Shankar’s International Doll Museum
Have you ever visited the Shankar’s International Dolls Museum in Delhi? If your answer is no, then you must visit…
Animal Weddings for Pleasing the Rain God
We’ve all heard of crazy stuff people do to please the rain God. But have you heard of someone getting…
Kanaka Durga temple Vijayawada – Navaratri celebrations
The festive season in India has begun. Many homes in India are now celebrating Dasara - a festival of 10…
Vraths And Fasts Undertaken By Women South Of Vindhyas
There are numerous Vraths (religious observations in Hindus) and Fasting sessions undertaken by married women of India. Of these, the…
Prasad – Food For Gods
According to Hindu mythology, there are 360 crores Devis and Devatas looking after our wellbeing. How do we thank these…
“Ami Logaan Aisaich Bolte” – A Look Into Hyderabadi Hindi
After many years I was revisiting Hyderabad and I couldn’t believe my eyes. The city had undergone a metamorphosis. Huge…
Annaprashan- The Memorable Ritual Of A Baby’s First Solid Feeding
With a new baby, every moment is special. The first time they smile, the first time they try to walk…
Madey Snana – Spit Bath To Get Rid Of Ailments
Why do age-old rituals persist? Some of them are baseless and are practiced with much resistance in the modern day…
Pookalam – The Floral Rangoli
Once upon a time, there was a great king called Mahabali in Kerala. He was just, generous, righteous and so…
Velakali – The Martial Folk Dance From Kerala
Velakali – the martial art-cum-dance from Kerala is an amazing spectacle where hundreds of male artistes perform some stunning body…
Tirupathi Brahmotsavam –Where Lord Brahma Leads Celebrations
The Lord Balaji temple is situated at in Tirumala hills in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. It is world-famous and…
Mundan, the Indian hair tonsure ceremony for children
Indians are steeped in culture. They have rituals, traditions and customs that signify deeper meaning to every step in life.…
Gaudiya Nritya: The Ancient Dance Form Of West Bengal
Dance, drama, and music have been an integral part of the Indian subcontinent since ancient times. Gaudiya dance originating from…
Upanayana – The Sacred Thread Ceremony
Hindus follow many age-old traditions and day to day practices that reflect their beliefs. Each tradition has a significance and…
Gambhira- Where Tradition Meets Religion
In India, tradition and culture is interwoven with religious ceremonies and rituals. Gambhira Dance from the culturally rich state of…
Karnavedha Samskara- The Ear Piercing Ceremony
The birth of a new life spurs the entire household into a flurry of activities. Right from how the newborn…
Naamkaran, The Traditional Indian Baby Naming Ceremony
The birth of a child is a life-altering event. The parents have hopes, dreams and belief about what the child…
Godh Bharai, The Indian Baby Shower Ceremony
For a woman, becoming a mother is like getting a new birth. She goes from being to just a woman,…
Indian Tradition, Rolling In Cow Dung for Good Luck
Traditions have an emotional and spiritual impact on the lives of humans. Every country all over the world has different…
Symbols Of Marriage In India
Indian marriages are not just creation of a relationship between two individuals but also result in ethical, social, and moral…
The Tradition Of Kesh Lochan By Jain Saints
India is a home of numerous complex rituals and Kesh Lochan is one of such intricate rituals in Jainism. The…
Hanging By Hooks, Garudan Thookam, Kerala
Kerala – God’s own country, known for its pristine natural beauty, its preservation of ancient traditions and culture and its…
Visiting the Kerala Char Dham – Nalambalam
During the monsoons comes the holy month of Karkkidakam or the Ramayana month. The entire month is revered for the…
Debunked! The Concept Of Mangal Dosh In India
A manglik is usually considered unfit for marriage. It is said to cause tension and discomfort in a relationship and…
The Gorgeous Handloom Saris Of India
Saris are quite the special thing for Indian women and when draped well, they can look gorgeous. Handloomed saris are…
The Celebration Of Dhinga Gavar
