Traditions

   Usha Madhuranathan and her daughter, Deepa Vaishnavi, have a "Kolu" display with a difference at their home in Banashankari. Long ago, Usha decided that she was less interested in having just a display of dolls. She would determine a theme each year, and arrange the kolu around that. Last year, the theme was Kannadiga literateurs; this year, it was "India's contributions to the world."Here's Usha, starting the guided tour of the display: At the front door, we were greeted by an ancient Indian Rishi, with his learned text in front of him:One tableau explained the concept of the way time is…

  Happy Deepavali! Pic by Ravi Kaushik ⊕

  Happy Deepavali! Pic by Ravi Kaushik ⊕

Yesterday, because of Smt. Saraswathi, who is a long-standing devotee and visitor of avery old temple in Vasanthapura...the Vasantha Vallabha Raaya Swami Devasthana, dedicated to Vishnu and Lakshmi, I happened to visit it, and I came away deeply impressed.Here's the temple....Another view:Here are the beautiful brass Dhwajasthambha (flagpole) and the pavilion behind it:Some more views of the decorations outside the top: As one enters, one sees haldi and kumkum bowls at the feet of the Dwara Palaka (Guardian of the entrance):Here's a view of one of the Dwara Palakas:  At the entrance is the Sannidhi of Garuda, Vishnu's vehicle:By sheer chance,…

Yesterday, because of Smt. Saraswathi, who is a long-standing devotee and visitor of avery old temple in Vasanthapura...the Vasantha Vallabha Raaya Swami Devasthana, dedicated to Vishnu and Lakshmi, I happened to visit it, and I came away deeply impressed.Here's the temple....Another view:Here are the beautiful brass Dhwajasthambha (flagpole) and the pavilion behind it:Some more views of the decorations outside the top: As one enters, one sees haldi and kumkum bowls at the feet of the Dwara Palaka (Guardian of the entrance):Here's a view of one of the Dwara Palakas:  At the entrance is the Sannidhi of Garuda, Vishnu's vehicle:By sheer chance,…

 She prays to Lord Krishna, who provides her with an unending stream of saris to protect her modesty. An exhausted Duhsasana falls to the ground, wondering at the mystery. The Pandavas and Draupadi curse the Kauravas, vowing to kill them in war. Dritharashtra, the father of the Kauravas, realizes the seriousness of the situation and tries, in vain, to beg forgiveness, saying he will return everything that the Pandavas lost, to them.A blind Dhritarashta stumbles into his own court.Bhishma the patriarch, and Vidura, both acknowledge her divine nature, and enraged at this, Duryodhana orders Duhsasana to place her on his…

 She prays to Lord Krishna, who provides her with an unending stream of saris to protect her modesty. An exhausted Duhsasana falls to the ground, wondering at the mystery. The Pandavas and Draupadi curse the Kauravas, vowing to kill them in war. Dritharashtra, the father of the Kauravas, realizes the seriousness of the situation and tries, in vain, to beg forgiveness, saying he will return everything that the Pandavas lost, to them.A blind Dhritarashta stumbles into his own court.Bhishma the patriarch, and Vidura, both acknowledge her divine nature, and enraged at this, Duryodhana orders Duhsasana to place her on his…

From the 6th day of Navarathri, or Dashara, the festivities move into high gear. Everywhere, families have put up their "kolu" or "gombe", and women and children are busy visiting each others' homes. Here's the display at Bhuvana's home:The various dolls and scenarios symbolize the universe that we live in, which is protected by the Mother Goddess, Durga, from evil in the form of MahishAsur.Fancy rangolis decorate the doorways:Welcoming visitors into the homes. It's a festive,happy time for everyone....Happy Dashara, or Bijoya, or whatever festivity you may celebrating now! ⊕

From the 6th day of Navarathri, or Dashara, the festivities move into high gear. Everywhere, families have put up their "kolu" or "gombe", and women and children are busy visiting each others' homes. Here's the display at Bhuvana's home:The various dolls and scenarios symbolize the universe that we live in, which is protected by the Mother Goddess, Durga, from evil in the form of MahishAsur.Fancy rangolis decorate the doorways:Welcoming visitors into the homes. It's a festive,happy time for everyone....Happy Dashara, or Bijoya, or whatever festivity you may celebrating now! ⊕

On Gandhi Jayanti, as I was walking past the United Theological College (UTC) on Millers Road, I was delighted to see a banner regarding its centenary celebrations still displayed. Although I was aware that this renowned institution turned a hundred in July 2010, I was unable to participate in any of the relevant events. Curious to know what was on that afternoon, I entered the green and serene campus. The helpful security guard and a staff member directed me to the large group of Mizo youth (our siblings from the state of Mizoram) chatting and playing merrily. Learning that there…