The last few days have seen a wave of videos celebrating Chhath Puja emerge, showcasing a devotion that transcends the ordinary. As an exiled Kashmiri Pandit longing for an authentic experience of her traditions, this prompted Shradha Dhar to reconnect with her roots. As she explores the diverse traditions of Bharat from Thaipusam of Tamilnadu to the Tulmulla festival of Kashmir, she emphasizes the importance of preserving these rituals and traditions that form the core of our identity and connect us to the divine.
Latest Posts
Prasad Defilement in Tirupati: Hindu Sentiments and Public Response
The alleged defilement of prasad at the Tirupati temple has sent shockwaves through the Hindu community, striking at the heart of religious sentiments and sacred traditions. The use of impure substances in the prasad violates the spiritual and cultural sanctity of one of Hinduism’s most revered pilgrimage sites. Such an act challenges the very principles of purity and Dharma that define Hindu worship. Restoring the sanctity of the temple and ensuring accountability is now of paramount importance.
Decolonising the Indian Education System – Why Our Approach is Flawed
Recent efforts to decolonise the Indian education system, particularly through rewriting NCERT textbooks, focus on reclaiming India's intellectual heritage by infusing indigenous knowledge into the curriculum. However, merely altering content without changing the deeper intellectual foundations upon which it rests will only result in superficial change. True decolonisation demands a shift from western frameworks of how we teach, learn and evaluate knowledge, to genuinely embrace India's philosophical and cultural traditions at every level of education.
The Divine Tree of Bharat – A Review
Dr. Pingali Gopal writes a summary-review of Achanta Nagarjun's recent book "The Divine Tree of Bharat". In the book, the author delves into the timeless values of Sanatana Dharma such as interrelatedness and harmony that permeate the land of Bharat. Drawing from ancient texts and metaphors, Nagarjun counters Western narratives of a "primitive ancient India", highlighting the enduring achievements of Indian civilisation in arts, science, and spirituality. While critiquing the impact of colonial and Marxist distortions, the author calls for a revival of cultural pride and knowledge, essential to preserving the essence of Bharatiya identity amidst modern threats.
Finding the Divine in Challenging Times – The Story of Devi Abhirami and Her Bhakta
This true story from Tamil Nadu's Tirukadaiyur temple recounts the the story of Shri Subramania Bhattar, a priest who, despite facing severe trials, remained steadfast in his devotion towards Devi Abhirami. His Bhakti was rewarded when the goddess herself transformed a new moon night into a full moon, silencing his doubters. This tale serves as a powerful reminder that, even in our darkest times, unwavering faith and surrender to the divine can help us find light.
Daily Feed
A Tale of Fraught Modernities
Barua's book is an important reflection on the nature of colonial subjecthood, at least in its elite manifestations. We discover that it was by no means completely lacking in agency. The elite colonial subject was not a passive receptacle for the political, or, in this case, the religious and philosophical ideas issuing from the West.
A Tribute to a General – From a Common Man
General Bipin Rawat’s style as any defence strategist would tell us, thought beyond the army and how to arouse the army spirit in every average Indian.
What if We don’t Free Hindu Temples?
The utmost importance of freeing Hindu Temples from State control becomes clearer if we just look at the historical precedent.
An Indian Classics Curriculum
Classical Indian texts need to be introduced into the curriculum so that students are made aware of the massive strides their ancestors took in all fields of intellectual rigour.
Arasavalli Suryanarayana Temple – Part 1
As control of Hindu temples by the government gets more widespread, temple priests find it harder and harder to continue their ancestral occupation.
Vena, Veda, Venus
Many scholars starting with Tilak have suggested that Vedic Vena is Venus but this identification has been disputed.
Krishnavatara
Lord Krishna represents the ideal being whose virtuous qualities have long been ingrained in India's consciousness.
