Author: Mala Chandrashekhar

Overview Rajasthan International Folk Festival (or Jodhpur RIFF or Jodhpur folk festival) is an annual music and art festival organized to promote traditional folk music and arts held at Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, Rajasthan. History The festival was first organized as a not-for-profit partnership between  Mehrangarh Museum Trust and Jaipur Virasat Foundation in October 2007. The festival is timed to match the time of the brightest full moon…Continue readingRajasthan International Folk Festival

About Pancha Bhoota Stalam Pancha Bhoota Sthalam refers to five temples dedicated to Shiva, each representing a manifestation of the five prime elements of nature: earth, water, fire, air, and ether. Pancha indicates “five,” Bhoota means “elements,” and Sthala means “place.” The temples are located in South India, four in Tamil Nadu and one in Andhra Pradesh. The five elements are believed to be enshrined in the…Continue readingPancha Bhoota Stalam Temples of south India

Overview Veerabhadra temple is a Hindu temple located in the Lepakshi, in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to the Virabhadra, a fierce incarnation of Lord Shiva. Built in the 16th century, the architectural features of the temple are in the Vijayanagara style with profusion of carvings and paintings at almost every exposed surface of the temple. It is…Continue readingThe Veerabhadra Temple of Lepakshi: An Iconic Landmark of Andhra Pradesh’s Cultural and Artistic Legacy

Overview The Somnath temple, also called Somanātha temple or Deo Patan, is a Hindu temple located in Prabhas Patan, Veraval in Gujarat, India. It is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Hindus and is believed to be first among the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. The temple was reconstructed several times in the past after repeated destruction by multiple Muslim invaders and rulers, notably starting from…Continue readingSomnath temple of Veraval in Gujarat

Introduction Ancient India, with its diverse tapestry of cultures and traditions, has a storied history of martial arts that stretches back millennia. These ancient combat disciplines, honed through centuries of practice and wisdom, have left an indelible mark on both the physical and philosophical aspects of warfare and self-defense. In this exploration, we will journey…Continue readingUnveiling the Warrior’s Legacy: Ancient Martial Arts of India

Swami Parthasarathy is a renowned Indian philosopher and spiritual teacher who is known for his teachings in Vedanta, a classical school of Indian philosophy. Vedanta is a profound and ancient philosophical system that explores the nature of reality, the self, and the ultimate purpose of life. Swami Parthasarathy has dedicated his life to studying and…Continue readingSwami Parthasarathy: A Beacon of Vedanta Wisdom

Introduction In the realm of yoga and holistic wellness, few figures have had as significant an impact as Swami Ramdev. Born as Ramkishan Yadav in 1965 in the picturesque state of Haryana, India, this charismatic yoga guru has single-handedly transformed the way Indians perceive health and well-being. His relentless efforts and devotion to yoga and…Continue readingSwami Ramdev: The Yoga Guru Who Brought Yoga and Pranayama to Every Indian Home

Introduction Swami Dayananda Saraswati (1930-2015) was a luminary in the realm of Vedanta, the ancient Indian philosophy that explores the non-dualistic nature of reality and the path to self-realization. His profound understanding of Vedanta and his dedication to spreading its teachings inspired the founding of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, an institution committed to preserving and propagating…Continue readingSwami Dayananda Saraswati and Arsha Vidya Gurukulam: Preserving the Essence of Vedanta