Culture

Bhang | The Holy Holi Drink

Is bhang legal in India? From Holi celebrations to Siva worship, bhang has been consumed in India for centuries in various forms— bhang lassi,

History, People, Places

India’s first sports superstar | Dhyan Chand

This young sepoy’s sporting achievements are so remarkable that his birthday is celebrated as National Sports Day in India. This is the story of

History, Places, Religions

The Jain temples of Deogarh | Uttar Pradesh

How did a small town in Bundelkhand become a pilgrimage site for Jains? Deogarh’s Karnali Fort houses a remarkable complex of 31 Jain temples

People, Places, Religions

Kanwar Yatra | Har Ki Pauri

Kanwar Yatra is one of India’s largest pilgrimages. It sees over 30 million devotees walk barefoot for miles, carrying Ganga water to Siva temples

History, People, Places

The Excavations at Adichanallur | Tamil Nadu

About 150 years ago, a series of excavations at Adichanallur in Tamil Nadu threw up many ancient artefacts that were dated to about 900

History, Places

Salkhan Fossils Park | Sonbhadra

Did you know that India is home to one of the oldest fossil parks in the world? About 100 kms from Varanasi in Uttar

Culture, History, Places

Sankranti: A Sky Full of Kites

Kite flying is an inseparable part of the Makar Sankranti celebrations, a festival that is celebrated all over India in some form or the other. How old is the tradition of kite flying in the country? And why is it connected to the spring festival of Sankranti?

Culture, Religions

Mariamman: The Village Goddess Who Travelled

The worship of village gods in rural India is older than the Vedic tradition. Did you know that the most powerful of these deities is actually a goddess of rain, who is said to cure diseases? Read on for an interesting peek into the evolution of religious traditions in the villages of south India.

Culture, Places

Dancing with Deities: Five Unique Folk Traditions of India

India is a land where folk traditions thrive in abundance and are practised with zeal and devotion. Spirit possession rituals are often an integral part of these colourful traditions and are celebrated in grand festivals. Read on to know more about 5 spectacular spirit possession rituals from across India.

Culture, History, People

Raja Ravi Varma – The Royal Indian Artist

Perhaps no Indian artist’s work is as instantly recognisable as Raja Ravi Varma’s. Picture a Hindu goddess in your mind, and chances are that the image is in a Ravi Varma-esque style. Read on to find out more about his journey and legacy.

Culture, Places

How to Deceive the Evil Eye

The concept of the "evil eye" has existed for thousands of years and in cultures around the world. And every society has, understandably, developed unique rituals to thwart the evil eye and the misfortunes it brings, some of which are practised even today. What does India do to deceive this malevolent glare? This light-hearted article explores some magic Indian fixes.

Culture

Seven Mythical Creatures of India

India’s bestiary of mythical creatures is as rich, varied and diverse as its multitude of art forms, cultural artefacts and storytelling traditions. Read on to meet (from afar) seven marvellous, monstrous creatures from Indian myth and folklore from around the country that are sure to send shivers down your spine.

Culture, Religions

Of Diwali and Deepavali

The festival of Diwali unites most communities in India in joyful celebration. But did you know that different communities have different reasons to celebrate it?

Culture, Places, Religions

Why Is Diwali Not a Festival for Some Hindu Communities?

Diwali, or the ‘festival of lights’ is one of the most popular festivals in India. There are many myths and legends associated with it, and different regions in India celebrate it in different ways and for different reasons. But did you know that there are certain Hindu communities that don’t celebrate it?

Culture, History, People

Ponniyin Selvan and a Thousand-Year-Old Murder Mystery

Kalki Krishnamurthy’s magnum opus, Ponniyin Selvan, is a masterpiece in historical fiction. Based on the real events surrounding Raja Raja Chola's accession to the throne, the novel serves up an enticing concoction of espionage, deceit, desire and valour, topped with an ancient murder mystery. What is the real story? And can truth really be stranger than fiction?

Culture, History, People

Rembrandt’s Mughals

The Dutch painter Rembrandt is considered one of the masters of the Dutch Golden Age of painting. Among his paintings is a portrait of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. But Rembrandt had never met Shah Jahan. So how did he paint him? Here's the story.

Culture

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