INDIA: Mythology and Diwali rituals of Narakasur in Goa

Narak Chaturdasi is celebrated for Diwali in Goa. Huge effigies of Narkasur, made of grass and hay, dressed in colorful paper clothes and armed with swords and other armaments, are erected in the days preceding Diwali. Narkasur is paraded in the neighborhood accompanied by drums and songs. After dawn with taunts and insults, Narkasur is beheaded and cremated. Discover Mythology and Diwali rituals of Narakasur in Goa.

INDIA: Mythology and Diwali rituals of Narakasur in Goa

INDIA | GOA: Mythology, rituals and history of Ganesh Chaturthi

Traveling and discovering is sometimes about being in the right place on the right day, for us that day was today, when India celebrates Ganesha Chaturthi. This festival is also popularly called Vinayaka Cavithi or Vinayaka Chaturthi. It’s celebrated in honor of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god, remover of obstacles, the god of beginnings and wisdom. Discover Mythology, rituals and history of Ganesh Chaturthi in India.

INDIA | GOA: Mythology, rituals and history of Ganesh Chaturthi

INDIA: Gotipua folk dance tradition from Odisha

The Gotipua folk dance tradition from Odisha is practiced in the heritage village of Raghurajpur on the banks of the river Bhargabi. Here young dancers are trained from the age of five to sing and dance to praise Lord Jagannath and tell the story of Radha and Krishna.

INDIA: Gotipua folk dance tradition from Odisha

INDIA: History, myth and folklore of Rasgulla in Odisha

Rasagola, or rasgulla, as many call it, is a traditional sweet from east India; Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. The main ingredient is Chena – cottage cheese, obtained by heat and acid coagulation of milk and cooked and caramelized in sugar juice. Discover history, myth and folklore of Rasgulla in Odisha, India.

 

INDIA: History, myth and folklore of Rasgulla in Odisha

INDIA: Kanwar Yatra – History and Mythology of the pilgrimage of Lord Shiva’s Kanwariyas

In the month of Shravan, cities and towns of the Gangetic plains are inundated with people, dressed in orange, bearing saffron flags, marching to loud music, and carrying a stick sling with pots or bottles tied to either end. They are fetching Ganga water and bringing  to the local Shiva temple, a ritual that marks the end of summer and beginning of monsoon. They are the Kanwariyas. Discover the Kanwar Yatra – Mythology of the pilgrimage of Lord Shiva’s Kanwariyas.

INDIA: Kanwar Yatra – History and Mythology of the pilgrimage of Lord Shiva’s Kanwariyas

INDIA | Uttarakhand : Harela or day of green – Festival of the Kumaoni people

Harela is celebrated for welcoming the rainy season, the new harvest and to commemorate the wedding anniversary of goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. Discover Myth and Folklore of Harela or the day of green – Festival of the Kumaoni people of Uttarakhand.

INDIA | Uttarakhand : Harela or day of green – Festival of the Kumaoni people

INDIA: Mythology of the Ganges river or Mother Ganga

The river Ganges meanders through various northern and eastern states of India, streams through Bangladesh, and vanishes into the Bay of Bengal. Ganga is a river and a goddess indivisible from each other. Her water has the power to cleanse — as most Hindus believe — every kind of sin. Bathing in Ganga liberates the soul as does dying in it reaffirming the Hindu notion of Moksha – salvation. Discover the Mythology of the Ganges river or Mother Ganga.

INDIA: Mythology of the Ganges river or Mother Ganga

CYPRUS: Myth and Cult of Aphrodite on Cyprus

Myth has it that Aphrodite, the Olympian goddess of love, beauty, pleasure and procreation, arose from the sea foam on the south-western coast of Cyprus. References in ancient authors and archaeological evidence may prove that Aphrodite and her cult originated on this island. What is certain is that throughout antiquity the Great Goddess, in different aspects was worshiped on Cyprus. There were several sanctuaries on the island dedicated to her, the most famous in Paphos. Discover Myth and Cult of Aphrodite on Cyprus.

CYPRUS: Myth and Cult of Aphrodite on Cyprus

MALAYSIA: The Nine Emperor Gods Festival in Georgetown – Penang

Read about sacred Rituals done by Taoist priests and spirit mediums, caught in meditative trance, during the festival. It starts with the welcoming of the gods into the temple where they are worshiped for nine days, and ends when the gods are sent off on the ninth day. The festival is known for the temple processions that take place during the celebrations. Discover Myths and Folklore of the Nine Emperor Gods Festival in Georgetown – Penang.

MALAYSIA: The Nine Emperor Gods Festival in Georgetown – Penang

INDIA: Thaipusam – Tamil Nadu’s Lord Murugan festival

Kumara, enthusiastically comes into the house and says: ”Take camera, come, come, I had no idea what to expect and run out into the scorching sun. We escaped the heat of the dry season to Valparai, deep into the Western Ghats, mountains, of Tamil Nadu. Discovering it was Thaipusam – Tamil Nadu’s Lord Murugan festival.

INDIA: Thaipusam – Tamil Nadu’s Lord Murugan festival

INDIA: Myths, folklore and taboos of Malana

Malana, is an isolated village of Himachal Pradesh, having their own parliament and constitution. The people of the village don’t consider themselves to be Indians, but Aryans so special you can not even touch them or their belongings. And they grow marijuana – it is everywhere. Discover Myths, folklore and taboos of Malana.

INDIA: Myths, folklore and taboos of Malana

INDIA: On the Coconut palm

Discover legends, myths and folklore of the coconut palm tree and its use in traditional Indian culture.

Oral literature abounds with proverbs, fables, myths, and legends associated with this special nut and have been associated with the origin of the plant in India, Malaysia, Hawaii, Myanmar, Maldives, Philippines, Indonesia, and Polynesian countries.

INDIA: On the Coconut palm

INDONESIA: Legends of the Herons, or Kokokan birds in Petulu Gunung, Bali

The Legends of the Herons, or Kokokan birds in Petulu Gunung, Bali is well known and they are an impressive spectacle as they fly every evening into the trees of the village to sleep and feed their offspring. For many visitors to Bali, the unofficial story behind the Petulu herons is one of the first hints that there’s more to the people and culture than would appear in the smiling faces and brightly coloured ceremonial clothes.

INDONESIA: Legends of the Herons, or Kokokan birds in Petulu Gunung, Bali

INDONESIA: Traditional Tajen- Cockfighting in Bali

Indonesia, like many other nations, has banned cock fighting as a cruel sport, although traditional Tajen- Cockfighting in Bali is still allowed for ceremonial purposes. The term bali refers to blood offerings and/or animal sacrifice. These fighting birds are as much a part of Balinese Hindu rites as the burning of incense and giving offerings to the gods.

INDONESIA: Traditional Tajen- Cockfighting in Bali