Nidhi Patel Journeys

It is Sawan, cool all around,  environment is full lush green and peacock is dancing like a rainbow adorning life with colours of love. So, when clouds provide relief from intense heat people all around awaits festivals which transcend them to spiritual bliss. Nostaligia struck me while reminicising 'Jhulas', and how hours passed by swinging, every time asking " dada " to swing more farther. It reminds of unconditional affection and lots fun. Earlier, during monsoon festivals like Gauri vrat friends reunion happened on the swings in nearby gardens. But now it is sad to see people hanging out in a corner of the street with mobile phones. Although, swings have now become a show piece it still holds its significance in the month of Sawan for an extraordinary reason. Do you know, the relationship between swing-Hindola and love is divine. In months of Sawan God woos his consort on decorated swing for 32 days.  Havelis across Vraj and all over India ...

You know about Cheesy popcorns in theatres and fairs, they are just perfect. But do you know why our mothers bring them home especially during spring season?  Here is why! Due to sun's higher inclination in the sky during spring environment starts gaining more heat which directly affects our biological system. As per Ministry of Ayush - " During the  Basant Ritu  (Spring Season- mid March to mid May) the  Kapha  which undergoes an increase during previous cold season ( Shishir ) becomes liquefied by the heat of the Sun during this season. Consequently the digestive power ( Agni ) is diminished and may leads to different disease s".  Combined earth and air disperses Kapha Energies  and douses off our pitta(heat) causing discomfort.  So, food that regulates our Kapha (mainly liquid content) and helps us maintain Pitta (heat) in our body are recommended by Ayurveda. Yes, our favorite Popcorn consumed in proper amount does the task.  The Pioneer...

"Sab Jag hori, ya Bruj Hori" - Surdas Lathmaar Holi - is a celebration come fight come expression of Love between  men and women of Vraj on next day of Holika dahan. Shree Krishna and Radhaji celebrating Holi with companions, Circa 1750, LACMA, California Traditions are for reason This unique celebration is done between two villages of  Barsana and Nandgaon in Uttar Pradesh. Barsana is home town of Radhaji and approximately 40kms away is Nandgao, home town to Lord Krishna. When Lord Krishna was young he went to Barsana everyday to express his love and also to tease  Radhaji.  One day little Krishna felt a beat jealous of Radhaji and asked her mother Yashodaji that why was Radha so fair and he so black". To this Yashodaji    mischieviously  replied, "If you feel so, go and colour Radha with same colour as yours". Lord krishna taking the coment seriously went to Barsana to paint Radhaji. So, In defence other Gopis came out with Laathis to beat all G...

Vasant Panchmi breaks our monotony of winters and commences new phase. It is a fifth day of Magh month in our Hindu calendar and signals the onset of Spring. Closely associated with Lord, lets look at the festival through Vraj's way of celebrating spring season. Trutiyagruhkankroli Vraj Vrajbhoomi encompassses the region of Gokul, Mathura and Barsana where Lord Krishna spent his childhood.  Vasantutsav When  flowers are about to blossom the abode of Krishna is truly filled with colors of love. It is believed that hori once played in Vraj or any pushtimargiya haveli is a lifetime experience. To your surprise in Vrindavan celebration of vasant is said to be 'Khel', observed for 40 days in total.   Keeping aside the life chores, people engages into forty days of " Khel"  in full fervor in context to Krishna. Whole Vasant festival is divided into Four festivals of ten days each. After vasant panchmi, the first ten days as festival of  Vasant, ten days as the d...