Bhagavad Gita for Everyday Life: From Battlefield to Breakfast Table
Introduction We usually meet the Bhagavad Gita on a battlefield: Arjuna’s chariot stands between two armies, conch shells are blowing, and a warrior collapses in doubt. At first glance, it looks like a text about war. But the more we sit with it, the more we realise: Kurukshetra is not only a physical battlefield – […]
Dharmapuri’s Kedareshwar Temple – A Testament to Kalyani Chalukya Sculptural Aesthetics
The Marathwada region, the central part of Maharashtra, is known to travelers for the Magnificent Ellora caves. Beyond the Ellora caves, some know about the Ghrishneshwar temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. Some history lovers may know the region for the Satvahana era marketplace of Tagarnagar, known as Ter today. But beyond these popular tourist […]
Beyond Lights and Festivities: Understanding the Sacred Days of Diwali
Diwali, often called the festival of lights, is one of the most vibrant and widely celebrated festivals in India. Marking the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, it brings together families, communities, and entire regions in a spirit of devotion and festivity. Homes are cleaned and decorated with lamps, rangolis, and flowers, […]
The blue pottery from the pink city
All that glitters is not gold. And all that looks blue is not blue pottery of Jaipur. One needs to have a keen eye to differentiate the real one from the fake. The Blue Pottery art , that was introduced in Jaipur in 14th century, but flourished in mid 19th century, is a traditional craft […]
Book Review – Indian Philosophies Rediscovered by Rajeev Kurapati
Rajeev Kurapati’s Indian Philosophies Rediscovered is a refreshing and accessible journey into the vast landscape of India’s classical philosophical traditions. Instead of treating them as mystical or esoteric relics, Kurapati approaches the darśanas as rigorous systems of inquiry—on par with, and often predating, many celebrated Western ideas. The book takes readers through the central schools […]
Maratha Military Landscapes : The newest addition to UNESCO World Heritage
Introduction Among the recent additions to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, one entry from India created wave of joy among the history and heritage lovers, especially in Maharashtra. The entry of “Maratha Military Landscapes of India” was a long standing demand by history lovers. It was listed in UNESCO World Heritage Tentative list […]
Gudimallam Temple: Home to the World’s Oldest Shiva Linga
As a culture and heritage influencer, I have atleast 50 places marked as “To be visited”. But none of them had created such curiosity and excitement in me, as the Gudimallam temple. Ever since I had heard about this temple for the first time, and saw the photo of Gudimallam Linga, I was drawn to […]
The Evolution of the Bhakti Movement Across India
The Bhakti movement was a devotional revolution that swept through India during the medieval period. It emphasized intense personal love for God over ritualistic practices, making spirituality accessible to all believers. Originating in South India around the 6th century CE, this movement gained momentum through poet-saints who sang in local languages, and it later spread […]
Chiteri Art: Echoes of Devotion on Rural Walls
In the culturally rich heartland of Bundelkhand, spanning parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, thrives a little-known but deeply evocative folk art form called Chiteri. Rooted in the traditions of rural households, Chiteri is a wall-painting tradition believed to date back to the 16th century. Its name is derived from the Hindi word chitrakar, […]
Birthplaces of Hanuman: Legends Across India
Among the many characters of Ramayana, Hanuman is probably one of the most revered and loved characters. Apart from Ram and Sita, Hanuman is one who got embedded in the culture, folklores and rituals. Hanuman is considered to be the embodiment of power and humility, who teaches us many important lessons about communication and management […]