For many Dhinga Gavar is nothing more than a folk deity. This is said to be a humorous take on…
Jaisalmer Desert Festival A Spectacular Cultural Gala
From the endless sand dunes to the lush green oasis and ancient forts, the golden city of Rajasthan has everything…
Garo A Tribe That Believes In Matrilineal Society
Imagine a society in India where women rule. A society where the groom comes and stays in the bride's house…
The Significance Of Chooda In Punjabi Wedding
Wedding … I guess this is one of the most memorable and best moments in every individual’s life. India as…
Ramadan The Month Of Fasting And Feasting! 7 Best Places To Try Iftar Snacks In Bangalore
Ramadan , as we know,is the month of both fasting and feasting. Well, we are almost half way through and…
Nose Ring – An Age-Old Indian Tradition
Women have always had a fond relationship with jewellery and the nose ring isn't an exception. From head ornaments to necklaces,…
Suhelwa In North India – A Perfect Offbeat Travel Destination
If you are someone who wants to get the best out of an unusual travel destination, then Suhelwa should be…
Marwari Wedding – A Colorful And Traditional Occasion
Marwaris originated from the region of Marwar, now the modern day Jodhpur, in South Western Rajasthan, India. In the present…
MILLETS: FORGOTTEN FOOD GRAINS OF INDIA
Millets were cultivated some 10,000 years ago, even before cultivation of other grains began! Earlier it was consumed daily like…
KUMBAKONAM – LAND OF TEMPLES IN THE SOUTH
Kumbakonam is one of the many Temple Towns in South India. Numerous temples dot the Cityscape. The 150-year old Government…
CHENNAI MUSIC SEASON – MARGAZHI UTSAVAM
The rains and the cyclones that caused a lot of havoc in November have now subsided. The Migratory birds already…
The Golden spice Turmeric and its importance in Indian culture
Of late, Turmeric Lattes have become very popular in the US and across the globe. Instagram is filled with pictures…
Wedding rituals in Uttar Pradesh – A colorful occasion with emotions
Uttar Pradesh is famous for its dense population. In Uttar Pradesh, the wedding rituals are more. As the religious ceremonies…
The Badagas Tribes – A Community That Hails From South India
The tribes are residing throughout our country. They have a different culture, tradition, language and even food items. In every…
Christian Wedding – A Moment Of Bliss And Romance
Christian weddings are totally different from other weddings, their customs, attire and the celebration are quite elegant. Indian Christian weddings…
Meelad un Nabi
There are a lot of festivals and celebrations observed by Indians within various states, cultures and religions. Meelad un Nabi…
Rituals in a Telugu Wedding – Steeped in tradition
Weddings are a grand affair in India. So are the marriages that conducted in the Telugu belt of South India. …
Dhenupureeswarar temple – 1000 year old Temple in Chennai Metropolis
The first thing you notice if walk on the roads of Chennai, is a small idol of Ganesh at small…
Jammu and Kashmir festivals
Jammu and Kashmir is the most beautiful part of the Indian Subcontinent. It is said that Kashmir is the heaven…
BANANA PLANT AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE TO INDIAN SOCIETY
Banana is a tropical plant that is grown in India, Latin America, Asia Pacific and Caribbean regions. The most common…
Madisar – 9 yards Sari worn by Tamil Brahmins
Madisar - 9 yards sari worn by TamBrahms Madisar or the Kosovam is the traditional nine yards garment/Sari of unstitched…
Agraharam – the traditional house of the Brahmins of South India
While visiting southern temples towns like Chidambaram, Thanjavur or Thiruvananthapuram, you must have seen many rows of similar looking houses…
Nikkah – The Muslim Wedding With Ecstasy And Fantasy
Muslims are living in all parts of the world. Even though they keep on changing themselves in dressing, food habits,…
5 oldest Universities In India
As we all know, India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The education system of India…
Famous Festivals of Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh is one of gorgeous state of India, placed in the northeast. The state is home to quite a…
