The Spirit of India’s Festive Season!!!!!

From August to November, India transforms into a land of light, devotion, and celebration. These months are, without a doubt, my personal favourite. A time when festivals line up one after another, each carrying its own significance, rituals, and emotional depth. The atmosphere becomes magical and serene, filled with positivity and spiritual energy. No matter how heavy life has felt, this season gently lifts the burden, replacing darkness with hope and strength.

It all begins with Saawan, the sacred month of Shravan, devoted to Lord Shiva. For an entire month, devotees immerse themselves in worship, fasting, and reflection. As Saawan concludes, Raksha Bandhan arrives, a celebration of sibling love and lifelong bonds.

Then comes Janmashtami, the joyous birth of Lord Krishna, celebrated with grandeur across India. I was blessed to spend nine beautiful years in Mathura, the heartland of Krishna’s legacy. There, both Saawan and Janmashtami are celebrated with unmatched fervor. The city glows with faith, music, and devotion — August in Mathura is nothing short of magical.

As the festive rhythm continues, September brings the arrival of Lord Ganesha. My professional journey took me to the western part of India, where Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in every home. Streets transform into sanctuaries of devotion, adorned with beautifully crafted idols and echoing with chants of Ganpati Bappa Morya.

During an official visit to Mumbai, I had the privilege of witnessing the Lalbaugcha Raja celebration. Standing in that pandal, surrounded by thousands of devotees, receiving Bappa’s blessings, it was a moment of pure magic.

Hailing from the eastern part of India, Navratri has always meant Durga Puja to me. Towering idols, intricately designed pandals, soulful dhak beats, and mesmerizing cultural performances , it’s devotion woven into artistry.

Yet, during my stay in Vadodara, Gujarat, I experienced Navratri in an entirely different light. There, the festival pulses with energy, a vibrant dance of faith and joy. Nights come alive with Garba and Dandiya, as thousands gather in traditional attire, spinning and swaying under starlit skies. It’s not just a celebration, it’s a community in motion.

Only in India can Maa Durga be worshipped in such beautifully distinct ways. In Bengal, she is the fierce yet compassionate mother, vanquisher of evil. In Gujarat, she is the radiant goddess of joy, celebrated through movement and music. Both traditions, though different in expression, are united in reverence and spirit.

Then comes Diwali, the crown jewel of India’s festive calendar. Celebrated across the country with unmatched fervor, Diwali is a celebration of light, prosperity, and renewal. Homes sparkle with diyas and rangoli, families gather in joy, and prayers to Goddess Lakshmi fill the air with hope.

As the festive season draws to a close, Chhath Puja arrives like a serene epilogue , quiet yet profoundly powerful. Celebrated primarily in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Odisha, this ancient Vedic festival honors the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, the goddess of purity.

Unlike the grandeur of earlier festivals, Chhath is marked by simplicity, discipline, and deep devotion. Devotees observe rigorous fasts, prepare offerings with utmost care, and gather at riverbanks to offer arghya to the setting and rising sun. The sight of families standing waist-deep in water, hands folded in prayer as the sun dips below the horizon, is one of the most moving spectacles of the season.

The childhood memories of Chhath Puja still resonate deeply in my heart. Waking up early, walking to the ghaat with family and friends, waiting for the prasad especially my favourite, Thekua, distributed on the final day, those moments are etched in my soul. Trust me, the taste of those Thekuas is truly unmatched.

Life, in its mysterious grace, often brings us full circle. After the vibrant rhythms of Gujarat, my professional journey led me back to the East, back to the land of my roots. Returning felt like reconnecting with an old melody, familiar yet deeply moving.

Here, the festive spirit carries a different cadence, one steeped in tradition, emotion, and ancestral pride. The air is thick with nostalgia, the rituals feel more intimate, and every celebration echoes with memories of childhood, family, and belonging.

From the vibrant streets of Mathura to the rhythmic nights of Vadodara, from the grandeur of Durga Puja to the serenity of Chhath, this journey through India’s festive season has been more than a calendar of events. It has been a pilgrimage of the soul.

Each festival, each prayer, each moment has stitched itself into the fabric of my being. And as life brought me full circle, back to East India, I realized that these celebrations are not just traditions. They are reflections of who we are, where we come from, and what we carry forward.

India’s festive season is a reminder that no matter where we go, the spirit of celebration, devotion, and togetherness always finds its way back to us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stay Connected!!!

You might be wondering—why even talk about staying connected? Isn’t it something we all do anyway?

The truth is, most of the time we stay connected out of necessity—because of work, responsibilities, or some immediate requirement. But what about those who may no longer be tied to our daily priorities, yet once played a pivotal role in our lives?

Our parents, friends, cousins, teachers, relatives, old colleagues, even ex-bosses—at some point, they were close to us. They guided us, supported us, and helped shape us into who we are today.

So here is the honest question: how often do we reach out to them without a reason? Just to ask how they are. Just to let them know they still matter. Just to listen without judgment, and remind them that they can still count on us.

We often hide behind excuses like, “I didn’t have time.” But if we never communicate, how will they ever know we care? Gratitude and love need to be expressed, not assumed.

In today’s fast-paced, nuclear society, communication tools have multiplied, yet real conversations are fading. And with that silence comes distance, leading to loneliness and, at times, depression.

Recently, I came across a video about Japan that really disturbed me. To cope with loneliness, people are hiring services like renting a friend, a family member, or even someone to just listen and provide comfort.

Think about it. In a world where communication has never been easier, why are people still feeling so disconnected that they have to “rent” relationships?

Technology may give us countless ways to connect, but real connection needs intention, not just convenience.

