Hate and violence are such terrible words. I am so sad because there is so much abhorrence and brutality around us.
We had a terrorist car bomb blast in old Delhi outside the Red Fort. This area is in the most crowded part of Delhi and opposite it the market is called Chandini Chowk. Chandini means Moonlight and chowk means Square. The name Chandini Chowk was given because a canal ran through it in the 17th Century. Continue reading
Dear ones, we celebrate Diwali, which is a joyous festival, on the twenty first of October. It is a much-loved festival. We light lamps at night, children get fire crackers, new clothes, women buy jewelry, eat lots of sweets and many of us gamble on Diwali night. Continue reading
Naraka/Bhoot Chaturdashi are celebrated for the end of darkness. They are to be observed tomorrow on October 20th. Both Naraka Chaturdashi and Bhoot Chaturdashi are a time to reflect and to be cleansed of negativity and renewal of energy. Narak means hell and Narakasura was called the Asura (monster) from Hell. Bhoot means ghost and in Bhoot Chaturdashi we become mindful and realize that we are not alone. Continue reading
Now the festive time is here and the good will season is there for all of us. We are enthusiastically looking forward to each festival and celebration. Are we aware of what the reasons for the festivities are? They are celebrated not only for our joy and delight but to awaken our moral compass. Continue reading
Growing up as children in India as a Hindu, one learns a great deal from our numerous festivals. It is not taught but one’s awareness becomes heightened watching family members. All the festivals are based on triumph of good over evil. I am sharing with you the history and background and how this becomes a part of one. Continue reading
My dear ones, we are in a time frame which is heralding good tidings. Let us look back and see how our past year was spent. How would we like to change it? Have we been conscientious in our quest? What can we do? There are so many things which can be accomplished. We have to seek and the only then will we know the truth. The truth can be cruel but what is worse is when we become indifferent to each other. Our Antennae are out there, but they are only there for our friends. Continue reading
Diwali symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. The lamps we light signify that that we should cleanse ourselves and remain on the spiritual path. Continue reading
Hindu festivals have no sadness, and our festivals celebrate triumph of good over evil, the expression of devotion to the deities and thanks for the harvests. Each festival centers around the rituals of prayer and seeking of blessings. This also entails new clothes, cleaning and decorating the homes and making sweets and savories for offerings. Feasting and dancing are present in many of the festivities. Continue reading
Diwali, our festival of lights gets its name from the lamps we light outside our homes. The light symbolizes the inner light within us which protects us from spiritual darkness. Diwali is a time for joy and happiness and an invitation to the Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, to visit our homes. Continue reading
Why is it that the more one spends, the more freebies one gets? I have always thought that the less one has, the more one should get. Continue reading
Today we celebrate Diwali, the glorious festival of light and victory over evil. In many homes, annual shopping is done for new clothes, new vessels and jewelery. Lamps are lit when it is dark and crackers are burst. Continue reading