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Significance of Ganesha worship: With obeisance to Lord Ganesha, wishing you more success and joy in 2025 as the year progresses! We begin every New Year with renewed hope and confidence for a better tomorrow. In Hinduism, new beginnings are synonymous with Ganesha worship; so are auspicious occasions. Subscribe To Svara's Newsletter on Books, Travel & Culture Why Do People Worship Ganesha or Ganapati? No undertaking can begin without first invoking the blessings of Lord Ganesha. In the most famous and earliest Rig Vedic mantras, Ganesha is invoked thus: "Ganaanam Tva Ganapatim Havamahe (2.23.1)" As a Rig Vedic deity, Ganesha is also called as 'Brihaspati' and 'Vacaspati' - one who manifests himself through a mass of Light. His battle-axe is described as his most important weapon and he is always in the company of 'ganas' which represents a group of his following. What is the Power of Ganesha? Ganesha is revered as 'Prathama Vandana Gauri ...

Amazing how 2024 sped by! In the blink of an eye, it feels like New Year 2025 is around the corner - and yes, it is! A year that made me cry, laugh, sparkle with joy and experience the deepest lows of despair - oh 2024 - what a rollercoaster year!  1. Time is precious - don't waste it. Spend time with your loved ones. Learn new things. Or more importantly, intensify your sadhana through meditation. 2. There are no permanent friends in any relationship - the earlier we focus on our inner serenity and detach from toxic relationships, the better. 3. There will always be people who choose to misunderstand how you communicate - that's not your problem.  4. Whether it is among family members or friends, a relationship built on accusations and grudges will never work - walk out. 5.  Relationships are about how you make others feel and vice-versa. If someone is continuously targeting you and disrespectful, remove yourself from there.  6. Life is short. You don't know what ha...

Good health is our greatest treasure. We realised the importance of good health in the last few years, especially when the pandemic paralysed the world. What is the greatest healing prayer? Ever wondered what to pray for good health and how to make the mind stronger when it comes to battling illnesses? Post-pandemic, almost everyone has suffered in terms of their health. For many people, there were prolonged bouts of illness as their immunity seemed compromised.  [Subscribe to Svara's Newsletter for Books, Travel and Creative Living]                               [Source: Pexels Photograph by Phillipe Donn ] If you love reading books,  follow Svara's Bookshelf on Instagram! How do I pray for my Health? Sri Paramahansa Yogananda says, " Catering to sensations is the cause of all suffering and misery. St. Francis called the body 'Brother Donkey'. If one loves one's pet dog with a deep attachment, he will ...

Kondal Malayalam Movie Review: As a Malayali movie goer, I didn't enjoy Angamaly Diaries. Still, through this film, Antony Varghese made a definite impression as an actor to watch out for. While he isn't your typical hero, there is a raw energy and authenticity to how he portrays a protagonist that makes him a powerful artist. However, the raw energy fails to hit the right mark as he needs more 'direction' in terms of channelising it. Kondal Movie Review: How Women Protagonists are Shown The depiction of women protagonists in the fisherfolk community remains a huge disappointment. In Chemmeen, Malayalis loved Sheela's brilliant portrayal of a fisherwoman's moral and ethical dilemmas. The characterisation was deeply layered and complex, brought to life by a highly talented artist, Sheela. Such depth is absent in this film's female protagonists. Kondal Movie Story Throughout Kondal movie, Antony Varghese's raw energy and rage stand out as the striking sh...

Trying to understand, "What is the Vidyarambham Ceremony?" especially if you are not familiar with the traditions that are followed in Kerala. This is a unique tradition that is now followed by people of other faiths as well. Wondering how is Vidyaramabham done? In Kerala, most traditional Hindu households observe the Vidyarambham ritual to mark a child's entry into formal education. The term 'Vidyarambham' means 'beginning the pursuit for knowledge (vidya'). In some parts of Kerala, Vidyarambham ritual is also known as Aksharabhyasam, which means 'practice of Akshara (written word). Typically, family elders are the ones who take up this ritual for the younger children in the family. Read more about the literal translation of Vidyarambham here. Can we do Vidyarambham at home? Yes, many families observe the Vidyarambham ceremony at home. What to write during Vidyarambham? Traditionally, 'Om Harishree Ganapataye Namah' is written during Vidyar...

Why do Hindus light deepam? Visit any temple or place of worship. There will be lamps that are lit in front of the deity. You can see that churches too have candles being lit in the evenings. Still, many people do not understand the significance of lighting deepam. [ READ: Why Malayalis light the Nilavilakku] As a child, I grew up watching my grandmother and my mother light the deepam every evening. The glow it brought on their happy faces reflects why the benefits of Deepam embrace the family's positive energy and well-being. [Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: https://svara.substack.com/] Benefits of Deepam While atheists and liberals tend to scoff at our ancient rituals, Sanathana Dharma is aligned with the energies of the Universe. The benefits of Deepam are manifold. Light a diya and experience how the light embraces your energy first, lifting your spirits instantly. Just as an incense stick wafts fragrance, a diya brings in light that is positive and beneficial for the home ...