Tripurari Purnima', the festival is a celebration of Lord Shiva's victory over the demon, Tripurasara. This festival is also celebrated in honour of Lord Vishnu. On this day, he had incarnated as Matsya, which is his very first avatar. The Hindu legend says that on this […]
Significance and History The Bhagavad Gita, often referred to as the Gita, is a sacred Hindu scripture that consists of a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna, who serves as his charioteer. This conversation takes place just before the Kurukshetra War begins, where Arjuna is confused and morally troubled about fighting in the war. […]