Mythologist | Author | Speaker | Illustrator

Hinduism

  • Dalit Mythology

    Dalit Mythology

    Why should one privilege Brahmin fantasy over Dalit fantasy?…

  • How Maharashtra Became a Stronghold of Hinduism

    How Maharashtra Became a Stronghold of Hinduism

    Today, we see Maharashtra as a land defined by political boundaries. But traditionally it has been the land of the Marathi-speaking people, who speak a set of multiple dialects that emerged from Maharashtri Prakrit and was deeply influenced by Sanskrit (which Brahmins encouraged) and even Persian (which Brahmins hated)…

  • From Shiva’s Knot to Ram’s Chanda Mama – Our Stories of the Moon

    From Shiva’s Knot to Ram’s Chanda Mama – Our Stories of the Moon

    As Chandrayaan-3 lands on the moon, it just so happens that the name of the current Chief Justice of India, D Y Chandrachud, means “on whose brow the moon takes refuge” – a title for Shiva…

  • How Gujarat Got Temples That Are Upside-down Or Topped With Mountain Peaks

    How Gujarat Got Temples That Are Upside-down Or Topped With Mountain Peaks

    Internet alien hunters have concluded that in Gujarat there is an underground upside-down temple, despite the fact that the ‘upside-down’ temple has upright images of Vishnu and his avatars…

  • How the Worship of Radha, Krishna Spread, Amidst the Shadow of Islam.

    How the Worship of Radha, Krishna Spread, Amidst the Shadow of Islam.

    Chaitanya, known to his followers as Mahaprabhu (great lord, incarnation of Krishna), popularised the worship of Krishna with Radha and the circular dance of Raas Leela in India…

  • The Story of Stolen Gods

    The Story of Stolen Gods

    In the medieval times, Indian kings declared their victory by bringing back home images of gods that were worshipped in the land they conquered. These gods became minor deities in the victor’s temple, living in the shadow of the victor’s patron deity, just as the defeated king lived in the shadow of the victor. It…

  • Diversity and Inclusion is a radical idea in the West because of monotheism

    Diversity and Inclusion is a radical idea in the West because of monotheism

    In the USA, a section of activists prefer the word ‘birthing people’ to ‘mothers’. This …

  • Ravana in Malaysia and Indonesia

    Ravana in Malaysia and Indonesia

    The Ramayana has been retold by several communities and several people over a period of 2,000 years and over a region that spreads over 5,000 miles. Scholars have found the Ramayana retellings even in faraway places such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. The story was taken there by seafaring merchants. …

  • Krishna’s Sister and the Varying Interpretations Of Her Image

    Krishna’s Sister and the Varying Interpretations Of Her Image

    One of the oldest caves (number 27) in Ellora in Maharashtra, has the image of a goddess holding a lotus flower, flanked by two gods…

  • Kappiri, Habshi and African Slave Gods

    Kappiri, Habshi and African Slave Gods

    The eastern coast of Africa has a long relationship of trade with the western coast of India. However much of it is undocumented and hence it is not part of the popular imagination…

  • How Hinduism Reached Manipur and Remains Entrenched

    How Hinduism Reached Manipur and Remains Entrenched

    Published on 22nd May, 2023, in Times of India. Manipuri dance is a popular classical …

  • Amrit and the Terror of Impermanence

    Amrit and the Terror of Impermanence

    Published 13th May, 2023, in the Economic Times. As the stock market rises and falls, …

  • The Hindu History of Bengal

    The Hindu History of Bengal

    Published on 6th May, 2023, in Times of India. When we talk about Bengal, we …

  • Reframing Hindu Gods As Saviour Gods

    Reframing Hindu Gods As Saviour Gods

    Published on 9th April, 2023, in Mid-day. As per Christianity mythology, Jesus was crucified on …

  • Why Puranas Represent a Wider Indian Ethos Than the Vedas

    Why Puranas Represent a Wider Indian Ethos Than the Vedas

    Published on 5th April, 2023, in Times of India. The Puranas are called the fifth …

  • Why the Location of Shiva’s Pillars Has Become So Controversial

    Why the Location of Shiva’s Pillars Has Become So Controversial

    Published on 25th February, 2023, in Times of India. The Assam government’s claim that the …

  • Veda, Vedanga, Vedanta

    Veda, Vedanga, Vedanta

    Published on 19th February, 2023, in Mid-day. Hinduism can be divided into three major eras. …

  • Bhakti Is Devotion? Is Loyalty?

    Bhakti Is Devotion? Is Loyalty?

    Published on 4th February, 2023, in Economic Times. Most family business owners in India prefer …