Category: Indian festivals

  • What and when is the Solar eclipse, Who is Surya according to Ancient India

    What and when is the Solar eclipse, Who is Surya according to Ancient India

    Surya Grahan: The Solar Eclipse Phenomenon

    Surya Grahan: The Solar Eclipse Phenomenon

    Table of Contents

    Surya the Sun according to Ancient India

    In the vast and ancient land of India, the sun isn’t just a giant ball of fire in the sky, it’s also a revered god – Surya! People have worshipped Surya for thousands of years, seeing him as the source of life, light, and warmth.

    Think about it this way: without sunshine, plants wouldn’t grow, we wouldn’t have daylight, and it would be pretty chilly! So, it’s no wonder people felt such immense respect for Surya.

    Some main Things About Surya (Sun):

    • Many Names, One God: Surya has many names, like Aditya, Ravi, and Bhaskar, all reflecting different aspects of the sun.
    • Riding a Chariot: Imagine a fiery chariot pulled by seven majestic horses, that’s how Surya is often pictured!
    • The Power of Light: Surya is seen as a symbol of chasing away darkness and ignorance, just like the sun brings light to the day.

    Surya is considered as one of the most prominent deities in Hinduism today, also his importance throughout history is undeniable. People built grand temples to honour him, and even today, many Hindus offer prayers to Surya at sunrise, thanking him for his life-giving power.

    Surya Namaskar : A Salute to the Sun God

    Surya Namaskar, also known as Sun Salutation, is a beautiful and powerful yoga practice with deep connections to Surya, the sun god in Indian tradition. It’s a series of twelve flowing postures that act as a way to show respect and gratitude to Surya for his life-giving energy.

    There are twelve postures in total that make up Surya Namaskar. These twelve postures are performed in a flowing sequence, transitioning from one to the next. It’s almost like a yoga dance that honours the sun god Surya.

    Movement like the Sun: The twelve postures in Surya Namaskar mimic the path of the sun across the sky throughout the day, from rising to setting. As you move through the sequence, you’re symbolically acknowledging Surya’s journey and its importance to life on Earth.

    Expressing Gratitude: By practicing Surya Namaskar, you’re expressing gratitude to Surya for his warmth, light, and the energy that sustains all living things. It’s a way of saying “thank you” for the very things that make life possible.

    Harnessing Solar Power: The postures in Surya Namaskar are designed to energize and invigorate your body. Just like the sun fuels life on Earth, this practice aims to awaken your inner energy and leave you feeling revitalized.

    Surya Namaskar isn’t just a physical exercise; it’s a mindful practice that connects you to the natural world and the power of the sun. It’s a way to honor the ancient traditions of India while also taking care of your physical and mental well-being.

    Sun Salutation and the Mantras

    While Surya Namaskar can be practiced without mantras, there are traditionally twelve mantras associated with the twelve postures.

    Each mantra is a Sanskrit chant that praises Surya using different names and aspects. These mantras add a deeper layer of meaning and connection to the practice. However, focusing on perfecting the postures and your breath is important initially. You can incorporate the mantras later as you become more comfortable with Surya Namaskar.

    Affects or Benefits of Solar Eclipse

    In traditional Indian texts, there isn’t a strong emphasis on scientific benefits of a solar eclipse. The focus is more on its astrological and spiritual significance.

    While specific mentions of benefits in solar eclipses might not be prevalent, some ancient Indian texts do touch upon eclipses and their significance.

    Here’s what texts might say about Surya Grahan (Solar eclipse ):

    • A Time of Change: Eclipses, including solar eclipses, are often seen as indicators of change or transformation. It’s a time to reflect on your life and consider making positive changes.
    • Spiritual Cleansing: Some texts suggest that a solar eclipse can be a powerful time for spiritual cleansing. This might involve practices like meditation, chanting, or offering prayers.
    • Cautions and Precautions: Some traditional beliefs advise taking precautions during a solar eclipse, such as avoiding eating cooked food or going outside unnecessarily. However, these beliefs are not based on scientific evidence.

