Tag: Faith & Tradition

Faith and tradition are intertwined concepts that have shaped human societies for millennia. Tradition often transmits religious beliefs and practices across generations, providing a sense of continuity and identity. However, the relationship between faith and tradition can be complex, with potential for harmony and conflict.

Chhath Puja: An Ancient Hindu festival

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Events & Festivals2 Comments

Chhath Puja is an ancient Hindu festival worshiping the Sun God, Surya, and Chhathi Maiya for life-sustaining energy. Celebrated predominantly in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal, it involves rigorous rituals spanning four days, including holy bathing, fasting, and prayers to the setting and rising sun. The festival, highlighting gratitude, unity, brotherhood, and environmental consciousness, is firmly rooted in Hindu mythology. Participating communities regard it as an opportunity to foster well-being, prosperity, and familial bonds while expressing gratitude to nature.

Sohrai Festival: Celebrating Harvest and Cattle with Wall Paintings

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Art & Literature, Cultural Heritage, Events & Festivals, India, Traditional Culture34 Comments

The Sohrai festival is a traditional celebration observed by the tribal communities in Jharkhand, India, marking the end of harvest season and New Year. It showcases the vibrant tribal culture with colourful Sohrai art - folk depictions of nature, animals, and beliefs. The festival extends over five days, each with unique rituals, cultural performances, and reverence for animals, particularly cattle. Celebrations include ancestral prayers, feasting, singing, dancing, and particularly veneration of cattle. The festival aids in preserving and promoting tribal art and culture, simultaneously encouraging social gatherings and cultural activities.

Bhoot Chaturdashi: Bengali Halloween

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Customs & Rituals, Events & Festivals18 Comments

Bhoot Chaturdashi, celebrated on the eve of Kali Puja, is a festival unique to India that blends ancient traditions with modernity and incorporates beliefs about spirits and the supernatural. On this day, Bengali families light fourteen lamps to keep evil spirits at bay and consume a dish of fourteen types of leafy vegetables in a tradition meant to invoke protection from ancestors, protect families from negative energies and promote health amid changing seasons. The celebration serves as a testament to the intertwining of life and death, and while it may not be as globally recognized as Halloween, it holds a beloved place in Bengali tradition.

Kojagori Lakshmi Puja: A Celebration of Wealth and Prosperity

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Customs & Rituals, Events & Festivals3 Comments

Kojagori Lakshmi Puja, observed predominantly in Bengal, is a significant festival dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, who symbolizes wealth, prosperity, and good fortune. It coincides with the harvest festival, marking both the beginning of harvest season and the end of the monsoon period. Celebrated with fervor, the festival sees homes adorned with lights, the reciting of mantras, and sharing of traditional sweets. This celebration fosters community spirit, promoting the values of generosity, compassion, and caring for others.

A Pilgrimage to Baba Mandir: Honoring the Spirit of Harbhajan Singh

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn India, Landscapes, Road trip, Spiritual Places1 Comment

Located between Nathula and Jelepla pass at an altitude of 13,123 ft and about 52kms from Gangtok, Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple is popularly known as Baba Mandir. There is a touching story associated with this temple. Harbhajan Singh was a Sentry of Punjab Regiment and was posted here as part of border patrol force. The border with China is nearby. In October 1968 he disappeared. It is said that while escorting mules carrying provisions, he fell into a stream and drowned. After a few days he reappeared in the dreams of one of his sentry colleagues and asked him to make a memorial here on his name. The sentries then made a samadhi and later this temple was built.

Triveni Sangam, Prayagraj: A Spiritual Confluence of Three Rivers

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Boat Trip & Cruise, India, Landscapes, Spiritual PlacesLeave a comment

In Hindu tradition Triveni Sangam is the "confluence" of three rivers. Sangam is the Sanskrit word for confluence. The point of confluence is a sacred place for Hindus. A bath here is said to wash away all of one's sins and free one from the cycle of rebirth. One such Triveni Sangam, in Prayagraj (Allahabad) has two physical rivers Ganges, Yamuna, and the invisible or mythic Saraswati River. The site is in Prayag (Allahabad).

Embracing Tradition: The Vibrant Celebration of Karma Puja

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Customs & Rituals, Events & Festivals, Traditional Culture14 Comments

Karma Puja is a traditional festival of the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand, celebrated by indigenous tribes like the Oraon, Munda, and Ho. The festival, taking place in autumn, is devoted to the deity Karma, representing fate and prosperity. It involves the worship of the Karam tree, singing, dancing, and offerings to the deity, creating a sense of community. The Karma Naach, a traditional dance, is a crucial part of the celebrations. The festival serves as a reminder of the importance of nature in tribal communities' lives.

Sai Baba Temple in Shirdi

On By Judhajit RoychoudhuryIn India, Spiritual PlacesLeave a comment

The author recounts a spiritually enriching visit to the Sai Temple Shirdi in Maharashtra, India. Dedicated to saint Sai Baba, who promoted universal love and harmony, the temple attracts devotees of different religions. The quiet, organized premise incorporates significant structures related to Baba's life. The author and their mother found peace, joy, and learned about Sai Baba's philosophy, hoping to visit again soon. The trip was memorable and recommended for anyone seeking spiritual growth or exploring India's cultural heritage.

Shani Mandir in Shingnapur

On By Judhajit RoychoudhuryIn India, Spiritual PlacesLeave a comment

The blog narrates the writer's visit to Shani Mandir at Shingnapur, Maharashtra, a temple devoted to the Hindu god of justice and karma, Lord Shani. Shingnapur, known for the absence of doors on homes, enjoys a theft-less reputation due to the locals' belief in Lord Shani's potent presence. The blog also tells the stone idol's unique origin story, mentions various rituals performed by devotees seeking Lord Shani's blessings, and describes the temple's serene, positive ambiance.

Sarhul Festival: Celebrating Nature’s Bounty

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Customs & Rituals, Events & Festivals, Traditional Culture31 Comments

The Sarhul Festival, celebrated in Jharkhand, India, embodies reverence for nature and tribal traditions. The festival, marking the onset of spring, centers on the worship of the sacred Sal tree and includes cultural performances, traditional offerings, and storytelling. Apart from its cultural significance, Sarhul promotes environmental conservation and sustainability. Efforts to promote Sarhul as a tourist attraction should respect the festival's traditional values and tribal communities' beliefs.