Mahavir Jayanti namaskar to all sentient beings. According to Jain tradition, Vardhamana Mahavira (599-527 BCE) was the 24th (and the last) tirthankara. “In Jainism, a Tīrthaṅkara is a human being who helps in achieving liberation and enlightenment as an “Arihant” … Continue reading →

Pujo is over and Ma Durga has gone back. Shubho Bijoya to all. Below the fold, listen to the Mahisasuramardini radio program.

Guru Purnima this year falls on 3rd July. It’s the full moon day we acknowledge the debt we owe to our guru.

For me, one of the best things about being in India during Diwali – or any Indian festival for that matter – is that it gives me hope, that all is not yet lost, that there is something precious that … Continue reading →

Wishing you all a Happy Bengali New Year!! I am visiting Irvine, CA, for a couple of days. Drove down from SF Bay area, part of the way on highway 1. The Pacific coast if fabulous. Then had to double … Continue reading →

Picture resized from The Big Picture feature on Holi of 2010. Like all their photo features, this one is good. Go see them.

Greetings from New Delhi on Basant Panchami. It is also the day for Saraswati Puja. And for the worship of Kamadeva, who is also known as “Atanu” !! You all may bow in reverence to me

Today is the 8th day of Durga Puja. We Bengalis call it simply as “pujo” which means “worship.” It is the biggest festival for Bengalis across the world. In the SF Bay area, several temples have puja. I will attend … Continue reading →

It’s that time of the year again when he with the curved elephant’s trunk, of enormous body, with the brilliance of a ten million suns, the remover of obstacles, etc., visits our homes. Here are a couple of songs to … Continue reading →

Om gate gate paaragate paarasamgate bodhi svaaha I always wake up around 4 AM on Buddha Purnima — perhaps because of the bright moonlight streaming in through the window. And now I am listening to the Perfection of Wisdom Heart … Continue reading →

I wish you all a colorful time with family and friends on Holi.

Diwali, or Deepavali, is the festival of lights. It is also the festival of wealth. Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth is worshiped on Diwali. Among Bengalis, Mother Kali is worshiped during Diwali. The tradition is attributed to a number of … Continue reading →