    It’s important to remember that these are interpretations from ancient texts and may not resonate with everyone. The most important thing during a solar eclipse is to observe it safely with proper eye protection.

    Upcoming Solar Eclipse

    Here’s a breakdown of the past 3 solar eclipses (including the upcoming one) with details on region, time, and visibility:

    1. Total Solar Eclipse – December 14, 2020
      Region: Visible across parts of South America, Antarctica, the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
      Time and Visibility: This eclipse wasn’t visible from most populated areas.
    2. Partial Solar Eclipse – June 10, 2021
      Region: Visible across parts of northern North America, Europe, and Asia.
      Time and Visibility: Visibility varied depending on location. Some areas experienced a very slight dimming of the sun, while others saw a larger portion obscured.
    3. Total Solar Eclipse – April 8, 2024 (This just happened!)
      Region: Visible across a band covering parts of North America, from Mexico to Canada, and crossing the contiguous United States.
      Time and Visibility: The exact timing of totality varied depending on location. During totality, the sky darkened dramatically, and the sun’s corona became visible (Note: Observing a solar eclipse requires special eye protection).
    4. Upcoming Solar Eclipse – October 2, 2024
      Region: Visible across parts of South America, Antarctica, the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
      Time and Visibility: This will be an annular eclipse, where the moon appears slightly smaller than the sun, so it won’t completely block the sun’s light. Visibility will vary depending on location.
  • Karma The Things Behind Theory of Karma

    Karma The Things Behind Theory of Karma

    Karma, A Sanskrit word means– “actions” or “deeds”. Law of karma occupies a central position in Indian philosophy. The spiritual law which was, sometimes compared metaphorically with Newton’s third law, although the two ideas belong to different fields and should not be treated as scientifically equivalent. “To every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”
    Thus, According to Indian philosophy, we are because of our Karma. So, it decides our future in this or the next birth.

    आत्मानं सततं ज्ञात्वा कालं नय महामते।
    प्रारब्धमखिलं भुञ्जन्नोद्वेगं कर्तुमर्हसि ॥

    aatmaanan satatan gyaatva kaalan naymahaamate.

    praarabdhamakhilan bhunjannodvegan kartumarhasi .

    Hey intelligent man, spend your life always in the knowing the supreme bliss, enjoying the whole of your Life without making any complaint.

    As we all know, good deeds bring you a good result and your bad deeds bring bad for you. As time progress your Karma processed, calculated and incorporated gradually in your life. Indian soteriologies predict that future rebirths and your situations get planned accordingly. Thus, The actions you perform in your present life gets reflected.
    In Addition, Karma serves two main purposes in Indian philosophy. One, motivate you to live a moral life. Next, providing you with an explanation of the primary existence of evil.

    Theory of Karma
    Theory of Karma

    All the four systems of Yoga – Jnana, Raja, Bhakti and Karma teach us to live positively. Either in thoughts, words and deeds. Good actions support in producing positive memories.

    Yajnavalkya, The first philosopher of human history. And, introduced the concept of Karma, mentioned in the book Brihadaranyaka Upanishads. Yet, the person, good or bad. He gets what he does.

    Let’s know a few things about Our Cycle- Theory of Karma

    Sanchita

    Sanchita Basically it means “what we reap, what we sow”. The deeds either good or bad gathered together. Starting from the present including all the previous ones considered. But at this level, the good karma does not cut the effect of the bad. All the karma needs to be resolved. This karma symbolized arrows in a quiver. The arrows show your accumulated karma.

    Praarabdha

    It’s like the arrows are discharges and are on their flight. Also, the part of Sanchita. And is ready for the action. Prarabdha, that portion of the past actions, which is responsible for the present self. This symbolizes that the arrow has left the bow and flying through the sky ready to hit the target.

