The mythical Sarasvati River, one of the chief Rigvedic rivers may not exist today but it holds tremendous influence in the pious minds of tens of millions of devotees. During the world famous Kumbh Mela at Prayag, Uttar Pradesh, the three rivers namely Gangese, Yamuna and the mythical river Saraswati come alive to create a platform of devotion for the devotees…..

Takshasila ”Rawalpindi is a district of Pakistan in the north of the Punjab province which contains the city of Rawalpindi. The district has an area of 5,286 km2 (2,041 sq mi). It was part of Rawalpindi Division, until the year 2000 when the division was abolished………

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People often say and I also believe that until and unless you get a call from the Mata di, you can’t pay a visit to Vaishno Devi. I have been in Delhi for over 15 years yet never before felt even for a second that I should also visit the temple of faith in Jammu. But one fine morning in November, I along with four close relatives set out for the holy pilgrimage. My minds were filled with a sense of devotion and faith. Couple of years back, I kept fast on Friday for nearly two years and since then my attention was drawn towards holy pilgrimage. The journey to the Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji starts with the Call of Mata……….

Prajnaparamita Hridaya Sutra or the Heart Sutra is the shortest yet the most meaningful and impacting of all sutras. It explains that one should not give any value to materialistic world or Maya as it only exists in our thoughts. Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara explains the concept of emptiness by saying that there is no specific start or end to our eyes in any time or space. Our eyes are not independent; they are connected to the nose, which is connected to the mouth; which in turn connects to the head, feet, hands and so on. In other words, nothing is independent and everything is inter-connected; nothing has its own characteristics or influence and everything is intertwined in our thoughts. If we learn the power of emptiness, we have no fear or happiness, we transcend to the state of pure bliss.

“Pattachitra” has its origin from the Sanskrit word “patta” meaning canvas and “chitra” meaning pictures; thus evolved Pattachitra, the art of creating pictures on canvas. A traditional painting from the land of Odisha,  Pattachitra uses exclusively handmade and natural colors and revolves around the themes of mythologies and mythological characters.

As surprising as it may come across to many, behind the fiery and rather daunting visual depiction of Goddess Kali lays hidden a compassionate mother. One of the most prominent of Goddesses in the Hindu pantheon, she appears to be an epitome of outrageous fury. However, the Goddess has an extremely considerate and positive side that many fail to see, being deceived by her off-putting appearance.

“Benares is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together.”
These are the famous words of Mark Twain, the American humorist and writer, who visited this eternal city in the springs of 1896 and apparently was left spell bound by the city’s distinct cultural hues and riches. His words are often repeated by one and all to establish the oldness and venerability of Varanasi city.

Janmashtami, one of the most popular festival in Hindu religion is celebrated with lot of enthusiasm. The festival commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna. According to popular legend, Lord Krishna was born in the second fortnight of Krishna Paksh (lunar Fortnight) in Rohini Nakshatram. Lord Krishna was born at midnight.

“May Sarasvati, the purifier rich in wealth – the intellect
Her treasure – desire our sacrifice. Inspirer of the truthful,
rouser of the noble minded, may Sarasvati accept our worship.
Sarasvati, mighty ocean, she rouses up with her light
And brightens all intellects.”
“O Bestower of learning and skill, illumine the world with light of knowledge and dispel the darkness of ignorance and infatuation.”

Since time immemorial, water is associated with worship and major rivers in all civilizations have been worshipped as goddesses.  The ancient Mesopotamians honored the Tigris and the Euphrates, the Egyptians revere the Nile, the Chinese venerate the Yang Sikiang and Hwang Ho, and the Indians worship the river Ganges or Gangā.  Water symbolizes fertility, abundance, crops, and growth.  Thus, water has always been revered as sacred and divine.