Petals!

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

Sri Krishna Janmashtami greetings to all Krishna devotees! The name 'Sri Krishna' brings an instant sweetness and lightness to our hearts; many are the stories of the blue-hued prankster who delighted Yashoda! As all joyous celebrations of Sri Krishna Janmashtami are in full throttle, here's a beautiful story on Bhima's Bhakti towards Lord Krishna. [READ: How Do You Light Deepam at Home?] Yes, we have heard and read about Arjuna's friendship and devotion to Krishna. Ever heard of Bhima's devotion to Sri Krishna? Here's an interesting episode from the Mahabharata to explain this. [ Subscribe to my Substack newsletter now ] The incident pertains to a time when Bheema was fast asleep. Sri Krishna showed this to his brother; they could hear Krishna's name being chanted in every pore of his skin even while he was asleep! How many of us think of Krishna while we are fast asleep? [READ: Happiness is like Mysore Pak ] A beautiful aspect of this story is that it

Planning a trip to Vietnam with family? A recent trip to Vietnam made me realise how popular the destination is, especially with Indians. Nearly everywhere we went, there were at least a half dozen Indian families speaking in different languages. And yes, we make airport spaces so noisy that people stop and stare! [READ: A Visit to Busselton in Australia] So, if you are wondering whether to go or not, I would say, "Why not? It's a beautiful Asian country with a gripping history that you should familiarise yourself with. Of course, you may have many questions when you are considering a new destination. Here are a few frequently asked questions about travelling to Vietnam: Is Vietnam tourist-friendly? Yes! My first visit to Vietnam convinces me beyond doubt that Vietnam is tourist-friendly. I loved travelling across Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh city. People are friendly to tourists. Be careful of street vendors as they try to offer you their products or services at inflate

Wondering what is happiness? Here's a question: How happy are you? From January 2024, it seems as though everyone's on a rollercoaster ride. I've talked to so many people, Nearly all responses were on similar lines: "There's so much change happening in my personal and professional lines; it's crazy!!!! My whole life is changing so fast I can't keep up...." Have you been feeling the same way too? S tay assured you aren't alone. People experience or pursue happiness in different ways. Some find happiness in hurting and criticising others - they make it their life's mission! Others believe that name, fame and positions of power bring them happiness. There may also be intellectual geniuses and activists who can demonstrate excellence in how they present their findings and arguments most convincingly yet they too have their inner demons to tackle. We are often chained and bound by the beliefs we bombard our lives with. [Read: Can We Stop Being Jud

"Manjummel Boys is the movie I want to watch," Adi, my son, told me on the day his last exams got over. Seriously, the only time Adi likes to watch Malayalam movies in theatres is if its a Fahadh Faasil film or a film directed by Vineeth Sreenivasan. When it came to Manjummel Boys, he wanted to see the film before I did. We didn't like the trailer though. Surprised as we were when we began watching the film, I have to say the story packed in more surprises for us. Directed by Chidambaram and inspired by a real life incident, the film shows what happens when few young men embark on an adventure trip to Kodaikanal and how they deal with an unexpected situation when one falls into a pit. The scenic beauty of Kodaikanal is almost ethereal; brilliant cinematography and melodious music blend in a compelling, masterful effect to this film. [Source: Manjummel Boys on Facebook] Indeed, Manjummel Boys has taken Malayalam cinema by storm, as it