‘Aryaa’ – An Anthology of Vedic Women – Review
"Stories ranging from the Warrior princess Chitraganda who fights alongside Arjuna to the bold princess Ulupi who approaches Arjuna for the union of her own accord to Queen Subhadra who finds a different way of carrying out her dharma and supporting her husband than the conventional way one expects a wife to. Characters etched in the minds of popular imagination such as Satyavati, Shakuntala, and the duo Nala-Damayanti are also presented in a narrative that cannot fail to entertain and arouse interest. The most metaphysical and philosophical stories are undoubtedly those of Gargi, the Brahmavadini, and Maitreyi, the scholarly wife of the famed Yajnavalkya. These stories prove that while there were women steeped in the Shastric worldview, they were not purposely debarred from aspiring towards education and a spiritual path."
In this review of 'Aryaa - An Anthology of Vedic Women' Rohan Raghav Sharma discusses the need for such a book before delving into each of the ten stories told in the book. He gives detailed insights into each story along with his critique of the writing styles of the different writers.
The Power of the Hanuman Chalisa
The divine power within the Hanuman Chalisa instils bhakti in us and the desire to be righteous in our daily pursuits.
India’s Impact on French Thought & Literature
A brief survey of the impact that the discovery of Indian literature, philosophy and spirituality had on French thought and literary movements from the 18th to the 20th century.
नए जीवन की ओर (भाग १)
गंगा के किनारे सुचिता का रमन से मिलन उसके जीवन में बहुत बदलाव लाता है।
On Secularism, Modernization and Hinduism: Part 1
Halley Kalyan introduces an important work by Prof. AK Saran.
Daily Feed
The Flawed and Dangerous New Educational Policy (NEP)
This article discusses the principal reasons that make the New Educational Policy (NEP) dangerous for Hindus and the traditional learning systems of Bharat. It does have some good points but the negatives far outweigh the positives to the extent that they may cause total destruction of Bharat’s ethos, culture, and values in a very short time.
A Tale of Two Resurrections
Ilayaraja's view on the resurrection of Jesus Christ compared to his beloved Ramana Maharshi has sparked debate.
Thoughts on 3067 BCE being the year of the Mahabharata War
Incorrect methodologies to determine the time period of the Mahabharata war has led to much confusion.
Integrating India’s Heritage in Indian Education – Part 1
By turning their back on their rich cultural heritage, Indians have denied their own an education which not only gratifies the intellect but also the soul.
In search of Bhagavati Tara (Part 1)
Second in the list of the great Mahavidyas, the tantrik goddess, Tārā, is terrifying in appearance and yet is the one who saves, guides and protects. She ultimately helps her devotees to cross the ocean of duality.
Śaṅkara Charitam – A Re-telling – Chapter 03
Skanda comes as Kumārila Bhaṭṭa, Sivaguru and Āryambha are given a vision of the divine descent and are asked to make a choice.
Accession Of Jodhpur To Union Of India – Facts Vs Myths
This is a very popular belief that Jodhpur wanted to accede to Pakistan, but with the efforts of V.P. Menon, Sardar Patel, and Mountbatten, it didn’t happen. In this essay, the author examines and disproves the various misconceptions about Jodhpur’s accession to the Union of India.
A Tale of Fraught Modernities
Barua's book is an important reflection on the nature of colonial subjecthood, at least in its elite manifestations. We discover that it was by no means completely lacking in agency. The elite colonial subject was not a passive receptacle for the political, or, in this case, the religious and philosophical ideas issuing from the West.
Why I Became a Hindu
The essential reasons why I became a Hindu, or a Krishna Bhakta, and what made the difference in the Vedic tradition over other religions or spiritual paths.
Linking Indian traditional wisdom with modernity
An enlightening interview with Shri Raghu Ananthanarayanan on the relevance of Indic knowledge in the world today.
Return Gift
The difference in the Hindu ethos amongst those of the older generation versus the present lot is all too evident to see.
Thoughts on the date of the Mahabharata War
Astronomical references from the text suggest that the Mahabharata war took place not earlier than 3200 BCE nor later than 1800 BCE.