Let’s not wait until loneliness forces people to seek strangers for comfort. A simple message, a call, or a heartfelt conversation can make all the difference.

Stay connected—not because you have to, but because you want the people you love to know they matter. Sometimes, all a heart really needs is to be heard.

 

Rediscovering Soulful Music!!! ( Hai Yehi ek dhun )

Music is very powerful.  It has immense power to motivate, soothe, energize, and even heal. I cannot generalize about it, but music has been an essential part of my life’s journey. Since childhood, I have been biggest Bollywood movie songs fan. I even used to study with music playing in the background. Studying with music in the background is something many people relate to, it creates a rhythm, a sense of companionship, and sometimes even helps with focus. I had a great collection of audio tape cassettes. Back then, there was a fashion of big music players with both cassettes & CD players’ option. Then gradually, it was replaced by Walkman, CD man & ipod. Eventually, with time mobile has turned into music player. Earlier music was not available free on internet. We used to wait for the launch of new music album. Nowadays it’s freely available via apps though.

Anything which is free loses its value. Same goes with music as well. When music was scarce and awaited, it felt more special like a treasure. Now, with everything just a tap away, the emotional anticipation has faded a bit. But perhaps the value has shifted from the medium to the experience.

My playlist is full of songs from the 90s & 2000s. Today it’s more about loud music & less meaningful lyrics. But after a very long time I came across a full album of soulful & meaningful songs. Any guesses, which album I might be referring to. Well, it’s one of the most talked about & trending ones these days amongst gen Z.

In an age where music often feels like a race of beats and bass, Saiyaara movie album arrives like a breath of fresh air, gentle, poetic, and deeply moving. It revives the essence of soulful Bollywood music that many of us grew up cherishing. The soundtrack of Saiyaara is a masterclass in emotional storytelling. Each song is crafted with care, blending heartfelt lyrics with melodies that linger long. For someone like me, who still treasures the golden era of the 90s and 2000s, Saiyaara feels like a homecoming. It reminds us that music doesn’t need to be loud to be heard, it needs to be honest to be felt. In a world of instant streaming and fleeting trends, this album stands out as a rare gem that brings back the magic of meaningful music.

In the end, few lines from my personal favourite song from the album with a twist of mine for the ones who don’t like the word barbaad:

“Inn Ghamon Ko Khatam Kar Rahe Ho Tum

Zakhmon Ka Marham Bann Rahe Ho Tum

Mehsoos Mujhe Aisa Kyun Ho Raha

Ki Meri Duniya Bann Rahe Ho Tum

Tere Bin kya Yeh Dil Ab Dhadak Paayega

Poochta Hoon Main Yeh Khudko

Tere Aane Se Dard Chala Jaayega

Issi Baat se mann hai khush toh

Ki Ho gaya hai pyaar tumse mujhe

Kardega khushaal Ishq Mujhe

Ki HO gaya hai pyaar tumse mujhe

Behadd Beshumaar Tumse mujhe”

Foods that takes us down the sweet memory lane..

 

Foods that takes us down the sweet memory lane..

Some foods have the power to transport us back in time, evoking cherished memories and comforting nostalgia.

For me, that food is Litti Chokha. Having grown up in Dhanbad—the coal capital of India—Litti has always held a special place in my heart. It’s more than just a dish; it’s a slice of my childhood.

This week, I had the joy of relishing my favorite dish after nearly a year. The last time was when my mom visited me. Like all moms, she’s an incredible cook, and her Litti Chokha is simply unmatched.

Every time I eat it, I’m instantly taken back to the winter evenings of my childhood, when our colony would host Litti Chokha parties. The preparation was a community affair—uncles and aunts would gather to roast the wheat balls stuffed with spicy Sattu over coal fires or dried cow dung cakes, infusing them with a smoky aroma that’s impossible to replicate. The crispy crust and flavorful filling were paired with Chokha—a rustic mash of roasted eggplant, tomatoes, and potatoes mixed with mustard oil, garlic, green chilies, and fresh coriander—and sometimes even chicken curry.

We children would sit around the fire, watching the process unfold with wide-eyed excitement, eagerly waiting for the feast to begin. Those moments, filled with warmth, laughter, and the aroma of tradition, are etched in my memory forever.

Back then, picnics and parties were more than just events—they were experiences woven with togetherness.

Community cooking was at the heart of these gatherings, a beautiful way to celebrate, bond, and spend quality time with neighbours and friends. The joy of preparing food together, sharing stories around the fire, and watching recipes come to life was unmatched.

Over the years, this tradition has gradually shifted. Today, celebrations often find their home in restaurants and banquet halls—convenient, yes, but missing that rustic charm and warmth of shared preparation. While the settings may have changed, the memories of those simpler times continue to hold a special place in our hearts.

Recently I came across this thoughtful article on “When the Kitchen falls silent. Effects on family bonding. It beautifully describes the fact that cooking & eating together is an invisible thread that binds families together.

I make it a point to ensure my children—Gen Alpha—experience the warmth and joy of community eating whenever the opportunity arises. It’s heartening to see how much they enjoy it and eagerly look forward to these moments. Watching them embrace the spirit of togetherness and shared meals reminds me of my own childhood, and it gives me hope that these beautiful traditions will continue to thrive through them.

In the end, food is far more than nourishment—it’s memory, emotion, and connection.

Whether it’s the smoky aroma of Litti Chokha or the quiet comfort of a shared kitchen, these moments remind us of the deeper bonds we form through cooking and eating together. As traditions evolve and lifestyles change, it’s important to hold on to these simple joys that bring us closer—not just to our roots, but to each other.

Let’s keep the kitchen alive—not just with flavors, but with laughter, stories, and love.