I had promised that I would share the recipe of non-polluting oil. Here it is: Take one part palm oil, 200 ml coconut oil, 200 ml sesame oil and 200 ml castor oil and mix them in a slow fire. Add 100 gms ajwain, 50 gms cloves, a big bunch ...

There are several stories about this day, which I am sharing in short as follows: On Diwali Amavasya day, Goddess Lakshmi appeared during the churning of the milky ocean. On the same day, Lord Vishnu took the Vamana Avtar and pushed King Bali into the Netherworld. Lord Vishnu also promised ...

For South Indians, Amavasya fell on the day after Diwali, this time. This Amavasya is the darkest one in the year. Placing oil lamps at strategic places in our home early in the morning is very important. On this day, offering Tarpana (sesame water) to Pitrus is also very important. ...

Like mentioned in the previous post, North Indians use the water they had prepared on Dhan Triyodashi for bathing with some fragrant powder called uptan. They, then, wear new clothes, draw color rangoli wherever they can and place oil lamps at strategic locations. They perform pooja to Lord Krishna to ...

Naraka Chaturdashi is considered little Diwali in the North and big Diwali in the South. This day is also considered as Roop Chaturdashi, by the North Indians. There is a myth that the water infused with rose water, rose petals, sandalwood powder, turmeric powder and a pinch of sea salt ...

The story of Dhanada Lakshmi goes thus: Once on Dhan Triyodashi morning, Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi came on a trip to the earth. He went on to bathe in a river and She moved about the fields. There were a lot of attractive yellow flowers on the mustard plants. ...

There are a few festivals that were celebrated after Karva Chauth. I will share about them later. Today, I am sharing about Dhan Trayodashi or Dhanvantri Jayanti that fell on last Tuesday. When the milky ocean was churned, one of the items that came out was Amruta Kalasha with Lord ...

On the night of Ekadashi, we have to perform aarti with camphor and placing Tulasi leaves at the feet of the idols; we should partake of milk and fruits only, at the same time praying to God. There should be no naivedyam on this day. On Dwadashi, we have to ...

The ascetic, we were talking about toward the end of the posts on On Navaratri, also talked about the Ekadashi after Vijaya Dashami. He said, “Navaratri is mostly for kanyas and suhasinis. But, did widows perform any sinful act? Our culture forgets about them. When a man loses his wife, ...

We realized the reason for Dolly having compelled Mom to place the Jala Krida near the Golu, immediately. While the little girl was enjoying the scene, an ascetic came to our door and chanted a mantra from the Vedas. When Mom went to see, who it was; she saw a ...