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You can get a taste of India in a short and not so recent novel. I am referring to The Village By The Sea by Anita Desai that was published in 1982. It's always nice to read or reread this writer. The novel has something autobiographical, as she herself says in the introduction. The plot is simple. Bombay is the city of palaces with elegant pink, green and yellow buildings with names like Seagull and Sunbeam. It is a glittering world of luxury apartments, where they lived the rich. Nehru, India's founding father, for that matter, had declared dams and factories would be the temples of modern India. The novel tells of a family of an alcoholic father, an ill mother, with four sons, Bela, Kama, Hari and Lila. They live in extreme poverty, since they did not possess anything, neither a cow, nor a boat, or had access to proper health care or educational services. Of the four children, Hari and Lila, are the protagonists, who can no longer afford to go to school. With them, ther...

📍 Location Amritsar, Punjab 👑 Founded 1577 AD ✨ Gold 400kg+ 24k Gold 🍽️ Meals 100,000+ Daily Inside This Guide I. The Genesis II. Miracles & Folklore III. Architecture IV. The Langar Kitchen V. History of Resilience VI. The Akal Takht VII. Sacred Trees VIII. The Holy Sarovar IX. Nightly Rituals X. Travel Logistics The air in Amritsar carries a weight that is both heavy with history and light with divinity. As the sun begins its ascent over the Punjab plains, the first light touches the shimmering gold of Sri Harmandir Sahib. It is...

A week of vacation in the middle of the semester. What more could you ask to organize a trip a little more important than a simple weekend trip? The initial idea was to go to Sikkim, a mountainous region in northeastern India for the trek. We finally decided for the Singalila Ridge Trek from Sandakphu to Phalut from Darjeeling, to reach the highest peak of the surroundings (3600m). So we decided to go to Darjeeling, at the gateway to Sikkim. It was the perfect opportunity to take a breath of fresh air and to have a little contact with the Himalayas. We took the train to get to our destination. However, this time, the distance was really very important. So the trip lasted 12 hours! If it can be a little scary at first, the time finally passed very quickly, thanks to the people we met, with whom we play card games and chess. Add to this we read a bit, and at night it was quite chaotic and we do not sleep very well. We stay in bed a long time, to doze and here we are almost at our destina...

We travel the road from Khajuraho to Orchha by car. The duration is 4 hours. Halfway we stop at one of the typical coffee shops that have a souvenir shop. We take advantage to do some gift shopping. Here it is more quiet as the sellers do not besiege us and the prices are pretty good. Since there are no tourists, the sellers, when they see one, become desperate to sell. We also took the opportunity to drink something very cool, although in the car we brought a package with fresh drinks. Once again we are lucky to be able to enjoy our way. We go through rural landscapes. The trucks are a complete show. They are super decorated and their colors are the most striking. People take advantage of any type of transport to get around, even if they sometimes go completely crowded. We continue our way and when we realize we are already in Orchha, it looks old but it has a super special charm. It transports us to a tale of palaces. Since it is time to eat, the guide tells us that we will eat firs...

Karwa Chauth is an auspicious festival celebrated among married women in northern India. This festival is typically celebrated immediately after the autumn harvest and is celebrated nine days before Diwali, immediately after Dusshera. Karwa Chauth is also known as Karak Chaturthi, and literally, Karwa means clay pot, while Chauth means fourth. Karwa Chauth commemorates the fourth day following the full moon in the month of Kartik in the Hindu calendar (October-November). It refers to the earthenware pot through which water offerings are made to the moon. It is one of the many Hindu holidays, and married women fast on this occasion for the longevity, prosperity, and well-being of their husbands. The fast is traditionally observed in the states of Rajasthan, part of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab. Normally, women observing this fast are called Saubhagyavati, which means joyous and happy state of the wife and during the fast married women receive visit an...

Among the many sacred days that mark the Hindu calendar, Kartik Purnima shines with a special light. Celebrated on the full moon night of the Hindu month of Kartik (October-November), this festival is considered one of the most auspicious times of the year for spiritual growth, inner purification, and divine connection. On this date, millions of people gather at the ghats of sacred rivers, such as the Ganges, to perform ritual baths at dawn and offer floating lamps (deepdaan) at night. More than an external celebration, Kartik Purnima represents an opportunity for spiritual rebirth, leaving negative karma behind, and walking with light toward the divine. In this special guide, you'll discover everything you need to know to experience it, its history and spiritual significance, the exact dates and times, how it's celebrated in Varanasi, the best places to enjoy it, and practical tips. What is Kartik Purnima? Origin and meaning Kartik Purnima marks the culmination of the mont...

Why Bengalis Celebrate Kali Puja When India Celebrates Diwali? Soon after the Durga Puja celebrations, Bengal prepares for the arrival of the deity of mind, body, and soul. But why does Bengal celebrate Kali Puja (worship of the goddess Kali), while India celebrates Diwali (the festival of lights)? Every year, Kali Puja is celebrated on the new moon day of the Hindu month of Kartik (October-November). Its cult is important in Bengal, Assam, and Odisha. Coinciding with Diwali, it is a ritual for Bengalis, Assamese, and Oriyas alike. Who is Kali? The word Kali is said to have first appeared in the Atharva Veda between 1200 and 1000 BC, and Kali is believed to come from the word kala , meaning time. With her name mentioned in the Vedas (Hindu religious texts), she represents the darkness of Agni. David Frawley describes her as a personification of the feminine aspect of the fire sacrifice. Her sacrificial aspect is evident in the garland of skulls she wears. It is often said that th...

Winter has set in again, and with it the desire to prepare our homes for the arrival of Diwali. The countdown has officially begun. Just a few days left for Diwali, but if you are still thinking about decorating your home or office do not worry, it's never too late to start. Here are some simple tips and ideas to have a true eco friendly Diwali. Diwali or Deepavali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is among the most ancient Indian festivals rooted in the traditions for the myriad of candles or small lamps that illuminate homes and gardens everywhere. The homes are decorated to light up in front of the reflections of Diwali every year between October and November with candles, torches, bonfires and firework events. This year, the intent is to use what we already have by giving it a second life with simplicity and romance. Almost all choose the traditional way to decorate the home, which is the undisputed star of our Diwali scenes. Transforming several everyday items we can ma...