What’s in a Name!
I did not realise the complexity of our naming system until I came across the extremely simple – and therefore confusing – naming system used for naming children in Bali, … Continue reading
Another Vaishnav Textile!
Here is a magnificent fragment from Nepal with scenes from the Ramayan. From the Met Museum collection http://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online/search/37631 . Nov 2015
A Journey to Assam along a ‘Vrindavani Vastra’
It is said that if you cross the Brahmaputra river once, you will return again to cross it a total of seven times. I’ve done 3 and as I try … Continue reading
A Temple Lies Locked
Many temples are run by trusts. Trusts that are made up of people. Sometimes people disagree. And fight. And over time, with the addition of ego and the passage of … Continue reading
The Narakasura Festival, Goa
[A post from 2010 on the occasion of Diwali & Narakasur] Goa. Narakasur. Pre-Diwali. A unique folk festival that I noticed for the first time in 2004 then became more … Continue reading
Inside Tamdi Surla Temple – a Monument that escaped Plunder
I played Chor-Police or Police & Thieves for hours every day during my school holidays in my childhood. One team hides and the other team seeks. Too often, as a … Continue reading
Of Human Bondage – The Chains of Marriage
Marriage with its Emotional Bondage* that is Voluntary & Reciprocal can be a beautiful experience. In the Hindu tradition, this bondage is poignantly represented by the Gold Chain that the … Continue reading
SEEN ON EBAY: PORTRAIT of a DEVOTEE who had been standing eight years, day and night!
PORTRAIT of a DEVOTEE who had been standing eight years, day and night. (India) issued Boston: 1851. Fine original antique engraved woodblock view of native figures of India, printed on quality paper … Continue reading
A Temple of Miracles in the Desert – Tanot Mata Mandir
Locals believe that it was the Goddess Tanot Mata that prevented the bombs from exploding in a war a few decades ago. And the Goddess became famous beyond the local … Continue reading
Holi Again!
It’s the full moon night of Spring. And people are excited about the Dhuleti ir color festival that follows the night of Holi. A few pictures if the Holi Bonfire … Continue reading
Interesting nuggets about Odisha
A series of random interesting nuggets from Odisha: 1. A temple that does not allow non Hindus and foreigners in. So a viewing post has been built outside the compound … Continue reading
Street Shrines of Orissa
Just a small photoessay of pictures from Orissa (Bhubanehswar | Cuttack | Konark) to supplement the Street Shrines of India blog article. Back to Kalinga Diaries jm May 2013
Palm Leaf Pattachitra from Odisha
Traditionally paper, textiles and stone have been used to create artworks. So when a new base material is encountered the most intriguing aspect for me is ‘how did this come … 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
The Holi Festival – Present & Past
Jari Mari Mata Temple on S.V. Road, Bandra. The venue for the Holi bonfire on the night of the Spring Full Moon. Past Holi bonfires at this location are a … Continue reading
Intense Spirituality – the Thaipusam Festival
They say spirituality awakens at a particular moment – and that moment is necessarily different for each person. I do not think I have reached my moment yet. But I … Continue reading
Ram Leela at Dassera in Mumbai
The Ramayan is a well known epic about the triumph of good over evil. But the Ram Leela – the enactment of the Ramayana is a lesser known event. In … Continue reading
Dreams I dreamt but did not live : the Ambubasi Tantric Fair
My first visit to the Kamakhya temple or Kamakshi temple exposed me a little to its history and to its significance. Every year this temple celebrates the Ambubasi Tantric fair … Continue reading
Street Shrines of India
The Gods are everywhere – literally. In busy Bombay, in parts where its working class real people live, almost every street has a wayside shrine. A holy tree or an … Continue reading
Goan Folk Art – Tulsi Pots
Goa is known for its beaches …but over the years its numerous hidden attractions have revealed themselves to me, slowly, one at a time, ensuring that I remain in love … Continue reading
The Dhunuchi Dance at Durga Puja
I first experienced this dance through one of the most beautiful Hindi films of this decade – Parineeta. This dance is performed at the Durga Puja – a hindu festival … Continue reading
