Tag Archives: India Culture & Traditions Q&A

Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964), was the father of the Republic of India. He came from an upper class family and studied in England before returning to India in 1912. He became a close associate of Gandhi in the National Congress party which was devoted to gaining independence from Britain. Pandit (a title meaning ‘learned man’) Nehru, however, believed that socialism and …

Buddha was born in B.C. 560 and died at the age of eighty in B.C. 480. The place of his birth was a grove known as Lumbini, near the city of Kapilavastu, at the foot of Mount Palpa in the Himalayan ranges within Nepal. This small city Kapilavastu stood on the bank of the little river Rohini, some hundred miles …

How is Hanuman related to Pandavas? The venerable ape also features in the great epic Mahabharata. How Hanuman met the valiant Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers is itself a marvelous tale. He recognized Bhima as his spiritual brother, since both were born with the blessings of Pavana, the Wind God, and promised to aid the Pandavas in the big …

Who was Lord Mahavir? Lord Mahavir was the twenty-fourth and the last Tirthankara of the Jain religion. According to Jain philosophy, all Tirthankaras were born as human beings but they have attained a state of perfection or enlightenment through meditation and self realization. They are the Gods of Jains. Tirthankaras are also known as Arihants or Jinas. Who was Lord …

What are Ram Navami Quotes? Ram Navami festival commemorates the birth of Lord Shree Ram. Ram, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, one of the three major gods of Hindu religion came to earth for killing Ravana and reestablishment of ‘dharma’ (religion). He was also born as idyllic example of perfect human being. Lord Rama through various incidents of his life …

When is Ram Navami or birthday of Lord Rama celebrated? Ram Navami is the celebration of the birthday of Rama, a divine figure in Hinduism. On this festival people perform Kalyanotsavam (marriage celebration) with small images of Rama and Sita in their houses, and at the end of the day the deity is taken to a procession on the streets. …

What are Pooja rituals done daily during Navratri? Navratri, the festival of nights, lasts for 9 days with three days each devoted to worship of Maa Durga, the Goddess of Valor, Maa Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Maa Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge. During the nine days of Navratri, feasting and fasting take precedence over all normal daily activities …

What is Social Significance of Holi? Holi helps to bring the society together and strengthen the secular fabric of our country India. For, the festival is celebrated by non-Hindus also as everybody like to be a part of such a colorful and joyous festival. Also, the tradition of the Holi is that even the enemies turn friends on Holi and …

What is Mythological Significance of Holi? Holi brings us close to our religion and the mythological significance of Holi is connected with various legends. The most important of them is the legend associated with Prahlad and Hiranyakshyap. It is from there that burning the Holika tradition generated. There is another legend of Holi connecting Radha and Krishna, which is when …

What is Legend of Holika and Prahlad? There was once a demon king by the name of Hiranyakashyap who won over the kingdom of earth. He was so egoistic that he commanded everybody in his kingdom to worship only him. But to his great disappointment, his son, Prahlad became an ardent devotee of Lord Narayana and refused to worship his …