Category Art & Culture

Why Jaipur is called the “Pink City”

Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, earns its title of “Pink City” from the warm rose-colored façades that dominate its historic quarters. The practice began in 1876, when Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II had the city painted in this color to…

Why Jodhpur is the Blue City

Jodhpur, Rajasthan’s second-largest city, is known as the “Blue City” for the cluster of azure houses surrounding the 15th-century Mehrangarh Fort. The custom began with the Brahmin community, who painted their homes blue to signify status and align with the…

Why Pondur Khadi owes its texture to a fish bone

Pondur, a small town in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district, is renowed for its centuries-old tradition of producing khadi of exceptional quality. This handspun, handwoven fabric has earned admiration from figures like Mahatma Gandhi, poet C. Narayana Reddy, and actor Akkineni…

The carved wonders of Unakoti, Tripura

Unakoti, in Tripura’s Unakoti district, is an ancient Shaivite pilgrimage and archaeological marvel, famed for its colossal rock-cut sculptures and intricate bas-reliefs. Bas-reliefs are shallow carvings on a flat surface where figures slightly stand out from the background. The name…

Why devotees offer oil to Shani Deva

The ritual of offering oil to Shani Deva, the deity representing the planet Saturn, has its roots in both mythology and astrological tradition. One of the most popular legends appears in certain retellings of the Ramayana and later folk traditions,…

Bobbili Veena – A legacy carved in wood and sound

The Bobbili Veena is a musical instrument from Andhra Pradesh, prized for its rich tonal depth and craftsmanship. Its origins trace to the 17th century in the town of Bobbili, where the royal family, particularly under Pedda Rayudu, nurtured Carnatic music and veena-making,…

How seven islands and a goddess shaped Mumbai

Mumbai, India’s bustling financial hub, carries a history as layered as its skyline. Its name traces back to the Koli fishermen, the earliest known inhabitants of the region, who worshipped the local goddess Mumba Devi. The settlement that grew around…