    Kriyamanna

    Kriya means Action Going on at Present. Kriyamanna, The active or the current one. The arrow has just hit the target. And the target is feeling the pressure. The degree of main is the degree we experience. The result of this act creates a new one for you.

    Aagami

    This can also be referred to as the future self. It follows Sanchita. It’s more like the arrow is ready to discharge from the bow. If all the environment and conditions are favourable, it leads to Praarabdha. This is the stage when the arrows are set in the bow.

    Here is a video to know it more clearly

    Controlling your Karma

    There are various meditation techniques that help us to burn out the Sanchita Karma. Also, many People know through dream awareness about the effect of Aagamikarma. Even so, Through proper medication and appropriate actions, one can kill and destroy Agami karma. Life provides you with various situations to prove yourselves. It’s us on how we react. A humble and peaceful approach may help us to reduce the effect.
    Stopping Praarabdha  requires a real understanding of yoga and spiritual power.
    So, The effect of all these can be easily eliminated by self-knowledge, determination and “Om medication”. Silent Japa of “Om” would guide one to cross the ocean of Samsara and attain the freedom of rounds of birth and rebirth attaining moksha.

    Karma in simple terms

    • Karma: action or deed.
    • Karma Yoga: disciplined action without clinging to personal reward.
    • Sanchita: accumulated karma in later traditional explanations.
    • Prarabdha: karma described as already bearing fruit.
    • Agami: karma connected with actions being created now.

    Different Indian traditions explain karma in different ways. It is a philosophical and religious concept, not a physics law.

    Frequently asked questions

    Does karma mean punishment?

    Not simply. Karma refers to action and its consequences within Indian philosophical traditions. It is broader than the idea of instant reward or punishment.

    How does the Bhagavad Gita discuss karma?

    The Gita gives major attention to action, duty and attachment to results. See our Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 summary and Karma Yoga guide.

  • Delhi Travel Guide: Best Places to Visit and Simple Tips

    Delhi Travel Guide: Best Places to Visit and Simple Tips

    Delhi is India’s capital and one of the three cities in the Golden Triangle. It has old forts, Mughal tombs, busy markets, large gardens, temples, mosques, museums and modern neighbourhoods. A first visit can feel big, so it helps to choose a small number of places each day.

    For most first-time visitors, two or three days gives a useful introduction. Old Delhi and New Delhi feel very different, and travel between sights can take longer than the map suggests.

    Best places to visit in Delhi

    Delhi Tourism lists places such as Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Lotus Temple, India Gate, Lodhi Garden, Akshardham and Agrasen Ki Baoli among the city’s major attractions. You do not need to see all of them on one trip.

    Red Fort

    The Red Fort is one of Delhi’s best-known Mughal monuments and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its red sandstone walls stand beside Old Delhi and Chandni Chowk.

    Red Fort in Old Delhi

    Humayun’s Tomb

    Humayun’s Tomb was built in the 16th century and is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Delhi Tourism describes it as the first grand garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent. Its garden layout later influenced Mughal architecture, including the Taj Mahal.

    Qutub Minar

    Qutub Minar and its surrounding monuments form a UNESCO World Heritage Site in south Delhi. It works well with Mehrauli if you want a half-day of history away from Old Delhi.

    Lotus Temple

    The Lotus Temple is a Bahá’í House of Worship known for its flower-like form. It is a quiet stop compared with many crowded monuments. Check current visitor hours before going.

    Lotus Temple in Delhi

    What to see in Old Delhi

    Old Delhi is busy, dense and full of food, markets and historic religious places. Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid and the Red Fort can fit into the same area, but crowds make walking slow.

    Chandni Chowk is famous for markets and street food. If you eat from street stalls, choose places that are busy and where food is cooked fresh. If you have a sensitive stomach, keep meals simple.

    Jama Masjid is an active mosque, not only a sightseeing place. Dress respectfully and follow the rules at the entrance. Prayer times may affect access.

