Mythologist | Author | Speaker | Illustrator
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Articles
Who is a Hindu? The making of Hindu anger
Can a religion be objectively criticised? Whose criticism must be taken seriously — the outsider’s or the insider’s? …
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Articles
Demon Poets
It is fascinating to learn that until the Mughals painted Hindu mythology on orders of Akbar in the 16th century, demons of Puranas were never shown as having dark complexion…
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Articles
Who is a Hindu? Economics of being Hindu
The Lingayats socio-cultural demand to be classified as different from Hindus throws up many interesting questions…
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Articles
Who is a Hindu? Diversity unites, homogeneity divides
Unlike Westerners, Hindus have been comfortable seeing unity in diversity for thousands of years…
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Articles
A ring of tantrik women
One thing that often goes unnoticed in many traditional Hindu temples, is that the walls of the shrine is made of a circle of women…
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Articles
Tulu-Nadu’s Bhootas
In Tulu Nadu, one finds even today, special temples, known as ‘sthaans’ where metal and wooden masks of spirits, or Bhootas, are worshipped…
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Articles
Born of Brahma’s hair
Plants play a key role in Hindu mythology. Plants are seen as sacred, sometimes deities by themselves, and sometimes as key offerings in a ritual…
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Articles
God of Craftsmen
Vishwakarma Puja is located at the cusp between death and rebirth. Makes sense as Vishwakarma is the divine craftsman, patron of all craftsmen…
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Articles
Is divorce permitted in Hinduism?
In many cultures, marriage is a contract. Divorce is the breaking of the contract. Some, like the Catholic Church, believe that the contract of marriage is sacred and hence, must never be broken. Others disagree…
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Articles
Decoding Ganesha: it is difficult to reduce him to a signpost of a single idea
Bachelor or polygamous? Ancient god or contemporary Buddhist icon? Ganesha, like Hinduism, refuses to be reduced to a single idea…
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Articles
What Devdutt Pattanaik Says about the Kinnars/Third-Genders and Kankalas/Skeletons of Tantrik Temples in Nepal
I was told that Guhyeshwari Temple was one of the revered holy temples in Kathmandu, Nepal. This temple is dedicated to Adi Shakti…
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Articles
Why do Hindus prefer birth anniversaries to death anniversaries?
In Hinduism, memory of death prevents progress, wisdom and liberation…
