Kanwariyas: Devotees Carrying Holy Water for Lord Shiva Kanwariyas, As the month of Shravan begins and the earth is draped in a lush green carpet, thousands of Shiva devotees, known as Kanwariyas, embark on their sacred journey. These pilgrims are seen carrying water containers, tied to both ends of a rod, on their shoulders. They…
Brahma: The Creator and Keeper of Universal Balance Brahma, the Creator, is said to have awakened from a prolonged slumber within the cosmic golden egg, Hiranyagarbha. As he opened his eyes, he saw an empty expanse around him and felt a deep sense of loneliness. Determined to populate the universe with life, Brahma created several…
Nataraja: Symbolism and Relevance in Contemporary Times Nataraja, The end of the universe’s cycle is closely associated with Shiva. One of the principal deities in the Hindu trinity (Tridev). Shiva, revered as the destroyer and transformer, is believed to have taken on numerous forms throughout the ages. One of his most prominent manifestations is Nataraja,…
Puppetry in Rajasthan: A Legacy of Storytelling and Craftsmanship Puppetry Tales, India’s got a mad old-school vibe with puppetry, especially in Rajasthan, where it’s all about those iconic “kathputlis.” This isn’t just some kiddie show—it’s a legit art form where puppeteers work their magic with rods and strings, making those wooden dolls come alive with…
Balarama: The Farmer’s Deity Turned Vishnu’s Avatar Balarama, Krishna’s big bro, doesn’t get much hype in devotion these days. But back in the Bhagavata Purana, he was a total big deal. Known as Krishna’s elder brother e’s seen as a supreme form of deity that eventually evolved into Vishnu. In the Jagannath tradition, he’s one…
Iconography: The Art of Telling Stories Through Images Iconography, Icons are basically visuals that represent spiritual ideas or important people and things. Like, someone iconic such as Nelson Mandela, who’s respected for his life and work. Water’s sacred ‘cause it gives life, and the pipal tree’s a big deal for giving us oxygen. But most…
Mattur Mattur, Sanskrit, the “devon ki bhasha,” has always been a big deal in human history. This ancient language, found in Hindu texts like the Vedas, epics, and Puranas, has left its mark on India’s and Southeast Asia’s culture and languages. But it’s not just about old-school literature—Sanskrit’s influence runs deep in ancient languages, maths,…
Ananthapaura Lake Temple: A Jewel of Kerala’s Sacred Landscape Ananthapaura Temple, famously known as the Ananthapaura Lake Temple, stands as a testament to Kerala’s Vaishnavite tradition and architectural brilliance. Nestled in the serene village of Ananthapura, about 6 km from Kumbla in Manjeshwaram Taluk, Kasaragod District. This 9th-century marvel is steeped in cultural, religious, and…
Naga Temples of Karnataka Naga Temples Worship Culture of Karnataka, Last month on October 17th Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev’s ashram known as the Sadhguru Sannidhi. In Bangalore celebrated the second consecration anniversary of its kshetrapal god, Naga. It was Sharad Pournima, and devotees had the chance to register and apply freshly made butter to the Naga…
Uma Maheshwara: Eternal Love Captured in Stone Uma Maheshwara: When you’re checking out old temples, you’ll often spot these stunning sculptures of Shiva and Parvati. These beauties are called Uma-Maheshwara. Classic, right? In Hindu temple art, the Uma-Maheshvara sculpture, showing Shiva and Parvati as a young, loving couple, is a super popular vibe. It’s one…