    What to see in New Delhi

    New Delhi has wider roads, government buildings, gardens and many later monuments. India Gate, Lodhi Garden, Humayun’s Tomb and nearby areas can be grouped into one day more easily than crossing the whole city several times.

    Akshardham is a large Hindu temple complex on the Yamuna side of the city. Security rules can be strict, including limits on phones and cameras. Check the official temple rules before your visit.

    A simple two-day Delhi plan

    Day 1: Red Fort, Chandni Chowk and Jama Masjid. Add one market or food stop. Do not overload the day.

    Day 2: Humayun’s Tomb, Lodhi Garden and India Gate. If you still have energy, add one more place such as Lotus Temple or Qutub Minar.

    Delhi Tourism publishes official sample itineraries for visitors. Use them as a starting point, not a race.

    Simple Delhi travel tips

    • Use the Metro: it can be faster than road travel for many parts of the city.
    • Leave extra time: traffic can change quickly.
    • Check monument rules: opening days and entry rules can change.
    • Carry water: especially in warmer months.
    • Keep valuables simple: crowded markets need normal city awareness.
    • Respect worship spaces: temples, mosques, gurudwaras and churches may have dress or photography rules.

    Delhi on the Golden Triangle route

    Delhi is usually the easiest starting point for the Golden Triangle. From Delhi, many travellers continue to Agra for the Taj Mahal, then to Jaipur for forts, palaces and the old city.

    If your trip falls around Holi, read our guide to the best places to celebrate Holi in India before adding festival days to the route.

    Official information

    The Delhi Tourism website is the best starting point for official visitor information. It lists major destinations and suggested city itineraries. UNESCO also lists Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar as World Heritage Sites.

    Simple questions about visiting Delhi

    How many days are enough for Delhi?

    Two days covers a useful first visit. Three days feels less rushed.

    Is Delhi only about monuments?

    No. Food, markets, gardens, museums, neighbourhoods and religious places are also a large part of the city.

    What is the easiest way to move around?

    The Metro is useful for many routes. Taxis and auto-rickshaws help for the last part of a trip, but road traffic can be slow.

    Is Delhi part of the Golden Triangle?

    Yes. The three cities are Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.

    In short: choose a few Delhi areas each day, use official information, and do not try to cross the whole city for every famous sight in one day.

  • Who Are the Aghoris? Beliefs, Practices and Common Myths

    Who Are the Aghoris? Beliefs, Practices and Common Myths

    Aghoris are a small Hindu ascetic tradition linked with Shaivism and the worship of Shiva. They are often connected with Varanasi, cremation grounds, ash, skull symbolism and practices that challenge ordinary ideas of pure and impure.

    They are also one of the most sensationalised groups in Indian religion. Online stories often mix real practices, rare practices, old reports, rumours and shock headlines. A fair explanation needs to separate documented Aghori ideas from stories that cannot be checked.

    Who are the Aghoris?

    Aghoris are renunciants within a Shaiva religious setting. “Renunciant” means a person who gives up much of ordinary household life to follow a spiritual discipline. Aghoris are especially known for practices that confront fear, death and social ideas about pollution.

    Academic work on Aghori practitioners in Varanasi describes them as a small group of Hindu ascetics and Shiva worshippers. Their practices can be difficult for outsiders to understand because they intentionally work with places and objects that most people avoid.

    A Hindu ascetic associated with the Aghori tradition

    What does Aghor mean?

    Aghor is commonly explained as a state beyond fear, disgust and rigid division. The larger idea is non-duality: the spiritual seeker tries to see the sacred without dividing life into simple boxes such as pure and impure, beautiful and ugly, life and death.

    This does not mean every Aghori performs every extreme practice described on the internet. A religious tradition can contain different teachers, lineages and levels of practice.

    Why are Aghoris linked with cremation grounds?

    Death is normally something people fear or avoid. The cremation ground puts death directly in front of the practitioner. For some Aghori ascetics, this makes it an important place for meditation and for facing attachment, fear and the idea of the separate self.

