by Keya Gupta High up in the Ziro Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, the Apatani tribe has spent generations cultivating paddy in the mountains. Every July, before the paddy has fully ripened, the Apatanis pause their labour to celebrate Dree, a festival that asks the gods to keep pests, disease and hunger away from their fields and homes.  The legend of the Dree Festival starts with Abotani, the […]

by Shree Sauparnika V  Makar Sankranti marks a special moment in the Hindu calendar: the day Surya, the Sun God, begins his northward journey, known as Uttarayan. This celestial shift is deeply significant, symbolising the return of light, warmth, and hope. As the days lengthen, the harvest is gathered, and life moves toward renewal, making it an auspicious time […]

by Keya Gupta The end of winter is when winter crops such as sugarcane, wheat, and sesame are harvested across the country. The harvest of these crops is traditionally celebrated across the country, as Makar Sankranti in many North and South Indian states, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Magh Bihu in Assam, and Lohri in Punjab […]

By Shree Sauparnika V In the mist-covered hills of Meghalaya, two vibrant festivals bring communities together in joyful thanksgiving during the first few weeks of November — Wangala of the Garo people and Nongkrem of the Khasi tribe. Both celebrations honour the harvest, the land, and the spirits of nature — yet each has its own distinctive rituals, music, and meaning.  Wangala – The Hundred […]

By Keya Gupta Marking the end of monsoon, communities across South Asia celebrate with festivals that commemorate the triumph of good over evil. In the month of Ashwin, the seventh month in the Hindu calendar, which is typically during September-October, India celebrates Dussehra with grand Ram-Leela performances and Ravana effigies. Similar celebrations occur across the […]

By Keya Gupta In Indian culture, astrology is more than a tool to predict our ever-changing lives. It is the thread that connects everyday life to the stars and sky. As Sharad Navratri arrives, the air grows crisp and the seasons turn, along with a shift in the spiritual landscape. This is the festival that […]

By Shree Sauparnika V When dark clouds gather and the first drops kiss the earth, nature begins its grand symphony. The wind whistles, thunder rumbles, and in homes, temples, and concert halls, a voice rises in song. In India, the monsoon is not only heard, seen or felt but also sung.  Music and the Seasons  […]

by Keya Gupta When you think of Ganesha, you picture the pot-bellied elephant-headed God, worshipped across India. But historically, Ganesha has travelled around the world, with the oldest surviving Ganesha statue being found in the Kung-sin province of China, in 531 CE!  In fact, Ganesha idols have been found all over the world, from Japan […]