Guruvayur is a city in South India, known for its temple and main deity Guruvayurappan (form of Lord Krishna). Millions of devotees come to pray in this temple. A special mention to an elephant called Guruvayur Kesavan who was an ardent devotee of Guruvayurappan.
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School prayer song – Humko mann ki shakti dena
Schools have prayer songs where every morning all the school students, teachers and administration assemble and sing these prayer songs! Translating one of them that still resonates decades after I finished school!
Continue reading “School prayer song – Humko mann ki shakti dena”Maha Periyava explains what is Trikarana Suddhi
Sage of Kanchipuram (Maha Periyava) once explained what is Trikarana Suddhi to a few students. Sharing the story & experience!
Continue reading “Maha Periyava explains what is Trikarana Suddhi”A Tamil poem about God
Kavignar Kannadaasan (Tamil Poet) wrote a small poem about God!
Continue reading “A Tamil poem about God”Understanding what we chant
All of us have prayers in our own religions and cultures. Being able to understand them and recite makes a difference!
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Happy Deepavali (Diwali) to all of you!
Continue reading “Happy Deepavali (Diwali)”Happy Halloween
How did you celebrate Halloween this year?
Continue reading “Happy Halloween”Soups #1 – Garden vegetable soup
Feel-good seasonal soups!
Continue reading “Soups #1 – Garden vegetable soup”Devi Stuti with meaning
Reciting and/or listening to these lyrics is said to enhance positive vibrations and promote happiness and success in the lives of all people at home.
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Mahalaya is a period where we have we remember & propitiate our ancestors.
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The eleventh day from full moon / new moon is called as Ekadashi.
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To everyone who celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi around the world…
Continue reading “Ganesh Chaturthi”Janmashtami
Janmashtami celebrates the birthday of Krishna 🙏🏻
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Narada is a divine sage, who is the child of Lord Brahma and sings praises of Lord Vishnu!
Continue reading “Learning from Narada”Glass art
Few years back had the opportunity to visit a Glass museum. Lovely experience and a quick cultural trip across the world!
Continue reading “Glass art”Sankarabharanam raagam
Sankarabharanam is 29th of the 72 raagas in Carnatic music. Some songs have a soothing and healing effect, and some others touch our soul.
Continue reading “Sankarabharanam raagam”Kabanda from Ramayanam
When we face challenges in life, how do we get to know how to solve them? How do we know where to look for help and who can help us? A small story from Ramayanam gives a clue!
Continue reading “Kabanda from Ramayanam”Short story on retaining focus
There was once a devotee who loved visiting the temple and performing religious rituals. She yearned to be serving at the temple, doing small things that gave her immense pleasure that she was serving God!
Continue reading “Short story on retaining focus”Quiz 42 – Names of New year
New year celebrations are tied to spring in India. People speaking different languages seem to call the turn of new year by different names. How many can you name correctly?
Continue reading “Quiz 42 – Names of New year”Murals from around the world
Murals are street art, wall paintings prevalently known as a way to express feelings prevalent in the community. While they are huge in size, some of them are so creative that cities conduct art competitions to tap into the creativity of artists to make the city come alive!
Continue reading “Murals from around the world”Holi – Festival of colors
Holi is an Indian festival of colors, filled with festivities and rituals. One of the best Holi celebrations that remains close to heart!
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While studying in school (few decades back), I learned about the states of matter – Solid, liquid and gas. Our understanding of simple facts like these also seems to have evolved over years!
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Interesting conversations with extended family and friends circles triggered this weekend post 🙂
Continue reading “Mothers and their cooking journeys!”Shivaratri – stories
Shivaratri is celebrated by many across the world and for someone who has grown up in India, the festival brings a feeling of nostalgia!
Continue reading “Shivaratri – stories”Satyanarayana Puja
Ekadashi (11th day of lunar cycle) and Pournami (Full moon day) are supposedly very auspicious to perform Satyanarayana puja.
Continue reading “Satyanarayana Puja”Exam time foods
Every place we live has their own versions of foods that they give their children while preparing for exams. Sharing some interesting observations across cultures!
Continue reading “Exam time foods”Panchamrut
This is a popular offering at temples and a very tasty dish! Sharing the basic version and variations of Panchamrut (a.k.a Panchamrutam)!
Continue reading “Panchamrut”Harvest festival (Pongal/Sankranthi)
In India harvest festival is celebrated in the middle of January (13, 14, 15, 16) with each of the days being celebrated for different reasons. It is interesting to see how small acts from a cultural standpoint have a huge impact on the community and our lifestyles!
Continue reading “Harvest festival (Pongal/Sankranthi)”Learning about Shaligrama
On the day of Vaikunta Ekadashi, I got an opportunity to learn more about Shaligrama / Shalagrama / Shaligram / Saligram. Sharing what triggered my interest and the interesting aspects about what I found!
Continue reading “Learning about Shaligrama”Wood burning – Pyrography
An interesting art form perfect for holiday gifts. The house smells of burnt wood, so it is mandatory that one wears a strong mask while attempting this!
Continue reading “Wood burning – Pyrography”Quiz 34 – 12 Jyothirlinga sthalas
How many of these Jyothirlinga sthalas and lingams can you identify? Have you visited any of these places?
Continue reading “Quiz 34 – 12 Jyothirlinga sthalas”Brushing teeth and Dental hygiene
Dental hygiene and brushing teeth are a critical part of our health. However, it is interesting to observe the extent of importance we seem to attribute to it across different cultures.
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I got to see my great grandparent’s picture today! Family portraits were a common theme then!
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Season to celebrate the harvest and blessings of the past year!
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All of us like to feel included, we need to feel wanted, that feeling comes together in a community when everyone strives to be there for one another! Got to witness it yet again…! Sharing my experience!
Continue reading “Community makes a difference!”Perspectives about who wrote the first number
When kids ask questions like these, it becomes an interesting journey to answer them. Answers involve our culture, knowledge, practices, history and processing all threads to come up with a concise answer that captures their attention!
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Deepavali – Festival of lights
Diwali or Deepavali is an array of lights celebrated by lighting lamps of different types across the house. It is always beautiful to see all homes lit outside with oil and wick lamps. Every family has the habit of lighting lamps indoors and outdoors, and there is a competitive atmosphere to see who has lit the best and most innovative lamp designs.
Continue reading “Deepavali – Festival of lights”Five Asian soaps to watch (with subtitles of course)
In the past few years, I started watch Asian soaps and was impressed with certain aspects that are unique to their culture. Sharing my view of the best ones to watch when you are looking for a change in genre!
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Rangoli (Kolam) and its importance
Those who grew up in India would know about this art form. Beautiful patterns made on the floor using rice flour. Mesmerizing work – especially during chilly mornings!
Continue reading “Rangoli (Kolam) and its importance”Seasonal festivities in India – Navaratri and Durga Puja
While it is baking, Halloween and Thankgiving in this side of the world, how do Indians celebrate Fall season? Our cultures line up a series of festive occasions to induce a happy mindset, making sure we are focusing on happy thoughts and happy moments. How does that happen?
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