    Anthropologist Jonathan Parry has written about Aghori ascetics in relation to death, corpses and cremation grounds. A peer-reviewed study of Varanasi also discusses the Aghori use of the cremation ground and the way tourists react to it.

    Ascetic practice near a traditional riverside setting in India

    What Aghori practices are documented?

    Scholarly writing documents practices linked with cremation grounds, the use of ash from cremation sites, skull bowls, meditation on death and strong forms of ascetic discipline. Some academic sources also describe rare transgressive practices involving human remains.

    Those rare practices should not be turned into a cartoon of the whole tradition. A practice being documented does not mean every Aghori does it, does it often, or wants outsiders to watch it.

    The aim of many transgressive practices is religious, not entertainment. They may be understood as ways to challenge disgust, fear, attachment and social boundaries.

    Common myths and exaggerations about Aghoris

    “All Aghoris are cannibals”

    This is too broad. Scholarly sources describe rare ritual use of human remains among some practitioners. It is not accurate to use one extreme practice as the definition of every Aghori.

    “Aghoris have supernatural powers”

    Stories about magical powers belong to belief, folklore and personal testimony. They are not facts that can be independently proved. We should label them as beliefs rather than present them as evidence.

    “Aghoris live for 150 years”

    There is no reliable evidence that Aghoris as a group live to extraordinary ages. Claims like this need records, not rumours.

    “Every person near a cremation ghat is an Aghori”

    No. Varanasi’s cremation grounds include families, priests, workers, pilgrims, residents, visitors and different kinds of sadhus. Clothing or ash alone is not enough to identify a person’s tradition.

    How to approach Aghoris respectfully

    Do not treat a living religious tradition as a horror attraction. Ask before taking a close photo. Do not interrupt cremation rites. Do not pay someone to perform a shocking act for a camera. Do not assume a person wants to explain private practice to a tourist.

    If you visit Varanasi, remember that a cremation ghat is first a funeral place. Families are grieving there. Their privacy matters more than a visitor’s photograph.

    For a wider look at how Indian yoga and Tantra developed subtle-body and transgressive practices, see Geoffrey Samuel’s academic work from Cambridge University Press. A peer-reviewed study of Aghori rituals and tourism at Varanasi’s cremation grounds is available through the University of Groningen research portal.

    A simple way to understand the Aghori path

    The easiest starting point is not the most shocking ritual. It is the idea behind the practice: facing what the mind rejects, looking directly at death, and testing the boundary between sacred and impure.

    That does not make every claim about Aghoris true. Careful study means respecting the tradition while still asking for evidence.

    If you are reading about Indian spiritual traditions, you may also find our simple guides to the seven chakra names and meanings and the five koshas useful.

    Simple questions about Aghoris

    Are Aghoris Hindu?

    Yes. They are generally described within a Shaiva Hindu ascetic tradition centred on Shiva.

    Are Aghoris mainly found in Varanasi?

    Varanasi is strongly associated with the tradition and is the place most visitors hear about. Aghori lineages and practitioners are not limited to one ghat or one city.

    Why do some Aghoris use ash?

    Ash is closely linked with Shiva, renunciation and the reality of death in several Shaiva settings. For Aghoris, cremation-ground symbolism can have an especially strong place in practice.

    In short: Aghoris are a small Shaiva ascetic tradition. Their practices can be transgressive, but sensational internet stories should not replace careful, respectful evidence.

  • Kumbh Mela 2027 in Nashik: Simple Visitor Guide

    Kumbh Mela 2027 in Nashik: Simple Visitor Guide

    Kumbh Mela 2027 will be held in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra. It is a major Hindu pilgrimage gathering linked with ritual bathing, worship, ascetic orders, temples and public religious events. The Government of Maharashtra has created the Nashik–Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority to plan transport, sanitation, safety and pilgrim services for the event.