The Holy Basil – Why Is Tulsi Plant Revered In India
Basil is a herb that comes from the Mint herb family. It is used for culinary purposes. A native of…
Eri Silk – The Fabric of Peace
Eri Silk also known by the names Errandi or Endi is mostly found in the North East of India. Eri…
Brass Utensils Used By South India In The Bygone Era
Recently my Mother-in-law got our attic cleaned. My In-laws have been in the same residence for the past 60 years.…
5 Amazing Hindu Festivals Celebrated in India
India is probably the only land where people belonging to different religions live with peace and harmony. It is because…
Heading To Panchgani? Do Stop By Devrai Art Village
If you are an art lover and for long is passionate about visiting an art village, then you can visit…
Fascinating Turbans of India – Royal Vibrant and Colorful
Headgear like clothing is part of Indian culture and tradition. Headgear is generally termed Turban in India. Turbans of India…
Yoga and Indian Culture
Yoga helps to bring a balance between our body and mind. We can term yoga as the science of better…
TODA EMBROIDERY – EXQUISITE DESIGNS IN RED AND BLACK
Art is found in every nook and corner of India. From the mountains to the plains; from the valleys to…
4 Dandiya Gigs That You Shouldn’t Miss This Year At Any Cost
Dandiya is a very amazing dance form of India. This is the traditional dance form of Gujarat. The people of…
Amar Chitra Katha – My Guide to Indian Mythology and History
Every house has a grandmother who is the narrator of ancient tales. My Grandmother also told me many tales of…
Kumbha mela – World’s largest religious festival
Kumbha Mela is a religious festival in India where Hindu followers come together and take bath in the holy river.…
Nagaland Hornbill Festival
Nagaland one of the most beautiful states in India placed at the Northeast. The state is very close to Myanmar.…
Sanskrit Language and Indian History
Sanskrit is one of the oldest languages in India. It is known as the theoretical language of Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism,…
8 Most Unusual Rituals And Festivals Of India
India is a country with a variety of customs and festivals. It is because there are many religions followed in…
Goan Culture – A Blend of East and West
Goa is a small state in India which is famous for its beaches. It is also known as the ‘Rome…
Tamil Language – India’s Oldest Language
India is a country with many cultures and languages. As per the studies, there are more than 20 languages spoken…
A universal Indian Wedding
Let’s face it. Marriages are made in heaven, but their execution can be quite an uphill task, especially if you…
The Kanchipuram Sari – Buy one this Diwali
Kanchipuram Sari is to south what Banaras Sari is to the north of India. Both Saris have the similar attributes…
Top Places That Should Be Marked By Dandiya Lovers In Mumbai
If you are someone who loves the Dandiya dance, then you must be on the lookout for these positions in…
The Dargahs Of India – Visit Them To Enjoy The Cultural Heritage
Dargahs are shrines built over the graves of Sufi saints or dervishes. Dargahs are also associated with Sufi hostels or…
Navrathri celebrations in Tamil Nadu
Navrathri means nine nights. It is a festival of nine nights which is devoted to Goddess Shakti, the powerful depiction…
Buddhism in India
Buddhism was one of the most popular religions around the world once. Siddhartha Gautama was the person who became Buddha,…
Kerala Temple Dance – Krishnanattam and Arjuna Nritham
Kerala, God’s Own Country, has a unique culture and tradition which it has managed to keep alive through the centuries.…
Thiruvathira – When women fast for brothers, husband and sons
The Thiruvathira star that comes in the month of Dhanu is celebrated by the women of Kerala for their brothers,…
The Importance of Navagrahas (in temples)
Navagraha means the 9 planets. These are not the nine planets in the solar system; here we are talking about…
Good Old Traditions Of South India
Time flies quick and good old traditions are flying quicker. Though we learn to disregard senseless beliefs and sentiments, we…
