Sharad Navratri Day 2 (Maa Brahmacharini)
Ascetic penance contemplation and worship of Brahmacharini for steadfast willpower.
Essays on Sanatana Dharma, astronomical science behind Hindu festivals, temple architecture, and practical Vedic philosophy.
Ascetic penance contemplation and worship of Brahmacharini for steadfast willpower.
Thousands of Kashmiri Pandits return to Tullamulla spring where sacred waters change colors reflecting destiny.
New Year dawn sight of a thali filled with unhusked rice, coin, mirror, walnuts, flowers, & new Panchang.
Ghatasthapana and invocation of Goddess Shailaputri, daughter of the Himalayas riding a bull.
Worship of Goddess Brahmacharini who practices austere penance holding rosary and Kamandalu.
World longest 75-day festival worshipping Mother Danteshwari featuring giant 8-wheeled double-decker chariot.
Young children place freshly plucked wild yellow mustard & peach flowers on doorsteps singing blessings.
Veneration of twin royal goddesses Nanda and Sunanda with plantain trunk idols immersed after grand procession.
Bi-annual Navratri fair at famous shrine populated by 25,000 revered sacred black and white rats (Kabas).
Grand birthday celebrations along Narmada river banks offering kilometers of multicolored chunari to the holy river.
Massive pilgrimage at ancient shrine of Guru Dronacharya wife Kripi seeking immunity from poxes and fevers.
Iconic 18-day Rajasthani festival carrying colorful painted wooden idols of Gauri & Isar in Jaipur & Udaipur.
Royal procession of Goddess Teej through historic Tripolia Bazaar with elephants, folk dancers, and Ghewar sweet.
Unique custom where no stove is lit; families offer and eat food cooked the previous evening (Basoda).
Spring advent when blossoming Sal tree flowers are distributed by village priest (Pahan) for prosperity.
Monsoon women festival where daughters return to maternal homes to dance Giddha and swing under trees.
Full-day nirjala fast broken after sunset with jaggery kheer and rotis on banana leaf; 36-hour fast begins.
Annual fertility festival at sacred Kamakhya Shakti Peetha celebrating Mother Earth monsoon menses.