Last week I spent three days in Nashik and managed to get a glimpse of certain aspects of this fine city. Nashik has many claims to fame — from being India’s largest onion producer to its robust industrial base, currency press, artillery training center, pleasant climate, iconic Misal Paav, and of course, its well-earned reputation … Continue reading Nashik Notes
Soon after landing in Calicut, my mother whisked me away to Guruvayoor. Visiting the temple town after seven years, travelling by auto, train and bus, was a memorable experience. The highlight was the hour spent sitting just a meter away from a tusker – Monsieur Peethambaran. My daughters even managed to touch and stroke his … Continue reading Guruvayoor Notes
The uniqueness of Hinduism lies in its inability to be defined by a singular set of rituals, beliefs, or practices. Are Hindus vegetarians? Do Hindus sacrifice animals? Do all Hindus fast on specific days? Are Hindu prayers always in Sanskrit? Do all Hindus worship sacred groves? Are the Vedas the foundational texts of the religion, … Continue reading The European Influence on Hinduism
When I was in college, the roll call for attendance used to be exasperating for the profs as we had a Balaji Kartik, a Karthik and a Balaji Subramaniam in class. For me, nothing better exemplified the sway of Murugan in Tamil Nadu. Even for Keralites, Pazhani – the abode of Murugan is a revered … Continue reading Karthik/Murugan/Skanda/…
In ‘The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World', Dalrymple’s thesis is that once upon a time, India was the center of the world. It was the land that exported its goods, gods, ideas and science to the rest of the world that in turn shaped the world as we know it today. Most … Continue reading The Golden Road
Patrick Olivelle’s ‘Ashoka’ is the first volume of the ‘Indian Lives’ series of Harper Collins, edited and put together by Ramchandra Guha. The work adopts a scholarly approach towards the man and his ideas. Re-reading aspects of his life is a great way to be reminded of Ashoka’s greatness. The only Indian empire to match … Continue reading Ashoka and the Mahabharata
