The Aghori sadhus of Varanasi are holy priests who renounced all worldly possessions in exchange for the higher spiritual benefits of life. These ascetic Shaiva sadhus practice ascetic rituals like cremation, eating of human flesh, cremation of bodies, meditation on corpses, mummification, wearing of skulls as spiritual and bodily tools, and eating cow-dung cakes. They …
The Buddhist chanting of Ladakh is considered a sacred practice for many believers. It expresses the spiritual and ethical well-being of practitioners. The spiritual ritual is performed in groups-men chant traditional dress and use bells, drums, and trumpets on their way to the pilgrimage site. Upon arrival they join other monks and women in prayer …
Nag Panchami is the most popular of the Indian festivals. The festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the lord of all snakes. Hindus consider snakes a symbol of power and control, thus the festival is held on the day of the waning moon of Shravan (January-February first). It is celebrated in many places across India …
Namaste, in lesser known Sanskritic language, means “I bow to you.” Sometimes said as Namaste and namakar, Namaste, in Sanskritic language, is a generic non-face-to-face and face to face greeting and honor you show to another individual or group, usually in general and religious context in particular. It is used most commonly among the Hindu …
Festivals are one of the universal customs celebrated around the world. The concept of Festivals & Religion in India is very rich and varied. The festivals celebrated around the globe vary by country, but we all are bound to observe certain festivals and customs in our respective countries. All these customs or festivals are rooted …
Festivals & Religion – Always Celebrate Diversity in India Read More »
Family structures are formed by generations of people sharing a feeling of commonality and kinship. The family structure that we have maintained as the cultural norm for the last half century has, in fact, been a disaster for so many. Now it is time to discover better ways to survive together as a family. In …
Current Family Structure Scenario and Recommendations Regarding revisions to the FHS Read More »
Religious Customs, also known as cultural practices, are an important part of Indian tradition and culture. Many of these originate from the ancient Indian scriptures and literature, which have traditionally dictated the manner of life in India for many thousands of years. However, certain elements have become more prominent in the last few decades. One …
Some of the most popular traditions in India that people observe are related to the festivals and festivities that occur during the major festivals. Diwali, Holi, Durga Puja, Baisakhi and Rakshabandhan are all major festivals of India. There are many other popular festivals that occur throughout the year. This article will discuss some of the …
From earliest times till the twentieth century, India has had its very own unique traditions, customs, beliefs and faiths. While the idea of separation of religion from the state is recently generally accepted, there has been an evolution in the concept of Statehood itself. Since the creation of independent states in the last 70 years, …
Indian tradition has always remained with us for so many decades that even after all these years of progress we still find new and fresh combinations and variations in its practices and rituals. The unity of the people of India is reflected in its very customs and traditions which are as old as civilization itself. …