    Official schedules can still change as the event gets closer. Before booking travel, visitors should check the Nashik–Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority for the latest dates, routes and public notices.

    What is Kumbh Mela?

    Kumbh Mela is a large Hindu pilgrimage tradition connected with four places: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. In Hindu tradition, these places are linked with the story of amrita, the nectar of immortality.

    The gathering is religious, but it is also a major social and cultural event. Pilgrims may come for bathing, temple visits, prayer, talks, meetings with sadhus and time with family.

    Pilgrims gathered during a Kumbh Mela in India

    Where is Kumbh Mela 2027?

    The 2027 Simhastha Kumbh is being prepared for Nashik and Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra. The two centres have different sacred bathing places and different roles for some monastic orders.

    In Nashik, Ramkund on the Godavari is a major pilgrimage area. In Trimbakeshwar, Kushavarta Kund and the Trimbakeshwar temple area are central places for pilgrims.

    The Nashik–Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority is the government body coordinating the event. Its work includes infrastructure, sanitation, safety, transport and pilgrim help.

    What are the important Kumbh Mela 2027 dates?

    The main pilgrimage period is expected in 2027, with major bathing events in August and September. An interim Kumbh plan has listed three main Shahi or Amrit Snan periods: 2 August 2027, 31 August 2027, and 11–12 September 2027, with the last main bathing observance split between Nashik and Trimbakeshwar.

    These dates should be treated as provisional until final government notification. Plans for a gathering this large can change. Before booking transport or accommodation, check the official Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027 page.

    The Press Information Bureau reported in July 2026 that heritage conservation work in Nashik was being accelerated ahead of Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027. This confirms active government preparation for the event.

    What may visitors see at Kumbh?

    Ritual bathing

    Bathing in the sacred river is an important religious practice for many pilgrims. Believers may understand the bath as an act of purification. That is a statement of faith, not a scientific or medical claim.

    Sadhus and akhadas

    Kumbh brings together many Hindu ascetic orders, often called akhadas. Visitors may see processions, camps, prayer and teaching. Some groups have distinctive clothing, ash markings or rituals.

    Talks, worship and temple visits

    Religious talks, chanting, worship and temple visits are common parts of the pilgrimage. Exact programmes vary by area and date.

    Religious gathering and pilgrimage activity during Kumbh Mela

    How to plan a Kumbh visit safely

    Large bathing days can bring very heavy crowds. Plan simply. Use official transport notices. Keep children and older family members close. Carry only what you need. Keep a paper copy of your hotel address and an emergency contact.

    Do not enter restricted areas or push into a crowd because a route looks shorter. Follow police, event staff and local crowd-control signs. Mobile networks may become slow when many people gather in one place.

    Book accommodation only after checking the exact location. Nashik and Trimbakeshwar are separate places, and travel time can grow sharply on peak days.

    Respect the event

    Kumbh is not only a photo opportunity. It is a living religious gathering. Ask before taking close photos of people. Follow temple rules. Dress in a way that is suitable for sacred places. Do not block worship or bathing areas for pictures.

    If you are also planning a wider North India trip, our Golden Triangle travel guide explains Delhi, Agra and Jaipur in simple terms.

    Simple questions about Kumbh Mela 2027

    Is Kumbh Mela 2027 in Prayagraj?

    No. The 2027 Simhastha Kumbh is being prepared for Nashik and Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra.

    Is Kumbh Mela only one day?

    No. It covers a much longer period, with some bathing days drawing much larger crowds than ordinary days.

    Are the bathing dates final?

    The main dates have appeared in the interim Kumbh plan, but visitors should check the final government schedule before travel.

    Can non-Hindus visit?

    Kumbh is a public pilgrimage gathering and many visitors come to understand Indian religion and culture. Everyone should behave respectfully and follow local rules.

    In short: Kumbh Mela 2027 is a Nashik–Trimbakeshwar event. Use the official government authority for final dates, transport and safety updates.