Speaking Archaeologically™

A rather interesting story surfaced at the Lunch table yesterday at a party.Kamakhya Devi or Kamru Devi is a goddess who has been worshiped by the Upper Shimla area Kshatriyas for generations. They worship a tamra patra   or a small metallic pot with water in the name of this Goddess, who, when she possesses a mortal worshiper, asks for her "gaude" (local for ghada or water pot). The very same goddess is worshiped in Kinnaur as Kamru Devi and was apparently introduced in Upper Shimla by one of the ancestors of the Kshatriyas , who had gone to that region for trade. When the river freezes (and I am assuming this is Shyok River and Borasu Pass), the area becomes a trade-route that directly leads to China, and also opens up in Guwahati, Assam. Kamakhya Devi Temple, Assam Interestingly, Guwahati is in the Kamrup District, a famous Shakti Peeth where, interestingly,  there is a temple called Kamakhya Devi. According to Shakti Traditions,  the genitals of the Go...

“On a dark moonless night in autumn, I see a nation adhere to its ancient custom. to celebrate the deity of success and prosperity, by thanking their almighty.” - Sulaiman Sait Year in and year out, every year Diwali becomes the most anticipated festival in a country where people get together in order to celebrate the victory of light(brightness) over the dark. A festival where people of all cultures in this secular country get together and share happiness under a dark sky lit up with happiness and celebrations. Diwali is predominantly a Hindu festival but it also finds extreme importance in Sikhism. Historically, Sikhism struggled under the regime of Mughal rulers due to various reasons. On the day of Diwali, the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji and 52 other kings were released from the prison of Gwalior. After Jahangir found out that Guru Hargobind Ji was innocent and harmless, he ordered his release. 52 Rajas who were also imprisoned in the fort as hostages for opposing th...

Diyas or Earthen Lamps Diwali also called the Festival of Lights  is celebrated to honour Ramachandra, who is supposed to be the seventh avatar (incarnation of the Puranic God Vishnu). According to the Great Epic, Ramayana it is believed that on this day Lord Rama returned to his people after 14 years of exile during which he fought and won a battle against the demons and the demon king, Ravana. People lit their houses to celebrate his victory over evil (light over darkness).The Suryavanshi clan (Descendants of the Sun) of the Dogras celebrate Diwali as a reminder of the victory of their supposed ancestor Lord Rama. Diwali in Dogra culture is celebrated in almost the same manner as the rest of India. Great significance is given to Goddess Lakshmi ( The goddess of wealth and fortune) and Lord Ganesha, the Lord of auspicious beginnings and prosperity. Marigold garlands on the thresholds  The preparations for Diwali begins a week prior to the festival....

Volunteer Shaurya Negi in Traditional Himachali Attire Hailing from the mountains of the Devbhoomi, or Himachal Pradesh as the world popularly knows it, I have been lucky enough to be a part of different festivals celebrated in different ways.Among these festivals is Deepawali. Despite the world moving at a fast pace, Himachal Pradesh has not forgotten its varied traditions when it comes to celebrating Deepawali. Districts like Kullu, Manali, Shimla, Mandi have had the most magnificent rituals involved in celebrating Diwali. Looking at and growing up learning the different traditions,I've been able to gather the different colours and customs of celebrating Diwali in the upper areas of Shimla, the state capital and remarkably the most religiously significant city. Shimla popularly known for its tremendous history of Devi-Devtas has its own traditions especially found in upper areas like Kotkhai, Rohru, Jubbal, Balsan, Chopal, Theog and Kotgarh. Diwali is not only a festiv...