Bonalu is more than a festival—it’s the heartbeat of Telangana’s devotion to the Mother Goddess. Rooted in ancient village traditions and the worship of Grama Devatas, it transforms Hyderabad into a living tapestry of devotion, ritual and culture. From trance-induced prophecies to the fierce dance of Pothurajus, every moment is an embodiment of Shakti — both protective and powerful.
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.
Ikat weaving is one of the oldest craft traditions of India with a very distinctive weaving technique.
There have been precursors to Sabarimala where Hindu traditions were also attacked.