Articles written by Harsh Nevatia

Had the Sun Temple of Konark survived in its original form it would have been a marvel. Even today it is a confluence of legend, architecture and culture.

May 15, 2010 - Harsh Nevatia

There are phrases in the Hindi language that derive from events in Hindu mythology. These phrases now express general situations beyond the original event.

May 1, 2010 - Harsh Nevatia

Following the popularity of Hanuman Chalisa a number of similar hymns have been written for other deities. The article looks at the structure of the hymns.

Apr 20, 2010 - Harsh Nevatia

When Hanuman brought the news of Rama's victory over Ravan to Sita, she showered praises on him and in return for the glad tidings she blessed him with eternal virtues.

Apr 1, 2010 - Harsh Nevatia

Hindus celebrate the birth anniversary of Rama by performing pujas, singing bhajans and reading the Ramcharita Manas.

Mar 23, 2010 - Harsh Nevatia

An invisible star firing comets at the earth and causing mass extinction every 26 million years is similar to the cyclic creation and destruction described in Hinduism.

Mar 18, 2010 - Harsh Nevatia

The process of receiving an education, living ones adult life are undertaken according to religious rituals that form a part of the Shodasha Samskara or Sixteen Sacrament

Mar 11, 2010 - Harsh Nevatia

Religious rituals have significance at different levels. This article discusses sixteen of the most important "samskaras" or sacraments in a Hindu's life.

Feb 28, 2010 - Harsh Nevatia

Rishikesh is a Hindu pilgrimage venue that finds mention in the ancient scriptures and is a modern day center for Hindu learning as well.

Feb 15, 2010 - Harsh Nevatia

The festival of Holi is associated with Krishna and Radha playing with colors. However, the name derives from a mythological tale in which Holika is the protagonist.

Feb 8, 2010 - Harsh Nevatia

Rama asking Sita to undergo the Agni Pariksha is one of the controversial episodes in Hinduism that evokes strong emotions. This article provides a dispassionate view.

Jan 26, 2010 - Harsh Nevatia

Frawley argues that the tenets of contemporary Hinduism spring from the Riga Veda, though the connection has been obscured by lack of understanding of the scripture.

Jan 9, 2010 - Harsh Nevatia

Sage Atri was the first to predict solar eclipses and calculate their durations. References to this are found in The Riga Veda and The Pancavimsa Brahmana.

Dec 30, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

Hindu leaders have treated all religions as different paths to the same God and have advocated harmonious co-existence of all religions.

Dec 8, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

The authors reconstruct the origins of Hinduism and demonstrate that the civilization described in the Vedas is none other than the Indus Valley Civilization.

Nov 29, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

Most Hindu deities are worshiped with their consorts alongside. This is based on the belief that the male-female duality is essential for the sustenance of the universe.

Nov 9, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

The Kalash is worshiped in every Hindu ritual, be it marriage or consecration of a home. Its significance has been explained in different ways.

Nov 2, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

The tulasi leaf is steeped in legend. Its ritual marriage to God in the form of the shaligram stone is conducted in every Hindu household.

Oct 29, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

56 items of food (chhapan bhoga) are prepared and offered to Govardhan Hill in a reenactment of the ritual began by Krishna.

Oct 13, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

On Roop Chaudas Hindus undertake beauty treatments so as to look their best on Diwali day. The demon Narakasura was also slain on this day by Krishna.

Oct 11, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

Dhanteras is the first day of the five day long Diwali festivities. It is celebrated in diverse ways. Laxmi, Yama and Dhanvantri are the main protagonists.

Oct 9, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

The Karwa Chauth is a rigorous fast traditionally undertaken by women alone. Now, husbands are joining in as well.

Oct 2, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

Dussera is special in Mysore because it was on there that Durga slew Mahishasura after a ten day battle. Dussera receives both royal and state patronage in Karnataka.

Sep 22, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

Dussera is celebrated as Durga Puja in West Bengal to commemorate the victory over Mahishasura. The Hindu diaspora celebrates Durga Puja in a less traditional manner.

Sep 20, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

The article first discusses the prominence of the Rama Lila in the Dussera celebrations and then elucidates on the evolution of the Ramayana in a wider context.

