A churel – a female ghost of South Asian folklore

A churel, also spelled as churail, chudail or chudel  is a female ghost of South Asian folklore, which is equivalent of Lilith and well known in North India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. The word “churel” is also used colloquially for a witch. India is a land of myths & legends – centuries of profound history has…

The Great Root Bridges – Meghalaya, India

Cherrapunji, Meghalaya, India. In north-east of the country there are lush rainforests, considered to have the richest biodiversity in Asia. Various unique plants grow here, like Ficus Elastica, enabling the locals to create living bridges from their roots! The Tree Root Bridges are the favorite tourist attraction in Cherrapunji and Nongriat village. Apparently, the technique…

The Sun Temple, Modhera, Gujarat, India – Built in 1026 AD

The Sun Temple, Modhera, Gujarat, India. Built in 1026 AD by a king, the temple is very well preserved and depicts an essence of ancient architecture, which is indeed unique. The temple complex comprises three elements: a big water reservoir, a pillared hall and the main temple.Indian traditional art is famous for the erotic motifs,…

The Ancient tradition of Narbali [Human sacrificing]

      There was an ancient tradition of Narbali [Human sacrificing] ,  for the purpose of pleasing the God, was an orthodoxy and crime due to ignorance in human society. It was  practised  throughout the world even in highly civilised societies due to ignorance and blind faith. Uttarakhand the land of kind hearted rulers and public was…

The Narayan Nagbali Pooja

This is the most important vidhi done in the name of ancestors for their souls to get free from this world and attain the highest state of liberation from this cycle of human birth and death.Narayan Nagbali consists of two different rituals. Narayan bali is done to get rid of ancestral curse (pitru dosh /Pitru…

Garuda Purana – Punishments for our SINS…

Garuda Purana is one of the eighteen Puranas which are part of the Hindu body of texts known as smriti. It is a Vaishnava Purana and the epic is in form of conversation between Lord Vishnu and Garuda (King of Birds), primarily emphasizing the reason and meaning of Human Life form.Garuḍa asks the Lord to…

Samudra Manthan – The night of Lords & Demons

This very popular Shivaratri legend from Puranas explains why people stay awake all night on Shivaratri. Besides, it also tells us why Lord Shiva is also known as Neelakantha. Once Indra – the King of Gods, while riding on an elephant came across Durvasa Muni who offered him a special garland. Indra accepted the garland…

The Shiva Tandava -as the destroyer of the universe.

Lord Shiva is also known as Nataraj, the Dancing God. This divine art form is performed by Lord Shiva and his divine consort Goddess Parvati. The dance performed by Lord Shiva is known as Tandava. Shiva’s Tandava is a vigorous dance that is the source of the cycle of creation, preservation and dissolution. Tandava depicts…

The Night of Lord Shiva – Mahashivaratri

Mahashivaratri Festival or the ‘The Night of Shiva’ is celebrated with devotion and religious fervor in honor of Lord Shiva, one of the deities of Hindu Trinity. Shivaratri falls on the moonless 14th night of the new moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun, which corresponds to the month of February – March in English…

The Shiva Linga

The legend of Shiva Linga or Lingodbhavamurthy is deeply related to Mahashivaratri. The legend narrates the story of vain search by Brahma and Vishnu to discover the Aadi (beginning) and the Antha (end) of Lord Shiva. The legend thus proves the supremacy of Lord Mahadeva over other Hindu Gods and explains why the lingam is…