Ekadashi (11th day of lunar cycle) and Pournami (Full moon day) are supposedly very auspicious to perform Satyanarayana puja.
Continue reading “Satyanarayana Puja”Tag: #culture
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.
Continue reading “Brushing teeth and Dental hygiene”Family portrait
I got to see my great grandparent’s picture today! Family portraits were a common theme then!
Continue reading “Family portrait”Happy Thanksgiving
Season to celebrate the harvest and blessings of the past year!
Continue reading “Happy Thanksgiving”Community makes a difference!
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!
Continue reading “Perspectives about who wrote the first number”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!
Continue reading “Five Asian soaps to watch (with subtitles of course)”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?
Continue reading “Seasonal festivities in India – Navaratri and Durga Puja”Temple Mandapams
Indian temples have a lot of mandap (or mandapams) each of which signifies different characteristics. Interestingly, some mandapams also connect to our body organs in temples.
Continue reading “Temple Mandapams”Quiz 25 – Festivals
How many of these festivals can you identify?
Continue reading “Quiz 25 – Festivals”Unique forms of art -2
Continuing on the art forms.. learned about two more!
Continue reading “Unique forms of art -2”Unique forms of art – 1
Recently I noticed that my school friends seem to have acquired a passion for art, and as a result I got to hear about various forms of art! Sharing some of them that were unique which captured my interest!
Continue reading “Unique forms of art – 1”Universe or Multiverse
It is interesting to see some concepts easily understood and explained by our ancestors through Puranas. We might not have grasped the concept so easily. However, when children watch these on TV shows and talk about similar concepts, it was tough for me to digest. Sharing some such strange coincidences!
Continue reading “Universe or Multiverse”Ganesha
Ganesha, also known Ganesh, Vinayaka, Ganapati and many other names is a Hindu God of beginnings, traditionally worshipped before starting any new initiative. He is known to be a remover of obstacles! When we grow up with an image of God, it brings a smile to see them do common things like us – hats off to the creative minds who make these idols.. sharing some of those that I have loved over the years…!
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Few years back, had the opportunity to visit Grand Canyon and Four corners. It was nice to see the unique place where four states meet in United States. There are native american stalls selling unique goods over there. It was interesting to see how some of their artifacts had a significant resemblance to Indian culture.
Continue reading “Native American Arrowhead and Indian Vel”Rangoli – An art of decorating
Rangoli is an art form, prevalent in India, in which patterns are created on the floor or ground using rice flour, flowers/flower petals, colored sand etc. It is usually made during festivals or during December-January timeframe. The bigger and beautiful the artwork, the more the pride and credit to the artists.
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