Sep 13, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

Ram's victory over Ravan, Durga slaying Mahishasura or worshiping the Mother Goddess - Navratri and Dussera are celebrated throughout India in different ways.

Sep 12, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

Breaking a coconut before starting any new undertaking is an age old Hindu ritual. It has now been adopted by all religious communities in India.

Sep 9, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

The original significance of Anant Chaturdashi was a vow taken on this day and kept for fourteen years. Today it is celebrated as the last day of the Ganesh festival.

Aug 31, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

Radha Ashtami or the celebration of Radha's birthday is not as widespread as that of Janmashtami. However, it is a big event in Barsana and the whole of Braj.

Aug 27, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

The Ganesh Chaturthi festival is a community affair. Aartis, bhajans and devotional songs are sung throughout the day.

Aug 21, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

Ganesh, the elephant-head God, is revered in Maharashtra. The Ashtavinayaka pilgrimage consists of darshan in eight special temples around the city of Pune.

Aug 17, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

Janmashtami is celebrated by enacting the birth of Krishna and creating 'jhankis' of major events from his childhood in Vrindavan

Aug 7, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

Today Raksha Bandhan is a fusion of the traditional and the contemporary. The Rakhi Thali that carries the accessories for the Hindu festival exemplifies that fusion.

Aug 1, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

Today the bhabhi has been inducted into Raksha Bandhan, a festival originally between brothers and sisters. She is given a special rakhi called lumba.

Jul 23, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

A landmark solar eclipse will take place on July 22, 2009. It is the appropriate time to look at the most celebrated solar eclipse in Hindu mythology.

Jul 20, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

The three types of sacrifices, austerities and charities are Satvik, Rajasik and Tamasik. Some choose the wrong types without being aware that they are making a mistake.

Jul 9, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

On the occasion of Guru Purnima Hindus pay obeisance to their spiritual preceptors in memory of Sage Vyasa, the greatest Guru of all.

Jul 2, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

The USCIFR has planned a visit to India to probe the clash in Orissa, India, in which Christians were killed by Hindus. This has drawn protest from the Hindu community.

Jun 13, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

Radha sees Krishna with the other maidens and leaves in a fit of jealousy. The lovelorn Krishna searches for her in order to make amends.

Jun 7, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

Since 1997 the people of Ladakh have been celebrating the Sindhu Darshana festival as a symbol of the multicultural multi-religious identity of India.

May 31, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

Hindus have built many temples in Durban. One figured prominently during a recent international cricket tournament when some of the team owners went to there to pray.

May 25, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

Draupadi is always seen in the context of her husbands, Krishna and even Duryodhan. Divakaruni explores her possible relations with her father, brother and mother-in-law.

May 16, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

One of the most poignant verses in the Ramcharita Manas describes the birth of Rama to Kaushalya, who is confused by the realization that she has given birth to God.

Apr 25, 2009 - Harsh Nevatia

Radha sometimes imagines Krishna with other maidens and sometimes with her. But despite his infidelity, she cannot get Krishna out of her mind.

Nov 2, 2008 - Harsh Nevatia

Yudhishthir answers all the questions the Yaksha asked to the complete satisfaction of the latter. However the last question was the trickiest one.

Sep 4, 2008 - Harsh Nevatia

Yudhishthir, the eldest Pandava, was known for his wisdom. He answers a medley of questions from the Yaksha on a wide range of topics.

Sep 2, 2008 - Harsh Nevatia

His brothers are dead. Yudhishthir is dying of thirst. The Yaksha's questions are unending. Yet Yudhishthir is patiently answering the questions fired at him.

Aug 24, 2008 - Harsh Nevatia

The next sets of questions are simple and focus on the relationships forged in life and on what constitutes good conduct.

Aug 16, 2008 - Harsh Nevatia

The next two sets of questions illustrate what can be learnt from nature and also what directly constitutes good conduct. Yudhishthir answers both sets adeptly.

Aug 16, 2008 - Harsh Nevatia

The episode of the Yaksha asking the questions to Yudhishthir is popularly known in Hindi as 'Yaksha Prashna', prashna being the Hindi word for questions.

Aug 8, 2008 - Harsh Nevatia