Baiga art is known for its intricate designs and vivid colors, which are inspired by the natural world. The Baiga people believe that everything in nature is interconnected, and their art reflects this philosophy. They use natural materials like clay, leaves, and plant dyes to create their artwork, and their designs are often based on the patterns found in the natural world.
Read MoreAre there fabrics worthy of a king’s treasure? And are there some qualities that make a fabric to be considered luxurious or of great value? The obvious answer may be “No”. Fabrics are such common items that these are used all over the world for clothes, sheets, blankets, and many other items. So, what can be special about them? But there indeed are fabrics from the Kamrup region, modern-day Assam state, of India. Fabrics such as non-violent Eri. Silk and soft cotton are weaved using a tradition. dating back thousands of years ago.
Read MoreThe Holi celebration happens in Nandbaba temple courtyard. There are thousands of people and at least a thousand photographers from all over the world. The ceremony and the amount of color that is used is mind-blowing and breathtakingly beautiful. It is a transcendental and very unique experience. There is music with drums, people dancing and transgender women doing the mystic dance.
Read MoreAn art that has transformed the lives of many women in India, Madhubani is an art form that has survived for thousands of years. Originally used widely to decorate walls in village homes, Madhubani now decorates walls of museums around the world. The journey of Madhubani is inspiring, and surprising at the same time. Madhubani has helped women generate family income from their art and they have gained respect and recognition at the national and international stage. Opportunities for travel, education and now the internet have further expanded women’s consciousness and they are able to able to play an even more fulfilling role in their societies.
Read MoreLal Mandir is a great example of how communities have preserved culture during difficult times. From the audacity of Jivraj Papriwal and the vision of Jinachandra Deva to the faith of the army officer and the spirit of Agarwal Jain community, a piece of history survived and Sri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir Ji, as it is fully known, has become a revered place for Jains from all over the world and a cultural icon in the old city of Delhi.
Read MoreFirst temple in old Delhi that had a Shikhar, a prominent characteristic of the Hindu temple architecture. Even though this temple was built in 1807, when Delhi was ruled by Mughals, the art of negotiation by Raja Harsukh Rai who was a treasurer for the Mughal emperor enabled this temple to be build. Now, even after 200 years this place is as peaceful and serene as its creator had imagined.
Read MoreThe old bicycle in front of a house is one of the most famous exhibit in Georgetown, Penang. Street art is not a new concept. Banksy in London has created many murals on the walls of London city that are cherished by its residents. But people don’t associate London with street art. What’s special about Georgetown and Penang is that the street art has transformed the entire city and has given it a new identity. Once noted for crumbling old buildings, Georgetown is now a thriving city with art on every corner.
Read MoreThis breath-taking garden became the favorite entertainment spot for the queen and her 48 maids of honor who accompanied her from her parent’s home as dowry. It was named “Saheliyon-Ki-Bari”, also known as “Garden of Maids/Friends”.
Read MoreA music instrument so old that its roots can be traced back to Rigveda, ancient Indian scriptures that are almost 4000 years old, yet most people in India had never listened to it till as recent as 50 years ago. With the lifetime dedication of maestros such as Pandit Shivkumar Sharma and Pandit Bhajan Sopori, Santoor has found its place in Indian classical music and has mesmerized fans from all over the world with its mesmerizing, almost meditative sounds.
Read MoreGentle breeze, shaping the golden silky sand dunes all around you, rustic joyful music and dancers dressed in colorful clothes cheerfully filling the quiet surroundings. Wonder what would it be like to experience these mesmerizing moments and potentially dancing to the rhythmic enchanting music yourself , join the Kalbeliyas of Rajasthan, in the desert land in the Northwest part of India
Read MoreVajranabh, the great grandson of Lord Krishna created 3 idols of Krishna based on description provided to him by his grandmother who was daughter-in-law of Krishna and had seen Krishna with her own eyes. The 3 idols – Sri Madan Mohan Ji, Sri Gopi Nath Ji and Sri Govind Dev Ji are probably the oldest known idols of Krishna and were protected because of efforts and care taken by people who believed in the same cause as preserve culture.
Read MoreMutual respect for each other’s ideas and accommodating different points of view is how progress is made and it often leads to extraordinary achievements by mankind. Sri Govind Dev Ji temple in Vrindavan is a great example of this principal practiced by Emperor Akbar and Raja Man Singh and show how mutual respect for different faiths, collaboration, and compromises can lead to wonderful creations.
Read MoreThere are numerous beautiful temples in India and many of these took multiple generations to get completed. One truly has to wonder what inspired mankind to undertake construction of these temples lasting several hundred of years in some cases. To get an answer to this question, you have to visit Ranakpur and experience it yourself, where the saying goes that if you enter this temple once, you will begin your journey towards Moksha where you become one with the divine.
Read MoreThere are several example of rock cut architecture in the world. Abu Simbel in Egypt, Petra in Jordan and Ellora caves in India are some of the most beautiful structures built by carving out rocks. Sometimes the entire facade of a rock is cut or sometimes carving is done in and around a cave. But Kailash temple is the only structure in the world where an entire temple complex is carved out of a single rock. By looking at it’s intricate design and sheer size, one can’t stop but marvel at the ingenuity and planning that went into its construction.
Read MoreAs you stand on a hill in the town of Maras in Peru, you can’t stop but notice steps that are carved out of a hillside in the shape of square ponds. In this small village town of Maras, salt is harvested at 9000 feet above sea level even though the nearest ocean is thousands of miles away. The saltwater ponds in Maras show that humans know how to adapt, survive and use natural resources around them in most productive ways.