Valluvar Kottam – An Urban Take on Heritage
Valluvar Kottam is a beautiful monument dedicated to the medieval poet Thiruvalluvar and is located amidst the busy Chennai city.…
The Dance of Ghosts – Kummattikkali
Kerala’s rich culture has always amused the tourists and traders visiting the state. During the festivities, the art-lovers can explore…
The Unique Architecture of the Temples of Kerala
Kerala is known as God’s Own Country, thanks to the blessed nature and abundant resources showered across this small land…
The Guruvayoor Lord Krishna Temple
Guruvayoor Temple is located at Guruvayoor town in Trichur district of Kerala. This temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, one…
Tanjore – Temples, Paintings and more
Tanjore is one of the famous cities in Tamil Nadu. It is known as the Cultural capital of Tamil Nadu.…
Rishikesh – A Peaceful Destination By The Side Of Ganga
Rishikesh is a place located in Dehradun district in Uttarakhand state of North India. Rishikesh is maintained by the municipal…
Rock Music And Traditional Culture Of India
It is scarcely known to all that the North Eastern frontier of the Indian Sub-continent is extremely musical, and not…
Worshiping Dhanwanthari – The God of Medicines
Dhanwanthari is the God of Medicines according to Hindu belief. He is worshipped for the well-being and health of family…
Malana: The Best Kept Secret Of Himachal Pradesh
As I was beginning to write this article, media outlets were reporting that the Himachali village of Malana, a name…
Ganesh Chaturthi – Celebrating the Elephant God
Vinayak Chaturthi or Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival of Lord Ganesha, in which the celebrations last for 10 days.…
Aattukal Pongala – A Festival Exclusively for Women
Aattukal Pongala is the largest women gathering festival in Trivandrum. The Attukal Bhagavathy temple, in the capital city of Kerala…
Ayurveda – Nature’s Own Cure in Kerala
Ayurvedic treatments sprouted in this pristine land of India around 5000 years back. It is known as the most ancient…
Celebrating Muslim Dance Forms – Duff Muttu and Oppana
Since the 7th century, Kerala has the influence of Islam from Arab nations. Since then Islam mingled and assimilated to…
Ottam Thullal and Chakyar Koothu – A story of performance, revenge and satire!
Chakyar Koothu is a traditional art form of Kerala. It is a satirical solo performance where the performer narrates Hindu…
Karkkidakam – The Holy Month of Ramayana and Ayurveda
The days from mid-July to mid-August are considered as the month of Karkkidakam in Kerala. Karkkidakam is celebrated as the…
A brief on the Bengali traditional outfits and its appeal
The hues of the Bengali culture The best places, where you will get a glimpse of the Bengali culture and…
The Prolonged Culture Of Bengali Theatre
The Bengal of the year 1880, which was no less than a bejeweled crown of the British colonial rulers, saw…
Vishu – An Auspicious Start to a Harvest Season
April officially marks the beginning of summer in Kerala. The schools are usually closed for 2 months starting April. The…
Thrissur Pooram – A festival of Elephants, Colours and Fireworks
Pooram is a one-day temple festival celebrated annually across Kerala. It is considered very auspicious and celebrated in a grand…
Kalarippayattu – Kerala’s Own Martial Art
Kalarippayattu is a 3000-year old martial art originated from Kerala. Chekavars from the Theyya community were considered as the forefathers…
The Hornbill Festival: Nagaland’s Festival Of Festivals
In the first week of December, when the weather is just right for travel in India, if you are looking…
When Man Becomes God – Theyyam
Theyyam belongs to the Northern Malabar area. It is a Hindu temple ritual predominantly performed in Kolathunadu in Kasarkode, Kannur,…
Onam – Welcoming Mahabali, the Virtuous Ruler
Onam is considered as the Malayalam New Year. The Malayalam calendar starts with the month of Chingam, the month in…
A Complete Guide to Enjoying a Tamil Brahmin Wedding!
Everyone knows that a typical Tamil Brahmin wedding would take anywhere from 2 to 4 days of celebrations with numerous…