Life & Death & Thanatology
The first trip to Banaras in 2016 had a spiritual purpose: to immerse the ashes of my grandma in the Gangaji. Death brought me to Banaras the first time. And … Continue reading
Kashi nu Maran – The Flood of Ganga – 2016
According to a famous saying in Gujarati – my mother tongue – one can attain Nirvana (bliss) through two simple ways: “Surat nu Jaman ke Kashi nu Maran” i.e. (By … Continue reading
Mrityor Ma Amritam Gamaya – Immortal Mr. Lee Kuan Yew
asato ma sat gamaya tamaso ma jyotir gamaya mrityorma amritam gamaya In the moment of untruth let me see the truth In the moment of darkness let me see light, … Continue reading
Burning Ghats – May the Soul Rest in Peace
Death – a subject no one likes to talk about even though it is the only certainty and MUST be dealt with. So I will not talk about it here. … Continue reading
Magnificent Mummies – 1
“There’s more to see than can ever be seen, more to do than can ever be done” (The Lion King) A visit to the museum opens up a whole new … Continue reading
A Dog’s Sixth Sense – a spooky experience
My Grandma told me folk tales that aroused my curiosity. Tales that were so mystical and interesting that they opened up a whole world of the un-understood realm – enticing … Continue reading
A chance encounter with a Shaman Priest during a sacrifice ritual
Rural Arunachal Pradesh, Dec 2011 This was an encounter that took me by surprise and swept me off my feet! When I think back, it is difficult to imagine the … Continue reading
Tears in Kohima
My friend who had fought several wars as part of the infantry brought me to look at this landmark site. It probably held some significance to him, but I had … Continue reading
Lives of Others – Only 4 at a Funeral
This morning, as I went to pay some bills, I sat in a rickshaw watching the world outside. At a crowded road in santacruz, I noticed a hearse that barely … Continue reading
Lives of Others – The Love Letter
This story has nothing to do with culture or art. Nor is it a pretty story. But it has left a soul coin and enriched my life with empathy for … Continue reading
Pashupatinath – celebration & sorrow
Dusk at the Bagmati river behind Pashupatinath temple. Pre-monsoon clouds. Steep steps going up from the river on the opposite side of the river to worship platforms. Lower cremation platforms … Continue reading
